City Cafe, Goldstein's, and the Polk Hotel

Murfreesboro’s oldest documented restaurant and a notable local landmark, City Cafe first opened its doors in 1900 under the ownership of Henry & Dorsey Cantrell at 11 S. Public Square. The establishment changed hands several times during the 20th century. It was moved to 107 E. Main in 1954 by Maurice & Pauline McKnight and again to its current location at 113 E. Main Street in 1992 by Garry & Pat Simpson. Recently, City Cafe plays a fascinating role in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County’s political culture. A central community table in the cafe serves as a forum for local political hopefuls and interested citizens. While fraught, City Cafe’s role in local politics is an additional element to the cafe’s history.

A Jewish Russian immigrant, William Goldstein settled in Murfreesboro in the 1880s. He founded Goldstein’s, at this location on the corner of Church and Vine, around the turn of the 20th century, running the business with his wife Dora until 1930. Goldstein’s sons took over and continued to run the independent family-owned business until 1965. Goldstein’s closed its doors in 1982, but throughout the 20th century the Goldstein family owned or had a stake in several businesses around Middle Tennessee, played a prominent role in Murfreesboro social circles, and gained a generous charitable reputation.

This site also contains two Murfreesboro stories: The Morgan-Ready Wedding, a Civil War marriage ceremony between a Confederate officer and the daughter of a prominent Murfreesboro family, and the James K. Polk Hotel, built on this lot in 1929. John H. Morgan and Martha Ready were married in December of 1862. Rumored guests of the wedding include Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Regardless of the guest list, the wedding was an exciting occasion that lifted the morale of Murfreesboro residents during the tumultuous war years. 67 years later, the Polk Hotel opened its doors. The segregated hotel advertised its “strictly modern” conveniences, including circulating ice water and ceiling fans. The Polk Hotel was torn down in February of 1977, to the dismay of many Murfreesboro residents who considered it a local landmark, clearing the way for the lot’s existing structure.