Interesting to see “The Platter” at the southeast corner of 4th and Adams, which was the best place in town to buy quality audio equipment, and the B & Z Pastry Shop next door, which was the best bakery in town EVER.
I remember B&Z Bakery. Sometimes for special occasions my mom would pick up a cake there. My favorite was a lemon cake. Mom worked at Horace Mann before they were in the current location. We lived in the John Hay Homes and she would walk to and from work everyday. I have such wonderful memories of downtown Springfield. This website is awesome!
I worked for Leath Furniture in the mid 60s for 2 years in Spfld and then was transferred to the Leath Store in Anderson, In. where I still live today. This websight brings back a lot of memories. I should mention that the lemon cake at the B&Z bakery was to die for.
I don’t know if B&Z was the best, but I certainly remember it well! How about Rechner’s on the east side by the John Hay Homes – butter cake?! and those cinnamon rolls they served on First Fridays at SS Peter and Paul Grade School?
Hmmm….street surfaces appear to be in better shape in 1974. There were more street lights. But the one constant is that the parking meters are still there !!!
Barbara, I do remember Recner’s Bakery. We had the oatmeal cookies and the butter cake was delicious. We lived in the John Hay Homes and went to Rechner’s almost every day. I also went to St. Peter and Paul. What a wonderful time that was back then!
I worked at Illinois Bell in the Illinois Building and downtown was the place to be. I remember Bressmer’s Dept. Store, S A Barker’s and Rolands so many wonderful memories. And the Platter and B & Z Bakery there was always somewhere to go on the lunch hour. It was a dream come true for a girl from a small town to be dropped smack in the middle of downtown Springfield! Thanks for the memories.
I had my wedding cake made at BZ wonderful memory.
I also think the platter was the first place to handle video recording equipment, I believe we bought a Betamax there.
I remember Recner’s Bakery too. I lived on 12th Street about 6 blocks away and would walk to there store every Saturday to pick up fresh baked bread and the smells were wonderful. The baker would always give me a free cookie!
Does anyone remember the Steak N Shake diner? I think it was on Monroe Street near 5th. You could order chili Hot, Medium or Mild and they had great milk shakes. One of my favorite places for lunch.
I remember as a small child my grandmother and I would get on a bus and she would take me all around downtown. I remember Rolands, Bressmers, and Springfield Dry Goods. We would also go to all the parades. As a very small child I would get permanents downtown at Springfield Dry goods. Loved B and Z bakery growing up. There was also an Italian store
downtown. I would go there with my grandmother who was Italian. I remember Kresges too. Good old days for sure !!!!!
Does anyone remember the 3 cent table at Springfield Dry Goods, and Buck’s hat store where I went with my father to get a new hat. There was also a ladies hat store downtown. I worked as a wrap girl at Bressmer’s & also worked at the Cotton Shop. The bakery on W. Governor was the best for cinnamon rolls, Danish & butter cakes. B & Z had red & green bread at Xmas.
I worked a ABC answering service in the down town area and the pharmacy that had the malt shop in it. I grew up in Spfld IL and went to school At LHS. I remember the donut shop up town I use to go there before school. I have to come back just to see the down town area again. I have been away from Spfld for almost 27 years. this brings back so many memories (Good ones) of Down town spfld IL. thanks for posting this.
I remember B&Z and the outstanding multi-layer cakes they made, especially for the holidays. My mother got me hooked on the cakes, occasionally bringing one home, if she was downtown shopping. In the 80’s when I worked for the State, I would pick one up for the office, every so often and bring it back to the office to share. Everyone thought they were great, Since we had monthly birthday celebrations; I started picking them up for my half dozen co-workers when it was their month. It continued to be my tradition until B&Z closed their doors, but I still have fond memories of all their baked goods. I have traveled all over the country, but never found a cake to equal their lemon-filled cake. Tried duplicating the cake from what I remember, but just never could get them as good as B&Z’s. I understand the owners kept it a secret until they closed, but at least I still have fond memories of their bakery pastries.
I stumbled across this article about the B and Z Bakery and did that bring back childhood memories. My favorite was their butter cake and their has been none like it since. None of the current recipes out there even come close. The highlight of my day as a child was when my grandmother would let me go to Castors supermarket and buy a butter cake. Some one mentioned the old Steak and Shake diner in Springfield and I remember it fondly as my Aunt would take me their on special occasions.
Those were the good old days.
My wife grew up in Springfield and talks about the “butter bread” (I think that’s the name)she ate as a child. I know this is a long short, but does anyone have the recipe?
Hello Ed:
Hopefully you will remember training me with the state back in 1990, along with Tony DeAssuncao and Jeff Tisckos. I’m still with the same department, but no longer with the OSHA consultation program. I work with the Workforce Investment Act program now, as does Tony. Jeff is no longer with the State. Are you still out west with the company you left the state for? Good seeing you on here and glad I could say hello.
Interesting to see “The Platter” at the southeast corner of 4th and Adams, which was the best place in town to buy quality audio equipment, and the B & Z Pastry Shop next door, which was the best bakery in town EVER.
Craig | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
I remember B&Z Bakery. Sometimes for special occasions my mom would pick up a cake there. My favorite was a lemon cake. Mom worked at Horace Mann before they were in the current location. We lived in the John Hay Homes and she would walk to and from work everyday. I have such wonderful memories of downtown Springfield. This website is awesome!
Janet | Apr 28, 2010 | Reply
I can still hear Charlie yelling, “Hey Carla,” over The Platter inside loudspeakers. hahahaha
Meredith Rhule | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I worked for Leath Furniture in the mid 60s for 2 years in Spfld and then was transferred to the Leath Store in Anderson, In. where I still live today. This websight brings back a lot of memories. I should mention that the lemon cake at the B&Z bakery was to die for.
Charles Robson | Feb 9, 2011 | Reply
I agree with you,Craig. B&Z was the best!
Mindy | Feb 12, 2011 | Reply
I don’t know if B&Z was the best, but I certainly remember it well! How about Rechner’s on the east side by the John Hay Homes – butter cake?! and those cinnamon rolls they served on First Fridays at SS Peter and Paul Grade School?
Barbara Wyeth | Feb 16, 2011 | Reply
B&Z was the best. Those days were the best under the worst circumstances. Oh what kids miss out on today
Rosie | Feb 18, 2011 | Reply
Hmmm….street surfaces appear to be in better shape in 1974. There were more street lights. But the one constant is that the parking meters are still there !!!
Baldy | Feb 20, 2011 | Reply
Barbara, I do remember Recner’s Bakery. We had the oatmeal cookies and the butter cake was delicious. We lived in the John Hay Homes and went to Rechner’s almost every day. I also went to St. Peter and Paul. What a wonderful time that was back then!
Janet | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
YES B&Z WAS THE BEST I worked there for 10 yrs.Harold Figgie & wife were the owners at that time.
MIKE T | Feb 26, 2011 | Reply
I worked at Illinois Bell in the Illinois Building and downtown was the place to be. I remember Bressmer’s Dept. Store, S A Barker’s and Rolands so many wonderful memories. And the Platter and B & Z Bakery there was always somewhere to go on the lunch hour. It was a dream come true for a girl from a small town to be dropped smack in the middle of downtown Springfield! Thanks for the memories.
Elsie | Feb 26, 2011 | Reply
I had my wedding cake made at BZ wonderful memory.
I also think the platter was the first place to handle video recording equipment, I believe we bought a Betamax there.
Barbara Brunk Harris | Feb 27, 2011 | Reply
I remember Recner’s Bakery too. I lived on 12th Street about 6 blocks away and would walk to there store every Saturday to pick up fresh baked bread and the smells were wonderful. The baker would always give me a free cookie!
Does anyone remember the Steak N Shake diner? I think it was on Monroe Street near 5th. You could order chili Hot, Medium or Mild and they had great milk shakes. One of my favorite places for lunch.
Ann Duvall | Mar 23, 2011 | Reply
I remember as a small child my grandmother and I would get on a bus and she would take me all around downtown. I remember Rolands, Bressmers, and Springfield Dry Goods. We would also go to all the parades. As a very small child I would get permanents downtown at Springfield Dry goods. Loved B and Z bakery growing up. There was also an Italian store
downtown. I would go there with my grandmother who was Italian. I remember Kresges too. Good old days for sure !!!!!
Linda McEntire | Apr 7, 2011 | Reply
Does anyone remember the 3 cent table at Springfield Dry Goods, and Buck’s hat store where I went with my father to get a new hat. There was also a ladies hat store downtown. I worked as a wrap girl at Bressmer’s & also worked at the Cotton Shop. The bakery on W. Governor was the best for cinnamon rolls, Danish & butter cakes. B & Z had red & green bread at Xmas.
Jean | Apr 12, 2011 | Reply
My lord my mom worked @ the Platter’s in the 70′s and would all way bring us home goodies from B&Z bakery.
Cathy Standage | Apr 29, 2011 | Reply
My mom Joann worked @ the platter’s with Charlie and big Carla and little Carla.
Cathy Standage | Apr 29, 2011 | Reply
I worked a ABC answering service in the down town area and the pharmacy that had the malt shop in it. I grew up in Spfld IL and went to school At LHS. I remember the donut shop up town I use to go there before school. I have to come back just to see the down town area again. I have been away from Spfld for almost 27 years. this brings back so many memories (Good ones) of Down town spfld IL. thanks for posting this.
Vickey Conaway Mullett | Aug 7, 2011 | Reply
I remember B&Z and the outstanding multi-layer cakes they made, especially for the holidays. My mother got me hooked on the cakes, occasionally bringing one home, if she was downtown shopping. In the 80’s when I worked for the State, I would pick one up for the office, every so often and bring it back to the office to share. Everyone thought they were great, Since we had monthly birthday celebrations; I started picking them up for my half dozen co-workers when it was their month. It continued to be my tradition until B&Z closed their doors, but I still have fond memories of all their baked goods. I have traveled all over the country, but never found a cake to equal their lemon-filled cake. Tried duplicating the cake from what I remember, but just never could get them as good as B&Z’s. I understand the owners kept it a secret until they closed, but at least I still have fond memories of their bakery pastries.
Ed Handwerk | Sep 8, 2011 | Reply
I stumbled across this article about the B and Z Bakery and did that bring back childhood memories. My favorite was their butter cake and their has been none like it since. None of the current recipes out there even come close. The highlight of my day as a child was when my grandmother would let me go to Castors supermarket and buy a butter cake. Some one mentioned the old Steak and Shake diner in Springfield and I remember it fondly as my Aunt would take me their on special occasions.
Those were the good old days.
Barb Pelan | Nov 14, 2011 | Reply
My wife grew up in Springfield and talks about the “butter bread” (I think that’s the name)she ate as a child. I know this is a long short, but does anyone have the recipe?
Brian Kerner | Dec 7, 2011 | Reply
Hello Ed:
Hopefully you will remember training me with the state back in 1990, along with Tony DeAssuncao and Jeff Tisckos. I’m still with the same department, but no longer with the OSHA consultation program. I work with the Workforce Investment Act program now, as does Tony. Jeff is no longer with the State. Are you still out west with the company you left the state for? Good seeing you on here and glad I could say hello.
Mark Burgess | Jan 18, 2012 | Reply