THE HISTORY OF BOLTON & HAY, INCORPORATED

Written in 1940 by either Mr. L.M. Bolton or Mr. H.O. Hay (Unknown)

On September 15, 1920, Lewis M. Bolton and Harry 0. Hay left Springfield. Illinois, where they had been associated in the restaurant business for 3 ½ years. They stopped in Davenport. Iowa after visiting the principal cities in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. and intended to establish themselves in the restaurant business in the Tri-Cities. After advertising for restaurants and being unable to buy the first location. on the afternoon of October 1, 1920, they decided to come to Des Moines, Iowa together. each having visited Des Moines alone before, so early the next morning, October 2, 1920, via Rock Island, Lewis M. Bolton and Harry 0. Hay arrived in Des Moines.

The first and most important problem in entering the restaurant business was that of finding locations, which were very scarce. In fact, there really were no vacant rooms available. In about a week Bolton got in conversation with an Italian, Joe Denunzia, who was serving spaghetti and meat balls at 411 5th street, and who was desirous of selling his business, which had a daily gross sale of about $18.00. A price was agreed upon, and the lease transferred by the landlord, H. Marks. This later was Bolton & Hay Restaurant No. 1. A vacant and deserted basement was found in the Watrous Building. 6th & Mulberry, and a lease was made on this room with Mose Cohen. At this time after making two leases, Bolton returned to Springfield to get his family and household effects.

Now the task began to remodel and equip the two restaurants. Equipment was sold at that time with the encouraging assurance that it would be ordered at once, but no delivery time could be set as factories were oversold and back on orders. However, Restaurant No. 1 at 411 5th Street, was opened November 13, 1920, which happened to be on Friday, and believe it or not, there were 13 stools.

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