Look Back: Medart's Restaurant strike, 1942 | Buy historic photos & newspaper pages

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Look Back: Medart's Restaurant strike, 1942

Date: 3/9/2012 Album ID: 1430015

Photos by Post-Dispatch staff photographers

Medart�s restaurant, at 7036 Clayton Avenue and Skinker Boulevard, glorified the American hamburger and was a hit with the after-theater crowd and college kids. But frustrated by long hours and low pay, Medart�s waitresses went on strike in July 1941, eventually settling on March 16, 1942. They got most of what they wanted.

Blossom Breneman, a movie actress from Kirkwood who had a few roles in Hollywood movies during the 1920s. Her screen name was Donal Blossom. She met another St. Louisan, William Medart of Clayton, a top amateur golfer whose family owned a manufacturing company. They were married in a courthouse ceremony in Clayton on Oct. 10, 1928. (Post-Dispatch)

William S. Medart of Clayton, a top local amateur golfer. Medart's parents owned Medart Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, maker of sports equipment, and Medart worked for a time as a company representative -- and regularly hit the links, here and in Hollywood. (Post-Dispatch)

Blossom and Bill Medart outside their new restaurant, Medart's, at 7036 Clayton Avenue near Skinker Boulevard, in November 1930, shortly after it opened. Bill left the family company and played less golf. Blossom turned down a Hollywood contract. Their restaurant was a hit. (Post-Dispatch)

Bill and Blossom Medart make a hamburger at their restaurant in November 1930. They said they'd seen restaurants in Hollywood succeed in glorifying the American hamburger, and wanted to offer the same upscale fair in their hometown. (Post-Dispatch)

Waitresses go on strike at Medart's restaurant on July 19, 1941. Members of Waitresses Local 249 were demanding that their $7 pay for a six-day week more than double, that the company provide uniforms and hire additional employees to clear (bus) tables. They would walk the picket line for eight months and win most of what they had wanted. (Post-Dispatch)

Striking Medart's waitresses on the picket line on July 21, day three of their strike. They are, from left, Ethel Taylor, president of Waitresses Union Local 249, and fellow waitresses Veda Doder, Lucille Hagerling, Peggy Doder and Elva Kelly. At right is a security guard. (Post-Dispatch)

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