There is a German term for a “regular’s table”, a gathering place in a restaurant for regular customers. That term is a stammtisch. It is a place where the conversation consists of discussion of topics of local interest at tables occupied by the same people almost every day.

For quite a few years, the Old Bank and Coffee Shop has been Altenburg’s Stammtisch. This past November, the operator of that establishment, Lindy Roth, celebrated her 10th year of being in business. That business began in the building that once housed Altenburg’s first bank, which was built in 1910 on Main Street in Altenburg.

Here are two photos of the Bank of Altenburg as it looked back in the old days.

Recently, Lindy’s business has undergone a rebranding. The reason for the change is that the floor in the Old Bank was deteriorating and became unsafe. Lindy made a move to another location. It just so happened that she moved to a vacant building just across Main Street. She is now operating her bakery/breakfast joint in the building that was once the Mueller Hardware Store. Later that hardware store became Bellmann’s Hardware, and more recently, it housed Say Grace, a catering business.

Here are a few old photos of the Mueller Hardware Store.

I will also display this photo of the interior of the Mueller Hardware Store that documents that this building has had a long tradition of being a “gathering place” for local residents.

Since Lindy’s business was no longer housed in a bank building, she needed a name change. She recently decided to rebrand her business as Lindy’s Morning Table. About a week ago, some new signage appeared on the exterior of her building. I took a few photos after that change was made. It is actually hard to take a photo of Lindy’s Morning Table without seeing a reflection of the Old Bank Coffee Shop across Main Street. The thumbnails are clickable.

As you can see in the photo above of the front door, the hours that Lindy is open indicate that she is basically a breakfast restaurant. Her menu consists primarily of bakery items and what could be described as breakfast casseroles. I would also say that her prices are very reasonable. She doesn’t have a printed menu because her menu consists of what she feels like making for the day. She writes her daily menu of casserole offerings on a chalkboard, and that listing constantly changes. The regulars know the names of their favorite offerings. And if you prefer baked goods, they are found inside a case where they are put on display.

I just have to mention that Lindy’s maiden name is Mueller. She is part of what we call the Frohna Mueller’s. Martin Mueller, the original owner of the Mueller Hardware Store was part of what we call the Zacharias Mueller clan. Despite the fact that Lindy and Martin Mueller are not related, it is still notable that the Mueller Hardware Store is now operated by another Mueller.

I confess that I am one of the “regulars” that occupies a seat at Lindy’s. I insisted on getting a photograph taken on the occasion of Lindy’s 10th anniversary back in November.

Lindy’s food is great, and I encourage you to patronize her business if you are ever in town. If you do so, don’t be surprised if the folks inside turn around to see who is coming through the door. And be ready to answer the questions you will be asked, such as “Where are you folks from?”

Lindy’s does not have just one table that would be called the Stammtisch. There are times when several of her tables have lively conversations about what is going on in or around Altenburg. As another one of the regular patron’s, Gerard Fiehler, says, “There are a lot of stories told here, and some of them are true.” And I might add that there is plenty of laughter to be heard inside Lindy’s. It’s a great place to start your day.