Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria

Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria
Company type	Private
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	1928
Founder	Evan A. Sholl
Defunct	2001-12-05
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Area served	Washington, D.C., Arlington, Baltimore
Key people	George Fleishell (final proprietor and manager)
Products	Cafeteria-style meals

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 27 November 2025

Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria was a well-known cafeteria-style dining establishment in Washington, D.C. throughout the 20th century, recognized for welcoming a wide spectrum of patrons, ranging from United States presidents to individuals experiencing homelessness. The restaurant ceased operations on December 5, 2001, primarily due to increased rental costs and a significant drop in tourist activity following heightened terrorism fears.

Location

During its most successful period, Sholl's maintained eight outlets but eventually reduced to a single venue located at 1990 K Street N.W. in its last ten years. This particular site regularly accommodated charter buses transporting high school students from various regions nationwide.

History

Established in 1928 by Evan A. Sholl, an entrepreneur involved in agriculture, dairy production, and property development, the chain served the growing population of government employees seeking convenient midday meals during the late 1920s and 1930s. The final proprietor and manager was George Fleishell—Sholl’s nephew and a World War II veteran—who remained with the business until it closed.

At its operational peak, Sholl's catered to approximately ten customers each minute—equating to nearly two million annually—across eight locations situated in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and Baltimore. The ultimate shutdown resulted from a combination of declining tourism after terrorist incidents and rent increases imposed by the landlord.

Racial integration

Beginning in the 1940s, Sholl's took a clear stance against racial segregation, serving African Americans during the civil rights movement. Its staff comprised immigrants originating from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, as well as members of the extended family.

Religion

The cafeteria extended complimentary meals to clergy members representing all religious denominations. Each table featured prayer cards reflecting Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths, and a certificate from the Pope was prominently exhibited.

Charity work

Sholl's engaged actively in initiatives aimed at feeding homeless individuals. Michael Kirwin, a Washington D.C. advocate, commended Sholl's leadership for their generosity in The Washington Post. Years earlier, Kirwin contributed $5,000 to support providing meals to homeless guests, recalling that these resources appeared limitless. He emphasized that many homeless people found dignity, respect, and sustenance through Sholl's charitable efforts.

External links