Ferguson’S Will Offer New Items Alongside Classics New Owners Give Landmark Restaurant Face Lift In/Around: Garland Area

When Ferguson’s Cafe on Garland reopens on Wednesday, customers might notice some changes.

The crack that’s been in the front store window for the past two years will be gone.

And there will be some additions to the menu, said new owners Jim Adolfson and John Senger.

“We’ll have a signature deli sandwich and `Fergers’ - hamfergers, cheesefergers, and maybe even babyfergers,” Senger said.

But other than that, “We’re sticking with the Ferguson’s tradition,” Adolfson said.

Adolfson and Senger have a five-month lease agreement with an option to buy from owner Bob Erdman, who ran Ferguson’s at 804 W. Garland, with his ex-wife, Beverly, for 21 years.

Erdman had a similar agreement with Lisa Keetch, until the end of the summer when the agreement ended due to nonpayment, Erdman said.

Adolfson and Senger both grew up on Ferguson’s breakfast. As a youth, Senger lived just three blocks away. When the two men saw it was available, they couldn’t resist.

“I’ve been coming here since I was kid,” Senger said. “Now is our chance to give back to the North Side what it has given to us for 30 years,” said Senger, 43.

The two men have been acquainted since attending Gonzaga Prep in the early 1970s.

They became friends when they managed the St. Regis Cafe together in the early ‘80s.

They also managed Patsy Clark’s together. Senger waited tables at the Davenport Hotel in Louis D’s Dining Room in the ‘70s. Adolfson has managed Ankeny’s and Clinkerdaggers.

They also managed the food service department at the Spokane Airport together.

Adolfson, 43, said he’s excited to work in the diner atmosphere that Ferguson’s is known for.

“It’s an opportunity to bring a plate of food to someone after talking with them for a while,” Adolfson said.

Adolfson and Senger said Ferguson’s will offer lunch take out and delivery to the immediate area and have a fax machine in place for customers to place an order in advance.

Ferguson’s will feature blue plate specials for lunch, such as chicken and dumplings or meat loaf for $4.95.

They also plan to sell sandwiches in nearby taverns that do not have kitchens.

“The idea is to do business on the inside and on the outside,” Adolfson said.

Ferguson’s has been a part of the Garland community since 1948, when Walt Ferguson bought the building. Before that it was Sander’s Cafe.

Ferguson and his wife ran the cafe for 26 years until the Erdmans took over.

Erdman said he will be there when the Ferguson’s reopens.

His fondest memory is “knowing what people are going to order when they walk in the door,” said Erdman, 70.