08/01/2026
🎉On this day in 1946 my Great Grandmother, Ellen “Cookie” Teague bought the Cat and Fiddle Tavern. Cookie was a businesswoman pioneer who opened a bar when women did not work outside of the home. She loved playing cards at the round table and would close the Tavern on Tuesdays to go to the racetrack. Cookie was a funny character but a hardworking, stern woman. When Cookie retired, her son Bill Murray and wife Dibbie took over the Tavern from 1963-1970. Bill was a real jokester who loved telling stories while they held church on Sunday mornings with a b**r or cocktail in hand. In 1970 Bill got transferred to Joliet from his job at Mobile Oil. Therefore, his two sisters Eileen Reilly and Lorie Colliflower took over the Tavern from 1970 until July 1, 1986. Eileen did not put up with any nonsense, and you knew where you stood with her. Lorie, on the other hand, was always laughing and smiling telling funny stories just like their brother Bill! Lorie and Eileen both liked playing cards with the customers!
On July 1st, 1986, my parents Jim and Lynn Ellison (Lorie’s daughter) took over the Fiddle! My Mom worked the day shift and my Dad worked the night shift until they hired Donna, Jorja, Cousin Jan, Katrina and other employees! They came up with the idea of adding a kitchen to the bar. The current kitchen area used to be a barbershop. The men would wait out in the bar and have a b**r until it was their turn to get their hair cut from Jim the Barber!
My parents and Grandma Lorie worked endless hours on getting the perfect fish and chicken recipe! They did an amazing job! My sister, Jamie and brother, Jimmy and I would have to work every Friday for the fish fry! You had to be on your deathbed to get off work! Lol! Also, my nieces Haley and Bree worked here through high school! My Mom Lynn and her friend Margaret Schaefer made the kitchen what it is today!
When my Mom was ready to retire, she asked me to become the owner and operator. So, I did on January 1, 2008! My first day was when the government put the smoking ban into effect and it was a rough few months. I asked my Mom, how did you survive raising 3 children going to a catholic school working here? She said don’t worry Julie you will be just fine, give it some time! She was right! I’ve been running the Fiddle for 18 and a half years now and have worked here for 38 years altogether.
I would like to thank my Great Grandma Cookie, her children, my parents and my Aunt Micky Stygar for giving me the opportunity to keep the Cat and Fiddle Tavern in our family! I also wanted to thank all of our amazing customers who kept us going for 80 years! Also, thank you to all of our hard working employees past and present! Without all of you I would not be the person I am today!
With Love,
Julie…….CHEERS to 80 YEARS 🍻
