The Shack is back

MU is resurrecting an old favorite hangout in the student center.

By Justin Whaley

Published Dec. 1, 2009

Walking through the green squeaky doors of the run-down shanty, floors creak and tall glasses clink together as students pile in for a quick bite to eat and let loose after classes and exams. Pitchers of beer go around the tables and couples hit the dance floor to get close to their beaus.

Floorboards were brittle and booths could have cracked from all the carvings, but that didn't stop MU students from frequenting one of the most happening hangouts: The Shack.

The Shack became the quintessential student hangout of its time. Crowds flocked at all times of the day to grab a beer, relax after a long day's work and make their mark by carving names and initials into the booths, walls and floorboards. Although The Shack had a long-standing tradition of being the go-to place to wine and dine with friends, its prestige didn't flourish overnight.

Members of the Chandler Davis family parked their house car across the street from Jesse Hall in 1921 with intentions to sell a quick lunch, sandwiches and snacks to students on the go. As time went by, the family built around the lonesome house car and revamped it into the green shanty that was first titled "The Davis Tea Room." Eight years in the making, The Davis Tea Room became the perfect place for students to go on "jelly dates," short dates in between classes to grab a coffee or a soda and to get a little closer to that special someone.

The Davis Tea Room closed in 1933, and it went under new ownership numerous times. Vernon and Mary Blackmore and Jack Armel reopened the property in the mid-'30s under the title "Jack's Shack," which was shortened to "The Shack" shortly after. In 1962, The Shack was taken over by Joe Franke, its final owner.

Perched deep in the booths of The Shack, Mort Walker, creator of the Beetle Bailey comic strip and MU alum, frequented the hot spot during his time at MU. At The Shack, Walker would generate ideas for comics and characters. One of his characters, a typical student named Spider, lollygagged around a campus with many aspects similar to those of MU. Walker seemed inspired by The Shack and its fans enough to feature it in Beetle Bailey.

The Shack closed its doors May 18, 1984, after plans of a proposed alumni center in its place came about. On Halloween night of 1988, the physical remnants of The Shack went up in flames with the cause undetermined. Sadly, the tradition of students' favorite shanty was no longer — until today.

As part of phase two of the building of the student center, reincarnation is in the near future for The Shack. Student Auxiliary Services spokeswoman Michelle Froese said she expects the new Shack to be as big of a hit as the first Shack.

"Alum can come to the new Shack and try to find old carvings," Froese said. "It can be a good place to host anything from open mic nights to sports parties."

With the idea to "connect old and new MU students," Froese stressed the importance to bring back this MU tradition.

"It's important to incorporate old MU traditions to the new student center," she said. "If alum return, they can reconnect with the past."

Incorporating antique pieces from the original Shack is essential in reclaiming its tradition. Old floorboards, booths and pieces from walls that were rescued from the fire will be included in the new design of the student hangout. For $150 to $250, students can carve their name or initials, Froese said, and the proceeds will be donated to the general scholarship fund.

Terri Gray, the director of development for Student Affairs, said the new location of The Shack, along with bringing in old traditions from the first Shack, would catch students' attention.

"It's important to bring back many old traditions," Gray said. "That's what the new student center is about. The new student center is right in between the Rec. and Ellis Library, which will be very convenient for students."

The new Shack will sit next to Mort's, a restaurant honoring Mort Walker in the student center. Walker is working on artwork to incorporate into The Shack that will connect the old to the new and bring back traditions of the original Shack in a new environment, which students can enjoy.

Tom Schultz, an alumnus who works part-time in external relations in the MU Office of Development, spoke of the times he used to meet at The Shack with his friends. Schultz said The Shack was a fun place for students of all different interests to gather.

"I think it's great that we're trying to make The Shack a historic thing," he said. "This is one hell of a university. Tradition is a huge part to incorporate to it."

Although the present generation of students missed out on the traditions of jelly dates and carving initials in whatever could be reached, they can look forward to the future. Phase two of the student center will come to a close January 2011, and the center will be loaded with places for students to grab some grub, watch the game and appreciate the old traditions of Beetle Bailey and The Shack.