South Side Diner better known as South Side Soda Shop has been awarded a national grant for historic preservation.

Editor’s Note: This article was published in the October issue of HomeLiving Places & Spaces, a publication of The Papers Inc.

By Nicholette Carlson
Guest Author

GOSHEN – Driving down Main Street in Goshen, the South Side Soda Shop is a retro diner that is hard to miss. It is a true family-run business, having been restored and reopened in 1986 by Charity Boyd’s father and then purchased by Nick and Charity Boyd. They have run the diner ever since, with their children joining the workforce as well.

Recently the family was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photo from southsidesodashop.com

In the early 1900s, the diner was built and opened as a grocery store. It transformed into a soda shop with the installation of the original Bastian Blessings soda fountain in the 1940s, which still remains today. The soda shop underwent restoration in 1985 and reopened in 1986.

Eight years after it was reopened, the dining car was added to the building for additional seating and a 1950s-style feel. The diner is still currently run by Nick and Charity Boyd along with their daughter, Nicole, who is a baker and daytime server, and Hannah, a full-time teacher who works during weekends and summers.

Hannah’s husband, Josh, joined the team in 2022. Nicole’s three boys and husband, Justin, can also be found visiting the diner frequently.

This family has created a legacy at the diner. The chili has been voted Michiana’s best seven times. The lemon meringue pie was the winner of the Indiana Pie Quest contest. It has been featured in multiple publications, including Gourmet Magazine and even the movie “Lonesome Jim.” It was featured in the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” twice, highlighting the Philly cheesesteak, chili, seafood, snapping turtle soup and pecan pie.

A friend of Nicole’s saw a grant for historic, family-run restaurants and immediately thought of South Side Soda Shop. Nicole went online, found the application, and filled it out. The application included a history of the building and what the family would do if they were awarded the grant.

Any money awarded must be used on the exterior of the building and cannot be used for interior changes. It also must maintain that historic look. The grant helps keep these small, historic buildings and restaurants in the community.

“The South Side Soda Shop stood out for its remarkable history, its deep roots in the Goshen community and its role as both a beloved neighborhood gathering place and a nationally recognized diner,” Natalie Woodward, associate manager of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, described.

“For more than 80 years, generations of families have shared meals, memories and traditions within its walls. Their story reflects not only resilience — most recently in over-coming the setback of a devastating fire — but also a steadfast commitment to community.”

Once the family discovered they were the recipients of the $50,000 grant, they had to submit more specific information about changes to be done with quotes from contractors.

“The $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant will allow the Boyds to make critical exterior improvements that honor the historic character of the building while ensuring it remains a welcoming place for decades to come,” Woodward shared. “Planned upgrades include new awnings, window repairs, repainting and restoration of both the iconic dining car and the historic signage. In addition to these visible improvements, the grant provides flexibility for some general business needs. We are proud to support the South Side Soda Shop as they continue to serve their neighbors, celebrate their culinary traditions, and anchor their historic neighborhood.”

All work must be completed by January. The family already has a contractor, and work is set to begin mid-September.