Local. Community. Back to life.

Those are just a few key words that describe Dufour’s and their “Blessings in our Soups Cookbook.” Today on Indy Style, we learn how Dufour’s was one of the anchors to bringing the business district in Irvington back to life in the 90’s. 

Indiana Originals’ Mel McMahon introduces us to Bernadette Lathrop, co-creator, “Blessings in our Soup.”

About Indiana Originals: 

Indiana Originals is simplifying the search for Indiana-based businesses through our app and our website, IndianaOriginals.com. All of our business members are locally owned and operated, headquartered in Indiana, and not part of an out-of-state franchise. Supporting Indiana Original businesses puts more money into our local economy, creates jobs, and helps keep our community unique. Discover what’s local near you with Indiana Originals and remember: whenever you see the logo, you know you’re supporting local. Indiana Originals… Leading local living.

About “Blessings in Our Soup”:

The Dufour kids played restaurant in the basement with a play cash register, play dishes, and a makeshift counter. With a large family, a mom who cooked like there was no tomorrow, and a dad who sold restaurant equipment, their destiny was laid out early in life. Follow two of the Dufour siblings, Bernadette and Maria, as they take you through loving memoirs and recipes collected from family and friends and used at Dufour’s in Irvington, a neighborhood eatery–and the first place Indiana Originals founder, Mel McMahon, ever worked.. Read about mouthwatering delights that were created for the restaurant and a laugh or two that went along with each recipe. Enjoy old photos of family, friends, customers, and staff. Follow the progression of how Dufour’s in Irvington evolved through the years.

History:

By 1949 the Durfours, then a family of seven children with three more yet to be born, were living at 53 N Audubon Rd. They would walk tot the Irvington shops to get whatever they needed. Between Audubon Rd and Ritter Ave, there were five grocery stores (one delivered!), two banks, a jewelry store, a bakery, a shoe store, a dry goods store, a stationery shop, a cleaners, a hardware store, a five-and-dime store, two drugstores, and a movie theater.

Irvington was a thriving district with schools and churches. Everything you needed you could get to by either walking or riding your bike. Some 50+ years later, the neighborhood is striving to bring back that lifestyle. 

Fast forward to 1997. Bernadette has moved back to Indy with her family, and Maria had just graduated from culinary school. Bernie befriended Jill Lashbrook, owner of Jack & Jill’s Antiques (then located on the northside of Washington St). In a conversation between Bernie and Jill about Irvington, Jill mentioned that there was no place to eat–the rest is history. Maria and Bernadette started serving their family recipes in the back of the antique store, and soon their spot was known as “The Little Shop.” Two year later, “The Big Shop” opened on the corner of Washington and Audubon, and the true revitalization of Irvington began.

In the cookbook, “Blessings in Our Soup,” follow tow of the Dufour siblings, Bernadette and Maria, as they take you through loving memoirs and recipes collected from family and friends used at Dufour’s in Irvington, a neighborhood eatery. Read about mouthwatering delights that were created for the restaurant and a laugh or two that went along with each recipe. Enjoy old photos of family, friends, customers, and staff. Follow the progression of how Dufour’s in Irvington evolved through the years. The hope is that you enjoy and reminisce, as they did, preparing this collection.

“Blessings in our Soup” is available in local bookstores, Amazon.com and at many special eastside events. 

About Indiana Originals:

Indiana Originals was founded in 2014 to simplify the search for local, Indiana-based businesses. Our mission is to create healthier, stronger communities and more jobs in Indiana by encouraging and facilitating a greater use of Indiana-based businesses. All of our members are locally owned and operated businesses headquartered in Indiana. Whenever you see the logo, you know you are supporting local. Search for local businesses in your community for free at IndianaOriginals.com or on the app. Indiana Originals, leading local living.

To learn more, visit www.indianaoriginals.com.