Narrator from Weaving Women's Words: Baltimore Stories

Minna Shavitz

A fixture at two of Baltimore's best-known and beloved restaurants, Minna Shavitz was influenced by the strong role model of her working mother, who owned and operated a dry goods store in Georgia with her father. Born in 1910, Min was raised in a small town outside of Atlanta, where hers was one of only two Jewish families. She was educated at Sullins College in Virginia and, in 1930, married Leon Shavitz, a traveling salesman who sold goods to her parents. After moving to Baltimore, they opened their popular restaurant and delicatessen, Nate's and Leon's, with partner Nathan Herr. Often working late into the night, Min found great satisfaction in her active work life and the dynamic social world of Nate's and Leon's and later, The Pimlico Hotel. Their daughters, Reta and Gail, frequently helped their parents at the restaurant, where Min worked as a cashier, hostess, and manager for over thirty years. A woman of charm, poise, and loyalty, Min continued to maintain an active social life in retirement, taking pleasure from a wide circle of dedicated friends, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Minna Shavitz passed away on November 2, 2008.


	I loved working at Nate's and Leon's. I liked being with people and I made a lot of friends in town. I love social life and I was invited everywhere. I like to go—even today. I resent it that I have to slow down.
Minna Shavitz A fixture at two of Baltimore's best-known and beloved restaurants, Minna Shavitz was influenced by the strong role model of her working mother, who owned and operated a dry goods store in Georgia with her father. Born in 1910, Min was raised in a small town outside of Atlanta, where hers was one of only two Jewish families. She was educated at Sullins College in Virginia and, in 1930, married Leon Shavitz, a traveling salesman who sold goods to her parents. After moving to Baltimore, they opened their popular restaurant and delicatessen, Nate's and Leon's, with partner Nathan Herr. Often working late into the night, Min found great satisfaction in her active work life and the dynamic social world of Nate's and Leon's and later, The Pimlico Hotel. Their daughters, Reta and Gail, frequently helped their parents at the restaurant, where Min worked as a cashier, hostess, and manager for over thirty years. A woman of charm, poise, and loyalty, Min continued to maintain an active social life in retirement, taking pleasure from a wide circle of dedicated friends, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Minna Shavitz passed away on November 2, 2008.
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© 2004 Jewish Women's Archive. Photograph by Joan Roth