Donald Samuel Evans, second of three generations of druggists once wanted to be a civil engineer. Instead, he ended up the chief executive of a group of hometown drug stores called Evans Drugs, a dominant force in Springfield from the 1920's through the 1960's.

Back in 1960, Don was looking for another drug store site when a friend who owned a cafeteria in Oklahoma City mentioned that the drug store next door to him was doing a great business. As chain drug stores and discount houses were forcing out the old-time drug stores, Don Evans decided that having his own cafeteria next to his drug store might help rebuild his drug store sales, he decided to build one. The Heritage Cafeteria was born and was such a huge success that no more Evans Drugs were ever built. Don Evans had changed directions and the course of Springfield, Missouri's history. Over the course of the next two decades, three more Heritage locations were opened.

Today the remaining Heritage Cafeteria stands as an icon of a by-gone era but also as a pathway to the future. As more and more people seek out foods that are wholesome, nutritious and delicious, the Heritage continues to prosper.