Here, we can talk, and post pictures about one of the greatest roadside empires of all time: Howard Johnson's!!
those old memories
sigh
yup. I went to the Times Square Howard Johnson's yesterday. Everything but the food was Howard Johnson's :(
the food wasnt hojos???????
nope..not at Times Square :(
Lake George, Lake Placid, and Springfield, Vermont still do I think.
Bay City, Michigan does too
Best site for Hojo's info and pics:
http://www.autoage.org/
It looks like there is only 1 official HoJo left, along with some scattered others/
A lot of my pictures of Howard Johnson's are on that site. Check them out under the New York State listing.
Rich has my pictures for these locations:
Albany Metro:
Both Albany motor lodges, and 2 Restaurants.
Both East Greenbush restaurants
The Schenectady restaurant
Coxsackie
Kingston
Hyde Park
Saugerties
Poughkeepsie
Times Square
I'm pretty sure this Friendly's was an Howard Johnson's restaurant. It's located just aside Kmart in Augusta ME, in the commercial area that boomed in the 70's 80's...
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
I'm pretty sure this Friendly's was an Howard Johnson's restaurant. It's located just aside Kmart in Augusta ME, in the commercial area that boomed in the 70's 80's...
Yep, those outside lights look the same as the pic above.
Thanks for noticing about the lights!! I knew the building style looked like Hojo..
Many HOJO had a sign with a shape like this one in Portsmouth NH,wich is now a Bickford's.
The location is featured here: http://www.autoage.org/NewHamphire/Portsmouth/portsmouth/portsmouth2.html
yup, that's the standard Trapeziod sign that was used in the 60's. And, yes, the lights you find in a parking lot of an old Howard Johnson's, are in many cases, original.
Also, there are four building designs:
Colonial (1930's to early 50's)
Nim's design(late 50's, early 60's: both restaurant pics above are this phase. They are named because of the architect, Rufis Nims, who designed them.
Concept 65( "T" shape) (Late 60's) Found at Plattsburgh, New York, Lake George, New York, and Glens Falls, New York, plus other locations.
Mansard (70's, early 80's)
Awesome pics, BTW :)
hojo restaurant
Phase 1 that is :) Good find man!
That cupola is not standard for the tie period though. That was unleashed in the 70's, during Phase 4..heh. However, earlier cupola's were replaced with the beacon cupola.(See pic at top of page, of the Thruway location in Albany, New York).
QuoteOriginally posted by MBZ321
Best site for Hojo's info and pics:
http://www.autoage.org/
It looks like there is only 1 official HoJo left, along with some scattered others/
AmesmanBBTB
What do you mean by Howard Johnsons not being offical?:huh:
This is Amesman, board won't let me log in :mad:
What he means by "not official", is that they aren't directly owned by FAI(who owns the restaurants now), and they don't serve all authentic Howard Johnson's food. Example: Timnes Square.
While the atmosphere and look is the same, in many cases, the food is not. :(
BTW: The Motor Lodges(all 500 of them), are owned by Cendant, who owns such names as Ramamda, Supr 8, Knights Inn, Days Inn, etc.
so, guys..got anymore to talk about? :huh::yup: There were other concepts affiliated with Howard Johnson's. They are as follows:
Red Coach Grill
The Ground Round
Bumbleshoots(only lasted two years)
Deli Baker Ice Cream Maker(only lasted two years)
HOJO Junction(fast food version of HOJO's)
Rum Keg Lounge(inside HOJO's restaurants)
How many of you remember the great orange roofed Howard Johnson restaurants? At one time there were over 1000 of them across the USA. Now there are less than 10 and the number gets smaller each year. If you are near one, you better stop and enjoy an old American Tradition. The former, "Host of the Highways...."
Unfortunately i never stopped by an Hojo restaurant. But their story is amazing. I like browsing through autoage.com and Hojoland to find more about Howard Johnson's.
This past weekend I finally ate real Howard Johnson's food, at the Springfield, Vermont Howard Johnson's restaurant, with my awesome friend, Brian Florence who owns www.deadmalls.com and www.sodafinder.com. ANYONE who wants to have real authentic HOJO food, besides the frozen food at the supermarket, you MUST go to this restaurant. Zayre, I recommend it for you, since you've never had real HOJO food. Go there, and go there as much as you can, for the future of this restaurant is uncertain.
The Howard Johnson restaurant/lodge empire started going downhill when Howard Johnson handed the reigns of the company down to his son. He cut costs every way possible and eventually sold the company out to the Emperial Group circa 1980. The Mariott Group purchased the company around 1985 and started shuttering many stores and changing others to their own format ONLY to leave the restaurant concept all together in/around 1990. FAI started in 1990 with a few remaining original HoJo restaurants and even tried to update the HoJo look. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. The company name no longer meant anything in the words to describe quality. For years several of the franchised restaurants served true to the orginial beleifs of Howard Johnson himself, but year after year, the propriators returned or the property became to valueable (HoJo's were always located in heavily populated traffic areas) which now hurt the remaining vacant structures, as they are torn down for yet another bland american fast food restaurant.
It is so sad what has become of a truely great piece of Americana. At one point, Howard Johnson's served more people than McDonald's, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken combined. Now, less than 10 restaurants remain.
Of those remaining, Ashbury Park is only open seasonally.
Millington was just auctioned off on March 8th.
Springfield will almost certainly close in June 05.
FAI was a poorly ran company and they should be ashamed of themselves for running a great name into the ground like they did. Allthough The second Howard Johnson (son) started the great decline with his poor decision making.
All the hard work of the original Howard Johnson--pretty much gone 75 years after.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
How many of you remember the great orange roofed Howard Johnson restaurants? At one time there were over 1000 of them across the USA. Now there are less than 10 and the number gets smaller each year. If you are near one, you better stop and enjoy an old American Tradition. The former, "Host of the Highways...."
I think there was a howard johnson's restuarant in Concord off Exit 13. There was a howard johnson's hotel that was in Nashua off Exit 4 or 5 and it got torn down and turned into a car dealer. I few years ago I saw a howard johnson's in greenfield ma.
Hey, Hojofan, you know a lot about Hojo's, like I do..heh. Do you know Rich Kummerlowe, or his site www.autoage.org?
I have sad news. Springfield, VT, is going to close on May 15th, and is going to be demolished, for a new hotel entrance. :mad:
Also, d_file, there indeed was a Howard Johnson's in Greenfield, Mass, but, it closed two years ago, and it is now an Applebees.
Here is the list of the remaining restaurants:
Bangor, Maine - still open(has lost its orange roof).
Springfield, Vermont - closed, to be demolished soon.
Waterbury, Connecticut - still open.
Lake Placid, New York - still open.
Lake George, New York - seasonal location only, interior being renovated.
Times Square, New York City, New York - closing in June.
Asbury Park, New Jersey - seasonal location only.
Millington, Maryland - auctioned off on March 8th, status is questionable.
Key Largo, Florida - seasonal/breakfast only location.
Bay City, Michigan - abruptly closed on May 17th.
Yes Amesman, I love to check out autoage.org and have helped Rich collect a few photo's of former HoJo sights in my part of the country. Unfortunately, we did not have most of the stores discused on your wonderful sight. I had heard of Ames, but never seen one. Also, never saw a Caldor, or Bradlees. I am guessing most of those chains were up in the north east. Here in Evansville we have/had Ayre-Way turned to Target, Woolco turned to HIlls turned to Venture, turned to Shopko turned to Burlington coat factory. We at one time had 4 K-Mart stores--and now have none. We also have Wal-Mart but EVERYONE has Wal-Mart. :flaming:
We had a Hojo restaurant here in Evansville from the mid 1950's to 1973. It was then turned into a very similar style 24 hour restaurant called Jo Jo's. On Feb 6, 1992 a military plane known as a C-130 crashed on top of the former HoJo's restaurant and the adjacent Drury Inn. Lots of people lost their lives that day. It was a tragic day in Evansville history.
JoJo's rebuilt on the same sight--but nothing remains of the original Nims style HoJo. This really was a sad end to a HoJo
location.
Wow! What is you're name? I'll try and find some of your pics on the site. I have helped Rich alot as well for the New York State locations.
As for Ames Fan Club, I don't actually own this site. I'm just a moderator..heh
My name is Heath Gross. Here is a list of cities I have sent Rich pics from
Henderson KY
Louisville KY
Lexington KY
Bloomington IN
Columbus IN
Indianapolis IN--not yet posted on autoage.org
Collinsville IL
I enjoy getting pictures for Rich. He is really a nice guy.
You seem very nice as well. :bouncing:
I forgot to ask your name as well! I am sure I have seen some of your pics posted as well. Nice to be able to put a name with a face :bounce:
It is so sad to see the Howard Johnson's restaurant chain be phased out the way it is. Of the few remaining restaurants left, which one do you all think will be the LAST one operating as a Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Also, Is FAI "offically" out of business now? Or will be when Springfield closes in May.
Well, my name is Jack Thomas. The list of locations I have pics of so far are on the other Howard Johnson's thread. I look foward to seeing your pics. Rich is indeed a very nice guy.
As for the status of FAI, it is uncertain. The only one that they corely own, is Springfield, VT, and that's closing on May 15th. The others are owned by FAI franchisees. Springfield is the only one that still serves all of the original food.
Has/had anyone ever eaten at one of the fast food Hojo's. I never seen/visited one while they were open. I assume they did not last long as none remain open today. Anyone ever visit a Bumbleshoot's or one of the Hojo Deli Maker stores while they were open. Seems like the company was trying just about anything in the late 1970's and early 1980's. :(
What was your favorite Howard Johnson's food? ;)
Well, I've only ever had the Macaroni and Cheese, Toastees, and, the Buttercrunch sundae. It's all good to me..heh.
I miss the 28 flavors of ice cream!
Cactus Bob here, I've submitted a buttload of Michigan stuff for orangeroof.org. I've eaten at Bay City's HoJo's (only about an hour away) several times, including my 17th and 18th birthdays.
Cactus Bob:
Does the Bay City HoJo still do a decent amount of business?
Is that location slated to close anytime soon. If not serving original style HoJo fare, what types of food does the location have?
Bay City still gets good business. They look like they'll be staying open for a long time.
I met Rich there once when he was doing the Hojopalooza... and when I ate there on my 18th birthday, the cashier recognized me and asked me about Rich!
I hope the Bay City location stays open. It is now the closest location to me since the one in Kirkwood MO closed on Oct 22, 2003. You say you went on your 18th bday? May I ask how old you are now. Meaning, was that recently?
Sadly, the last "original" and FAI owned Howard Johnson's restaurant will be closing forever on May 15th, 2005
Also announced, the Time Square HoJo will be closing after 50 years of business. The chain will be down to just 7 restaurants in the next month or so.
Also, I don't know if you've heard this, but the weathervane and fiberglass SSPM logo was ripped off of the Springfield Vermont location..
Yeah, the greedy ownder of the Holiday Inn Express (that owns the land the restaurant is on) pulled both the weathervane and the SS and P sign from the front. Probably gonna sell them on ebay or something like that. Some people will do anything for money. :flaming::mad::flaming::mad:
Just a few more days for the last authentic HoJo restaurant in the country. If you want original fare ONE LAST time you must visit Springfield before May 15th :mad:
I went to Springfield yesterday, and the fiberglass logo is back on the building(but crooked). The weathervane was found, but givin to George Carter(one of the original franchisees, and the head of FAI), and the fiberglass logo will be givin to him after the restaurant closes. Me and my friend Brian, tried to buy a menu, but they refused to give it to us. The food was awesome! I had the hot dog, mac and cheese, and four of the clam strips(I only ate four, because I started having an allergic reaction to the clams(something you don't want to have in a place as rural as Springfield..heh), but I stopped eating them, and continued on with the mac and cheese, and the hot dog, and I was fine a little while later). Then, I had one scoop of Chocolate Chip ice cream, and a scoop of Peppermint Stick ice cream. I took about 100+ pictures, and a video. So, all is good in that department. The Simple Simon and the Pieman sketch in the restaurant is now gone as well. This is the last OWNED Howard Johnson's. All the others are not owned by any company whatsoever, and have to fend for themselves. I urge anyone who is reading this to trek to Springfield, Vermont, to go to this one last piece of original Americana.
hear a Ho jos in NJ i dont know if its still there im going to NJ at the end of may so i'll find out then
that's the Asbury Park, New Jersey location. It is still there, but its status as a Hojo's has been questionable for some time now. The owner only opens it up when there are concerts there, and I'd be VERY surprised if any orignal food was served. Also, the owner has stripped all the origianl furniture and fixtures out of the restaurant for years.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
that's the Asbury Park, New Jersey location. It is still there, but its status as a Hojo's has been questionable for some time now. The owner only opens it up when there are concerts there, and I'd be VERY surprised if any orignal food was served. Also, the owner has stripped all the origianl furniture and fixtures out of the restaurant for years.
im going there at the end of may if i see anything or any old ho jo stuff i';ll take em lol
Unfortunately, the Ashbury Park HoJo does not serve authenic HoJo fair, and yes, the building has had most of the HoJo atmosphere removed. Kinda sad, because a few short years ago, this little place in time was a true find on the deserted boardwalk. :no:
Here's a sad article.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-hojo16.html
Here's the article from the Kennebec Journal, including two pics:
http://business.mainetoday.com/news/050516hojo.shtml
:no:
The Bangor Maine restaurant and motor lodge (still a hojo in 2005) have had their orange tiles romoved. That is a sad story in itself. :no:
Can someone take and post some pics of the Springfield Vermont location before it gets torn down? :no:
I have some bad news I've overheard a conversation between some students about a trip to New York City.
When they went to eat they tried Howard Johnsons in Times Square, however when they got there they complained it was disgusting with rats/mice in the restuarant along with I believe bugs in their food!:barf:
So they decided to go to Mcdonalds instead which they said was much more cleaner!:mad:
I knew you would hate this,but I still wonder why Howard Johnsons can't keep their restaurants clean!:question:
I went to Times Square, and while there were no rats that I saw, the food was not authentic Howard Johnson's food. And, I have heard about the romoval of Bangor's orange roof. It makes me sick.
Also, I have tons of pictures, plus a video of Springfield, Vermont. When I finally get around to it, I will post some pics.
I read where the Waterbuy CT Hojo Restaurant was hit by a car last week. How much more damage cn be done to this poor company? :huh:
As far as I know, only the front glass doors were smashed. The metal SSPM logo is ok, as far as I know, as well as everything else..
This was an ill fated Hojo concept started in the 70's by Howard B. Johnson. It only lasted a few years. The only location I know of, was in Framingham, Mass. Talk about them here.
The fast food version of Howard Johnson's. Started by Howard B Johnson, right after his father( Hojo's founder Howard D. Johnson) passed the reigns of the company to him. The majority of HJJ locations were in Ohio. Talk about them here.
I remember having a pint of ice cream that had the Deli Maker logo on it. I too, dont think it lasted all that long.
Does anyone have any pics to post of a HoJo Junction location? It would be nice to see what one looked like.
There is a nice story posted on HoJoland.com about how well the Waterbury CT location is doing and how it expects to be a HoJo for AT LEAST the next 5 years. :roll:
Wake up, people! Howard Johnson's is about to dead soon! It can't compete anymore with the other restaurants! There isn't going to be a white knight that will save this restaurant! End of story!
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
Wake up, people! Howard Johnson's is about to dead soon! It can't compete anymore with the other restaurants! There isn't going to be a white knight that will save this restaurant! End of story!
Wow you have a rosy outlook.:rolleyes:
i wanna knmow why have they closed so many locatinons down over the years the same thing is happening to Frendleys too i dont like this:(:no:
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
Wake up, people! Howard Johnson's is about to dead soon! It can't compete anymore with the other restaurants! There isn't going to be a white knight that will save this restaurant! End of story!
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS STILL NOT DEAD AND IT CAN STILL BE AROUND PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT KAMRT WOULD DIE WHEN IT FILED FOR CH11 BUT IT SURE DIDENT DIE!!!!!!!!!!!AND HOW DARE U BASH ME MY FRIENDS AND ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE AT THIS SIGHT:mad::mad::flaming:
More sad news concerning Howard Johnson's. Thre Bay City Michigan location has unexpectedly, and abruptly closed on May 17th. Now there are only 7 restaurants, and with the closure of Times Square in June, there will only be 6. :(
why ae they closing so many down:( im also seeing the same thing happing to friendys:(
Trust me, Friendly's will be around for awhile.
Here is a list of the remaining Howard Johnson's restaurants and their status.
Asbury Park, New Jersey: Still open, but it is not clear if it is still a traditional Howard Johnson's.
Bangor, Maine: Still open. This is the only motor lodge/restaurant complex still in operation. Both the restaurant and gate house have lost their orange roofs.
Lake George, New York: Seasonal location only. Still open. To open for the summer season on May 27th.
Lake Placid, New York: Still open, Rumors of closure in 2006.
New York City(Times Square), New York: To close in June. To be demolished.
Waterbury, Connecticut: Still open.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Trust me, Friendly's will be around for awhile.
Here is a list of the remaining Howard Johnson's restaurants and their status.
Asbury Park, New Jersey: Still open, but it is not clear if it is still a traditional Howard Johnson's.
Bangor, Maine: Still open. This is the only motor lodge/restaurant complex still in operation. Both the restaurant and gate house have lost their orange roofs.
Lake George, New York: Seasonal location only. Still open. To open for the summer season on May 27th.
Lake Placid, New York: Still open, Rumors of closure in 2006.
Millington, Maryland: Not clear if this location is opened or closed. Was auctioned in March 2005.
New York City(Times Square), New York: To close in June. To be demolished.
Waterbury, Connecticut: Still open.
o wow not that many:(:no: i know friendleys will be around for awile im just saying they closed so may stores over the years since 2001 200 friedleys stores have been shutterd most of them were mall stores:(
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Trust me, Friendly's will be around for awhile.
o wow not that many:(:no: i know friendleys will be around for awile im just saying they closed so may stores over the years since 2001 200 friedleys stores have been shutterd most of them were mall stores:(
Really? That many? I know they franchise locations now and they have them all over...even down in florida!
www.friendlys.com
QuoteOriginally posted by MBZ321
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Trust me, Friendly's will be around for awhile.
o wow not that many:(:no: i know friendleys will be around for awile im just saying they closed so may stores over the years since 2001 200 friedleys stores have been shutterd most of them were mall stores:(
Really? That many? I know they franchise locations now and they have them all over...even down in florida!
www.friendlys.com
Yeah I think they shuttered down a lot of their mall locations due to being unpropfitable to the mall unlike ugh clothing stores!:barf:
Talk about Friendlys in the Friendly's thread..haha. This is reserved for HoJo's :dizzy:
I wonder why the Bay City location closed down? Especially without any notice. This same location closed shut down as a Howard Johnson's some years back only to be re-opened as a HoJo eatery in/around 1994. I am fearfull that it might not re-open as a HoJo this time as FIA pretty much doesnt excist anymore. :(
Yeah, I don't really know the details of the situation. As I learn more, I will definetaly post.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Yeah, I don't really know the details of the situation. As I learn more, I will definetaly post.
i still nevre got an wser ion why there closing so many of there restunts:(
The answer to your question is that no one owns the Howard Johnson's restaurants. They now have to fend for themselves. FAI(who used to own the restaurants) has been dissolved, and since Cendant is focused on the motor lodges, the restaurants have been left for dead. The good news is, that the Waterbury, Connecticut(the last most original looking Howard Johnson's) location has a contract until 2008. Hopefully, they will be around for awhile.
The website is still there (www.franchiseassociates.com) but very outdated... They list 18 locations and tell to join the Hojo family with a new franchise... ;)
It's very sad to see Hojo dissapear at a fast pace
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
The answer to your question is that no one owns the Howard Johnson's restaurants. They now have to fend for themselves. FAI(who used to own the restaurants) has been dissolved, and since Cendant is focused on the motor lodges, the restaurants have been left for dead. The good news is, that the Waterbury, Connecticut(the last most original looking Howard Johnson's) location has a contract until 2008. Hopefully, they will be around for awhile.
Maby Friendleys should pick them up maby that would help:bounce:
I wonder which location will be the LAST HoJo eatery?? :huh:
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
The answer to your question is that no one owns the Howard Johnson's restaurants. They now have to fend for themselves. FAI(who used to own the restaurants) has been dissolved, and since Cendant is focused on the motor lodges, the restaurants have been left for dead. The good news is, that the Waterbury, Connecticut(the last most original looking Howard Johnson's) location has a contract until 2008. Hopefully, they will be around for awhile.
We they'll be arond for another 3 years or so:(
I've never been to any HOJOs before neither the Waterbury one:(
None of the few (seven) remaining HoJo's serve "true" authenic HoJo fair. Springfield was the last REAL Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Can anyone get and post pics of the Vermont location as it sits closed? BEFORE it is gone forever. :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(
Actually, the Lake Placid location still serves some authentic dishes, such as the Mac and Cheese, Clam Strips, and hot dog.
The Waterbury location will probably be the last one. Their lease doesn't get up until 2008.
Here's a picture of the Springfield Hojo's taken on 5-7-05.
Here's a picture of the Springfield Hojo's taken when the restaurant still had the weathervane.
Millington, Maryland is now closed. 6 are left. :(
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS STILL NOT DEAD AND IT CAN STILL BE AROUND PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT KAMRT WOULD DIE WHEN IT FILED FOR CH11 BUT IT SURE DIDENT DIE!!!!!!!!!!!AND HOW DARE U BASH ME MY FRIENDS AND ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE AT THIS SIGHT:mad::mad::flaming: [/quote]
Your argument has no merit whatsoever. When K-Mart filed for Chapter 11, they had hundreds, maybe even thousands of stores. You know how many Howard Johnson's restaurants there are left? SIX! A whooping six! Not only that, another restaurant is about to close soon. By probably the end of 2005, there will be 5 left. I said this before & I'll say it again. I blame the people for not going to Howard Johnson's & going instead to McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. I've also said this before. There will be no white knight that can save this. I'm probably sure there were more than 5 Dairy Queens when Warren Buffett bought it. Folks, it's dead. Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead! They can't compete anymore with Chili's, Applebee's, TGI Friday's, etc. This isn't the 1950s or 1960s or even 1970s after all. This is the 2000s & before this decade is over, there will be no more Howard Johnson's restaurants left. Get used to it!
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS STILL NOT DEAD AND IT CAN STILL BE AROUND PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT KAMRT WOULD DIE WHEN IT FILED FOR CH11 BUT IT SURE DIDENT DIE!!!!!!!!!!!AND HOW DARE U BASH ME MY FRIENDS AND ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE AT THIS SIGHT:mad::mad::flaming:
Your argument has no merit whatsoever. When K-Mart filed for Chapter 11, they had hundreds, maybe even thousands of stores. You know how many Howard Johnson's restaurants there are left? SIX! A whooping six! Not only that, another restaurant is about to close soon. By probably the end of 2005, there will be 5 left. I said this before & I'll say it again. I blame the people for not going to Howard Johnson's & going instead to McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. I've also said this before. There will be no white knight that can save this. I'm probably sure there were more than 5 Dairy Queens when Warren Buffett bought it. Folks, it's dead. Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead! They can't compete anymore with Chili's, Applebee's, TGI Friday's, etc. This isn't the 1950s or 1960s or even 1970s after all. This is the 2000s & before this decade is over, there will be no more Howard Johnson's restaurants left. Get used to it! [/quote]
\i have a funny feeling that u wont be posting hear any more heh:P and yea it may be the 2000's but this decaed sucks lol theres no need to bash a wonderful restrunt cahin were jsu rememebring it and who nos whay will happen:)
o and maby anouther chain will buy it and save it maby friendleys lo forgt that one too hmmm just dont bouther us again k but any who what do u guys this of Fendleys buying Howard Johnson's if they did that do u think that would be a good idea they can run them too
Millington Maryland is now also closed. Yet another piece of history gone forever!! :flaming:
So, within the past 7 months, 4 have closed, possibly 5.
Here's a current shot of the East Greenbush location - this had been a Weathervane for quite a while, then that closed abruptly a couple years back - reopened as a local place for a short time but is now empty:
\i have a funny feeling that u wont be posting hear any more heh:P and yea it may be the 2000's but this decaed sucks lol theres no need to bash a wonderful restrunt cahin were jsu rememebring it and who nos whay will happen:)
o and maby anouther chain will buy it and save it maby friendleys lo forgt that one too hmmm just dont bouther us again k but any who what do u guys this of Fendleys buying Howard Johnson's if they did that do u think that would be a good idea they can run them too [/quote]
I have a question for you. Have you ever been to a Howard Johnson's restaurant? Listen, I'm just tellin' it like it is. First, Friendly's??? HA!!! Yeah right. This is the same restaurant that decided to lay off a South Jersey man who had Down Syndrome & then thanks to the public decided to hire him back. Second, if Friendly's does buy it, they aren't going to save it. Third, Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead. What part of "Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead" have you not gotten already? It can't be saved. The rest will close by the end of decade. End of story.
QuoteOriginally posted by gshowman18
\i have a funny feeling that u wont be posting hear any more heh:P and yea it may be the 2000's but this decaed sucks lol theres no need to bash a wonderful restrunt cahin were jsu rememebring it and who nos whay will happen:)
o and maby anouther chain will buy it and save it maby friendleys lo forgt that one too hmmm just dont bouther us again k but any who what do u guys this of Fendleys buying Howard Johnson's if they did that do u think that would be a good idea they can run them too
I have a question for you. Have you ever been to a Howard Johnson's restaurant? Listen, I'm just tellin' it like it is. First, Friendly's??? HA!!! Yeah right. This is the same restaurant that decided to lay off a South Jersey man who had Down Syndrome & then thanks to the public decided to hire him back. Second, if Friendly's does buy it, they aren't going to save it. Third, Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead. What part of "Howard Johnson's restaurants are dead" have you not gotten already? It can't be saved. The rest will close by the end of decade. End of story. [/quote]
i was just saying that maby frindlesy should buy it thats all
Does anyone else have any former HoJo restaurant pics they can post?
We actually lost 3 HoJo's in one week in the month of May. We will Loose NYC in June. :(
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Does anyone else have any former HoJo restaurant pics they can post?
there was one in tarrytown NY but its now a diner i'll go see it sometime
QuoteOriginally posted by 76BraldorZayKamesfanBBTB
Well gshowman18 I do agree
It's hard to imagine Friendly's buying HoJo's lol
Freindly's is about ice cream
HoJo's is about, well I don't know (never been in one)
Two completely different restaurants
Besides even if Friendly's buys HoJo's they'll problably convert them all to Friendly's since Friendly's has closed so many locations!
i know it was just a random thought kinda stupied though lol:yup:
Hojo's was about the food, and the ice cream, the start of the greatest hospitality chain ever, and the feeling of being at home, even if you are miles away.
Has anyone seen the new Howard Johnson Express Inn comercials? They say "From 28 flavors to over 500 locations".
I assume they are talking about the HoJo history on this one?
Has anyone else seen this comercial?:huh:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Has anyone seen the new Howard Johnson Express Inn comercials? They say "From 28 flavors to over 500 locations".
I assume they are talking about the HoJo history on this one?
Has anyone else seen this comercial?:huh:
Yeah, I have seen it. At least they are going back and showing how things used to be.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Has anyone seen the new Howard Johnson Express Inn comercials? They say "From 28 flavors to over 500 locations".
I assume they are talking about the HoJo history on this one?
Has anyone else seen this comercial?:huh:
yep ive seen it
Here's a shot of a Howard Johnson's in the "Blues Brothers" movie
Toby McGuire and Michael Douglas at dinner at a Howard Johnson's restaurant in a movie a few years back. I think the movie was called, "Wild Boys" or something like that. I think the restaurant was a real HoJo at the time it was taped. :D
hears whas left or a hojos hotel and restrunt
hears a pic from far away i snaped this in kida a hurry my anut got maryed at a howard johnson's back in 1991
We used to have a Howard Johnson stand alone restaurant here, but it was demolished to make way for a new Eckerds.
Also I have seen a Howard Johnson near here with a restaurant.
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
hears whas left or a hojos hotel and restrunt
That is the Stratford, Connecticut location. I believe its off of I-95.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
hears whas left or a hojos hotel and restrunt
That is the Stratford, Connecticut location. I believe its off of I-95.
yep it is there is anouther one off 95 too in ct i cant remembr were though
it's probably in ethier Hartford or Bridgeport. Also, all of the Connecticut Turnpike(I-95) service areas were once Howard Johnson's as well.
Also, guys, if you want any authentic food, go to Lake George, New York(they have the original ice cream), and Lake Placid, New York(they have authentic Mac and Cheese, Clam Strips, and hot dogs). I'm going in two weeks. I'll be getting plenty of pics as well :)
i believe i found a former Ho Jo this is now a restrunt called red rouster lol but it has the howard johnsons look to it and theres a hotel right next to it
i use to go hear all the time as a kid
and hear teh hotel right next to it its called Bel air lol or something like that
Nope, that was never a Howard Johnson's. And, that was never a design used by Hojo's ethier. Howard Johnson's did use A Frame architecture, but, it was nver used like that. That looks more like a Hornes or an old Dairy Queen.
Man my parents were thinking about eating at a Howard Johnson restaurant for breakfast in July 2001 in Bangor, Maine while coming home on vacation. It was before they did the renovation and stuff. I should have spoken up because now, its one of the last. Maybe Bob Evans or Friendly's can buy the recipes and stuff.
The shot from the Blues Brothers scene must be from a service station on one of the toll roads. I've noticed a gas station sign way in the background.
The web sight www.autoage.org has some great updated pics/info on the locations in the state of Indiana and Illinois.
Check them out! Its a great sight! :roll:
"Wonder Boys" was the movie with Mike Douglas where he and Toby ate dinner at a real Howard Johnson's restaurant.
Unfortunately, the restaurant has since been demolished.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Nope, that was never a Howard Johnson's. And, that was never a design used by Hojo's ethier. Howard Johnson's did use A Frame architecture, but, it was nver used like that. That looks more like a Hornes or an old Dairy Queen.
i kida though it was causse the bulding kida looks like the dizen and i though they might have changed it a bit i also nodiced teh hotel next to it so i though it might have been one
but thanks for the info:):yup:
Jack (amesman), concerning your pictures, they're great!
Thanks man!
Does anyone know when the Times Square location is to be shut down? :(
Does anyone know if FIA even excists anymore? :huh:
Cendant has ruined the HoJo hotel reputation.
To answer your questions Hojofan, Times Square is closing by the end of June, and FAI ceased to exist when Springfield, Vt closed on May 15th. And, about Cendant, I agree, they have ruined the hotels, by squaring off the gate lodges, and scrapping everything of originality out of the motor lodges. However, I have found out some good news. It's possible, that a Cendant franchisee, will build a new hotel in Cooperstown, New York, and will include a possible Howard Johnson themed ice cream parlor.
IT would be great IF they would somehow bring the Howard Johnson's name back from "the dead". With the current nostalgia kick now would be a great time to bring an old reliable name back. Lets home the Ice Cream Shoppe happens in NY.
Does anyone know if/how many of the Howard Johnson Ice Cream flavors are still being produced? If so, where can they be purchased?
Well, the only Howard Johnson's that serves authentic ice cream that I'm aware of, is the Lake George restaurant. I was there Saturday 6/25 and I had Peppermint Stick and Strawberry. Waterbury, Connecticut may serve authentic ice cream as well. I'm not sure. Currently, there are about 9 original flavors being served at Lake George, and it continues to get less as they run out. Last I heard, trhe Ice Cream Club in Florida was making the ice cream. Now with FAI gone, that may be done with. I do not know. And, if there is ice cream being sold at supermarkets, it may only be supermarkets in Florida, and possibly, but doubtfully, in Georgia.
My favorite HoJo building design was that of the 1950's and early 1960's. The ones knows as the "Nims" design after the architect, Rufus Nims. What was your favorite. :huh:
My LEAST favorite HoJo design was the last one used corporately in the late 1970's and possibly early 1980's called the Mansard design. It was very boring and didnt seem very inviting to customers.
I liked Phase 2 and Phase 3, as I call them.(out of four phases: Phase 1: Colonial. Phase 2: Nims. Phase 3: Concept 65(pictured above with the "T" shape and A Frame style). Phase 4: Mansard).
Here's a link to the Mystic, Conencticut motor lodge/restaurant. http://www.orangeroof.org/Connecticut/Mystic/mystic1.html
That Howard Johnson's in The Blues Brothers was at one of the service area "Oasis" buildings on the Illinois Tollway(I-294). All of the old buildings were demolished in 2003 for the new construction of new oasis buildings.
Also, the only originality at the Waterbury restaurant is the orange roof, beacon cupola(used in the 70's to replace the older weathervane cupola), and dairy counter with the 1950's mirror backdrop(the last one in use). Everything else has been remodeled to give it a diner effect.
I think (and I could very much so be wrong here) but wasnt the "Concept 65" version of a HoJo's restaurant ONLY used in a few locations. The only one I know specifically was down in Texas. Look at the Texas sites on autoage.org to see what I am talking about. Most of the T-style restaurants were quite small, but I did like the ones that had the style of Nigara Falls NY and a few other cities.
Does anyone know of the last year that Howard Johnson's opened new restaurants before being sold in 1980.
How about some pictures of the Simple Simon and the Pie Man. Anyone have any of those to post?
I bet most of the younger guys in here have never even been to a Howard Johnson's to eat. So sad that an entire generation will never know what it was really like.
Well, I'm 16, and I've been to Springfield Vermont, Lake George New York, Lake Placid New York, and Times Square.
Also, to answer your first question about Concept 65, it was used in two different designs(the one in the picture above(Plattsburgh, New York). Other locations with this design were in Glens Falls New York, Niagara Falls New York, Nashau New Hampshire, and others. Later versions of this design had a squattier version of the T Shape roofed.
Also, HJ restaurants were last built in 1979.
Hey, thanks for the informative info Amesman!
no problem. Any other questions you have, feel free to ask..hehe
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Well, I'm 16, and I've been to Springfield Vermont, Lake George New York, Lake Placid New York, and Times Square.
Also, to answer your first question about Concept 65, it was used in two different designs(the one in the picture above(Plattsburgh, New York). Other locations with this design were in Glens Falls New York, Niagara Falls New York, Nashau New Hampshire, and others. Later versions of this design had a squattier version of the T Shape roofed.
Also, HJ restaurants were last built in 1979.
i just went to the Aubry park location it still has the look but i doubt it still has the orangle food
the top was fenced off but u could get too it from the inside
the sign looks so beeten up:(
hears a better picture
hear i am with the Ho Jo sign LOL:D
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
hear i am with the Ho Jo sign LOL:D
Cool picture, the same pic is on the orangeroof website at http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/AsburyPark/asbury10.html
Note the same red Buick parked in the same spot! And the abandoned building wich has less walls ...
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
hear i am with the Ho Jo sign LOL:D
Cool picture, the same pic is on the orangeroof website at http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/AsburyPark/asbury10.html
Note the same red Buick parked in the same spot! And the abandoned building wich has less walls ...
OMG your right about the red Buick parked in the same spot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
hjers the picture compire to my picture
and look at this picture it the same red car lol maby someone who works there owns this car
Bad news, the Times Square Location is expected to close on July 8th.
Yup, I heard about that as well. Also, Asbury Park was built in a unique circular design. That was not a standard design for a Howard Johnson's restaurant. There was another one in New Jersey that was built like that as well, and it is now an IHOP.
Also, it appears to have been open when you were there. Did you go into the restaurant?
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Also, it appears to have been open when you were there. Did you go into the restaurant?
no it was to crowed i did see some orangle hojo stuff in there
i think its open all summer
hears some more pics
more puictures
the sign again
a older picture of it
Wash the Ashbury building built AS a Howard Johnson's or was that an excisting building converted into one.? :huh:
Does anyone have any pictures of the (current IHOP) that was a HoJO in New Jersey. THat would be cool to see.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Does anyone have any pictures of the (current IHOP) that was a HoJO in New Jersey. THat would be cool to see.
i drove past it its still an ihop
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Wash the Ashbury building built AS a Howard Johnson's or was that an excisting building converted into one.? :huh:
yes it was buld as a howard Johnsons it opend in 1963
just read what it says in this picture
Yeah, I read the info on the pic after I had allready posted the question about the Ashbury HoJo. I scrolled down while the pics were displaying. If I just would have been a little more patient!! lol It would be cool if someone could post a pic of the second "round" HoJo. I bet the two HoJo sights would like a pic of that for their informative sights as well.
A good 4th of July to all.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Yeah, I read the info on the pic after I had allready posted the question about the Ashbury HoJo. I scrolled down while the pics were displaying. If I just would have been a little more patient!! lol It would be cool if someone could post a pic of the second "round" HoJo. I bet the two HoJo sights would like a pic of that for their informative sights as well.
A good 4th of July to all.
im gonna try and go to the one in Times Squre before it closes
Here's a cool night picture on an old postcard i've found. It's the Hojo Restaurant in Wildwood NJ probably in the 70's.
Here's the link to pictures for the second circular restaurant in New Jersey(now IHOP, I beleive).
http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/CapeMay/capemay1.html
Also, here's a link to pics of Wildwood, NJ. http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/Wildwood/wildwood1.html
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Also, here's a link to pics of Wildwood, NJ. http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/Wildwood/wildwood1.html
is that one still there>?
cool pics! thanks for posting!
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
cool pics! thanks for posting!
thank u i still have to go to the one in times squre lol
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Also, here's a link to pics of Wildwood, NJ. http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/Wildwood/wildwood1.html
is that one still there>?
No, the Wildwood location has been closed for a long time. I believe it has been demolished as well.
Has anyone been back to Springfield to get some post-era HoJo pics before the building is razed.
Well, the building is still there as far as I know. I'm too far away to get pics, but, I do know that the building has been gutted, and wll probably be demolished later this summer.
Does anyone know of a current email address for Rich Kummerlowe of autoage.org ? The one on the sight bounced back to me and I have a great find for him on his HoJo sight.
Was there ever or has there been a Howard Johnson's in Conway, AR?
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
Here's a cool night picture on an old postcard i've found. It's the Hojo Restaurant in Wildwood NJ probably in the 70's.
your kidding me? right...thayt's where my aunt lives...:huh:
Rich's email should be the same as what's on his site: rich@autoage.org. What's the amazing find?
Also, I'm not sure if there was a Hojo's in Conway, AR, but I will check for you.
I have found two pics of the former Evansville In HoJo listed on ebay for sale. To date, I had NEVER been able to find any information on the former location (it was closed and torn down in 1973) and out of nowhere someone had some "personal" pics of the remnant eatery. Rich currently has no pics on his sight for the Evansville location and I am sure he would like a copy of them to add to his great sight.
I tried the email on the sight, but the email bounced back to me as, "Mailer Deamon...or something like that." :(
Any info I have about former HoJo's do not have any listings for any locations in Conway AR.....
Does anyone know why the Bay City location just shut down without any warning? Has it changed names or just closed down alltogether? :huh::huh:
I hope the Ashbury Park location continues to carry on for several more years. Would be strange if it ended up being the LAST Howard Johnson's restaurant.
I have a feeling the "last ever" Howard Johnson's restaurant will be Waterbury, Connecticut. Its lease expires in 2008.
It has certainly been said more than once in this thread, but it is indeed hard to take in the fact that Howard Johnson went from being the U.S.'s leading public feeder to a group of 6 disparate locations with no real corporate support. As Walter Mann said in his quotes in the recent AP article, too little vision and capital was invested in the company by the last series of owners. After all, Denny's, IHOP, and others are still hanging on with the same basic concept...Friendly's still highlights their signature ice cream. It has been a case of neglect. So sad. I worked there in the early Imperial Group days at the Sarasota (FL) North store across from the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. We had a couple of staffers that had been at the store since the 1950's...this was in 1987. The stores were in a slight state of decline, but no one would have ever dreamed at the time that they would completely disappear. I'm not sure how the Ground Round broke loose and survived...despite their recent bankruptcy and reorganization. The Howard Johnson I worked in had been remodeled to the 1970's earth tone standards prevalent at the time, but still retained the basic shape and appearance of the classic Nims design. The company was still quite exacting about china placement, underlining dishes with saucers, correct names for Howard Johnson's signature dishes and ice cream treats, etc. The very Ho-Jo-ness of Howard Johnson was still quite evident. We still had a good selection of Howard Johnson branded resale foods, ice cream, and candies, and almost all of our supplies came from the commissary and were exclusively made for or by the company. Our signature Howard Johnson coffee blend at the time was a Chase & Sanborn blend. Tuna was Heinz; sauerkraut for Reuben sandwiches was Silver Floss, dairy items usually came from the local milkman...but most things were Howard Johnson or Red Coach Grill labels. We had started using Coca-Cola products on the fountain rather than the oft-ridiculed HoJo Cola. Our root beer and orange drink were still exclusive Howard Johnson blends. With today's consumer's love of high butterfat exclusive ice creams, it seems bizarre that no one has stepped forward to at least save the ice cream operation, retail, ice cream parlor, or otherwise. What an iconic brand name! After all, Howard Deering Johnson was doing the high butterfat ice cream before Haagen-Dazs was even dreamed about. I could go on for days about Howard Johnson. Feel free to ask me any questions, especially about the restaurants. I may be out of pocket for a few days as Hurricane Dennis is bearing down on the general region of my home in Destin, FL but I promise to get back with an answer.
Wow man, you know alot of stuff..heh. I myself, am learning, and already know about the company, and its rise and unfortunate fall. I'd love to talk to you about this more! You can email me at jet101988@aol.com or IM me at HudsonValleyJack, or you can continue to talk to me on here.
I remember stopping at several Howard Johnson locations when we were traveling when I was a kid. I am now 31 and it is sad to think that the current generation of kids have no idea of what the Howard Johnson's name used to mean.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
I remember stopping at several Howard Johnson locations when we were traveling when I was a kid. I am now 31 and it is sad to think that the current generation of kids have no idea of what the Howard Johnson's name used to mean.
I am glad I got interested in Howard Johnson's when I did, but it is unfortunate that I wasn't into it earlier in life. I remember passing by the Albany - Thruway location when I came back from trips to Albany, as a little kid(like 3 or 4), and seeing the roof logo sign out front. The story of Howard Johnson's is a sad story, towards the end. Someone needs to make a happy ending for it.
Extremely unlikely, but it would be cool if someone would bring the Howard Johnson Restaurant chain back to life just as someone did to Dairy Queen several years back. Who could be the savior? :huh:
i first went to one back in 1991 i was only 3 so it was hard to remebmr
Well, as much as I want Howard Johnson's to come back to a happy and healthy life, I have to agree, that it probably wont happen. The chain is too far gone, and you can bet that Cendant's greedy minions won't give up the name without a fight. They'll continue to suck the life out of the once great hospitality chain like a bunch of ticks. :(
I have seen some nice newly built Howard Johnson Hotel/Inns, but for the most part they are old Ramada's/Days Inn/Holiday converstions in a dirty dirty state.
Yeah, I've seen some of the newer hotels in the 2005 Directory. Pretty ugly if you ask me. I don't know how in God's name Cendant thought that "squaring off" the gate lodges were a good thing. Cendant made them ugly. And, it was a joke removing the orange roofs on some of the old motor lodges, while they were still Hojo's. How can there be a Howard Johnson's WITHOUT and orange roof. Bangor, Maine had that fate. Both the restaurant and motor lodge have lost their orange roofs. NOTE: Bangor, Maine is the last Restaurant/Lodge complex to both have the HOJO name, in the World. This came after Lake Placid's motor lodge conversion to a Comfort Inn, and the closing of Peurto Rico's prototype restaurant.
Does anyone know why the Peurto Rico location closed up?
People, I've said it before & I'll say it again. Before this decade will come to an end, Howard Johnson's restaurants will be no more. That one up in Asbury Park should have closed a long time ago. Why are they still open? The only people that want HoJo's back are 97-year old women with chronic arthritis who are busy writing their wills. The younger generation doesn't care. People need to realize that the USA is all about business & not about farmland. The past is gone. This is the future.
Unfortunately you are probably right about Howard Johnson's being completely gone over the next few years. And, those of us (yes some young people did/do like Howard Johnson's) who are discussing it, realize that, we are just stating how we would LIKE to see the company reborn. We are failry certain it wouldnt happen but we just dont care for the cookie cutter restaurants that are "popular" today. Besides, none of them have the great history as the Howard Johnson's empire once had. It makes for a great story, but with a sad ending. :no:
QuoteOriginally posted by 76BraldorZayKamesfanBBTB
[
I guess you don't like elderly people hmph.
They're actually really nice people!!!!!!!
Whats wrong with people remembering their old past ?
YOU DON'T LIKE HOJO'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU DON'T CARE!!!!
AM I RIGHT OR AM I WRONG?
I'M 18 AND I DO CARE!!!!
Listen, I'm sure that the majority of people who are 25 years old or younger have never ate at a Howard Johnson's restaurant, let alone actually heard of a Howard Johnson's restaurant. Look, you have to face reality. Howard Johnson's is probably not gonna be saved.
Also, Hojofan, if Hojo's did come back (which I doubt), wouldn't they be a cookie cutter restaurant as well?
bouth of u stop it this is BS posting to u guys wanna get baned... Just stop fighting
and gshowman18 i know your starting with people and our gonna get yourself band to and i have already metion this to the addmistroters so i'dd stop hrasion people before u get your self baned
and 76BraldorZayKamesfanBBTB u have already gotten band before and i dont wanan see that happen again if gshowman18 is bugging u just U2U one of the addmistators and they take care of it for u ok i did let them know though but its not your falt
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
bouth of u stop it this is BS posting to u guys wanna get baned... Just stop fighting
and gshowman18 i know your starting with people and our gonna get yourself band to and i have already metion this to the addmistroters so i'dd stop hrasion people before u get your self baned
and 76BraldorZayKamesfanBBTB u have already gotten band before and i dont wanan see that happen again if gshowman18 is bugging u just U2U one of the addmistators and they take care of it for u ok i did let them know though but its not your falt
I'm not trying to start a fight with 76. I was just posting my opinion about Hojo's. I'm ending my feud with him & my bashings about him are over. I'm sorry.
QuoteOriginally posted by gshowman18
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
bouth of u stop it this is BS posting to u guys wanna get baned... Just stop fighting
and gshowman18 i know your starting with people and our gonna get yourself band to and i have already metion this to the addmistroters so i'dd stop hrasion people before u get your self baned
and 76BraldorZayKamesfanBBTB u have already gotten band before and i dont wanan see that happen again if gshowman18 is bugging u just U2U one of the addmistators and they take care of it for u ok i did let them know though but its not your falt
I'm not trying to start a fight with 76. I was just posting my opinion about Hojo's. I'm ending my feud with him & my bashings about him are over. I'm sorry.
well thats good i just dont want to see eather of u guys get band
Also, and I'm not trying to sound like Mr. Rogers here, but if you have an opinion about something, that's great! But, don't criticize others for their opinions. Also, I want Hojo's to come back to. And, I am under 25, and I've been to 4 Hojo restaurants(Springfield Vermont, Times Square, Lake George and Lake Placid), and I know the whole history of the company. Anything you want to ask, feel free. And, gshowman18, as long as the restaurant has a trademark orange roof, authentic food and ice cream, and the kudos to the Hojo heritage(like Wendy's has been doing), I'll be fine. Same goes for the motor lodges. It sickens me to no end, how Cendant thinks "improving" the motor lodges are a good plan, because, I'll tell you right now, they have no brains if they think fake walls and removal of the classic orange roof will make Howard Johnson's look better. People nowadays only think of Hojo's as "just another hotel". Well, you should've been around 20 to 30 years ago. You would've changed your opinion then.
Well to answer your questions, there are only 5 restaurants left. Also, its too hard to tell wether Cendant will give up the name or not. If they do, it will probably be after they suck the name dry. Also, there are only about 100 or so original properties left, along with 300 to 400 "new" locations. These "new" ones don't count though, because they now serve a name that is only refrenced as a place to "spend the night", and they don't strive to serve the quality that the old ones did.
Check the Newburgh, New York location, and you'll see how Cendant's minions ruined that motor lodge.
http://www.orangeroof.org/New%20York/Newburgh/newburgh1.html
A few years back Cendant did in fact consider dropping the Howard Johnson's name from their list of Hotels but decided to keep it and have actually built some new HoJo Inn properties over the past 5 years.
So sad to think the Times Square location is no more. :no::no:
I read a story where a guy bought a bunch of the booths and other items from the Times Square location with the hopes of opening up another HoJo some day.
Yeah, I read that too, but it all depends on wether Cendant will let hm have the name..
Does FAI not excist at all anymore? Have all rights in reference to the restaurant usage of the name Howard Johnson's now revert back to Cendant?
Does anyone know if the HoJo frozen foods are still being sold in grocery stores up north/east? :huh:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Does anyone know if the HoJo frozen foods are still being sold in grocery stores up north/east? :huh:
I saw some Hojo frozen foods in a Shaw's and i think in a Stop & Shop too in New Hampshire.
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Does anyone know if the HoJo frozen foods are still being sold in grocery stores up north/east? :huh:
I saw some Hojo frozen foods in a Shaw's and i think in a Stop & Sho too in New Hampshire.
yep my shop rite sels them too
Well, to answer your questions, FAI indeed no longer exists. The restaurants aren't owned by any company now. They're all out in the open to fend for themselves. Also, Cendant owns the name, and the rights to open new motor lodges/restaurants. Also, Cendant now has the rights for the frozen foods(evidence of this is on the Toastees and new Mac and Cheese boxes. There is a phone number for Hojo reservations(the original phone number too!!)).
Also, I've found Mac and Cheese at Hannaford, Price Chopper, and Shaw's. Also, I've found Toastees at Stop and Shop and Shaws. I have yet to find the clams, chicken croquettes, and ice cream.
I know Cendant would have no interest in revamping the HoJo restaurants, but one cant help but to wonder why they dont sell the rights to someone to make the original butterfat HoJo ice creams. This just seems like a sure win situation if it was marketed correctly. What do you all think? :huh:
Actually, the Ice Cream Club out of Florida still owns the rights to the Hojo ice cream..but I'm not sure if they still make it. They're probably under pressure from Cendant..
Howard Johnson's has been dying a slow death since it was originally sold to the Imperial Group back in 1980. Another tragic blow came in the second company sale to Mariott back in 1985. It has been all downhill since. FAI did very little to help the restaurant name back in 1990 (when formed). :mad:
The only mentionable thing FAI did while it excisted was to update one original nims style restaurant and introduce the "arch" to about 5 or 6 locations total. Not much worth speaking of. :mad:
Simple Simon and the Pie Man. Does anyone know specifically what they meant to the HoJo food chain?
Well, in the 1940's during World War 2, Hojo's almost died as a chain. There were only 12 restaurants left at the start of World War 2. So, Howard D. Johnson started sending food over to the soldiers(a similar thing was done with the Stuckey's chain), and he also started to bake pies to sell at the remaining 12 restaurants to generate more revenue. The central commissary in Brockton, Mass(now owned by Fairfeild Farm Kitchens) supplied all the food for the soldiers overseas, so eventually there was enough money generated, to restart the company. By the end of the war, the pie baking business became profitable enough, so the company stuck with it. Joesph Alcott noticed this, and developed the Simple Simon and the Pieman logo(which of course is from the fairytale), to reflect on the near end of Hojo's, and it ressurection by pie making. I believe Alcott reamined with the Hojo company and eventually created the Lamplighter logo for the motor lodges in the late 50's.
Wow!, that was a lot of cool info. Did you used to work at a Howard Johnson's?
No, haha. I'm only 16. I've gotten this info through my own research, and help from my friend Rich(who owns www.orangeroof.org), and other Hojo lovers.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
No, haha. I'm only 16. I've gotten this info through my own research, and help from my friend Rich(who owns www.orangeroof.org), and other Hojo lovers.
with all teh info u know u should run the cain of restrunts heheh :)
I can tell you anything you want to know(within reason..haha) :D
Not anytime soon. There is a guy who wants to open a new Howard Johnson Plaza Hoitel in Cooperstown, New York, and wants to get the rights to the Hojo Ice Cream from The Ice Cream Club in Florida(if Cendant will allow him to). You can thank Rich Kummerlowe for that info. I'm just passing it along, because you asked..hehe.
Any other ?'s :D
If someone spent the proper time and energy, I think the HoJo chain could make a go of it. It couldnt come back exactly as it was in its booming days, but someone could adjust things just a bit and make a good go of it. (In my opinion). So much nastalgia there just going to waste. :no:
If there was a greedy(but reasonable and kind) business man, who sued Cendant for billions of dollars, and was up for the cause, we could have the Hojo chain back to it original self. You know pretty well that Cendant doesn't care. They're just sucking a once proud name dry.
A new picture of the Friendly's / Former Hojo restaurant in Augusta, Maine.
There was another Hojo restaurant with lodge elsewhere in town. This one was alone near the Kmart plaza.
Great picture of the Augusta location, and nice to see the building has been well kept and update, but still has the HoJo look to it.
Still uses the 1960's roof logo sign frame as well. Is there any way you could get interior pics? I'm curious to see if the original landmark supply furniture is in there, and is they still use the dairy bar for fountain service...
Is the second Augusta location still in excistance? If so, can you get a pic of the gate lodge and the restaurant to post with the other great pic you have? :huh:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Is the second Augusta location still in excistance? If so, can you get a pic of the gate lodge and the restaurant to post with the other great pic you have? :huh:
The gate lodge is gone but the Hotel still has the Hojo style outside. They removed the balconies and expanded the rooms though.
The restaurant has been turned into a Ground Round but the building has been totally boxed. A small part of the original Mansard style is still showing. It's featured at autoage.com but i have sent new pictures for the site.
Those must be some pretty good sized rooms if they were expanded out to the extent of the former balconies.
I saw an original roadside HoJo sign "planter" in Henderson Ky today! From at least the early 1950's. :o
A planter was used for the base of the Howard Johnson's trapezoid signs..
Here's the old Amsterdam, New York location. It was a stand alone restaurant ay Exit 27 off the NY Thruway.
It was coverted into a diner after its Hojo use. It's now abandoned..
The Amsterdam NY location opened during the last ditched effort to open Howard Johnson Restaurants in 1979/1980.
If I am correct, I think the restaurant lost its HOJO name in or around 1986. It now sits abandoned awaiting certain demolition. :(
you are correct, Hojofan! The orange roof was painted enviornmental brown by the Hojo company, then after the company was sold to Marriott in 1985, this location closed. Since many old Hojo's in the area have become Denny's(In Albany: East Greenbush(U.S 4 at I-90), and Clifton Park(Old Route 146 - Exit 9W off I-87), and in Herkimer), tyhis would be a fitting location for a Dennys.
Thanks for posting the Mansard era HoJo sight. Most people do not realize that there were at least 4 different "stages" of HoJo building architecture.
1930-1940's Colonial
1950's Nims
1960's T-Style
1970's-1980 Mansard
I dont think any new HoJo eateries opened after 1980. But I am not certain.
There were Hojos restaurants opened until 1982, at the latest. The company simply ran out of places to put them. Plus, they never went into the fast food industry, like they were going to with the Hojo Junction concept.
Also, there are some inaccuracies to your list. Not to be critical, but I just want to point out the mistakes to you, with my own list. :)
Colonial(Phase 1) - 1930's to mid 1950's
Nims (Phase 2) - mid 50's to mid 60's
Concept 65/"T" shape(Phase 3 +3A(shorter roof on later T shape restaurants)) - 1965 to 1970
Mansard(Phase 4) - 1970 to 1982
I dont mind you correcting me. I like to be corrected so that I am passing on accurate info! :yup:
ok, cool. hehe
It is amazing to think that HoJo eateries were being opened for well over 50 years! :yup:
Actually, Howard Johnson's has been in this world for 80 years. 1925 - 2005
I meant that they actually opened new eateries for over 50 years. 1930's to 1982. :yup:
I wonder (if) someone were to open a new Howard Johnson's restaurant if they would have to pay any kind of franchise fee to FAI or Cendant. Does anyone really know why FAI just kinda disappeared? :huh::huh:
FAI is nonexsistant. Its gone. Not coming back. Whoever opened a new restaurant, would have to recieve the rights for the Hojo name, from Cendant.
Does anyone have any of the Howard Johnson (FIA era) restaurant location directories from the 1980's or 1990's.
I beleive the last year the directories were made was 1995.
Somewhere in my archives, I have at least one of the FAI Howard Johnson restaurant directories. It was on a rack card the same size as a standard travel brochure, printed in the turquoise and orange signature colors. It dates from the initial days of the Franchise Associates venture. I also have a similar card that describes the Franchise Associates mission...similar to some of the stuff on their website. It all sounded pretty good...but the execution went terribly wrong.
Is there anyway you can post a pic of it on here for us to see? :huh:
I wonder what did go wrong with FIA. It sounds like in the beginning of the FIA era that about 100 restaurants were still in excistance. How did they fall so far so fast? Did they just loose interest? I thought most people involved had been long time HoJo franchise owners...thus they had a vested stake in the continuation of the company. :huh:
The problem with FAI was that they didn't try new ideas to meet with the new food markets. They didn't try to upgrade the menu choices, or the restaurants(well, they did somewhat, by putting new dairy counters in place at some locations, the FAI "arch" in some locations, and other things), but it wasn't good enough, and naturally, they failed. Kind of hypocritical is you ask me, seeing as how they sued Marriott for some of the same resaons.
FIA sued Marriott? On what grounds? I did not know of this. :huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh:
Here are a list of a few states and the cities that I know were home to the last Howard Johnson's restaurant in that specific state.
Illinois--Collinsville
Kentucky--Lexington North
Ohio--Geneva (This was one of the few Mariott sold to FIA)
Does anyone know the last HoJo location in any other states?
Missouri--Kirkwood (2003)
Michigan--Bay City (2005)
Vermont--Springfield (2005)
Delaware--Wilmington (2004)
Maryland--Millington (2002)
Massachusettes--Greenfield (2000)
New Hampshire--Nashua (?)
Pennsylvania--White Haven (2000)
Rhode Island--Middleton (?)
Virginia--Lexington (1999)
Wisconsin--Madison (?)
This is to the best of my knowledge. If I am incorrect on any of it please feel free to correct me. Additionally, if you know the last location to any other states please add it to the list!
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
FIA sued Marriott? On what grounds? I did not know of this. :huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh:
That's how FAI got started. When Marriott bought Howard Johnson's in 1985, they started to phase out the Howard Johnson's restaurants. They sold the motor lodges to Prime Motor Inns(later Cendant), and started ethier converting some Hojos into Big Boy or Roy Rogers restaurants, or simply just closing them. Many of the Howard Johnson's franchisees(some of them being original franchisees from the 30's and 40's), didn't like how Marriott was killing the Hojo name, so they sued them for the rights to the restaurants, name, and recipes. From then on until last May, FAI was born.
I had no idea that took place. So the franchisee's kinda sorta had a "hostile takeover". Too bad it didn last more than 10 to 15 years. Now nobody seems to care about the Howard Johnson name. :no:
Does anyone have any pictures of a 1980 or newer Howard Johnson Restaurant location? :huh:
My grandma Conger has one of the original 1960's "Johnson Girls" work uniform. I bet that thing would be worth some money now days.
Any new HoJo news? :huh:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Does anyone know if the HoJo frozen foods are still being sold in grocery stores up north/east? :huh:
Sale Flyer for Shur-Fine Food market - sept. 5
HoJo Fried Clams on sale !
The fried clams are gonna outlive the actual restaurants!!
Does anyone know if the Springfield VT location is still standing? And if so, has anyone taken any "final" pics of it?:no::holysh::no::no::no::no::no:
Anyone know anymore about the fate of the Waterbury, CT Howard Johnson? It seems the business and real estate are for sale. It was my understanding that the proprietors had a lease through 2008 and were intent on staying the course. This is the most Howard Johnson-like of all the Howard Johnson restaurants still open. Of the current 5, only 4 really operate regularly. The Asbury Park, NJ, store has irregular hours and seems to mostly serve alcoholic beverages. The closing of Waterbury (let's hope not) would leave only 3 regular Howard Johnson restaurants and the odd Asbury Park location. Where are the white knights?
The owners of the Waterbury location claim that they have no idea how that internet listing of the restaurant came about. The listing has since been pulled from the web sight, but as Rich Kummerlow mentioned on his sight www.autoage.org anytime strange news like this pops up, it usually has some ring of truth of it to the doom of the location down the road.
I also agree with you that Waterbury truely is the last authentic looking Howard Johnson location. Ashbury pretty much really isnt a HoJo anymore, but rather just still carries the name. Bangor Vermont has been remodeled to the point it doesnt even look like a Howard Johnson's at all. Both locations in New York state have been altered too so that they do not look like a true Howard Johnson's location.
Does anyone know if the Key Largo Howard Johnson's restaurant still excists? I know the owner of the restaurant had worked out a deal to use the Howard Johnson's name even though he didnt serve HoJo food fair. Just wasnt sure if it was still called a Howard Johnson's or now. :huh::huh:
OOPS!! I meant Bangor Maine, not Vermont :insane:
Nobody has any HoJo news to post? Anything? :huh:
going to Waterbury tomorrow, if anyone cares about that...hehe :)
Let us know how your trip to Waterbury goes. Hopefully you will get some info about the potential sale (or not sale) of the building.
Also, let us know if they are still serving items for an original Howard Johnson's menu. :kissyou:
Check out the front page of this web sight www.autoage.org
He has posted pictures of the destruction Katrina caused to the Biloxi Mississippi former HoJo restaurant and lodge. The amount of damage is hard to immagine. :no:
Ok, just got back from Waterbury. The only original food they serve is the ice cream, and the have the Mac and Cheese down pretty good, but its not actual Hojo Mac and Cheese. Also, the building for sale rumors are untrue. Apparently the realitors made a mistake or something. The interior(except for the dairy bar area) has been remodeled to give it a "diner" like feel.
Do any of the remaining 5 locations serve authentic HoJo faire? I think Springfield was the last that actually did. :no:
Lake Placid, NY has the original Mac and Cheese, hot dog, and Fried Clams. Bangor, Maine has authentic ice cream(there may be other stuff too, not sure), Asbury Park, NJ has no authentic food, Lake George, NY has authentic ice cream, and Waterbury Connecticut has authentic ice cream, and Fried Clams. Also, Waterbury does not have authentic Mac and Cheese, but they come very close. Unless you know the taste of the real deal stuff pretty well, you'd think it was the actual thing. And, it actually could be the real thing..it might just be missing something..hehe.
Did the people working say for sure the place was gonna remain a HoJo at least until 2008? :huh:
That's what they said in a recent article..
I hope it is true, as it has the best chance of being THE last HoJo in the country.
It is sad to think the entire HoJo chain could be gone in less than 3 years. :no:
I visited the Ashbury Park location this past week. The place looks original outside (rather worn) but most of the authenic stuff on the inside has been sold off. :no:
When (what year) and where (city/state) was the last time you ate at a Howard Johnson's restaurant?
For myself...it was at Kirkwood Missouri back in 2001.
ANYBODY eaten at a HoJo recently?? :no::(:no::(
Is anybody ready these posts anymore? :no:
There's not much Hojo news going around now, so there's really nothing to post.
True Amesman, with only 5 locations left, we dont have much to chat about the once dominant HoJo eatery chain. Does anyone know why the Bay City location just up and closed? Additionally, does anyone know if it has re-opened under a different name? Just wondering.........
Still no new HoJo news........ :no:
How about this. We all post pics of older Hojos? Now, if they happen to be from another site, and are not your own picture, please give credit. Thanks!
And, Hojofan, please try to put all the questions you have at 2 pages at most. It helps save space. Thanks!
I just a new digital camera guys, how can I post HoJo pics that I have to this sight for all to see?
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
I just a new digital camera guys, how can I post HoJo pics that I have to this sight for all to see?
After saving them to your computer from the camera, when you go to post look at the bottom of the page - it says attachment with a blank box and browse - click browse and it will pull up a list of files - go the where you've saved the photo and click on it's name and then click open and the file name will appear in the box next to attachments. Then click post reply and the picture (and your text) will appear on the board.
Guys, new news just in from Rich Kummerlowe, who passed it to me, and now I'm passing it to you..hehe. The Cooperstown, New York Howard Johnson Resort Inn is opening on December 1st(date may change), 2005, and for the grand opening, the owner is serving 18 gallons of ORIGINAL Howard Johnson's ice cream!! As more details become available, I will post and let you know.
Does the new HoJo Resort Inn have a HoJo eatery in it? Or are they just going to be serving ice cream for the opening celebration?
They'll just be serving ice cream. There is no Hojo restaurant unfortunately.
According to the websight www.hojoland.com the Springfield VT HoJo restaurant was demolished the week of Oct 13th.
I hope someone got some pics of it in its last days......
I finally visited one of the last Howard Johnson's restaurant, in Bangor. I never visited a Hojo restaurant before and i only know about Hojo from Autoage and Hojoland. I can't really tell if the food was authentic because it was my first visit to Hojo. The breakfast was very good and reminded me of Bickford's and the service was satisfactory. Inside, the restaurant has not changed much compared to the pictures at Autoage.org . The ice cream freezer in the alcove contained H?agen-Dazs ice cream products... It was quite a feeling of being inside an open Hojo instead of a closed Hojo...!
That restaurant only serves authentic ice cream as far as I know. There may be other items too. I'm not entirely sure, seeing as how I've never been to the Bangor location. That logo on the building is the 85-96 logo. It was a bad move to remove the orange roof. I'd like to hit the genius who thought up that idea.
I never did understand why they removed the orange roof from not only the restaurant, but the gate lodge as well.
Bangor is THE last restaurant/motor lodge combination that still excists in the former HoJo empire. It is sad that being the last, it doesnt really look like the image that the company was once so proud of..... Thanks for posting that pic, by chance did you get any shots of the gate lodge?
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Thanks for posting that pic, by chance did you get any shots of the gate lodge?
Yes i did! Here's the Bangor gate lodge
Great picture Zayre88 minus the fact that the orange roof is gone. It is almost like the owner plans on letting the Howard Johnson name go sometime soon......:(
Ugh!! Looks terrible!! Orange is better!!!
www.hojoland.com recently reported that there might be a glimmer of hope in reference to the Howard Johnson Restaurant chain name. He states that the domain name www.Howardjohnsonrestaurants.com was registered on Nov 22, 2005. Lets keep our fingers crossed for something to come of this in 2006. :roll:
Here are some pictures of the Henderson Kentucky former Howard Johnson's restaurant. It was a stand alone unit and lasted into the early to mid 1980's. Today it is a loca mexican eatery. Strangley, I have noticed that LOTS of old HOJO buildings became Mexican eateries......
Here is a picture of the original "planter" roadside sign.
Sadly, I noticed these old booth style seats that had been torn from the inside of the building. Does anyone recognize them as originial Landmark Co material?
More seating that had been torn from the restaurants interior.
Here is a picture of the back of the restaurant. The pic was taken from the 3rd floor of the Comfort Inn. It show how the Orange Roof was not carried around to the back of the business.
And finally, a few pics of the bar areas seen through the side door of the former HoJo eatery. Does anyone know if this looks to be of original HoJo style? I was too young to remember the bar area.....enjoy!
One more bar area shot......
The only original part of that sign for the mexican restaurant is the planter. The actual sign is not original. Also, none of those booths are Landmark Supply furniture. Great pics though! Two Nims style restaurants with the tile(painted though :().
Correct, the planter is the only original part left. The restaurant used to use the original HoJo frame but it was blown off in a storm years ago. The second sign was also blow off not to long ago (it can be seen behind the restaurant in the pics from the Comfort Inn) so the sign on top of the planter now is actually the third sign to be on the HoJo planter.....
I didnt know if those seats were original landmark....kinda strange that they were put in after it ended being a HoJo, just meaning they look pretty old themselves......
Will post more pics of HoJo's next time I am in Louisville KY!
If you've lived in the Montgomery/Bucks County area since at least 1998 you may have remembered the old Horsham Motor. I was originally a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge until the late 60's. The Horsham Motor Lodge went out of business in 1998 and was abandon until 2002 when it was torn down for a Wawa like the one pictured (but not the same one).
(http://www.trenconstruction.com/images/WAWA.JPG)
http://www.trenconstruction.com/
Here is the building in front. Circa 1950.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham5.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
Heres the building in 2001, about a year before being torn down.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham6.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
This one is from the 60's.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham3.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
Here is the old Red Lion Restuarant which still stands today and is still operating. The restuarant was originally owned by Howard Johnson's.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham4.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
Here is another part of Red Lion.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham9.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
This pic is from 1998, around the time they had closed which was in October.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham1.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
By 2000, the place was a real mess of shrubs and trash. The buildings were falling apart as well.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham10.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
More plantlife.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham7.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
Here is part of the Horsham Motor Lodge sign.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham8.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
This pic is very interesting. In the backround of the ladies you can see the old Howard Johnson's sign. I'd say this picture is from the 50's or early 60's.
(http://www.orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Horsham/horsham2.jpg)
http://www.orangeroof.org/
This is the Howard Johnson's that was once in Willow Grove Pa. right next to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It opened in the early 50's It was later known as The George Washington Inn in the 70's that closed in the early 90's and was knocked down. It was a big empty field until just this year in 2005 as they start construction for a Home Depot. This pic is from the mid-70's, toward the end of it's days of a Howard Johnson's and when it became George Washington Inn.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove4.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
The swimming pool in the 50's.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove5.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
The sign to the restuarant.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove2detail.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
Here is the restuarant.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove1detail2.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
A fantastic picture of both the restuarant and the motel.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove1.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
One more pic of the restuarant.
(http://orangeroof.org/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/WillowGrove/willowgrove2.jpg)
http://orangeroof.org/
Hey HojoFan206, you might be interested in this sight! >
http://hojoland.homestead.com/
Thanks for posting those pics storehistoryguy. I will keep an eye out for other "former" sights so that I may post more pics to be seen.
Bay City, Mi., closed in 2005.
http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/forgottenmi/misc2.html
Storehistoryguy, just to let you know, the gate lodges featured in your pics, are an early Nim's type Ranch style gate lodge(or a Phase 1 gate lodge(named after the architect Rufus Nims who worked with the company in the 50's, and also created the design for the Phase 2 style restaurant(pictured above, and commonly known in Hojos nomenclature as the Nims type restaurant.).
Is that picture of Bay City from before or after it closed in May? Does anyone know why the restaurant closed up without any warning? :no:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Is that picture of Bay City from before or after it closed in May? Does anyone know why the restaurant closed up without any warning? :no:
I believe that is just about the time it closed, maybe like within its last week of being in business. I don't know why or what happened to it.
Here are some pics taken from Nashville Tennessee on Jan 15th, 2006. The first pics are of the Nashville West location perched high atop the hill for all the passing motorist to see.
Notice in this picture, next to the current HoJo Inn sign you can see where the original HoJo Lodge/Restaurant sign has been sheared off.
This restaurant has long since NOT been a HoJo eatery, but on this particular day, was doing a pretty good deal of business.
A frontal view of the 1960's stye HoJo eatery. Nashville West
Another side shot of the same building. They have added an "outdoors" area...not HoJo original...lol
Here is a back view looking down from the steps the lead from the still excisting Howard Johnson's Inn
Here is a view of the steps leading up to the motor lodge. THey are HoJo original rails but parts of them are missing from years of neglect. :no:
Atop the steps, the motor lodge patron had a great view of the restaurant located below.
This Howard Johnson's motor lodge has been here for a really long time. Probably since the 1960's. I remember staying here with my family on our way to Memphis back in 1985.
Taken from inside the building directly behind the Gate Lodge.
Even after all of these years, the orange roof still shines bright over Nashville TN.
Here is a shot of the stucco'd over guest wings.
A shot of the pool area with the bright orange roof in the background.
Does anyone know if these table and chairs are original Howard Johnson's outdoor furniture? :huh:
More outdoor furniture that might be original? :huh:
Here is an indoor pic of the extremely tall Howard Johnson's guest room doors. Does anyone know why they made them so tall? :huh:
Here is a shot of an advertisement for the HoJo reservation hotline. It looks to be pretty old.
Another great shot of the Gate Lodge. So few of these remain today let alone ones that are actually still serving as HoJo offices.
A few more final pics of Nashville West
oops, that last pic was a duplicate...sorry! :bum:
the patio furniture is all original. And the sticker inside the guest room is from Cendant. It's probably from 97..
The viewing coming up the entrance.
Yet another view.
These two pics were taken from the newest HoJo location in Nashville TN off of Trinity Lane. The ONLY thing I could find of this rebadged location that was HoJo original was the T-style lights near the swimming pool.
Notice in the previous pic the closeness of the former HoJo Lodge to the interstate. The HoJo company sure knew how to pic out visible locations. Here is one last shot of the lights at Nashville West.
I know someone is probably going to complain that I posted these HoJo Inn pics under the restaurant thread. I did it becuase the hotel(s) were attached/located with the restaurants so I wanted to document them together. I hope you all understand.....
there was a howard johnson's in concord. that closed 15 yeras ago and is now a newer motel. they had one in nashua off exit 5. That is gone, demolished and now a car dealership.
I MISS HOWARD JOHNSON's. DO ANY MORE EXIST!!!!!!!!1
HoJofan206, nice Howard Johnson's :yup: It reminds me of an apartment building.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
I know someone is probably going to complain that I posted these HoJo Inn pics under the restaurant thread. I did it becuase the hotel(s) were attached/located with the restaurants so I wanted to document them together. I hope you all understand.....
Don't worry man. It's no big deal. I should've actually put this under the "Closed Chains" thread when I made this, but it's ok. Hojo Inn pics are welcome, seeing as how they were built along with the restaurants.
Thanks Amesman! Glad you understand...will keep an open eye whenever I am traveling for pics to share with the group.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
Thanks Amesman! Glad you understand...will keep an open eye whenever I am traveling for pics to share with the group.
how much did the rooms in howard johnson cost? what did them in? were their food good? I heard they had bratwursts.
What "did" Howard Johnson's in was the fact that the company (that had been family owned) was sold to a British Conglomerate called the Imperial Group for like 600 million in or around 1980. Howard Johnson, the son, had taken over the company and had cut cost and continued to close down restaurants to the point that they would rather just collect one final lump some of money for the "then dying" family style restaurant. HoJo Inn's were doing good but were facing more and more competition as more "chain" hotels opened. The Imperial Group sold the restaurant and hotel chains to Mariott (hotels) in 1985. Mariott's sole interest in the Howard Johnson's restaurants was to transform them into their own company restaurant brands. Cendant Corp took over the Howard Johnson Inn name and current still operate appx 500 HoJo Inn's across the country/abroad. FAI purchased the rights to the fledging Howard Johnson's restaurants in 1991 from Cendant. The hopes were for the remaining franchisee's to "kick start" anew with the brand name, but that never really happend. Over the years the underperforming restaurants closed up or become other type of restaurants, while the pofitable ones mostly shut down when the original proprietors decided to retire. So now, in 2006 there are only 5 orignal Howard Johnson restaurants that still excist, and one location in Key Largo Floriday (in an original Mansard Style building) that serves non traditional breakfast items. I think that covered everything!! ;)
Here are a couple shots of the Lake Placid location taken 1/15/06.
Nice pics of Lake Placid. I dont think I have ever seen pics of that location when it hasnt been covered in snow...lol
Now you have..
Great summertime pic of Lake Placid Amesman. I had no idea tht location even had part of an Orange Roof! :no:
Yep, it has orange, and a very unique roadside sign. Also, you can call me Jack..hehe
I guess I could say, "I do know Jack" now.....lol
When was the last time anyone got to eat at a Howard Johnson's restaurant? For me it was back in 1995 at the HOllywood Florida location. :(
September 2005 at Waterbury was the last time for me.
I feel it was Howard B. Johnson (the son) that killed the chain. He did what his father wanted him to, and that was to make the chain grow. Howard B. was also a cost cutter. From what I read on Rich's and Walter's HJ sties, Howard D. would make surprize visits to the locations.
With the lodges under Cendant's ownership, franchisees were required to remove the orange roof and square off the gate lodges at their expense. The gate lodges look hideous stuccoed and squared off. Operators were also required to stucco the lodge buildings. If they didn't they were looking for another brand.
Whoever thought squared off gate lodges has no good judgement.
The lack of company surprize visits is one of the things that did in HJ.
That "outside" picture of Lake Placid looks to be maintained very well. Does this location serve any of the original fare?
Yes, they have authentic Mac and Cheese, hot dogs, and the clam strips. They also hold the famous HJ Fish Fry every Wednesday and Friday. There's also a Food Bar with the authentic Mac and Cheese includied in with other food items, so you can get as much as you want for one price of $7.99.
It would be nice if the "new" Cendant HoJo revival would bring back the "World of 28 Flavors"....among other signature items.
Here is another orange roof!
This was the 2nd East Greenbush location (it sits RIGHT at Exit 9 of I-90 on Route 4) - the older one is on Rts 9/20. This was one of their later styles and is today Denny's (inside was remodelled). The 2nd shot shows the sign (the frame is original to HoJo - the motel was there but was built as a Suisse Chalet and was never a HoJo and never had a sign there until it changed to Fairfield). The Hojo sign was larger, however - and they had an additional sign on the left of the buidling that was quite large and designed to be seen on I-90.
The sign you see is a bit away from the building, as the building sits right near I-90 but has a rather long driveway to eliminate traffice near the I-90 ramp - today the driveway serves a SEFCU (Credit Union), Cracker Barrel and the Fairfield before you get to Denny's.
This HoJo's sits off of NYS Thruway Exit 23 on Route 9W.
It has been vacant for several years, after having a combination of several things over the previous 5-10 years (a bagel place, pizza place, bar, and more, often 2 or 3 things at a time).
This one closed at the same time the East Greenbush (by I-90) and Latham (by the Northway) did - apparently all owned by one franchisee. The second photo shows the sign (noww covered by the hotel next door which WAS a HoJo also - has had about 3 different names in the last few years). While the frame (and open 24 Hrs) are original, the sign under the cover is not, the plates having been replaced with a plate divided into sections (with lines) to accommodate the several things using the restaurant building at one time.
Part of the hotel also sits vacant (they refurbished the closer building(s), but not the farthest one).
Since this post is sort of mixed - the first 2 photos are part of the HoJo hotel next to the restaurant at Exit 23 of the NYS Thruway (as seen above). As you can see, these buildings have been abandoned (they re-did a couple buildings nearer to the office/gatelodge and those are now in use - see the sign above covering the old HoJo restaurant sign). As you may notice in the 2nd shot, the balcony roof has been completely rotted through (far right side - you can see a spot of light in the edge of the roof) - there is at least one other spot that is the same.
The 3rd photo is from the former Latham location off of Exit 6 of the Northway. This is the Bennigan's which sits on the site of the former HoJo restaurant. The hotel next door was also completely torn down and rebuilt and is now a Clarion.
The former Howard Johnson's Lodge and Restaurant in Portsmouth NH. The orange roof is now the red and white roof of Bickford's and the lodge is a Best Western (with an added tower..)
What year did the NY thruway close up shop? Did you say it (and several other Hojo's) all closed down in that area at the same time? :no:
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
What year did the NY thruway close up shop? Did you say it (and several other Hojo's) all closed down in that area at the same time? :no:
I don't remember which year exactly it was - according to http://www.wunderland.com they have posted a directory from the mid 90's which still shows them listed. I do remember that all three (the East Greenbush one shown as Denny's, the abandoned one at Exit 23 and the Latham one now a Bennigan's) closed at the same time - rather suddenly as have many others since.
They all closed sometime in 2000(the Thruway one at least).
Here's a strange find. I spotted this building in Quebec City on Ste. Anne Boulevard when taking pictures of a former Woolco across the street. I immediately noticed it looked like a former Hojo restaurant !!
The closed restaurant does not have every usual feature of original Hojo's. It does have the Nims-type shape, tile roof and a cupola. I thought that it was possible that some canadian locations were not exactly the same as U.S. ones.
Rich from Autoage.org told me he has nothing about this location. There was a planned location on that same boulevard but it never opened... There is a Motel on the same lot but it does not look like a Howard Johnson...
Maybe it never was a Hojo... just an imitation ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
Here's a strange find. I spotted this building in Quebec City on Ste. Anne Boulevard when taking pictures of a former Woolco across the street. I immediately noticed it looked like a former Hojo restaurant !!
The closed restaurant does not have every usual feature of original Hojo's. It does have the Nims-type shape, tile roof and a cupola. I thought that it was possible that some canadian locations were not exactly the same as U.S. ones.
Rich from Autoage.org told me he has nothing about this location. There was a planned location on that same boulevard but it never opened... There is a Motel on the same lot but it does not look like a Howard Johnson...
Maybe it never was a Hojo... just an imitation ;)
Sure looks like one to me.
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
The closed restaurant does not have every usual feature of original Hojo's. It does have the Nims-type shape, tile roof and a cupola. I thought that it was possible that some canadian locations were not exactly the same as U.S. ones.
There was a planned location on that same boulevard but it never opened... There is a Motel on the same lot but it does not look like a Howard Johnson...
It definitely looks like one to me as well - I'd guess that the front entrance might have beeen added later on (when it was used for something else).
It's also possible (since you say a location was planned for that street) that they built the building but never opened it as a Howard Johnson's - due to transfer of the company maybe?
The motel might not look like HoJo, but you can see (mostly what looks like a "leg" in the office portion of the building)things that give it a HoJo style look - again maybe it started out to be a HoJo and wasn't completed/opened as one - thus the base structure (legs) but the A Frame rather than the standard multi-sided lodge building?
I agree, if it was not a HoJo, it was definately a copy cat version of a competitor.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
How many of you remember the great orange roofed Howard Johnson restaurants? At one time there were over 1000 of them across the USA. Now there are less than 10 and the number gets smaller each year. If you are near one, you better stop and enjoy an old American Tradition. The former, "Host of the Highways...."
There used to be a HoJo in Big Flats, NY (near Elmira Heights) near the road called The Miracle Mile. I'm not sure of what ever became of it. I do know there's a local breakfast restaurant chain called Bob Evans that has sprung up in nearby Riverside (near Corning)
Back in December '04 my mother remarried and she and her new husband had their honeymoon at a Howard Johnson's near (or in) Niagara Falls. I'm not sure if it was the U.S. or Canadian side
Again, a mix of hotel stuff as well.
The first shot is the gate lodge in Kingston, nY (Off Thruway exit 19 near the 209 intersection. Quite well preserved (hotel is now a Superlodge) with a few peeks of orange through the blue. This is kind of the "backside" as you enter on the opposite site with a roof over where a car would pull up.
2nd is the former restaurant at the same site - now a independent restaurant.
3rd is the restaurant in Saugerties - right at Exit 20 of the NYS Thruway. It is now a local diner. The adjoining hotel is still a Hojo - it's signs are seen next (the larger is along the Thruway, the smaller where you acutally enter off Route 32).
5th is the Bennington (VT) location - now a private club. Pretty original and still quite orange.
6th is the Western Avenue location - this sits in the corner of Stuyvesant Plaza near the Fuller & Western intersection. This has been remodelled quite a bit and is now Mangia (italian restaurant - for those who know the area there are several Mangia's, also owned by the same company is Bountiful Bread, the Butcher Block and the LogJam in Lake George).
7th is the Central Avenue location at the corner of Central & Everett. According to one of the hojo sites, this was a quite early HoJo's, it later became Ground Round and closed a few years back. Now part of the DePaula dealership
Last is the Williamstown (MA) location - was empty for a couple years after closing as HoJo then converted to a bank.
That Nims style restaurant with the bright orange roof could almost open right back up as a Hojo in 2006! Great pics!!
The first one is the newly built Howard Johnson's Inn & Suites in Cooperstown (actually a bit south of Cooperstown on Route 28) - I believe this was the one that someone had mentioned wanted to open a Hojo restaurant.
The 2nd is the former HoJo restaurant on Route 28 in Oneonta - now a Denny's.
Hojo promotional poster framed and hung in the entrance of the restaurant in Bangor.
Those posters are from the FAI era. They can also be found at Lake George and Lake Placid. Springfield, Vermont had a couple as well.
Inside the dining area in Bangor.
I'm calling this the LaQuinta Johnson's (since the hotel is currently La Quinta).
First two shots are the gate lodge, from the side and front.
Third is the restaurant, now a hooters.
Forth is the (former) pool.
Last is a room door (another old HoJo feature seems to be the very tall doors).
The hotel portion of this property is still a HoJo.
First 3 photos are the gate lodge, 1st and 3rd from almost the same spot on different days, the second from the opposite (restaurant) side.
Next is a picture in the hallway - the building is built on a bit of a slope, the front portion having 3 floors (the bottom is meeting rooms) and the back 2 stories. Therefore, in the middle the floors meet at about a 1/2 story difference, which is why the grating is there (so no one falls off). I am on the 1st floor of the rear part, and you see the lower room floor of the front part on the bottom, the upper room floor on the top. To get from where I am to either floor of the front is a 1/2 flight, to get to the 2nd floor of the rear part is a full flight, to get to the meeting rooms is a flight and 1/2.
The little sign is from the pool area, showing onee of the HoJo logos.
The next picture of the outside shows better the level differences.
The next shot, which shows the pool also shows the slope to the property and building 3 (buildings 1&3 are older, the connecting portion, which is all the suites, is newer).
The two doors show the difference, the left being an older door in building 1, the right a newer door in the suites section.
Last is the restaurant, which is now a Friendly's - they have converted the right end to a take out area, all seating is from the middle to the left. Inside didn't have much (if any) old stuff.
Former Hojo restaurant in Falmouth Maine. Now Foreside Tavern & Side Bar.
More Falmouth, the original Hojo pylon sign is used by the Foreside Tavern...
Here is the Henderson KY location again. It recently recieved an "update". I admit, it does look better than it had. Looks like it will be around for a bit longer. :-)
Henderson KY former HoJo eatery (no lodge attached)
Side view from Shell station
The HoJo "planter" had been kept and used all the way until the summer of 2006, but during the new update it was removed from the original roadside sign.
Picture taken looking into the former bar side of the restaurant...(still being used as a bar)
The bar often helped boost profits at most HoJo locations.
The back door or outside entrance to the bar (2006)
Looking in the windows where the HoJo diary counter would have been. :no:
One final pic of Henderson KY in 2006
It would be really neat that when (if) the new 2007 Hojo's that are suppose to open were built in the nostalgic Nims design. Kinda like Ford did with the Mustang!! Lets all hope.
I really do hope they can bring the name back to popularity. So many younger people have no idea what the Hojo name once meant in reference to food. They only know it as a hotel chain. :no:
Key Largo Florida
This location may or may not continue to excist.
One of the unique features of the Howard Johnson restaurants was the cathederal style ceiling.
are they still open
No, non of the pics posted are of locations that are still in operation. As of right now (Nov 2006) I think there are only 4 Howard Johnson's restraurants left in the entire country.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
No, non of the pics posted are of locations that are still in operation. As of right now (Nov 2006) I think there are only 4 Howard Johnson's restraurants left in the entire country.
The only Howard Johnson's that I can think of that was in my area was in Watertown, NY. That closed down several years ago (in the late 1980's or early 1990's). After that, the restaurant was remodeled and became a Perkins. That didn't last too long and finally the building was demolished to make was for an Advance Auto Parts which occupies the site today.
what happen to them why did they closed
QuoteOriginally posted by shakethis1234
what happen to them why did they closed
shakethis:
What happened? It happens to all companies who get bought by people who are NOT the founders -- they simply let the chain get used as a cash cow -- and then when it was not profitable -- because they didn't update it -- it was sold to a Hotel company now HOJo is know more for lodging then for ice cream.
JimS
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Still uses the 1960's roof logo sign frame as well. Is there any way you could get interior pics? I'm curious to see if the original landmark supply furniture is in there, and is they still use the dairy bar for fountain service...
I finally went there again but this time, inside. Sorry to report that everything is gone. The entire restaurant has a Friendly's theme and a new layout, from floor tiles, booths, lighting, dairy bar and the rest. The building looks in great shape. The location is Augusta, ME.
Zayre88:
Where was that ex HoJo which is now a Friendly's?
JimS
It is nice to see the location is being kept up. So many HoJo's sit in ruins across the country just waiting to be torn down. :(
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
I know I'm not Zayre88, but I can tell you anyway..hehe. It's in Portland, Maine near the Maine Mall.
I edited my post to show the adress, this location is Augusta ME on Western avenue. There was another restaurant but with a lodge elsewhere in Augusta: (now Holiday Inn & Ground Round).
These roadside signs once stretched from Maine to Florida. Now there are only four restaurants left in the entire country.
Former Darien Connecticut location.
Darrien
Sadly, this location was closed in November 2000. :no:
Yet another sad remain of a great roadside empire.
More sad remains from Tifton Georgia
Before: 1960's
And Sadly: After 2005
Tifton Georgia
An old 1960's postcard showing one of the Dayton Ohio locations
When was the last time you saw a Howard Johnson's Restaurant listed on one of the blue highway signs?? :no:
Baycity Michigan. Abruptly closed in May 2005. Does anyone know what has become of this location?
Daytona Beach Florida mid 1980's
Classic roadside sign from the 1970's listing both the Howard Johnson restaurant and motor lodge.
Former Ormond Beach Florida location...pic from 2000
Former Lauderdale by the Sea Mansard style Hojo eatery built in the costy cutting style of the 1970's. Then:
This restaurant last at least until the late 1990's
And Sadly now: :no:
The once brilliant orange enamal tiles painted a faded red.
Does anyone know what has happened to Rich Kummerlowe?
I want to make sure I give credit to the pictures posted above as the are from his GREAT sight autoage.org
I could find no information on his sight as of a way to contact him. If anyone knows of a way to reach him please let me know. I have several new pictures of former locations for his sight.
Thanks!! :roll:
He's redoing the website, and I guess he's in the process of changing emails or something, because his current one does not work anymore. Other than that, I have no idea what happened to him.
Here's a postcard of the Asbury Park Ho Jo.
What was your favorite Howard Johnson's food trademark item?
For me, it was of course the ice cream!! (I was a kid when this place was around) :-)
Bloomington Indiana former HoJo's eatery.
Columbus Indiana HoJo's eatery in good shape in 2006.
Middletown...when it was still a HoJo's. But not anymore. :-(
Another shot of Middletown.
This former location has seen better days. :no:
A classic Nims style HoJo's turned Mexican eatery in Indianapolis Indiana.
Another side Nims style relic.
Former Mansard Style HoJo's eatery from the 1970's era.
Yet another Nims style location. Named after the architect, Rufus Nims.
Here's an old 1950's shot of a Hojo eatery.
At one time, nearly 1000 Howard Johnson's restaurants were scattered across the United States. Sadly, in Dec 2006 only 4 remain. :no:
1983 was the last year any new Hojo eateries opened in the U.S. The last style was known as the Mansard design.
A rare shot of the dairy counter of a classic Nims style HoJo eatery.
A true time capsile. :no:
Another classic Nims style location sitting abandoned.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
A rare shot of the dairy counter of a classic Nims style HoJo eatery.
Nice pictures Hojofan206 !! Again, a picture of Augusta ME former Hojo restaurant (now Friendly's), side of the building with ice cream window:
Thanks Zare!! It is sad to think that of the over 1000 original Howard Johnson's restaurants that were open at one time how many of the buildings are still standing today.
While its sad the old ones are gone, at least there will be new HoJo's coming soon! :)
Yes, I have heard that news. I really hope the plan/idea comes to fruitrition.
Fairfield California...this location has been abandoned for quite some time now.
A blackened out roadside sign for a stand alone restaurant from the 1970's
Waterbury, Connecticut is losing its Howard Johnson's name after 49 years. After failing to negotiate with new franchise agreements with La Mancha Group, the owners of Waterbury have decided to move on. I am going there on the 26th, so I will take pictures.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Waterbury, Connecticut is losing its Howard Johnson's name after 49 years. After failing to negotiate with new franchise agreements with La Mancha Group, the owners of Waterbury have decided to move on. I am going there on the 26th, so I will take pictures.
I saw the news at Orangeroof.com... it's sad. This leaves 3 restaurants including the Bangor location (no longer orange roof):
Sadly the Waterbury was the last of the original Howard Johnson restaurants. As pictured above, Bangor Maine is all but a HoJo eatery now days. :-(
While it's sad it's not going to be a HOJO's anymore, the good news for Waterbury is the restaurant is gonna continue operating. It will have a new name.
The stupid Waterbury Republican (the local newspaper) charges to read the article even tho it was just in the paper on Saturday.
Until I see any new HoJo eateries open under the LaMancha group, it is a sad loss each time another location closes down. And then there were 3......
Lexington Virgina
Lextington was a 1970's styled Mansard building.
In its last years as a Hojo the restaurant was kept very neat and clean, as wel always remembered Hojo eateries.
The interior, updated in the later 1990's still retained the familiar Hojo memories.
Sadly, the restaurant, like so many others, gave up the Howard Johnson's name in Sept 2001.
Today, (Feb 2007) the restaurant sits empty, yet mostly intact.
Sadly, recent reports from Rich Kummerlow'es EXCELLENT Hojo sight are saying the location is being readied for another use, thus removing yet another HoJo piece of history from the map.
One last look at how we would like to remember Lexington Virginia's Howard Johnson's restaurant. :no:
Even after 30 plus years, the orange tiles glissen in the sun.
Anyone interested in HoJo restaurant history should visit the sights of Walter Mann (www.hojoland.com) and Rich Kummerlow's sight (www.autoage.org)
These two gentlemen have spent a lot of time on their tributes to Hojo's and their efforts are appreciated!!
(Just as I apprecate all the efforts of the owens of this great sight!
1980's view of the Charleston S. Carolina Hojo's.
2003 view of the same location. (No longer a HoJo's eatery)
A RARE FIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This current Howard Johnson's Inn in Ashville North Carolina has a restaurant named Chatt's (which was a spin-off of the HoJo-s eatery back in the 70's.) From the road one would think they had happened upon a 2007 Howard Johnson's restaurant location!! :duh:
The FIA Era version of the Howard Johnson's restaurant logo.
Oops, make tht FAI....:insane:
The 1980's usage of Howard Johnson's signage.
The 1970's usage of the former restaurant icon signage.
Here a picture of the ONE noteable attempt made by FAI to re-build the Howard Johnson's restaurant name. It was located in Canton Mass and half of the roof was painted grey.
The attempt was very short lived. :no:
Does anyone know if the Key Largo Mansard is still operating under the Howard Johnson's name? I know it was no longer an "officical" Howard Johnson's restaurant, but via agreement with FAI it was allowed to continue to use the name even though the menu served no authentic dishes? :huh:
Make sure you credit the photos you are putting on here, as the majority of them are from www.orangeroof.org and the site's other contributors.
Rachael Ray (now host of 30 mins Meals on FOOD TV and her own daily talk show) used to work at HOJO's. Any other famous people work at HOJO's before they became famous?
I make sure I give credit to Rich and to the other sites from time to time. I just dont post it to every single picture I borrow. Both Hojoland.com and Orangeroof.org are great sites full of HoJo's info and pictures. :-) I like to post quality pics with information about each picture. I think it makes viewing the posts on here that much more enjoyable. Hope everyone agrees. You can scroll up about 5 or 6 pictures from this post to see where I give credit to both of those wonderful sights!
Classic Tyco picture of an HO Scale Howard Johnson's restaurant.
A classic Howard Johnson's restaurant paper cup. When was the last time you saw Simple Simon and the Pieman? :huh:
Former Louisville KY Howard Johnson's restaurant turned into an Outback Steakhouse. Picture taken in January of 2003 by me.
Opposite view of the Louisville Ky former Hojo's. Pic taken by Phil Edwards in 2003.
Side view of the former Henderson KY location.
Former Henderson KY Hojo's turned mexican eatery. Picture taken by me in January of 2003.
Authentic Simple Simon and the Pieman weathervain from Kirkwood Missouri. The LAST Howard Johnon's to be open in the state of Missouri. I beleive this location closed in late 2002. :no: Picture taken from Rich Kummerlowes excellent site.
Here is a post card of the unique Ashbury Park Howard Johnson's restaurant. To my knowledge, it is completely closed now. :no:
Here is one of the last "stand alone" retaurant units that the company built. It was in Amsterdam New York and was only open for a few years--beginning in 1979.
It was the last type of building the Hojo corporation used called the Mansard design. These buildings were not very attractive if you ask me. :no:
To my knowledge, this location saw life as a Burger King for a bit after its years as a Hojo. Today, it sits a deteriorating thruway ruin..... :(
For an extended view of great pics of the former Hojo's in New York state visit Rich Kummerlowe's tribute to Howard Johnson's. He had done a great job with it!
One of the saddest things about this Hojo thread is the fact that none of us have any actual "news" to share. Just pictures from the past to post. I hope that we do have some good news about the company name sometime in the near future! :question:
Old Howard Johnson's restaurant matchbook
The FAI version of the Howard Johnson's roadside sign.
Here is an older view of one of the 3 remaining Howard Johnson's restaurants in the country today. This one is in Lake George NY.
You have to look closely, because if you do you will recognize the roof of this nims style Hojo's underneath the Plato's restaurant disguise. :duh:
Not sure (because of the timeframe) if this was originally a Hojo's or one of the many copy cat type restaurants from that era.
You can paint over the tiles, but the ORANGE will live forever!
Does anyone else think this Mexican restaurant in Atlanta looks like a former Nims style Howard Johnson's? I really dont know. :huh:
A second view of the restaurant. It looks like this could have been the dairy counter area of the former Hojo's. Does anyone else agree?
I believe this Hojo's was located on the NY turnpike.
This is the FAI Howard Johnson's sign when it was on the Millington location. Image from www.hojoland.com
Former Times Square loctions. Closed in or around 2005
Does anyone know what has become of the Saginaw Michigan former Howard Johnson's restaurant that shut down overnight back in May of 2005? Is it still vacant? :huh:
I just was in the middle of watching Season 4 of Cheers and I came across this episode that included part of an outside Howard Johnson's shot. The episode was Cliffie's Big Score. It's in the scene where he leaves the hotel to go into his car. Unfortunately, no inside shots were taken.
Is HoJo's gone? Just wondering because I havent seen any new posts about the fate of Howard Johnsons.
Hojo's isnt quite gone. Meaning, there are still 3 original locations left in the entire USA. There is no "company" which means all three pretty much operate on their own.
News was release some time back that a new company called the LaMancha group had purchased the rights to the name of the Howard Johnson's company in reference to the restaurants. We are all waiting to see if and when the ice cream rolls out sometime this year. We are hoping the new company makes a solid go of it and rumor has it that they will start opening new eateries sometime in 2008.
For more accurate information check out Hojoland.com and or Autoage.net Both are excellent sights with lots of Howard Johnson's information. :roll:
At one time over 1000 Simple Simon and the Pie Man's were spread out from Maine to Florida. Sadly, this is no longer true. :no:
One of THE original Howard Johnson's
Here is a picture of one of the signature "trademarks" of some of the Howard Johnson restaurants. Its was often referred to as the "decorative concrete walls". They were not used on ALL of the nims style restaurants, but you can find the application on may throughout the country. This one was found by Phil Edwards while in Phoeniz Arizone back in 2004. Image from OrangeRoof.org
This is a picture of the former Bloomington Indiana Howard Johnson's restaurant. The unit began as a stand alone and later received a Howard Johnson's Travelodge a few years later. Today the location serves as a Mexican eatery. I stopped by in August of 2003.
St. Matthews/Louisville KY former restaurant. Now being used as an Outback Steakhouse. Picture taken in 2003.
Orange tiles uncovered at the former Hojo restaurant (Bickford's) in Portsmouth NH !
Thanks for that "upclose" shot of this former Hojo's Zare88. I had often seen pics of it from a distance, but never up close. It cleary was built in the 1970's "cost cutting" Mansard design incorporating the HoJo's "environmental" theme as you can see the painted over wood panels on the front of the building. Very unique building in the Hojo's family. Glad you posted it! :duh:
The Howard Johnson hotel & restaurant complex in Bangor Maine is for sale!
http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=15447478&linkcode=1070&sourcecode=1lww2t
This law office in Largo, FL kind of resembles a Howard Johnson's, but I think it's way too small to have been one.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/JetsLuvver/Other%20pics/largo1.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/JetsLuvver/Other%20pics/largo2.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/JetsLuvver/Other%20pics/largo3.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/JetsLuvver/Other%20pics/largo4.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/JetsLuvver/Other%20pics/largo5.png)
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Also, here's a link to pics of Wildwood, NJ. http://orangeroof.org/NewJersey/Restaurants/Wildwood/wildwood1.html
is that one still there>?
No, the Wildwood location has been closed for a long time. I believe it has been demolished as well.
That sucks. I have a beach house in Wildwood. It would rock if the town still had an original HoJo's.
Yeserady i was wathing Law and Order SVU and they had a man stay at a HOJOS
Here is a picture of a former HoJo's eatery in the state of Michigan that found life after the location shut down years ago.
Not sure how we ended up with two Howard Johnson restaurant page posts so here is the Michigan restaurant pic again...lol
Hey, welcome back, HoJoFan206!!! :)
Thank you videogamer 75!! I am so glad to be back!!
Here is a photo of the FIA "arch" that was supposed to help bring in a new era of teens to Howard Johnson's back in the early 1990's. Unfortunately, it did not work. Today, only 3 Howard Johnson restaurants remain. :hurt:
OOPS, make that FAI.... :insane:
This Mansard style Howard Johnson's has seen better days.
This is a shot of a former roadside Howard Johnson's roadside sign. Can you name the signature "characters" shown in neon?
they are Simple Simon & The PieMan.
Excellent job Scott.
thanks.
QuoteOriginally posted by HoJofan206
This is a shot of a former roadside Howard Johnson's roadside sign. Can you name the signature "characters" shown in neon?
George Bush and Dan Quayle?
http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2009/02/clean_sweep_carrier_circle_how.html
This is the former Nashville TN west Howard Johnson's restaurant. I took this picture on Jan 1, 2008. :(
Heres pics of both Nashua Locations
http://www.highwayhost.org/NewHamphire/Restaurants/Nashua/nashua1.html
http://www.highwayhost.org/NewHamphire/Nashua/nashua1.html
There once was a Howard Johnson in Mystic where The Equinox Diner is, it was still a Howard Johnson's all the way through the 90's and in the 2000's it changed to a Friendly's (I think) then briefly a Bickfords.
Does sombody knows the meaning of what is on the front page of the Orangeroof website ?
http://www.highwayhost.org/Orangeroof/index.htm
From what I see at Hojoland, the Lake Placid location is for sale and might close:
http://hojoland.homestead.com/
I know of 2 former hojos in the local area. One is in Albany just on the way to the airport which is now a gas station but you can tell because it still has the roof. Another is in Queensbury but has been boarded up for as long as I can remember.
A lot of highway service stations/plazas were at one point HoJos! before other restaurants (IE Roy Rogers, McDonald's, Burger King, etc.) took HoJo's place in the 1980s.
And then there were THREE (again):
http://blog.timesunion.com/business/lake-george-howard-johnsons-to-reopen/61048/
A change from the usual HoJo reports!
The Lake Placid, NY Howard Johnson's is closing.
http://www.wcax.com/story/28604389/lake-placid-hojos-to-close-its-doors
I hear the Bangor, ME HoJo's is closing soon, too, which makes Lake George the last remaining Howard Johnson's Restaurant - and Lake George is apparently operating independently of a formal Howard Johnson franchise. I imagine Wyndham will eventually make them sign a franchise agreement or issue a C&D to force them to give up the HoJo brand.
That makes the current score Isaly's 2, Howard Johnson's 1
Quote from: TheFugitive on March 26, 2015, 08:34:42 AM
That makes the current score Isaly's 2, Howard Johnson's 1
Which 2? There is a bunch of info, but nothing that shows which ones are actually still there.
Web searching shows one in Washington, Pennsylvania and one in the northern
suburbs of Pittsburgh.
In their heyday you'd come across one about every two miles here.
Back in the day, there were a number of these across Michigan.
http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/forgottenmi/former/hojo.html (http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/forgottenmi/former/hojo.html)
Quote from: TheFugitive on March 26, 2015, 01:52:44 PM
Web searching shows one in Washington, Pennsylvania and one in the northern
suburbs of Pittsburgh.
In their heyday you'd come across one about every two miles here.
So I've heard (not being in that area, but we did see the display at the museum in Pittsburgh several years ago, and the book that details the history as well).
Sounds like they could have done better if they had adopted the convenience store model (we have the Stewart's chain here in NY, which also comes from a dairy background, and still makes it's own ice cream and dairy products sold through over 300 of it's own stores. No deli, though (although they do have some sandwiches available).
Cumberland Farms started as a dairy, too, though they got out of that business decades ago.
The BDN confirms what I mentioned last week - the Bangor HoJo is likely to close this year
http://bangordailynews.com/2015/04/02/living/food/no-more-hojos-bangor-eatery-may-close-after-49-years/
HoJofan206: Re: North Stonington,CT. That HoJo was the last HoJo built. It is a shrine.
This was Howard Johnson's in Southington, CT. It opened in 1965. Later it was Bickford's, Gold Roc Diner2, Agavae Mexican Grill, and now TD Homer's Sports Bar. The Motel in the back was Howard Johnson's and Later Travel Lodge, Traveler's Inn, Red Carpet Inn, and as of 2009ish after a multi-million dollar renovation project The Days Inn.
(http://images.vgsi.com/photos/SouthingtonCTPhotos//%5C00%5C01%5C47/75.JPG)
Photo Credit: Vision Government Solutions.
The vacant former Howard Johnson's restaurant in East Greenbush, NY (Routes 9&20, later a Weathervane location for many years and then briefly a local Fisherman's Cove restaurant) has been demolished, according to a photo in today's Times Union newspaper.
The building is believed to have been built in the late 1930's (there is also a photo in front of the partially demolished building of a 92 year old woman who grew up just across the street when it was built and held a wedding reception there in 1946!).
It closed as Howard Johnsons sometime (at least I think) in the 1980's - there was a second newer location built (around 1978-79 from what I can find) on Route 4 near I-90 that closed around 1995.
Many references seem to think that one replaced the other, however I remember being in this older location when it was still HoJo (though a later version with a larger menu than most HoJo and a salad bar, but still the things one things of as standard HoJo items) and based on being born in 1976 it would have had to be later than the suggested opening of the 2nd location.
It had then been a Weathervane for quite some time as well, plus the short local incarnation but was closed for close to a decade and beginning to deteriorate (if you see the TU photos that roof on the right is not due to demolition, just many years of lack of upkeep).
http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/Weathervane-restaurant-demolished-in-East-7957166.php
Quote from: BillyGr on March 04, 2006, 01:04:52 AM
This HoJo's sits off of NYS Thruway Exit 23 on Route 9W.
It has been vacant for several years, after having a combination of several things over the previous 5-10 years (a bagel place, pizza place, bar, and more, often 2 or 3 things at a time).
This one closed at the same time the East Greenbush (by I-90) and Latham (by the Northway) did - apparently all owned by one franchisee. The second photo shows the sign (noww covered by the hotel next door which WAS a HoJo also - has had about 3 different names in the last few years). While the frame (and open 24 Hrs) are original, the sign under the cover is not, the plates having been replaced with a plate divided into sections (with lines) to accommodate the several things using the restaurant building at one time.
Part of the hotel also sits vacant (they refurbished the closer building(s), but not the farthest one).
I literally just drove by that today everything is closed up... did you notice the gas station on the corner of wolf road in Albany as you turn into the airport kinda looks like it could have been a howard johnson
I've been to 2 former ones, Friendly's in Milford and another Diner in Stamford. Haven't been to an 'official' HJ's.
Quote from: buzz86us on July 02, 2016, 09:42:05 PM
Quote from: BillyGr on March 04, 2006, 01:04:52 AM
This HoJo's sits off of NYS Thruway Exit 23 on Route 9W.
It has been vacant for several years, after having a combination of several things over the previous 5-10 years (a bagel place, pizza place, bar, and more, often 2 or 3 things at a time).
This one closed at the same time the East Greenbush (by I-90) and Latham (by the Northway) did - apparently all owned by one franchisee. The second photo shows the sign (noww covered by the hotel next door which WAS a HoJo also - has had about 3 different names in the last few years). While the frame (and open 24 Hrs) are original, the sign under the cover is not, the plates having been replaced with a plate divided into sections (with lines) to accommodate the several things using the restaurant building at one time.
Part of the hotel also sits vacant (they refurbished the closer building(s), but not the farthest one).
I literally just drove by that today everything is closed up... did you notice the gas station on the corner of wolf road in Albany as you turn into the airport kinda looks like it could have been a howard johnson
Yeah, that hotel at Exit 23 closed a couple years back (after the restaurant building had been empty for some time). They also, prior to closing demolished a couple of the further out buildings, leaving just the ones closest to the office area.
As to Wolf Road, I don't know of there being one there, but it could have been. The couple that come to mind in the area are Central (just below Everett - later Ground Round now part of DePaula Chevrolet), Western (Stuyvesant Plaza in the corner, demolished & rebuilt when Creo opened there) and Latham (Rt 7 just off the SPUI, a hotel & restaurant both and still a hotel & restaurant but not HoJo connected).
It's official - the Bangor, Maine HoJo will serve its last diners September 6
http://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/24/news/bangor/restaurant-lounge-at-bangor-howard-johnson-to-close/
Quote from: BillyGr on July 03, 2016, 03:04:49 PM
Quote from: buzz86us on July 02, 2016, 09:42:05 PM
Quote from: BillyGr on March 04, 2006, 01:04:52 AM
This HoJo's sits off of NYS Thruway Exit 23 on Route 9W.
It has been vacant for several years, after having a combination of several things over the previous 5-10 years (a bagel place, pizza place, bar, and more, often 2 or 3 things at a time).
This one closed at the same time the East Greenbush (by I-90) and Latham (by the Northway) did - apparently all owned by one franchisee. The second photo shows the sign (noww covered by the hotel next door which WAS a HoJo also - has had about 3 different names in the last few years). While the frame (and open 24 Hrs) are original, the sign under the cover is not, the plates having been replaced with a plate divided into sections (with lines) to accommodate the several things using the restaurant building at one time.
Part of the hotel also sits vacant (they refurbished the closer building(s), but not the farthest one).
I literally just drove by that today everything is closed up... did you notice the gas station on the corner of wolf road in Albany as you turn into the airport kinda looks like it could have been a howard johnson
Yeah, that hotel at Exit 23 closed a couple years back (after the restaurant building had been empty for some time). They also, prior to closing demolished a couple of the further out buildings, leaving just the ones closest to the office area.
As to Wolf Road, I don't know of there being one there, but it could have been. The couple that come to mind in the area are Central (just below Everett - later Ground Round now part of DePaula Chevrolet), Western (Stuyvesant Plaza in the corner, demolished & rebuilt when Creo opened there) and Latham (Rt 7 just off the SPUI, a hotel & restaurant both and still a hotel & restaurant but not HoJo connected).
i'll take a pic of it next time I am in the area.. it looks like it could have been one with the design of the architecture.. would have made sense to have one there since it'd be a welcome sight to travelers just off the plane
Kevin Coupe paid a visit to the last standing HoJo's; it wasn't pretty...
http://www.morningnewsbeat.com/News/Detail/50461/2016-10-06/
The site of the last Howard Johnson's restaurant is up for sale:
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/site-of-last-howard-johnsons-restaurant-up-for-sale/
Quote from: busman_49 on January 25, 2017, 01:16:47 PM
The site of the last Howard Johnson's restaurant is up for sale
According to this story it's just been relisted with a new broker; the site has been on the block for 15 years. The restaurant is open limited days/hours in the winter but remains in operation and there are no plans to close.
http://poststar.com/news/local/howard-johnson-s-alive-and-well-says-operator/article_5691be0e-de88-5084-a6d2-061f7f02f52e.html
Quote from: retailisking on January 25, 2017, 11:19:52 PM
Quote from: busman_49 on January 25, 2017, 01:16:47 PM
The site of the last Howard Johnson's restaurant is up for sale
According to this story it's just been relisted with a new broker; the site has been on the block for 15 years. The restaurant is open limited days/hours in the winter but remains in operation and there are no plans to close.
http://poststar.com/news/local/howard-johnson-s-alive-and-well-says-operator/article_5691be0e-de88-5084-a6d2-061f7f02f52e.html
Thank you for sharing that!
Quote from: busman_49 on January 26, 2017, 06:46:35 AM
Thank you for sharing that!
You're welcome. Whenever I read a story from a newspaper 3,000 miles away from its origin I try to find a local angle - sometimes I hit pay dirt, as in this case.
Quote from: retailisking on January 25, 2017, 11:19:52 PM
Quote from: busman_49 on January 25, 2017, 01:16:47 PM
The site of the last Howard Johnson's restaurant is up for sale
According to this story it's just been relisted with a new broker; the site has been on the block for 15 years. The restaurant is open limited days/hours in the winter but remains in operation and there are no plans to close.
http://poststar.com/news/local/howard-johnson-s-alive-and-well-says-operator/article_5691be0e-de88-5084-a6d2-061f7f02f52e.html
I'd switch real estate companies as well if they couldn't sell my property in 15 years!
Quote from: Bdubs on January 27, 2017, 09:02:14 PM
I'd switch real estate companies as well if they couldn't sell my property in 15 years!
I'd guess it's one of those things - they list it at a high price, hoping someone will be willing to pay that much.
If no one show up to buy, they just lease the existing building to someone and still make a decent amount while waiting.
Quote from: BillyGr on July 03, 2016, 03:04:49 PM
Quote from: buzz86us on July 02, 2016, 09:42:05 PM
Quote from: BillyGr on March 04, 2006, 01:04:52 AM
This HoJo's sits off of NYS Thruway Exit 23 on Route 9W.
It has been vacant for several years, after having a combination of several things over the previous 5-10 years (a bagel place, pizza place, bar, and more, often 2 or 3 things at a time).
This one closed at the same time the East Greenbush (by I-90) and Latham (by the Northway) did - apparently all owned by one franchisee. The second photo shows the sign (noww covered by the hotel next door which WAS a HoJo also - has had about 3 different names in the last few years). While the frame (and open 24 Hrs) are original, the sign under the cover is not, the plates having been replaced with a plate divided into sections (with lines) to accommodate the several things using the restaurant building at one time.
Part of the hotel also sits vacant (they refurbished the closer building(s), but not the farthest one).
I literally just drove by that today everything is closed up... did you notice the gas station on the corner of wolf road in Albany as you turn into the airport kinda looks like it could have been a howard johnson
Yeah, that hotel at Exit 23 closed a couple years back (after the restaurant building had been empty for some time). They also, prior to closing demolished a couple of the further out buildings, leaving just the ones closest to the office area.
As to Wolf Road, I don't know of there being one there, but it could have been. The couple that come to mind in the area are Central (just below Everett - later Ground Round now part of DePaula Chevrolet), Western (Stuyvesant Plaza in the corner, demolished & rebuilt when Creo opened there) and Latham (Rt 7 just off the SPUI, a hotel & restaurant both and still a hotel & restaurant but not HoJo connected).
I'd buy that HoJo if i had the money seems like a waste if it gets demolished I think it could be useful to rent out for events just seems a shame that such a beautiful building sits abandoned..
(http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/61/31/06/12947849/5/920x920.jpg) (http://www.timesunion.com/7day-business/article/Former-Howard-Johnson-eyed-for-for-hotel-shopping-11163737.php)
You might as well add Howard Johnson's Restaurants to the list of Defunct Restaurant chains since the last one standing had been closed completely around last October here's the link to the Wikipedia page which explains it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Johnson%27s#End_of_restaurant_chain
It could be possible that sometime in the Future someone out there could successfully resurrect the chain.
Quote from: JimSawhill on May 17, 2015, 10:32:35 AM
HoJofan206: Re: North Stonington,CT. That HoJo was the last HoJo built. It is a shrine.
Where in North Stonington?
Quote from: JJBers on January 11, 2018, 07:58:47 PM
Quote from: JimSawhill on May 17, 2015, 10:32:35 AM
HoJofan206: Re: North Stonington,CT. That HoJo was the last HoJo built. It is a shrine.
Where in North Stonington?
I
Route 2 at Interstate 95 if I'm not mistaking.
Quote from: deerwrecker2017 on January 10, 2018, 05:55:23 PM
You might as well add Howard Johnson's Restaurants to the list of Defunct Restaurant chains since the last one standing had been closed completely around last October here's the link to the Wikipedia page which explains it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Johnson%27s#End_of_restaurant_chain
It could be possible that sometime in the Future someone out there could successfully resurrect the chain.
That "last one" is still going, if not on a particularly easy to follow basis. Apparently it is only open from time to time, without much of a regular schedule.
There is also a location at one of the Howard Johnson hotels in Ocala, FL, which is (technically) not an original restaurant but is known by the company and allowed to operate as such (just without any signage on the outside labelling it a "Howard Johnson's restaurant"). So a "sort of" 2nd one.
The building where Howard Johnson's restautant was on Queen Street in Southington, Connecticut is For Sale for $1,800,000. It was built in 1965. What is now The Days Inn (which is in the back of the property separately owned) was the Howard Johnson's motel and was also built in 1965. I don't know what year Howard Johnson's Restaurant closed, but over the years the building has been:
Bickford's
Gold Roc Diner2
Agave Mexican Grille (The building was painted a horrible green color at that point)
TD Homer's Sports Bar (They were owned by the same owners as Agave who also own The Wood N Tap Restauant in Price Chopper Plaza and other locations in Central Conneticut).
TD Homer's closed in December 2016.
http://theprotogroup.com/assets/documents/1510238216.pdf
Quote from: Brammy on February 26, 2018, 05:10:53 PM
The building where Howard Johnson's restautant was on Queen Street in Southington, Connecticut is For Sale for $1,800,000. It was built in 1965. What is now The Days Inn (which is in the back of the property separately owned) was the Howard Johnson's motel and was also built in 1965. I don't know what year Howard Johnson's Restaurant closed, but over the years the building has been:
Bickford's
Gold Roc Diner2
Agave Mexican Grille (The building was painted a horrible green color at that point)
TD Homer's Sports Bar (They were owned by the same owners as Agave who also own The Wood N Tap Restauant in Price Chopper Plaza and other locations in Central Conneticut).
TD Homer's closed in December 2016.
http://theprotogroup.com/assets/documents/1510238216.pdf
I honestly don't know what could go there, so many have tried and failed at that location, I don't see IHOP or Friendlys relocating there, too bad Waffle House isn't up here. Maybe a diner??
Quote from: scottw73 on February 26, 2018, 11:42:47 PM
I honestly don't know what could go there, so many have tried and failed at that location, I don't see IHOP or Friendlys relocating there, too bad Waffle House isn't up here. Maybe a diner??
When TD Homer's closed in December 2016 it wasn't really a surpise to me. I knew they were having trouble when they cut their hours of operations. They eliminated Lunch service Monday-Thursday and wouldn't open til 4PM. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were the only days they still opened at 11:30AM and served Lunch.
I would just bulldoze the restaurant building and the Days Inn (it doesn't do a lot of business) and build something else.
I have a forum on remembering Howard Johnson's
I traveled to Bangor, Maine recently and noticed that unfortunately, Bangor's former Howard Johnson's restaurant has been demolished.
Bangor was the the last Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex. The restaurant closed in 2016.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3088/2322502918_e8d0a2fc0c_o.jpg)
The former Southington, Connecticut location is going be home to Hartford Restaurant Group's newest concept restaurant - The Que Whiskey Kitchen which will specialize in BBQ cuisine and whiskey and bourbon.
The Howard Johnson's building was built in 1965 along with a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge. Today the motel is a Days Inn.
Over the years the restaurant spot has been Bickord's, Gold Roc Diner II, Agave Mexican Grill (with the building painted green), and TD Homer's Sports Bar, which closed in December 2016. Agave and TD Homer's were also owned by Hartford Restaurant Group. They owned the Connecticut chain Wood N Tap. Truthfully I don't know if there was anything in the building in-between Howard Johnson's and Bickford's. I don't know what year the former closed and the latter opened.
The restaurant building has held up much better than the motel building has. The restaurant building has been remodeled inside with each new restaurant. The motel which was subject to much neglect for many years was extensively renovated on the inside by the bank that owned it around 9 or 10 years ago. The outside still needs work. I actually think it should be demolished and rebuilt.
Quote from: Zayre88 on October 08, 2018, 09:21:41 AM
I traveled to Bangor, Maine recently and noticed that unfortunately, Bangor's former Howard Johnson's restaurant has been demolished.
Did you get any pictures of the demo'ed site?
Quote from: retailisking on October 08, 2018, 01:25:47 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on October 08, 2018, 09:21:41 AM
I traveled to Bangor, Maine recently and noticed that unfortunately, Bangor's former Howard Johnson's restaurant has been demolished.
Did you get any pictures of the demo'ed site?
I was traveling with family so I'm not as free as before to roam around. ;)
I took this picture from the Fairfield Inn we were staying at. On the other side of the pool, you can now see the parking lot, the I-395 highway overhead signs and trees. This view would have originally been blocked by the restaurant.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1932/31339563668_07dca25cd7_c.jpg)
Quote from: Brammy on October 08, 2018, 10:49:43 AM
The former Southington, Connecticut location is going be home to Hartford Restaurant Group's newest concept restaurant - The Que Whiskey Kitchen which will specialize in BBQ cuisine and whiskey and bourbon.
The Howard Johnson's building was built in 1965 along with a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge. Today the motel is a Days Inn.
Over the years the restaurant spot has been Bickord's, Gold Roc Diner II, Agave Mexican Grill (with the building painted green), and TD Homer's Sports Bar, which closed in December 2016. Agave and TD Homer's were also owned by Hartford Restaurant Group. They owned the Connecticut chain Wood N Tap. Truthfully I don't know if there was anything in the building in-between Howard Johnson's and Bickford's. I don't know what year the former closed and the latter opened.
The restaurant building has held up much better than the motel building has. The restaurant building has been remodeled inside with each new restaurant. The motel which was subject to much neglect for many years was extensively renovated on the inside by the bank that owned it around 9 or 10 years ago. The outside still needs work. I actually think it should be demolished and rebuilt.
Wasn't the Days Inn an old Red Carpet where a murder happened?
Quote from: JimSawhill on June 22, 2019, 11:31:19 AM
Wasn't the Days Inn an old Red Carpet where a murder happened?
Yes. Around 2007ish. It was outside. My friend's Mom was the Night Auditor there at the time. She quit that. The restaurant building is now a new concept from Hartford Restaurant Group called "Que Whiskey Kitchen."
Quote from: BillyGr on February 06, 2018, 10:48:48 AMQuote from: deerwrecker2017 on January 10, 2018, 05:55:23 PMYou might as well add Howard Johnson's Restaurants to the list of Defunct Restaurant chains since the last one standing had been closed completely around last October here's the link to the Wikipedia page which explains it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Johnson%27s#End_of_restaurant_chain
It could be possible that sometime in the Future someone out there could successfully resurrect the chain.
That "last one" is still going, if not on a particularly easy to follow basis. Apparently it is only open from time to time, without much of a regular schedule.
There is also a location at one of the Howard Johnson hotels in Ocala, FL, which is (technically) not an original restaurant but is known by the company and allowed to operate as such (just without any signage on the outside labelling it a "Howard Johnson's restaurant"). So a "sort of" 2nd one.
Unfortunately the "Last one" has since finally shut it's doors for good since before May of this year.
Quote from: deerwrecker2017 on August 28, 2022, 03:30:42 PMQuote from: BillyGr on February 06, 2018, 10:48:48 AMQuote from: deerwrecker2017 on January 10, 2018, 05:55:23 PMYou might as well add Howard Johnson's Restaurants to the list of Defunct Restaurant chains since the last one standing had been closed completely around last October here's the link to the Wikipedia page which explains it - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Johnson%27s#End_of_restaurant_chain
It could be possible that sometime in the Future someone out there could successfully resurrect the chain.
That "last one" is still going, if not on a particularly easy to follow basis. Apparently it is only open from time to time, without much of a regular schedule.
There is also a location at one of the Howard Johnson hotels in Ocala, FL, which is (technically) not an original restaurant but is known by the company and allowed to operate as such (just without any signage on the outside labelling it a "Howard Johnson's restaurant"). So a "sort of" 2nd one.
Unfortunately the "Last one" has since finally shut it's doors for good since before May of this year.
Yep - there is some type of work going on in the building, but no clue as to what it may become (though not the same in any case).