Howard Johnson's Restaurants

[amesman]

Thanks man!

[HoJofan206]

Does anyone know when the Times Square location is to be shut down?  :(

[HoJofan206]

Does anyone know if FIA even excists anymore? :huh:

[HoJofan206]

Cendant has ruined the HoJo hotel reputation.

[amesman]

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.

[HoJofan206]

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.

[HoJofan206]

Does anyone know if/how many of the Howard Johnson Ice Cream flavors are still being produced?  If so, where can they be purchased?

[amesman]

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.

[HoJofan206]

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:

[HoJofan206]

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.

[amesman]

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).

[amesman]

Here's a link to the Mystic, Conencticut motor lodge/restaurant. http://www.orangeroof.org/Connecticut/Mystic/mystic1.html

[amesman]

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.

[amesman]

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.

[HoJofan206]

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.

[HoJofan206]

Does anyone know of the last year that Howard Johnson's opened new restaurants before being sold in 1980.

[HoJofan206]

How about some pictures of the Simple Simon and the Pie Man.  Anyone have any of those to post?

[HoJofan206]

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.

[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.

[HoJofan206]

Hey, thanks for the informative info Amesman!

[amesman]

no problem. Any other questions you have, feel free to ask..hehe

[Caldor1999]

Originally 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

[Caldor1999]

the top was fenced off but u could get too it from the inside

[Caldor1999]

the sign looks so beeten up:(

[Caldor1999]

hears a better picture

[Caldor1999]

hear i am with the Ho Jo sign LOL:D

[Zayre88]

Originally 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 ...

[Caldor1999]

Originally posted by Zayre88

Originally 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

[Caldor1999]

and look at this picture it the same red car lol maby someone who works there owns this car

[LazarusFan]

Bad news, the Times Square Location is expected to close on July 8th.