A photo from the 1950’s before the canopy was added. The canopy was added off to the right of the photo.
You drove up and took a spot under the canopy…with the canopy it was a three season all weather place to meet. A dozen or so cars could park under there, with more uncovered spots to park nearby. A car hop came out and took your order. You left your window partially raised ready for the tray with your meal to be hung on the window.
You met up with friends there. Perhaps you jumped in someone elses car for a quick trip down to Main Street and back again…just to see who was sitting on Main.
Times change… then it was torn down.
Now it is just a grey steel building …but the corner will always be known as where The Dixie used to be.
I remember drive-in cafes where you had a tray placed on your rolled-down window. It's been a long time since I've thought of those. Sad to see such iconic places now just memories.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few of those places left, but they are rare and more targeted to a specialized place and not like the old gathering places we had as teens.
ReplyDeleteThe steel building looks drab and lonesome.
Going to the Dash-in or A& W were special - both had car hops and trays that hooked on the window. Great memories.
ReplyDeleteThose drive-ins with car hops were the best places. Going to the A & W was such a fun treat with the family - or a fun date with friends.
ReplyDeleteThat place reminds me a lot of Neil's Grill. Shelby and I used to stop there and most the hopping into cars were done by the boys hoping into Shelby's old car. She drove an old Packard, of all things. There was a jukebox outside and a cement platform for dancing. We did some dancing back then.
ReplyDeleteWow, that takes me back! I remember places like this long before "fast food". I loved the soft serve ice cream cones.
ReplyDeleteI remember the A&Ws in Columbia Heights and Anoka,Mn. Both--same thing--kids hung out there. And the cruising up and down the street! There was a lot of talking through car windows between the boys and girls...and meeting in empty after-hours parking lots of different stores along the main drag...lots of cigarettes bummed by the under-aged high schoolers...loud music and dancing & singing in your car seat. I'm sure there must have been beer, too. I didn't drink so I was more than happy with a frosty root beer mug. I haven't thought about "cruisin'" for such a long time! Thanks for the memories. :)
ReplyDeleteWe still have one in our town. R and B has the biggest pork tenderloin sandwiches I have seen!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that things were really that different.
ReplyDeleteWe had A&W here. You'd drive in, park, roll down the window, and they'd bring you real glass mugs of cold root beer. Nothing better on a hot summer night.
ReplyDeleteLoved those! Summer nights will never be the same without them.
ReplyDeleteA car hope is only something I have seen on tv
ReplyDeleteGreat memories of another time and place. Things were very different then.
ReplyDeleteSome real fun times at those places in town!
ReplyDeleteI sure do miss the Dixie - late night snacks and quick lunches picked up at the window!
ReplyDeleteThe parents of the woman who bought my parents house in Osceola, Ia owned the Dairy Queen. They ran it a few years and then they just quit because it was too much for them. I asked them to just sell it rather than leaving it sitting empty year round for many years.
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