Urban studies and first generation food service supply chains?How about useless perserverations number #271: wondering about the rise and fall of the Howard Johnson's restaurant chain and motor lodge puts me in a category I was hoping to avoid. Maybe I should try whittling.
Nevertheless.
It's 1965 and Dad has packed the big Ford Station wagon (the Country Squire)with all the nominal gear: beach chairs, coolers, fishing poles, the large thermos bottle and blue "transistor" radio. (Transistor radio's have to be a real kick for gen x, y & z).
We're off on vacation and this year we're going first class. Never mind Mildred's econo-cabins - the family isn't going to stay in that 100 sq ft. cracker box with the tiny fridge and the mouldy sheets: no we're staying at the Howard Johnson's motor lodge with get this,it has....."a swimming pool!"
Mom is happy because we're dining out at Howard Johnson's every night. What relief; because cooking in Mildred's econo cabins was challenging. She can manage the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but trying to cook a chicken dinner on the hot plate on the cracked formica wasn't much fun for mom. (Maybe those stinky cabins caused mom's drinking problem.)
Howard Johnson's. Who was Howard and where is his shrine? Did he ever meet up with Ray Kroc? Was he the first to systemitize a menu? He took it right to the details if I recall; even the candy was wrapped in his brand.
What am I thinking? I'd better drop some of this forgotten urban history and volunteer some time at the North Adams, co-op.
"We got twenty eight flavors my friend" said the chipped tooth vendor in the white hat,."hurry up cus I got customer's waiting."
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