Mel's DRIVE-IN (FROM HAPPY DAYS)

KULTULZ

KULTULZ

Well-known member
Sanford&Son said:
Mearl's Drive In in Visalia California was closed in 2006, it was our Mel's version from American Graffiti. Just announced the Habit Burger Grill has plans to give it a face lift. The historic building will go through a drastic change, and hopefully keep some of it's nostalgic charm it had in it's hay-day.

Some people disagree with the new changes, but I welcome change. The building has been vacant for four years and has been vandalized and several things stolen from the premises. I attached some before, after, and future pics!

:cool:
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SOURCE - https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/mearls-drive-in-to-become-habit-burger-grill.527859/
 
I am a retired Certified Facilities Manager. I can not begin to tell you how hard it is on a building being vacant for a long period of time. A little updating to make the property usable again, in some ways helps save it.
 
Jeff Norwell said:
Well, at least its being saved and not being turned into a CVS!
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!!! AMEN !!! ON THAT!

It is a time shot of a certain culture when the country was a little kinder. While not restored to it's original appearance/function, it is a reminder for old guys.

When I was a teenager ... :rolleyes: (electric starter motors were by then common) ... this was a common sight/experience and you could actually afford and enjoy the food.
 
To wit -
 

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Yes to the simple times....the A&W on the "4 lanes" in Portage, WI was the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. All the acceleration contest meet ups happened there, those of us that had a ride or a car and nothing else to do met there to tell lies and have fun. We were even so bold as to paint lines (start and finish) on St. HWY 22 to facilitate such adventures. It had an unobstructed view in both directions with a couple of "escape" routes. BTW, it still operates but the crowd is much different now.
 
My 'LITTLE THUMBSCREW' is from WI and grew-up with A&W.
 

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Since we’re talking bout the old days. We had an A&W in Renton WA. We also had the local distributor for supplies and the syrup provided to the local franchises. Two brothers, airline pilots, owned that. One was our neighbor. He was a busy guy with 3 jobs. Flying overseas routes for a major airline, running the distribution business, and making sure his beautiful, good girl daughters found no time to spend with the likes of us hoodlums.

Along with standing across the street at the 19 cent burger joint (we couldn’t afford A&W), I once removed the wood block he had under the gas pedal of the girls car. At least they could drive up my hill instead of going around.
 
Good one Miker. Think all little towns ( Probably all USA) had circle around type hang outs. Albany Oregon had Tom_Tom and Reds? with OLY stone ( 2'x2') concrete block with 6 pack of Oly beer buried in side by local River Rats club in late 50s.
 
When I was maturing (failed launch), I lived in MONTGOMERY CTY, MD. The hot drive-in was HOTTE SHOPS. I frequented the ROCKVILLE STORE - (ROCKVILLE - BETHESDA - SILVER SPRING - WHEATON).

ROCKVILLE was fairly tame. If you were looking for STREET RACING, you went to the WHEATON STORE. STREET MOPAR was big there.
 
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