By Dan Murphy
My family loves to take a trip or two every year to Lake George, NY, and we decided to head up a little early this year, in early May, becuase the weekend weather was in the 90’s.
Every time we enter the Village, I take a look at the Howard Johnson’s to see if its still open. I have known for some time that this was the last Howard Johnson’s in the USA, and I wanted to bring my daughter in for some Ice Cream before it disappeared.
My wife’s family has fond memories of traveling down I-95 and stopping at every Howard Johnson’s along the way. The food was good and the rooms clean, and the price was right for families on a budget.
But during our visit last month, I noticed that HoJo’s was not open, but I hoped that they would open on Memorial Day weekend for the summer.
But the bad news broke on May 26, not by press release or corporate statement, but by Alyssa Kelly, who runs a Facebook page called HoJo Land, in which people recount their memories of Howard Johnson’s from across the country.
Kelly posted this on May 26, one day before the Memorial Day weekend. “Lake George is officially dead. Plastic tables and Chairs removed. All memorabilia removed (at least the stuff that is not original, that stays with building. So basically the tables and the ice cream signs) Cobwebs on the door. Right before Memorial Day rush up here. I know that this place has been inconsistent open over the last few years but this is the first time they’ve been closed for a major busy weekend in lake George. So I think this is it.
The for lease signs still up on the road. and the real estate listing is still uphttps://exitrealtyempireassociates.com/…/214…/of-2898…,” writes Kelly.
After her post, word spread across the country, with American newspapers sharing the sad news, and websites from around the world making the announcement. The response to the news shows this reporter how iconic Howard Johnson’s is, and how a part of Americana died with the unofficial announcement.
Important to note that after Kelly’s correct analysis, there was no announcement from anyone, the owner of the property, or Wyndham resorts, who owns the Howard Johnson’s name, denying it. Howard Johnson’s hotels can still be found, but the last restaurant will no longer be.
Or can we save it? Here’s some thoughts
I- Lake George is a thriving resort and tourist community. If a HoJo’s can survive, Lake George is the spot.
II-The Lake George HoJo’s fell on bad times in recent years. A prior owner got arrested for improper sexual behavior, and COVID didn’t help any restaurant stay open.
III-In the 1960s and 1970s, Howard Johnson’s was one of America’s largest restaurant chains. Those of us who grew up during that time are nostalgic, and want to revisit the places of our past with our kids and grandkids.
IV-Could this be a “Field of Dreams” revisited, where patrons just want to relive their past, sit at the counter or in a booth, and have an ice cream?
V- What will Wyndham’s response be? One way to turn a negative into a positve would be for all parties involved, the owner, real estate broker, and Wynham to come together and properly say goodbye to HoJo’s restaurants by re-opening and giving away Free Ice Cream! Or selling Ice Cream for $1? Let everyone say their proper goodbyes with their grandchildren and a selfie. And then who knows? If that’s the end ok, but maybe it will inspire a continuation of some sort.
GoFundMe link below:
