Archived Topics
Barkers, First National Store
Posted By: William Brainard <wbrainard@juno.com>
Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2002, at 8:35 a.m.
What year did Barkers open? Also, didn't the Finast where Royal Buffet open around 1959? It used to be down where the post office and library are. Barkers grand opening was a really big deal for eastern Connecticut as I remember.
Posted By: amc
Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2002, at 8:58 a.m.
In Response To: Barkers, First National Store (William Brainard)
Yes, First National opened in that location at about that time! Remember BurgerKing? those hamburgers - how much were they? Ten cents, maybe!
Posted By: a reader
Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2002, at 9:56 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (amc)
That was "Burger Chef". Burger King, McDonalds, all came along later.
Posted By: amc
Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2002, at 10:21 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (a reader)
Burger Chef - wonder what culinary school he went to? Did "he" have anything beside french fries and coke? Was it our (Willi's) first fast-food outlet? Does anyone remember having worked there?
Posted By: William Brainard <wbrainard@juno.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January 2003, at 3:50 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (amc)
I thought Dairy Queen was Willi's first fast food outlet around 1950.
Posted By: Jean Manter <Jmanter@hotmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January 2003, at 11:52 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (William Brainard)
Uncle Ken's down on lower Main Street I believe was the first soft-serve. It used to be a very popular spot back then....they had wonderful clam fritters too.
Posted By: a reader
Date: Thursday, 2 January 2003, at 9:27 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (Jean Manter)
Sorry, Jean, but Dairy Queen was on site before "Uncle Ken's" came along. It was opened as a Tastee-Freeze and I watched it being built in the late '50's.
Posted By: a reader
Date: Thursday, 2 January 2003, at 1:54 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (a reader)
Just reread what I wrote....to avoid confusion, it was Uncle Ken's that was built as Tastee-Freeze which was a Dairy Queen wannabe.
Posted By: amc
Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2002, at 11:00 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (a reader)
Well, I am positive that BurgerChef era had to have begun in 1961 but don't know when it ended! Anybody? What's been in that location since-something oriental closed there recently! Oh, but remember that Pizza House across the street! I worked until 2:00 AM and that wonderful little lady in the kitchen used to give me extra meatballs on my grinder at that hour! Wish I had one right now! Happy new year to her!
Posted By: William Brainard <wbrainard@juno.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January 2003, at 3:54 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (amc)
Yeah, I know who you mean. I see her walking along by DMV from time to time. She had a very brusque exterior but had a heart of gold and was a real "softie" My mother used to buy 6 small pizzas from them every Wednesday and she always called my mother Sue, "Mrs. Melody".
Posted By: Al
Date: Wednesday, 1 January 2003, at 11:01 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (amc)
I recall quite well the First National Store opposite the Capitol on Main and Walnut. A guy named Hines was the manager there in 1950s. A lot of guys from WHS worked there....odd thing was he hired primarily Catholics and no protestants, less any jews. If you went to St. Joe's or St. Marys primary schools -- you would be hired over other boys who did not. I know, I tried many times and no luck. Then I went to the A&P on Valley and Church and got hired after my first interview.
Early discrimination I guess.
Al
Posted By: KML <kml@netzero.com>
Date: Thursday, 2 January 2003, at 6:45 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (amc)
The owner of Pizza House is still going strong. He now has a Pizza place in Niantic on Main St. He has been there since Ron Lyman bought the property and built the Rite Aid building.
Posted By: Jean Manter <Jmanter@hotmail.com>
Date: Thursday, 2 January 2003, at 11:03 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (KML)
Thanks, I guess I only remembered the fact that "something" was there. Can you remember when it did become Uncle Ken's? Did he buy them out, rent, or whatever? I know it's been in business for a long, long time.
Posted By: amc
Date: Thursday, 2 January 2003, at 12:52 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Barkers, First National Store (KML)
Too bad Pizza House couldn't/wouldn't takeover the RiteAid Building and come back to town! Too big? Open a "food court"!