One of the Last 3 Remaining Howard Johnson's Restaurants Closes
https://www.yahoo.com/food/one-of-the-last-three-remaining-howard-johnsons-115326645547.htmlHoward Johnson’s — which was often referred to as HoJo’s — was “the most successful of the early chain restaurants in the United States.” At one point there were nearly 1,000 of them across the country. HoJo’s was so popular that it used to sell a line of frozen foods. The chain was perhaps most famous for its signature orange roof and range of 28 ice cream flavors. The restaurant even makes an appearance on Mad Men, the hit TV show set in the 1960s.
However, business declined in the 1980s as more and more competitors entered the market with “fresher, more appealing menus.” Regardless, the restaurant still evokes a deep sense of nostalgia for for those who dined there as children, especially Baby Boomers. Two older businessmen tell NPR, that they came to the restaurant as boys, and then brought their own kids. One of them adds, “It’s a landmark — everyone has good memories.” For those who want to dine at a Howard Johnson’s, the two remaining locations are in Bangor, Maine and Lake George, N.Y.
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I believe the company was founded in the 1800s and is credited with being the first American restaurant chain. They originally were built next to railroad tracks to serve as rest stops for weary train passengers. I think they went out of business in the 1960s and some of their buildings became Howard Johnson and McDonalds restaurants. I remember my parents stopping at their cool freeway overpass restaurants while on long trips in the 1950s where you could sit and eat and watch the cars go by.
Just kidding!
I remember seeing this:
and LOTS of ice cream flavors!
for some clams and a burger from Ho Jo's 
You bring Mrs olddots.
I'll bring MR ITW.
KMOD and Mr KMOD have fond memories of Lake George.
A triple date. Let's do it. 
as their reward. I think we could pick anything we wanted as long as it did not come to more then $3.00! Rt 9, Canada St. Lake George, NY! believe it was one of my first times doing something social that did not involve family! lol
Ho Jo's always remind me of my Hot Wheels Powerhouse!
Mom swears she was going to take me to Woodstock (I was 5). 
In my twenties I worked waitressing at two HoJo spots, the first in Asheville NC (where I grew up) and the other in Raleigh NC, both of which are of course gone now.
Lottsa' memories... it seems so much of history is being bulldozed.
I'm reminded rather poignantly at the moment of this:
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Sonny: I don't know why...they got a Howard Johnson's there, so I'm going.
