Howard Johnson's (Demolished)
Kirkwood, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

Here is a shot of Howard Johnson's in Kirkwood which was a rare survivor from one of America's most recognizable restaurant chains. With its bright orange roof, towering cupola, and classic mid-century design, it looked just the way a Howard Johnson's was supposed to look. By the time this photo was taken, finding one this intact had already become a real treat. 07-08

The restaurant opened in 1955 and eventually became the last Howard Johnson's restaurant operating west of the Mississippi River. For years it continued serving the chain's familiar menu while many other locations were remodeled or disappeared altogether.

Unfortunately, this landmark couldn't escape the same fate as the rest of the chain. The restaurant closed in 2002, and the building was later demolished. Today, photos like this are a reminder of a time when the orange roofs of Howard Johnson's were a familiar sight along America's highways.

UPDATE: The Kirkwood Howard Johnson's closed in 2002 and has since been demolished. With the closure of the final Howard Johnson's restaurant in New York in 2022, the original restaurant chain is now gone. 06-26

Urban Bean Company (Closed)
Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Urban Bean Company occupied one of the smallest and most interesting buildings in downtown Detroit. Sitting at the corner of Griswold and Grand River, it somehow survived while so much around it changed. Even better, someone transformed the little building into a coffee shop with a wonderful 1950s-inspired interior that fit the space perfectly. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 07-08

I've never been able to figure out what the building originally housed, but it's a great example of an older storefront finding a new purpose instead of disappearing altogether. The vintage styling inside gave it plenty of character, while the simple round sign outside suited the building just as well.

Unfortunately, Urban Bean Company closed in early 2021. The building still stands, but it currently sits vacant. Hopefully someone will find a new use for it while keeping the character that made it such a neat little spot.

UPDATE: Urban Bean Company closed in 2021. The building remains standing, and its distinctive round exterior sign is still attached to the corner facade. 06-26

Ernie's Coffee Shop (Rem.)
Sault Ste Marie, ON Canada
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Check out Ernie's Coffee Shop which was one of those places where the sign was just as memorable as the restaurant itself. Shaped like a giant coffee cup, the neon marquee glowed beautifully at dusk and became one of the best-known signs in Sault Ste. Marie. It was the kind of landmark that was worth seeing both during the day and after the lights came on. 06-14

Ernie's opened in 1971, although the sign itself was even older. It originally belonged to another coffee shop before being repainted and transformed into the giant coffee cup that generations of locals came to know. Over the years, the restaurant became a longtime favorite and was even featured on the Food Network's You Gotta Eat Here!.

Unfortunately, the famous sign was badly damaged when it was struck by a delivery truck in 2021. Rather than being discarded, it was preserved, with one side now displayed at the local museum and the other saved by a local collector. The restaurant itself remains open today under new ownership with a very different menu than the classic diner fare it once served.

UPDATE: Ernie's Coffee Shop remains open under new ownership, but its famous neon coffee cup sign was removed after being damaged in 2021. 06-26