Stuckey's
If you're of an age to remember tourist camps, Burma Shave signs, and two-lane blacktops — or even gas lines, Pintos, and crackling AM radio — chances are you remember the sprawling Stuckey's empire: A venerable roadside oasis — and a highway heaven of souvenirs, cold drinks, hot snacks, and pecan candy — marked by the pitched roof and teal blue shingles.
Who could forget the pecan divinity, flavored pecans, and most of all the celebrated Stuckey's Pecan Log Roll, a heavenly inspired creation of Mrs. Ethel Stuckey herself? Based on a secret mix of powdered sugar, white molasses, and roasted nuts, that mouth-watering miracle of fluffy white sweetness covered in its own deep coating of crushed select pecans became the soul and spirit of the store and the number one reason for families to stop… well, along with using the restrooms, gassing up the car, and having a snack and a soft drink, of course.
Soon after the founding, however, Stuckey's became more than a pecan log roller. From the late 30's to the early 70's, the teal blue roof was as famous then as the golden arches are today. In 1960, W. S. Stuckey attempted to create a hotel chain called Stuckey's Carriage Inn, but opened only four locations.
Sadly, in the late 70's, the empire began to dwindle when Stuckey's was purchased by the PET Milk corporation and became trapped in a time warp. Of the 350-plus locations operating in its heyday, the number dropped to fewer than 75. But...
They Always Come Back:
It was repurchased by former Congressman W.S. Stuckey, Jr., in 1985. Now, with a Stuckey back at the helm and over 200 franchised locations on the interstate highways spanning 19 states from Pennsylvania to Florida in the east and to Arizona in the west, Stuckey's is hoping to be bigger and better than ever.
Visit a Stuckey's today
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3 comments:
I definitely remember them. I'm trying to recall if Anderson's Pea Soup was also connected to the chain just called Anderson's. Or am I getting confused. I was visiting with a native Californian last weekend who'd never heard of Anderson's Pea Soup, and everyone's jaws dropped.
Oddly enough my very next post.
Hello mate, great blog post
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