Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: June 29th, 2006
Closed For Vacation, Florida, 1954
The hand-painted sign reads: “OUR STORE WILL BE CLOSED FOR A MUCH NEEDED VACATION AT 12PM SHARP SUNDAY JULY 1st - WILL REOPEN MONDAY JULY 9th AT 7AM. The small print says “WISHING YOU A PLEASANT INDEPENDENCE DAY AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND PATRONAGE AND FRIENDSHIP” signed “MARGIE AND HENRY.” This has to be Henry. Margie must be taking the picture.
A big, tasty Cuban cigar points up pursed between Henry’s lips. He sports a smart, but slouchy shirt and slacks. Right above that unexpected bleached blond hairdo of his delicious Country Club brand strawberry ice cream is pictured in a yellow bowl which goes so well with the spectacular mismatched shades of yellow Formica that finish the wall and countertop. Ribbed stainless steel-trimmed, barely padded, green Vinyl counter stools provide seating.
Hot Pastrami is 50 cents. Pictured piping hot on the “Ready-to-Serve” wall menu on the left are savory taste-treat sensations, Beef Stew, Chicken Stew, Spanish Rice, Macaroni Creole and Lamb something. I don’t know how the lamb is served, it got partly cut off by the Coke machine which sits center stage, steals the show and serves up what may well be the most famous product in history, the sparkling liquid version of caramel candy with a kick!
The sugar is half empty, the salt and pepper shakers and the ketchup bottle need refilling. But there is no need to do it right now; they’re taking the 4th of July week off.
Here’s to 4th of July, Henry and Margie, and what they had written on their sign: “WISHING YOU A PLEASANT INDEPENDENCE DAY AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND PATRONAGE AND FRIENDSHIP” - I don’t know how to say it any better!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
June 2006
P.S. To those of you who were at Zanzabelle last Sunday celebrating my release of my new book, AMERICANA THE BEAUTIFUL: MID-CENTURY CULTURE IN KODACHROME, thank you. For upcoming book signings/talks CLICK HERE Order now, from Angel City Press!
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Food & Recipes
11 Comments on “Closed For Vacation, Florida, 1954”
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June 30th, 2006 at 6:04 am
Well, I must say that this is one of the best slides I’ve seen in a while! The decor completely matches my home kitchen. Charles: have you ever thought about selling prints of your slides? I’d love to get a copy of this one. Cindy Lou
June 30th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Such a classic. This makes me want to have some pastrami and a coke. The colors in this picture are so very Kodachrome. Everything really ‘pops’ including the fresh sun burn on Henry. Great seeing you Charles, the new book is beyond what I thought it would be. I didn’t think that Southen California Land could be out done, however we do have our East Coast Humid version with gators. Enjoy the 4th. Have a burger and some coca cola.
June 30th, 2006 at 9:19 am
You’ve done it again, Charles Phoenix. You do it every week.
You are wonderful for recognizing the Glory Days in these images.
I love you for this.
Happy 4th - Helen Ashford
June 30th, 2006 at 10:19 am
Ummm, pastrami and coke sounds good… And what a looker Henry is! Happy 4th Charles, we love you!!!
June 30th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Look at that wonderful lunch counter! I’d love to find it tucked away and stop in for a pastrami and coke. Thanks for sharing Charles! Happy 4th!
June 30th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
that’s funny…i love charles too!
June 30th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Oh Henry, you cigar chomping cad! How you do make me want to eat some strawberry ice cream! I would, however, avoid the lamb something-or-other. I’m not totally convinced that Henry could turn out a reliable Lamb Whatsits. But perhaps I judge too harshly … he does have that kicky ‘do after all!
All this Fourth of July talk got me to looking around my array of barbeque and “outdoor cooking” pamphlets and cookbooks. So many to choose from! But I did indeed settle on _“Let’s Eat Outdoors”: A Cook Book of Recipes and Ideas for Picnics, Barbecues, Patio Parties, Camping_. There is no publication date, but I would guess from the illustrations that it must be from the mid 1950s. It was helpfully written by the American Dairy Association and includes products from Betty Crocker, Van Camp’s, Hormel, Karo, Schilling, and Nestea/Nescafe. Ah yes, I now you can imagine the delights that resides in these mere 27 pages! This is essentially a guide to help you understand that dairy foods “make it a better meal outdoors.” Huh. Who knew?
The pamphlet includes delish “milk coolers for outdoor fun” (including a drink called a “Long John Soda”!) and various other concoctions like “Butterburgers” and “Cheese Beanies”. I best like, however, the suggestions for the use of Spam and “all-meat Hormel Franks.” Tummy rumbling yet? I thought so! Let’s look at some fabulous choices:
Fun on a Bun (Oh dear. Sounds filthy. It’s just Spam ground up with onion, cheese, and mushroom soup)
Dad’s Barbecued Spam
Spam-aroni Picnic Salad (Good just for the “aroni”!)
Saucy Dogs (Again, not dirty. Just grilled hot diggities with a sour cream tomato sauce on top)
Patio Pups (Wieners in concert with bacon and cheese!)
Super Hobo Beans (Man sized meal for anyone!)
Beanburgers (Picnic fun … on a bun!)
Where’s the dessert you ask? Well, this Fourth of July I’ll be serving up “Trix Cakes”: white cupcakes topped with vanilla frosting. Here’s the kicker for those frosted tops: “Dip in Trix – the gay fruit-colored cereal.” Now wouldn’t saucy little Henry like a Trix Cake?
I hope I’ve provided a few helpful (and tasty!) suggestions for your very own Independence Day celebration. Please keep Henry away from the fireworks – you know how he is around fire.
To see “Let’s Eat Outdoors” in all of its cover glory:
Charm and Poise: Let’s Eat Outdoors #2
To see that centerfold with the Long John Soda:
Charm and Poise: Let’s Eat Outdoors #1
xoxo!
Miss Sharon
June 30th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Don’t mean to sound snide, but I’ve had a hard week booking bands and I daresay Margie and Henry may have been Brian Setzer’s grandparents…
July 12th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Looks live a very inviting place. I wouldn’t mind having breakfast, lunch, or dinner there. Charles, you’ll want to check out www.lindellchocolateshoppe.com, which is the web page for Lindell’s restaurant in Lake Linden, Michigan. That’s where I lived for a number of years. Keep cranking out the books and slides!
August 2nd, 2006 at 10:19 am
This photo reminds me of the wonderful candy store (remember
those?) on the “old” Melrose Ave. in the 1950’s. My girlfriend and
I would go there, sit on the stools sipping vanilla, chocolate or
strawberry phosphates, making bubbles in our sodas, giggling and having the time of our lives. Could life get any better?
December 22nd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Almost forgot about those “outboard motor” coke dispensers. Great Slide.