Krispy Kreme

1989 photo of the Independence Blvd location

Former location on Albemarle Rd

Before Krispy Kreme began their unchecked growth (expansion into new markets, grocery stores, convenience stores), their presence in Charlotte was more like a coffee shop. At all hours you would find people sitting at the long counters having a doughnut and coffee--taking their time and enjoying the experience. Charlotte had two primary locations (this was in addition to the earliest location at 900 W. Trade St). The most famous location was at the intersection of Independence Blvd and Hawthorne Lane. The building (at night) would be all lit up--beckoning to all who drove by. The other location was on South Blvd at Marsh Rd (a later location would pop up on Wilkinson Blvd as well as one on Albemarle Rd in the mid-80's). The '90's would find all of these locations gradually closing and replaced by smaller, more impersonal carry-out locations.

REVISIONS -- 8-9-2008

Late-1950's photo of either the South Blvd or Trade St location

Dairy Queen

1989 photo of the Wilkinson Blvd location

Wilkinson Blvd location

Wilkinson Blvd location at dusk

Close-up of the famous Eskimo

Central Ave location

Wonderful late-'80's photo of the Central Ave location at dusk (photo courtesy of Byron Baldwin)

There are two important Dairy Queen's in Charlotte--one on Wilkinson Blvd and the other on Central Ave. At the time of construction of each, both were situated on major thoroughfares leading into downtown Charlotte (in terms of importance, Wilkinson Blvd would later be replaced by I-85 and Central by Independence Blvd). The Wilkinson Blvd location was built in 1947 and owned by Preston Aaron. It is the oldest Dairy Queen in North Carolina and the third oldest in the Southeast. It is famous for its Eskimo-mascot that sits on top of the roof. The location on Central Ave began operations on March 1, 1950 and was owned by Robert Hewitt. Both locations still draw huge crowds (despite no longer being on major thoroughfares) due in part to their history as well as their stylish retro-appearances. 

Peacock Grill

Picture of the Peacock Grill taken shortly before the grand opening

The Charlotte Observer building now is the current occupant

The Peacock Grill opened on Thursday January 22, 1942 at the corner of S. Tryon St and Stonewall St. It was owned by Chris Economides and run by Dell Clary. It had the traditional lunch counter and also featured curb-service. In addition to a variety of sandwiches, the Peacock Grill also featured "real Mexican chili". Unfortunately, not much else is known about the Peacock Grill. By the mid-1950's, it was gone. The Charlotte Observer building currently occupies the space.

The Clock Drive-In Restaurant

Ad announcing the grand opening ("balloons for the kiddies"!)

Congratulatory ad from the company that paved the parking lot

Another congratulatory ad

1978 ad--the drive-in was gone

Recent photo showing the original building--now owned by Pepsi Bottling

The Clock Drive-In Restaurant opened with much fanfare at the intersection of South Blvd and Poindexter Rd on Thursday May 29, 1958. They specialized in barbecue and fried chicken (served with a side of honey!). Eventually, the drive-in part of the restaurant diminished, and the restaurant became known as the Clock Bar-B-Cue House and featured a more traditional Greek diner menu  (in addition to the barbecue). The restaurant closed in the early '80's and the land was sold in 1984. The land is currently owned by the Pepsi Bottling Co. and the building and land served as a vending warehouse station until just recently when the building was torn down.

Laura's Rozzelle House **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

Exterior of Laura's Rozzelle House

Interior shot of the dining room

Fireplace in the dining room

Not much left after the fire in 1990

Front and inside of original matchbook (courtesy of Robert McEwen)

Just north of Charlotte where Highway 16 crosses the Catawba River, sat Laura's Rozzelle House--an unassuming small plantation house that was famous for it's family-style country food.

The house was built in 1849 by Dick and Rozzelle when they ran a ferry service across the Catawba River. It was the only house in Mecklenburg County that was witness to the only Civil War skirmish in the area (the house even carried bullet hole marks from the battle). For a hundred years it served as either an inn or some type of restaurant. The building had a great feel to it--with walls and ceiling made of wide pine boards and a simple dining room of long tables and wood chairs and a big fireplace.

In the 1960's the house became "Laura's" and was famous for the cast-iron skillet fried chicken, sugar-cured country ham, candied yams, and hot "cat head biscuits" (named for their whopping girth). The biscuits were complemented by the native home-made crab-apple jelly. Everything was served family style and was all you-can-eat.

"It's hard to be strangers with someone when you've just asked him to pass the delicious candied yams. The restaurant is a century-old white frame house that sits at the foot of the Catawba River Bridge on Highway 16, ten miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina." These were the words uttered by Orson Welles in a commercial recorded for Eastern Airlines at Laura's in 1971. Eastern Airlines ran a series of commercials spotlighting several restaurants across the country. The commercial for Laura's drew many visitors that were stopping over at the Charlotte airport. It is said that when Orson was there, not only did he eat a ton of those candied yams, but also polished off two whole fried chickens.

Laura's closed in 1987. The building was designated an historical landmark, but burned to the ground in a suspicious fire in August 1990.

REVISIONS-- 8-2-2008

1976 exterior photo

Revisions 10-16-11

1968 ad

1973 ad

1977 photo

Barclay Cafeterias/Slug's **HALL OF FAME EATERIES**

J. W. "Slug" Claiborne

1962 ad 

1963 ad

Photo of the Barclay at Amity Gardens (photo courtesy of David at Groceteria)

Current photo of the old Amity Gardens location--soon to be demolished

1988 photo of the Barclay Cafeteria at the downtown Belk

Mid-'80's ad promoting both Slug's and the Barclay Cafeterias

Mid-70's ad for the Barclay Cafeterias

1988 ad congratulating Belk's on their 100th Anniversary

1995 photo of Belk-Southpark with the Barclay dining room visible above the Belk sign

(photo courtesy of Steve at Live Malls)

1971 interior photo of Slug's Rib

Another interior shot of Slug's Rib

1971 ad

1974 ad

1975 ad

1975 ad - love the "Howdy Hour"!

1975 Wachovia cartoon map showing Southpark Mall with Slug's Choice

1975 Wachovia cartoon map showing Independence Blvd and Slug's Rib

1975 ad

1976 photo of Slug's Tower Suite (note the floor-to-ceiling windows)

1978 menu for Slug's Rib

1978 menu for Slug's Choice

1979 ad for New Year's Eve

1980 photo of Slug's Oval Office Lounge at Southpark

Mid-'80's ad

Mid-'80's ad

Late-'80's ad

1987 photo of the front of Slug's University Place

Original matchbox (courtesy of Robert McEwen)

1987 photo of the water-side of Slug's University Place

J. W. "Slug" Claiborne was Charlotte's premier restaurateur for three decades from the 1960's through the 1980's. He operated several Slug's restaurants plus the Barclay Cafeterias. 

He opened the first Barclay Cafeteria on Independence Boulevard at the Amity Gardens shopping center at the beginning of 1961. This was followed by two Barclay Cafeterias (and a snack bar) at the Belk downtown location (in the basement and on the sixth floor- "the Gold Room") and a Barclay Cafeteria at Belk-Southpark on the third floor. The Amity Gardens location would last through February 1988, the downtown locations would close at the end of 1988, and the Southpark location would close in December 2000 due to Belk remodeling their store (in spite of much protesting from their loyal customers). 

In March of 1970, he added upscale dining to his restaurants when he opened Slug's Rib on Independence Boulevard (near Albemarle Road). Modeled after the famous Lawry's Prime Rib in California, Slug's Rib specialized in Prime Rib--it was the only entree offered ("When you do one thing, you do it well" Claiborne often said). The overwhelming success of this location would lead to expansion in the '70's to a location at Southpark Mall (Slug's Choice) and a downtown location at the top of the then Jefferson-First Union building (Slug's Tower Suite--later called Slug's 30th Edition). In the late-'80's he would also add a location to the UNCC area (Slug's University Place) as well as having expanded to other parts of NC. Slug's Rib and Slug's Choice would continue through the 1980's. Slug's 30th Edition and Slug's University Place were sold off in 1993 and the new owners changed the names of both in 1994. Also in the early '90's, Claiborne opened "Slugger's Grill and Bar" in downtown as an attempt to enter the casual lunch/dinner bistro family restaurant market. It offered lower prices and early-bird specials, but was short-lived. 

REVISIONS-- 8-2-08

1976 photo of the ornate entry doors to the downtown location

1976 photo of the Independence Blvd location

REVISIONS -- 8-9-2008

1986 ad

REVISIONS-- 3-25-09

These contributions below are all courtesy of Margaret DeStefani. Margaret worked for Slug Claiborne at both the downtown location as well as Slug's University Place. Much thanks to Margaret for providing access to her amazing collection!

From a wine promo at Slug's Prime Rib

Front and back of an apron from Slug's Prime Rib

Original Barclay Cafeteria plates!