► Daddy Rabbitts - Located on Greenville Street, where Schlotsky's now operates, the restaurant was known for its salads. ► Big John's Luncheonette - John Raftkis, who operated the popular Greasy Spoon in downtown Anderson from 1953 to 1966, opened the luncheonette at 219 South Main in 1969 and served a loyal and eclectic crowd daily until his retirement in January 1990. ► Capri's - Part of a family-operated Upstate chain, Capri's was a popular eatery at 2407 North Main throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and remains in high regard among "Our Town Memories" contributors."I miss the real Capri's more than anything!" said Jane Cothran. Mentis also operated Murph's Grill on South Main for many years. It was among the first popular burger-and-fries locations in the city. 5 - Pete Stathakis opened the Greek restaurant on Shockley Ferry Road shortly after World War II and sold it to Pete Mentis in the 1960s. According to "Our Town Memories" contributor Steve Chapman, the diner was operated by Vic Wilson (1903-1982), who spent most of his early career as a waiter, then manager, at Sam's Luncheonette.ĭan Lacobie, who grew up two blocks from the Shining Tower, said, "I used to go outside just to smell the food, especially the onion rings." "We ate there every Sunday because it was my grandparents' favorite," Lani Anderson recalled. ► Shining Tower - The locally owned diner, which operated at 2810 North Main, near the corner of North Main and Concord streets, was extremely popular from 1954 through the mid-'70s and was among the first to thrive in a location then considered a bit remote from downtown Anderson. The steps leading to the restaurant, and a pavilion overlooking the creek, remain in place near Interstate 85. ► Katherine's Kitchen - Biscuits from the diner near the Six and Twenty Creek are recalled fondly by many fans, including some who visited the diner by boat. "It seems like every day that we have someone come in from out of town who tell us they miss the old ones in their hometown," said Kerstin Vaughn, a manager at the Panama City Po Folks. Peter Sosthiem purchased them after the corporation liquidated, and they continue to prosper in the Panama City/Pensacola region. Seven Po Folks diners remain in operation, all in the Florida panhandle. But despite a major renovation in August 1993, owner Clint Wittner cited slumping business and high debt as he closed the doors for the last time on Dec. The Anderson store moved to Clemson Boulevard in February 1991, making a new home in the Italian-style diner now occupied by Carlee's and Tony's. OTHER NEWS: Alice Manufacturing closes Ellison plant, ending an era in Pickens County
Its popularity was never quite the same under the new owners, who filed for bankruptcy in 1988. It had grown to 170 stores when Hare sold the company in 1985 to the Krystal Co. "In those days, it was easy to draw a crowd if you had the 'Po Folks' sign out front," said Pratt.
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"The name gained such a good reputation in just a few years, all you had to do was put the 'Po Folks' shingle and then try to figure out how to deal with all the business. That's the first thing you need," said Pratt. MEMORIES: Photos: Summertime and Fourth of July celebrations After the corporation went bankrupt in the 1990s, he maintained his stores under the "Folks" banner, and continues to operate them today. Rick Pratt, who joined the staff in 1976, hired Pittman a year later, and eventually opened seven Po Folks in Georgia. Anderson residents Malcom Hare and Betty Trowbridge, who had transformed the Life Savers Chicken diner into the first Po Folks, were so successful that franchises were sold and developed throughout the South. in Anderson, at the present site of the Concord Market. The original Po Folks began at 206 Concord St.