The 'root' of A&W: Their first root beer stand opened 104 years ago today. Here are drive-ins to add to your 'frosty' bucket list.
The first stand opened in Lodi, California, on June 20, 1919.
On June 20, 1919, a humble little root-beer stand opened on a hot day in Lodi, California. Roy W. Allen’s beverage, sold for a nickel a frosty mug, would become the foundation of the A&W root beer chain of restaurants. (A plaque in Lodi marks the occasion.)
The root beer recipe he bought from an Arizona pharmacist was a hit, and Allen soon recruited Frank Wright to help him run the business. Among their collaborations was teaming up the initials of their last names to create the A&W brand.
Wright was eventually bought out, kindly leaving his initial behind. Allen kept franchising stores by the hundreds, pioneering the drive-in concept with “tray boys” hopping to customers in cars.
An American (and Canadian!) institution was born!
Some 15 summers ago, in the Adirondack Mountain town of Wilmington, New York, I happened upon a vintage A&W restaurant, a charming roadside relic if there ever was one, and my fascination with the brand deepened.
I stopped here on a chilly late August day; it can get pretty cold up this way in the late summer — the town appropriately enough features a hamlet named North Pole. It’s a happy memory.
I still keep the glass A&W mug I bought that day in the freezer, nice and frosty, ready to make a serving of root beer (or a more potent potable) extra special. [Wilmington store MAP]
Here are some other A&Ws, past and present, you might want to visit across America, and even more can be found via the great roadarch.com. Be sure to say hello to Great Root Bear — and, if you’re lucky, members of the A&W Burger Family along the way!
First up is the amazing vintage location in Modesto, California, where the spirit of “American Graffiti” lives! I have somehow never been, but my friend Russ (hyperterdle6) on Instagram has, and shared these photos with The Retrologist.
Below is an old commercial featuring this location. Little has changed, as you can see!
A&W, Middlebury, Vermont [MAP]
Former A&W, and now-closed Jensen’s, Bennington, Vermont [MAP]
Learn more about this location — and the pilgrim-hat designs — here:
A&W, Lake George, NY [MAP]
A&W, Deer Lodge, Montana (closed, signage and building remained as of 2/22) [MAP]
A&W, Cortland, New York [MAP]
A&W, Oakridge, Oregon (listed as closed, photographed 5/21) [MAP]
A&W, San Rafael, California [MAP]
A&W, Faribault, Minnesota [MAP]
A&W, Stayton, Oregon [MAP]
More to come! Hang on to this link!
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As a kid during the 60s I went to the Bennington VT, A&W during the summer. I remember getting the kids free root beer in a frosty mug and a hot dog. Then we would go over to the Vermont Veterans' Home and talk to the old soldiers. Also we would walk up to the Vermont Veterans Home Deer Park and buy pellets from the bubble gum looking dispenser and feed the deer. Great memories.
Cranwills Drive in. Located in pekin, il was an A&W. They dropped the franchise name in 2000, and became independent. Open March-sept every year. Still serving up home made rootbeer in a frosty mug!and car hop service!