A postcard of the Farm Motel (above) at 3615 Clio Road in better days. The more-recent shots below, supplied by Jimmy Rutherford, capture the motel and restaurant in its death spiral.
I don't even wanna know where you came up with that postcard, geewhy! But while we are on the subject, does anyone remember if there was a place called the Red Barn near there in the early seventies? Or if there was a restaurant in The Farm? I'm not thinking of the Pink Elephant, I'm thinking of a restaurant with an entrance on the street behind Clio Rd. Just curious...
Yes, there was a restaurant attached to The Farm. I think it was cleverly named The Farm Restaurant, but I'm not sure. Speaking of creativity, I love the two nearly identical shots of the two nearly identical rooms. They could have at least used a shot of the lobby.
Pink Elephant? Are you thinking of The Pink Garter, the steakhouse farther down Clio near O'Toole's?
What was I thinking - yes, the Pink Garter! I am also probably thinking of The Farm Restaurant then; who knows where I came up with The Red Barn. I wonder how Daniel Gilbert, or Freud, would interpret that... Remember when The Texan was on the NE corner of Pasadena and Clio?
What better name for a place of lodging than "The Farm"?
The Hungry Penguin was a Clio Rd icon as well. Uh... howza about the A&W? The Grapevine? Ummmmm, any Mayfair Plaza afficianados here? That A & P ruled. Jeez, what was the namee of the pizzeria near the Pink Garter? I think they useta have rectangular pizzas... Was there a PX Barbeque on Clio and Pierson? I heard those mofos were racist as hell. The Fireside Lounge? Sounds cozy... oh sheet, I got one for ya... KKK- Ken's Kustom Kitchens at Clio and Dayton.
Man smurfs, you have a good memory. I was a regular at Grapevine in the later 70's, and one summer in '72 or '73 I went with a neighbor kid on Bent Dr. and his mom to a store in Mayfair Plaza and got that "Magic 8 Ball," which I just had to have and which answered my burning yes/no questions with such brilliant replies as "reply hazy, try again," "outlook not so good," or "don't count on it". I'm mixing up the PX Barbeque and Fireside Lounge: one of them was a reddish-colored building and a biker hangout as far as I know. "Cozy" isn't exactly what comes to mind....
Wasn't there also a kind of Western wear store on Clio at one point? You could buy boots and cowboy hats and everything. Am I just imagining that?
And the Pink Garter, as I remember, had pink aluminum siding, but when you went inside, it was pretty fancy by Flint standards and had great food. But I was probably 11 the last time I went there, so my standards of "fancy" and "great" were a little different.
And I remember "The Texan." Great sign. All the cops used to eat there.
There was a hamburger joint -- a drive-in type restaurant where you ordered from your car on Clio Road, just north of Pierson and next to the PX -- but I can't remember the name of it. They made a pretty decent cheap burger.
And speaking of the Texan and items like "the Magic 8 Ball"....I had a girlfriend who use to work at the Texan. One night, my friend and I went to the restaurant to pick her up after work and having some time to blow we went inside for something to eat. While eating -- somehow the topic of discussion turned to every kid's favorite toy -- "The Etch-A-Sketch". My friend said that he could draw anything on an EAS -- to which I asked, "Do you think you could do a nude?" He said he could -- so we went to either the Fair Store or Arlan's and picked up an EAS and went back to our booth at the Texan. And lo and behold -- he could do it -- and an impressive Etch-A-Sketch nude drawing, if I say so myself.
Ken's Kustom Kitchens used to be the home of one of my grandpa's Standard Oil gas stations; he was there from mid 1972 (I think) to around 1975. Before that, he ran one at the corner of Lawndale and Pasadena for around twenty years, now housing a liquor store. Does anyone have any pictures from the Clio Road area back then? It's my family's old hood, plus I spend a lot of time in the area now (I work on Lavelle). That would be awesome.
I remember the Hungry Penquin, The Texan (loved that sign!) and the Golden Point...great burgers! But you all forgot the best place with the best sign...Dawn Donuts! My brother-in-law went there recently for his work and he said that DD was scary..Besides donuts, they sell cigarettes...and not friendly either.
anybody remember the arthur treachers that used to be on clio road they had great fish and chips as a kid i used to go there quite a bit with the family
I grew up in the neighborhood right behind The Farm Motel...we used to sneak in there and go exploring and tell ghost stories after the place closed up...then the drug dealers took over. I remember all of the places that you mentioned...and I loved Arthur Treachers...O'Toole's had the best pie...PX had awsome BBQ sauce (I have the recipe)...and how about The Flint Drug Mart next to Dawn Donuts...it makes me sad when I go over that way now...my brother and some of my aunts and uncles are still in that neighborhood so I do get over there quite a bit. I have so many memories of Clio Road...
There were two great pizza places right around there...Palace Pizza was on Clio Road near Myrtle Ave...they had incredible pizza subs....the other was Rizzo's Pizza on Pasadena at the corner of Maywood...they had the big deep dish pizza's.
Getting back to the Farm Resturant: The motel came pretty late in the game. But the resturant was very fancy, especially in the 1960's. My Aunt Betty worked there as a barmaid and was the one who created the seasonal displays just outside beyond those full-length patio doors. Diners could look out there in any season and see interesting dioramas! One year she won as Michigans' Barmaid-of-the-Year from a national organization that bar workers belonged to. Hey, she was good! She lives in Clio in retirement and is in her late 70's now.
Moreover, most of us older Flint types remember that CS Mott was a regular there, until his health began to fade before he died in 1973 at age 97. My Aunt knew him well.
While we're crusin' Clio Road, I played tenor sax in a band, called "M.B. Holcomb." It was named after the group's leader, keyboard/singer Manuel Holcomb.
This was one of many bands I played in during my Flint days--which included the "Saginaw Valley Scratched Fender Society," "The 6 Pak," and "The Skylarks,"--to name a few.
In the summer of 1968 we played 9 weeks at The Track--a bar that, if memory serves me, was pretty close to the Pink Garter (next door?), and across the road from Arby's and Burger King.
I do remember that so many kids would skip out on their check at The Texan, that they started making you pay before you ate.
That wouldn't have been any of you guys, would it? :^)
Randall... dude... you MUST have recordings of The Six Pak, Skylarks, and the supremely awesome Saginaw Valley Scratched Fender Society lying around. Please, tell me you do. Photos, flyers, ANYTHING.
What other bands and teen clubs were around back then?
Hey, that is a great photo. My dad was the manager of The Farm Restaurant and Motel. It was a very posh place. Many actors and actress' stayed there. All of my brothers worked as busboys at some point or another! My sister and younger brother and I got to have a Shirley Temple on the nights that we had to pick my older brothers up after work. It was so fun! And I remember your Aunt Betty. She came over many times for Christmas parties, etc. Thanks for the memories everyone!
I was surfing to find out about the Golden Point restaurants of the early 1960s and I saw that Flint had a Golden Point in 1961. My recollection is that Golden Point was a hamburger franchise, much like McDonald's of the same era, but, instead of golden arches, the Golden Point stores each had a towering metal point (thin pyramid) of yellow-orange. I recall that Der Wienershnitzel restaurants may have taken over some Golden Point buildings. I know what little I know because a family friend invested heavily in a Golden Point in 1960-1961 in or near Falls Church, Virginia. I do recall going there at least once (and I certainly liked the hamburger better than the early McDonald's burger). Our friend lost his investment when the franchise chain went under and my father always was glad he hadn't invested. On the other hand, the story reminds us that there is a thin line between success (McDonald's) and failure (Golden Point). John in Denver
PX Barbeque...my favorite place to eat in Flint. Forget the barbeque, that was the world's greatest spaghetti sauce. And yes, Smurfs Inc. is right. Old Alex (with bad toupee) who owned the place, had a strict caste system. If you were black, you were seated in that side section near the door. If he didn't know you and you looked ok, you were seated in the front room, if you had money or he thought that you were someone, you were seated in the back dining room.
The Fireside Lounge was next door.
I think that there was an A&W drive-in down the road not far from Grapevine, also.
man, the PX! primo...me and Jeff Weeks snuck out there, before we could drive, but could not get in. we ended up at the Texan, peeing our pants 'cause most of the FPD seemed to be there that night...there was a club named Ali Baba's right near there, wasn't there? or am I going thru another coney withdrawal type bends?
Golden Point had great pineapple shakes. PX right next door. The owner brought semi pro football to Flint for awhile. Golden Nugget Saloon just down the street on Pierson. Ali Baba's was east of Clio Rd next to the Arlen's Dept Store. Yankee's, the Fair, Flint Home Furnishings, Kresge's and Hirsch Jewelers were the main stores in the Northwest Plaza. Got "Tuffy" jeans at the Fair.
muchas gracias there 'News. couldn't remember to save my soul. I can tell You who were the members in the Iris Bell band, and Stephenie and Method, when they played there, and the names of the waitstaff and 'tenders, but damn! that's as far as the synapses could stretch. They had a waitress there that my old Housemate, The Smiegel, said would make a cosumate Playboy Bunny. and She was....
My Mom would weekly take my sister and me grocery shopping at the Kroger on Clio Road behind the Dawn Doughnuts. Sometimes we would go outside and play on the concrete wall at the western edge of the parking lot. We loved Dawn Doughnuts and, when I get a chance, I still go back there--better than Krispy Kreme for variety.
I WAS SEARCHING THE FARM RESTAURANT AND CAME ACROSS THIS SITE, I EVEN SEEN THAT MY SISTER HAD LEFT A COMMENT ON HERE. OUR DAD WAS THE MANAGER, I GOT TO SPEND MY BIRTHDAYS AT THE FARM WITH A STEAK DINNER. FUNNY BUT I GREW UP THINKING EVERYONE KNEW WHAT A GOOD STEAK WAS, BOY I MISS THAT PLACE. ANYONE WITH ANY OF "THE FARM" MEMORABILIA LEAVE ME A NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE.
teri the px barbeque sauce was the best i ever had. i remember at one time they sold it at Krogers in the late 80's.could you send me the recipe, it would be most appreciated. I also remember going to LaVillas in mt morris back about 12 to 15 years ago and they had some barbeque sauce that tasted alot like the px. long live the Flint Dogs.
was there really a business called Ken's Kustom Kitchens, initials KKK????? Was Ken just Klueless, or did he really intend to offend a lot of people with that name???? i can't imagine he had too many African-American customers.
Regarding "Red Barn;" there was a chain of burger/fried chicken/general fast food joints by that name in the 1970s. i know there were some in the Detroit area, so i would not be surprised if Flint had them too.
The Golden Point -- fries by the sack! We loved that place. When I was a teenager going to Holmes Jr. High we used to hang out in the ruins of the Golden Point, smoking cigarettes and such. There were lots of ruins to hang out in then -- the Hungry Penguin was one too (this is circa 1973). As for the Farm, it was entering its seedy era then. My cousin Bill Angst owned Palace Pizza in the 80's. The Coney across from Dawn Donuts (Capitol?) was a big Northern HS hangout for us. I lived farther north in Manley Village, and was a paperboy in those apartments just north of the Farm (they burned several years ago.) The wester Saddlery place was just south of Pasadena, on the same side as McDonalds. Oh, and by the way, that was my first ever McDonalds, too -- and we lived down by McLaren Hospital then. And just to round out the area -- don't forget Mary's Sunshine Dairy!
Just found this site, many many memories of growing up in the area, all the places mentioned, especially the PX. I already know the sauce recipe, I was a cook there for four years,yeah Alex was kinda like the Archie Bunker of the restaurant business, I'll leave it at that.
@ Anonymous: That Ken's Kustom Kitchens may very well have had many black customers, unfortunately. I recall when Sambo's, the restaurant chain now called Denny's, had a location on Pierson Road. It had many frequent African-American customers, despite it's name (and it's negative connotations) and reputation as a place for blacks to avoid. Strange but Flint.
Hey, this area was a part of my stomping grounds too!
My Dad's carpet store (Carpets by Perry) was next to the Farm, and on special occasions we would go there for the best stuffed pork chop I've ever had.
I spent quite a bit of time on Clio Road. First, it was helping my Dad actually build his store building, and then cruising back and forth between McDonald's and the A&W. In fact, I got my first speeding ticket on Clio Road right in front of my Dad's store. It was during business hours and I was quite embarrassed.
In later years as I would go to the PX regularly, and Teri, if you could post that recipe, or tell us how to get it by email that would be great!
And Lisaflint, any chance of getting that pork chop recipe?
My parents would take us to a "nice" resturant once a month so we would learn how to act in nice places. I remember the scenes outside the window, it was so pretty when it was snowing to see all the animals and elves with fresh snow on them. The first time I ever used a finger bowl! Wow, was I impressed.
The Farm Motel has since been demolished. It's not like the building was salvagable, but I did enjoy seeing it when I drove by. The restaurant, however, is still standing and is used for private parties. I saw well dressed people milling about over the summer.
You are into it. How well I remember the contents of this thread.
At age 19, as an art major at CMU, I used graph paper from Schnider's Printing in Flint, and pictures form the photo booth at Playland, and configured my fake ID.
The first place I used it was at Ali Baba's. Heaven knows the rest, I was too screwed up to even remember!
Flint flows through me, always. I will return in less than 30 days, flying into Bishop Airport to put together a dinner at Hotel Fenton in celebration of my wife, who passed away on December 5th.
Our last trip we ever took was to Flint and Fenton as we chased down fall and Halo Burgers.
No regrets. I always, and I mean always, will contribute to this site for free simply because it is worth my time...
Hey Rosenburg. I am sorry about your loss. Flint is a great place for old memories and I for one appreciate everyones comments and continuance. My Dad was the Manager of The Farm Restaurant, it holds very dear memories for me! Hope your celebration goes well, your wife will be pleased I'm sure. Lisa
I remember the Farm Motel very well, having grown up at the corner of Seneca and McClellan Streets. The motel was under construction at the time the Kroger store burned, and the Kroger was subsequently rebuilt. As I recall the southern wall of the farm was singed a bit by the fire, but that was covered up by the exterior paint. Yes, the dirt street in the photos is Thornton Ave. -Mark
I lived in the Farm Motel for three months with my parents and four siblings when our house burned down (due to an electrical short)in the mid 70s. I remember the Farm's good service, being next door to the Kroger, and of course, Dawn Donuts. I played tennis against the Kroger wall in the parking lot, and fetched balls from the roof. My brothers and sisters and I LOVED that our rooms were regularly cleaned and beds made. That never happened again in our house. Though we tired of eating out, and not sleeping in our own beds, the Farm was a warm place. Cheers to you Farm, it was a good run.
I was born in a house on Thornton near dartmouth in 1934.On Sundays I had to walk to the Mayfair poultry mkt,pick out a couple chickens,watch them kill and dress them and when I got home my mother would singe them before cooking them.The market was where the shopping center is I think.Powers fruit market was on the SW corner of Clio and Pasadena.Beana Cronkrights grocery was on the corner of Thornton.Fongers grocery was on the corner of Clio and Dartmouth.Later a flower shop I think.
I've been searching the net for 3 hours now, and I need help! Who was the well-known trumpet and horn player from 1950's to 1970's? He performed at the Mayfair, Fireside and others in the area. Not Bob Adado. Anyone remember, I'm going nuts!! Thanks.
I remember the Sherm Mitchell Trio but I honestly didn't see them at a club and can't tell you what they played. I think Sherm Mitchell played trombone though.
There was a Band Director and School Principal named Garrett Ebmeyer that played trumpet and was well known for it in Flint, but it wasn't Jazz and I don't think he played in clubs. Unclebuck and Bernard and bustdup probably remember him well.
Speaking of the PX, does anyone have or know the recipe for that spaghetti with garlic-butter sauce? I know it was a heart attack waiting to happen but what a taste of heaven!
I held my "Rehersal Dinner" at The Farm Restaurant when I was married in September 1969 after graduating MSU. I moved away and when I visited Flint a few years ago, The Farm was boarded up and looked like an erie spooky movie.
My family moved to Castle Lane in Manley Village when my brother and I were in high school so we could attend Northern High (1960-1964). On weekend nights, we constantly drove between the McDonalds and A&W (near Clio). I just LOVED the hot dogs + "Red Sauce". You can only get them at the A&W in Grand Blanc now. You can recreate the experience at home. The "Red Sauce" recipe is on the internet. When in Michigan, do an internet search to find the closest place that sells Kogels Viennas. BBB
Born 1946 raised on Laport St., Graduated Beecher High School in 1964. Left Flint 1965 with GM Parts. Best memories: Max's Barber Shop Saginaw ST, (Joe & Ann )Farmer's Market Saginaw ST., North Flint Drive Inn, Mt. Morris Skating Rink, A&W, Walli's on Saginaw, Italia Garden when on Saginaw, PX on Saginaw, Buick Elementary School and Beecher Gardens. It breaks my heart to see Flint. My brother recently died and I made my last trip to that God/GM forsaken place.
Wow! You guys are sure bringing back the memories for me! I took guitar lessons at Shore's Music on Clio Rd. just South of Pasadena. Taught there for awhile also. I remember O'Toole's and yes, they did have great pies! I remember Bob Adado, Dale Alexander at the Fireside. Was the horn player that someone mentioned, Charlie Speights?
I remember the Tender Trap lounge, was a GMI student 1976 to 1981 and we used to hang out there. Was known for its Disco ball and dancing. Went back several years later and it had completely changed.
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