{"id":19936,"date":"2016-09-15T11:18:07","date_gmt":"2016-09-15T15:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2016\/09\/with-closing-of-hojos-in-maine-lake-george-restaurant-becomes-the-last-one-in-chain.html"},"modified":"2017-11-08T11:00:52","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T16:00:52","slug":"with-closing-of-hojos-in-maine-lake-george-restaurant-becomes-the-last-one-in-chain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2016\/09\/with-closing-of-hojos-in-maine-lake-george-restaurant-becomes-the-last-one-in-chain\/","title":{"rendered":"With Closing Of HoJo’s In Maine, Lake George Restaurant Becomes The Last One In Chain"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\"hojo\n<\/div>\n
\nThis Lake George Howard Johnson’s location was opened in 1953. It is now the last restaurant in the country that bears the chain’s name, after the recent closing of a location in Maine.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nBy Liz Witbeck\n<\/div>\n

People interested in visiting Howard Johnson’s will now have to make a trip to Lake George. The Route 9 restaurant is officially the last location of the once-iconic restaurant chain.<\/p>\n

In 2015, the Howard Johnson’s location in Lake Placid closed. Recently, the restaurant in Bangor, Maine, closed, leaving the local establishment, at 2143 Route 9 as the lone eatery bearing that name.<\/p>\n

John LaRock has owned the location since August 2014.<\/p>\n

“Things have been very good. People are glad that it’s still open and people hope that we continue to stay open,” he said.<\/p>\n

The Lake George Howard Johnson’s location was opened in 1953. Its last owner, Joe DeSantis, is also owner of Carl R’s in Glens Falls and the Hampton Inn in Lake George. LaRock was a former employee of DeSantis and purchased the Howard Johnson’s location when it became available.<\/p>\n

Television chef Rachael Ray, a Lake George native, worked at the location when she was younger.
\nLaRock attributes many things to the success of his location, including the fact that it is under new management. His location also serves up ample portion sizes of food.<\/p>\n

“We give you your money’s worth here, and that is what people like,” he said.<\/p>\n

At the peak of success, Howard Johnson’s had more than 1,000 restaurants operating in the United States, easily noticed by their signature orange rooftops and weather vanes.<\/p>\n

The chain was started by Howard Deering Johnson in the 1920s and was also known for their hotels and motels, which were frequently connected to the restaurants.<\/p>\n

By the turn of the 21st century, only a handful of the restaurant locations remained. Reasons for the decline of the chain include aging restaurants, lack of long-term vision, an outdated menu, and little to no marketing of the company.<\/p>\n

Howard Johnson’s offers many of their classic menu items that keep customers coming back for more. Some favorites include the fried clam special every Friday night, steak and eggs for breakfast, and the black and white milkshake.<\/p>\n

“These are items that the older generation liked that you can’t get anywhere else,” said LaRock.<\/p>\n

He said one of the keys to his success is creating good customer service.<\/p>\n

Howard Johnson’s offers budget-friendly meals. Each lunch and dinner comes with a complimentary salad bar. During the breakfast period, the salad bar is stocked with fresh varieties of watermelon, apples, peaches, and other fruits, as well as bottles of water.<\/p>\n

The location also still serves ice cream, which has how the restaurant chain became famous when it first opened in the 1920s.<\/p>\n

LaRock said that there will be some minor renovations in the future to help modernize the venue.<\/p>\n

“We still have the same flooring from when the restaurant opened in 1953,” he said. “We’re going to put some new flooring in to make it look nice when you come through the door.”<\/p>\n

He hopes that the renovations will help keep newer generations of guests interested in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

Howard Johnson’s remains open all year long. The restaurant is currently open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week. During the winter season, the restaurant closes at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

For more information, call 685-3022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This Lake George Howard Johnson’s location was opened in 1953. It is now the last restaurant in the country that bears the chain’s name, after the recent closing of a location in Maine. 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