Welcome to
the Lendy's
Web Page, part 6.
Welcome to
the Lendy's
Web Page, part 6.
Featuring Salem and Roanoke Va.'s most FAMOUS restaurant chain.
These were taken in
1969, at the Grand Opening of the new Lendy's on Brambleton Avenue.
Judging by the crowd that day, it was a success. The location was a
good one, next to a Kenney's, and the Coffee Pot restaurant just down
the street. For the first time a Lendy's in Roanoke features strong
"Kentucky Fried Chicken" styling influences.
Perhaps you'll recognize yourself or a friend in one of these
pictures.
click images for enlarged view
Lendy's Factoid
roanoke times ad from January
1961
The Boxley Hills Lendy's, which had previously been a Yoda's, was
originally built and operated as a Dandy's. This early operation lasted only
one year, and has been
forgotten by most.
More Lendys Pics III
The new Vinton Lendy's on Route 24 under construction in October of 1966. This building was almost identical to the original Melrose Ave. location. They were the first Lendy's to include 'self service' dining rooms. They also had the distinction of having introduced salad bars to the area, as mentioned earlier.
Here's a look at the almost completed interior and exterior of the new Vinton Lendy's, and its owner, Leonard Goldstein.
click image for enlarged view
The Lendy's on Melrose Avenue was a twin to its Vinton location. The barn style architecture was chosen partly to keep Kentucky Fried Chicken's management, whose influence on franchisees was beginning to increase, happy. Note the hay bale suspended over the front door.
Lendy's "Take-Home" Shoppes were intended to make it easy for people to get Kentucky Fried Chicken in a hurry, in the days before drive-thru windows.
The "Barrel" of chicken back then was $4.50. Today it's around $25.00.
The Madison Heights Lendy's, just outside of Lynchburg, had very modern architecture, a circular building complemented by a "roller coaster" canopy and great 'Googie' signage.
Here, Lendy's incorporated the "Dine-A-Phone" system which allowed
customers to order by "princess" phone from any table or counter seat.
click images for enlarged view
The center post of the building supported not only the circular roof,
but also the large rotating sign on top.
Another look at Lendy's Downtowner. This was actually one of three different downtown locations, the first one having opened as a Shoney's. You can see the architect's drawing of an earlier downtown location on page 4. This, the final location was on Church Ave.
click on images for enlarged view
An interesting booth design, they may still
exist to this day at Tudor's Biscuits. Much of the original
stonework is still visible on the front of this building. Lendy's
manager Dot Toney looks pleased to see this gentleman, a downtown Roanoke
fixture during the late '60s.
Some faces that you might remember from the Lendy's Downtowner. Left - Barbara Mowles, center - Dot Toney.
Photographs Courtesy Leonard Goldstein
Ad's Courtesy Pat Dotson (Pat's Cafe)
Radio & TV Ads Courtesy Tommy Holcomb
Graphic Assistance, Kipp Teague
This Web Site Created By Twig Gravely
