Wilmington DE, Concord Pike  
 --1811 Concord Pike (U.S. Hwy 202)

 

When Arnold J. Isken opened his Howard Johnson's in 1955, it was the start of a local hospitality empire which grew to include a Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and a Homewood Suites.

Along the way his son, Paul Isken, joined in running the HoJo's, and every day that the Restaurant was open, a family member was on site to ensure that the utmost in quality and service was provided to patrons. At the heart of Isken's prosperity was the HoJo's--the profits from it propelled the family fortunes well into the 1990s. When interviewed by the Washington Post in 2000, Mr. Isken stated that he had no intention of giving up his 135 seat Howard Johnson's any time soon.

 
RIGHT: Howard Johnson's Restaurant owner, Arnold J. Isken, graciously posed for a photo following an engaging conversation my dad and he had about the restaurant business and his HoJos in particular!
Photos 1999: Kummerlowe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photographs August 7, 1999: Kummerlowe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photographs August 4, 2002: Kummerlowe
 
The Restaurant adhered to the best Howard Johnson's traditions and was expertly maintained under the careful stewardship of the Isken family for 47 years, from 1955 until September 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo 1999: Kummerlowe
 
 
Photos October 2000: Kummerlowe
 
 
 
ABOVE & BELOW: Used for overflow and as a meeting area, the Lamplighter Room's exterior featured decorative exterior screen-work.
 
 
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