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Photographs August 4, 2001 & October 12, 2001
 
Once one of the top performing Howard Johnson's Restaurants in Florida, the St. Pete Beach unit was owned and operated by the Howard Johnson Company. In addition to being beaconized in the 1970s, the Restaurant unfortunately lost its Dairy Bar. The Company reasoned that diners spent more money while seated at tables than at the counter and by the middle 1970s had begun a campaign to eliminate them in many of the Company owned locations. Additionally the unit received a bay window in the front dining room at the same time that it lost its counter area.
 
 
 
 
 

In 1985-'86, when Marriott purchased and then sold the brand, St. Pete was one of only a few that were retained as a HoJo's. It continued to do respectable volume, but during the early 1990s Marriott decided to exit the chain Restaurant business. St. Pete's ownership was transferred along with 16 other Howard Johnson's Restaurants to Franchise Associates Incorporated (FAI) on July 26, 1991.

With deep pocketed Marriott out of the picture, FAI spent nearly no money on improvements or upkeep. The lone exceptions were the installation of FAI's "Capital Arch," new signage, and band of squares that concealed the edge of the roof.
 
 
 

On one of my final visits to St. Pete before it was closed forever, I was lucky to have had Dolores, a "Johnson Girl" since 1979 as my server. She told me that her son managed the location and had worked in HoJo's since he was 15.

They both knew that FAI was soon to close the Restaurant and were sad that it marked the end of an era.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Where once there may have been a Rum Keg Lounge, Coconuts Comedy Club entertained patrons. In addition to the nightclub, thirsty guests could enjoy Barnacle Bill's Beach Bar.
 
 
 
 
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