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Postcard circa 1960s
 
Vero Beach-Downtown, Florida -- 1725 S. U.S. 1
 
The Vero Beach-Downtown Motor Lodge was opened with 52 guest rooms in 1964 adjacent to a pre-existing Restaurant. A circa 1952 Howard Johnson's directory indicates that the Vero Beach Restaurant's address was 2744 Commerce Avenue--in later directories just U.S. Hwy. 1. Thus it is not certain if the one located next to the Motor Lodge was the same structure as the one on Commerce. In the middle 1990s the Restaurant was demolished and a Walgreens was built in its place.
 
Photograph April 2, 2003
 
 
 
 
Photographs 1964: Courtesy of Janis Barnhill
 
 

ABOVE: Local dignitaries helped to usher in the modern era of hospitality with their attendance and participation in opening ribbon cutting ceremonies. The Motor Lodge's co-owner, Anthony Giannoti, proudly posed for the camera as the mayor of Vero Beach, in his shirt sleeves, cut the ribbon making it all official! 

BELOW: Long-time owner and daughter of Anthony Giannoti, Janis Barnhill and SBA lender Ken Stephanz posed for the camera after Ms. Barnhill was approved for a $50k loan in 2002.
 
 
Image ca. 2002: www.floridasbdc.com
 
 
 
 
Photograph September 2002: Courtesy of Bob Venditti
 
 
Photographs April 2, 2003
 
 
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