Photo December 2004: Scott Sargent
 
 
Richmond Heights, Missouri 
 --7950 Clayton Rd
 
Along with five other Howard Johnson's Restaurants in the St. Louis area, Richmond Heights was opened in 1955. The franchise was held by Harry G. Giessow, a lawyer and restaurateur, who opened his first eatery in the 1930s--a restaurant called the Candlelight which was located on Clayton Road either near the Howard Johnson's site or at the very spot that it had been located. 

Like Mr. Giessow's Kirkwood HoJo's, Richmond Heights was remodeled probably during the late 1970s or early '80s to resemble a sort of Victorian-esque ice cream parlor. Long lived, Richmond Heights was a Howard Johnson's Restaurant from 1955 until 1985.

Photo August 2004: Phil Edwards
 
 
Photos December 2004: Scott Sargent
 
Upon losing its Howard Johnson's name the Restaurant's exterior was extensively altered, and the eatery re-christened Layton's. The Giessow family continued to operate it and slipped into its menu several familiar Hojo's favorites which continued to be offered up until the time that the restaurant was finally closed on June 30, 2004. Harry Giessow died in 1998--thus he lived long enough to see the end of HoJo's roadside empire, but probably never imagined that his son Gary would cease the family tradition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photos August 2004: Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photos December 2004: Scott Sargent
 
Above & Below: The former Howard Johnson's was adjacent to Tropicana Lanes a bowling alley with a terrific mid-century street sign!
 
 
 
 
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