Buffalo-Cheektowaga

Postcard circa 1960s

Buffalo-Cheektowaga, New York -- 475 Dingens St

The town of Cheektowaga dates from 1839, while its Howard Johnson's was opened in 1964. Sited so that motorists on the New York Thruway couldn't miss it, the Motor Lodge & Restaurant complex was built immediately alongside a heavily used toll gate and a busy exit. Motorists seemed to be funneled directly into the HoJo's by the Thruway's design.

The Motor Lodge had become a veritable time capsule by the early 2000s!

Aerial images © Microsoft Corp.

Photograph May 2002

The Cheektowaga Restaurant came to rest precariously close to the Thruway, and its entry was relocated to one end of the building. In the early 2000s while it was a sports bar and grill, it still contained many original Landmark Supply Company fixtures and furnishings--even a portion of its striped terrazzo floor was still in place near the former front entrance. Having served several occupants since it lost the HJ name in 1984, by 2006 it operated as a Mexican eatery.

Right: Exterior freezer hatch where HoJo's express trucks delivered frozen foods directly into the restaurant's freezer!

Photos 12-4-06: Courtesy of Steven LJ Russo