Photograph June, 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards
 
 
Photos July, 2005: Courtesy of Anita Rose
Newport News, Virginia
 -- 6065 Jefferson Ave
 

The Newport News Howard Johnson's Restaurant lasted a long time, for it was built along what was once the main highway into Newport News. Many other businesses catering to travelers also sprang up along the busy route, but eventually things changed and by about 1980 the HoJo's had closed.

Above: The adjacent King James motel and Howard Johnson's Restaurant once complemented each other. However even the King James no longer remains. Ms. Rose said that while the motel buildings remained standing on her June, '05 visit, the signs had all been removed--only their "lablescars" remained.

Left: Part of the circa 1960s HJ sign was reused by subsequent operators. Anita Rose, who visited the site, speculated that the sign likely suffered damage during Hurricane Isabel back in 2003 and was never repaired.
 
 
 

Upon her first visit to the site back in June of 2005, Anita Rose discovered that the clean-looking white siding facade concealed the rather unsightly and unappealing rear of the eatery.  However by a subsequent visit in February 2006, the mess had been cleaned up!

Note the original features: Freezer Hatch, Ice Cream Freezer, and decorative concrete screen wall.

Miss Rose revisited the former HJ, and entered to dine. She reported that its exterior is misleading because the inside was beautifully done. It had been remodeled with an emerald and black color scheme, and there was a huge buffet that offered many "unordinary things."  She enjoyed her meal and speculated that if the exterior received a makeover to match the sparkling interior that the old Restaurant would garner a steady stream of business.
 
 
 
 
Photograph June, 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards