After nearly a century of providing hearty meals at its franchise locations, the iconic Howard Johnson’s restaurant chain has officially closed its last establishment in Lake George, New York. As the first franchise restaurant group in the United States, Howard Johnson’s held a special place in the hearts of millions, but the tradition has now come to an end.
Hopes were raised among locals that the Lake George location would reopen for Memorial Day Weekend, but those aspirations were dashed when the restaurant remained closed. It was later revealed that the establishment would not be reopening at all. Despite the influx of tourists during the summer months, the business was unable to sustain itself.
Alyssa Kelly, a member of the HoJoLand fan group documenting the restaurant’s struggles, lamented the closure on Facebook, stating, “Lake George is officially dead,” noting the removal of plastic tables, chairs, and memorabilia, leaving the building with a desolate atmosphere.
By the 2010s, only three Howard Johnson’s locations remained, with Lake George being the last to survive, though it was no longer associated with the franchise. The other two, located in Lake Placid, New York, and Bangor, Maine, closed their doors in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Lake George location, opened in 1953, once thrived as one of over a thousand franchises nationwide. Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, it attracted tourists for decades, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a pitstop on their journeys.
In 2015, the restaurant transformed into the Lake George Family Restaurant but retained the iconic Howard Johnson’s branding. However, its fortunes dwindled following charges against the establishment’s operator, Johnathan LaRock, for harassing 15 female employees, some as young as fourteen.
Despite recent hardships, customers expressed sadness at the demise of Howard Johnson’s, recalling fond memories of affordable meals and quality service. Social media users bemoaned the loss, citing the end of an era and reflecting on the impact on average American families. Former employees, like Dave Hood, shared their nostalgia, lamenting the inability to enjoy a Howard Johnson’s meal together again.
The closure has sparked reflection on the broader significance of America losing the Howard Johnson’s restaurant franchise, with sentiments ranging from sorrow over the end of an era to concerns about the changing landscape of affordable family dining in an affluent society.
