Charleston, West Virginia: Shoney's Big Boy Museum
Outdoor mini-exhibit on the founding of a fast food chain. The historical plaque credits Alex Schoenbaum with starting what became Shoney's Big Boy as the Parkette Drive-In here in 1947. He expanded his Shoney's chain over 40 years to include 1,900 restaurants.
Parkette Drive In - Shoney's Big Boy
- Address:
- Charleston, WV
- Directions:
- Just east of US Hwy 60 and the Patrick St. bridge, west end of Kanawha Blvd. as it curves at the river.
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Shoney's Big Boy Museum At the very west end of Kanawha Blvd., as it curves to join with the Patrick Street bridge, is a lonely structure commemorating the location of the very first Shoney's restaurant. The forgotten Big Boy mascot stands at the top of a pedestal, forever holding up his Big Boy Burger. The sign directing visitors calls it a museum, but there is no inside. Just a few windows full of memorabilia & a plaque giving the history of the restaurant and its founder. I only spotted one tiny keychain bear. I guess he and Big Boy aren't on speaking terms, seeing that the furry guy replaced him.
[Jane Geoh, 07/23/2012]Nearby Offbeat Places
- West Virginia Lincoln Melancholia, Charleston, WV - 4 mi.
- Paul Bunyan and Babe, Nitro, WV - 10 mi.
- Water Monster's Daughter, Hurricane, WV - 20 mi.
- Paul Bunyan and Babe, Eleanor, WV - 19 mi.
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