Charleston, West Virginia: Shoney's Big Boy Museum

Outdoor mini-exhibit on 1947 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. 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. Across from Drug Emporium.

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Shoney's Big Boy monument/museum.

Shoney's Big Boy Museum

Interesting that the closest Shoney's restaurant is over 2 miles away from this monument/museum.

[Stephen Francia, 06/02/2020]

Big Boy.

Shoney's Big Boy Museum

For early drive-in restaurant history buffs.

[dottecom, 06/27/2016]

Parkette Big Boy mini-museum.

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]