Dublin, Ohio: Dave Thomas Statue, Wendy's Memorabilia

It was a sad day in March 2007 when the World's First Wendy's closed in Columbus, Ohio -- sending its priceless Wendy's relics into storage. They gathered dust for nearly seven years, but now they're back, displayed in a special "community room" in a brand-new Wendy's flagship restaurant -- the most elegant in the whole chain -- that opened just across the street from Wendy's corporate headquarters, only a few miles from the old location.

Artifacts displayed include founder Dave Thomas's original test griddle, and the Olympic torch he carried through town in 1996; the "Store No. 1" sign from the old restaurant; a $105,000 crystal hamburger; and an entire case devoted to "Where's the Beef?" paraphernalia -- but we gather from reports that most of what was exhibited in the old restaurant, if not more, is here.

Outside on a patio, a larger-than-life bronze statue of Dave smiles, standing at the drive-thru, his arms outstretched to you, the customer, holding out a Frosty and a sack of burgers.