The Blue Star Diner -- mid-century style awaiting resurrection

Picture courtesy of David Spriggs

According to the research compiled by the alumni of Newport News High School, The Blue Star Diner was built as a prefabricated diner in New Jersey in 1958 by Manno Dining Car Company.  It opened in 1961 in Woodstock, VA by Angelo and Fannie Blentson, then it moved to Newport News in 1963.  It was used as a set in the 1987 movie "Zelly and Me" and featured in 1996's "Blue Plate Special: The American Diner Cookbook."  The Blentson's owned the Blue Star for 46 years and the building was closed in December of 2005 after a small fire.  In 2007, the restaurant reopened under new management, but closed in January 2010.  The next month, the Daily Press reported that the restaurant was under contract to be purchased by Belleville Diners from Dulles, VA.  Reportedly, this group was interested in restoring the diner to it's '1950s' glory and planned to reopen the Blue Star within 6 months. 

Fast forward to 2012...  The Blue Star building is slowly decaying, with no signs of work being done.  When I attempted to contact Belleville Diners for the sake of this article, I could find no way to reach them.  Their website contains no information about their organization, nor does it mention any plans for the crumbling diner.  I also tried calling the number listed for them online three times and there was no answer.  It is my concern that the diner will continue to deteriorate as no plan of action for its preservation appears to be taking place.  It would be a great loss to the area if this building were allowed to fade into oblivion.

Monty's Penguin -- Waddle up for an amazing milkshake!

Monty's Restaurant opened it's doors on the corner of 44th and Virginia Avenue (now Warwick Boulevard) in Downtown Newport News in 1946, according to my waitress on a recent visit.  It was among the first "Curb Service" car hops in the area.  It has moved twice.  In 1963, it moved to an uptown location, where it was renamed Monty's Penguin.  The penguin comes from an ice cream parlor of the same name that merged with Monty's around that time.  In 1974, it moved to it's current location of 9607 Warwick Boulevard. While they no longer do curb service, Monty's is open for the general public to come on in for a good meal.

I had the honor of visiting Monty's recently and the old restaurant shows it's age, but the traditional style food is as good as ever.   I had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, tea, and pineapple milkshake for dessert for about $13.  The sandwich was good, but the milkshake was out of this world!  My only complaint is that I felt the cost was a little high for what I received.  I would definitely go back though!

Monty's Penguin
9607 Warwick Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23601
(757) 595-2151

Hours: 
Sunday- Saturday 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Special thanks to:
http://roadsidearchitecture.com/
http://nnhs65.com/

Ragans' Western Auto and the history of the brand... Controversial?

According to Wikipedia, Western Auto Supply Company was started by George Pepperdine in 1909 in Kansas City, Missouri as a supplier of automotive parts and accessories.  It started as a mail order business and opened its first retail store in 1921.  Western Auto was the first store to franchise it's name to new stores.  In 1987, Western Auto was purchased by Sears, Roebuck, & Co. and in 1998 by Advance Auto Parts.  In 2004, Advance Auto Parts stopped supplying parts and services to Western Auto stores, essentially killing the brand.  Dealers were allowed to use the Western Auto name free of charge until 2006, then the name had to be removed.  Our store is currently violating trademark-infringement laws, and while Advance has not brought any legal actions yet, there is a possibility that this may soon change. 

It is unknown to this blogger exactly when our franchise of Western Auto opened, but I do know that it was purchased by Dewey Ragans Sr. in 1970 from Clyde Collins, the original owner.  Personally, my family has taken their cars there to be worked on for years. I've never had any issues with them and they've always done a great job on the vehicles.  According to their website, they are one of the largest state inspection stations in Virginia by volume, and that says something about the quality of service locals receive at Ragans. I've always loved going though the isles and looking at the merchandise, some of which has been on the shelves for decades.  While I do understand the love of the old name, I fear the Ragans may be playing with fire still using the Western Auto brand.  I would hate this beloved local institution to face a lawsuit over it.

Ragans' Western Auto

5813 George Washington Mem. Hwy.

Yorktown, VA 23692
757-898-5047
service@ragans-westernauto.com
http://ragans-westernauto.com/

Store Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 4:30pm
Sunday Closed

Shop Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 4:30pm
Sunday Closed

Ella Fitzgerald- "The First Lady of Song"

Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917 in Newport News to William Fitzgerald and Tempe Williams.  According to a 9/11/94 Daily Press Article, they lived at 2050 Madison Ave.  While Ella and her parents appear in the 1920 Census in Newport News, Jazz.com states that within the year her parents separated and she moved with her mother to Yonkers, New York.  Ella's mother died in 1932 and she ran away to New York City and began singing in Harlem to pay to support herself.  It was there that she was discovered and began recording albums in 1935.  Fitzgerald's popularity grew quickly.  From 1936-1969, she had 63 hits on the U.S. charts and during her lifetime, earned 13 Grammy awards and sold 40 million albums.  Ella made many songs jazz standards; retiring from performing in 1993 and died on June 15, 1996. 

Ella's smooth voice is unmatched by any of her peers.  I feel honored to know that she spent some of her formative years here in Hampton Roads. Here she is singing one of my personal favorite jazz songs, "Cry Me a River."

If you'd like to read more about Ella Fitzgerald, I recommend looking at her website: http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/

Beach Hardware... Old fashoned service with a smile.

Ever go into one of those big box home improvement stores and not be able to find what you need?  Or ask a question of an 18-year-old clerk who has no idea what your talking about?  If you are like me, you have.  Thankfully, I my prayers answered with the independents.  Beach Hardware first opened it's doors on Pembroke Ave. in 1958.  It is the kind of store where the clerk helps you troubleshoot your problems and helps you find what you need in the store.  If they don't have it, they'll order it, or direct you to where you can get it.  Beach Hardware is also the kind of store where you can find things no one else carries. For example, a friend of mine broke the beaters for her older model mixer, Beach was the only store in the area to still carry them.  For great service, good parts, and a good look at what a hardware store should be, go here.

Beach Hardware

1951 E. Pembroke Ave.

Hampton, VA 23663

(757) 723-8664

http://www.beachhardware.com/

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm

Closed Sundays

Cody's Lamp Shop... A museum of illumination where everything is for sale!

Since the mid-1980s, Cody's lamps has been a staple of local illumination.  Started by Richard and Glenda Henson in a local flee market, Cody's moved in 2006 to what was a 6,000+ square foot garage in the Phoebus section of Hampton.  They specialize in lighting from prior to 1960, but I saw lamps as new as the 1980s mixed in.  Cody's consists of two floors of vintage goodness with whole lamps and tons of extra parts.  I went and spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Henson recently about their lighting buisness.  They expressed that getting into a buisness like this all starts with a love of history and resourcefullness... finding parts for some of these lamps is near impossible.  Richard makes sure to save every part of lamps he feels he can use.  "I have a 2 story garage at home filled with extra parts and pieces to help complete my projects."  I am very impressed with Cody's selection and would recommend the store for anyone looking to buy or repair a vintage lamp.


Check out some of their selection!

Cody's Lamps

201 E. Mellen St.
Hampton, VA 23663
(757) 727-0333
codyslights_repair@verizon.net

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Closed Sundays and Mondays

Mr. C's Pizza - That 70's place.

Mr. C's Pizza has been a Poquoson landmark since 1976 and is the oldest restaurant currently in the city.  It has changed very little inside and out since the 70's.  Mr. C's only serves 3 items: Pizza, Subs, and Salads.  I don't feel the pizza's are anything to write about, but the salads and subs are AMAZING.  So far, they are the best sub/salads in Hampton Roads, hands down.  My personal favorites are the Canadian Bacon sub or the large salad with onions with their special house dressing (pictured below).  If your in the area swing by for a local blast from the past.

Mr. C's Pizza

493 Wythe Creek Rd.

Poquoson, VA 23662

(757) 868-7082 (Call ahead for carry out orders!)

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 11AM-11PM

Closed Sundays

See the menu here.