Below is something I wrote in 2013. If visiting Nashville and have the time stop by Elliston's as it kinda like going back in time.
LA
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Just some thoughts:
You really want an old fashioned milk shake? A chocolate shake like was made in the 1950s’?
Today my wife and I stopped at Elliston's Soda Shop in the Gulch area of Nashville. It’s like walking back in time. The soda shop opened in 1939 and has continued to stay in business at the same location ever since.
Barb had a chocolate milk shake and a hot dog, about as 50s’ as one can get. By the way, what is it with women and chocolate? I think just the word makes her smile. There are many things neat about Elliston’s. It has a sit down counter just like the soda shops of old. They make shakes like they did in the 50s’. There are booths along the wall, and each booth has its own jukebox selection box as was the case in the ‘50s’. Everything about the shop brings back pictures and images of earlier days.
But maybe the neatest thing I saw about the place was something unrelated to sodas and hot dogs. Something I had never seen before in a place of business. Evidently they value their customers. Not only value them but remembered them. As I walked to the register to pay our bill, I passed various booths, and there I noticed small plaques on the wall at each booth, with names and dates engraved on them, and I began reading them. On these plaques were someone’s name, and inscribed under their name was a date and the words, “A Valued Customer.” A plaque of remembrance.
Here’s my point: what a novel idea, a business remembering its customers. I’ve been in places of business where I was not sure they cared if I was a customer or not. They certainly would never go to the effort to remember me with a plaque.
Seriously it is a neat practice. A place of business that remembers its customers. What a novel idea. Imagine that.
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November 13, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson