Harry Harsha

I seem to remember (in the dark corners of what's left of my mind) a motel in the area where Krispy Kreme is today and a Sambos being close by the motel.

Harry

Milan Jackson

You got one Harry, where was the other one?

Larry Shoup

The other one was in Normal on Main at Raab. Do you know why most of the Sambos closed down country-wide???

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Did it have something to do with the name?

Milan Jackson

Main and Raab is correct. I haven't taken the time to verify this but it sounds possible.

Sambo’s Why did they close?

Well it did not close because of its name or anything about being Politically correct.

The SEC had a big hand in the closing down of the chain.

Sambo’s at one time was the premiere coffee house chain in America.

It had a great management staff and operation of their units was the best in the industry.

The reason for all of it success was its manager had been the best paid in the industry.
The manager had an opportunity to buy 20% of their units and 20% of other units also.
The area managers could also buy a percentage of all of the units they managed.
They all had a reason to be successful as they had money riding on the put come of operations of not only their units but others as well.

This worked great for years until the SEC came in and asked the corp. about how this ownership was carried on their books .
The company carried then as full ownership of the units leaving out the manager percentages.
The SEC did not go along with this and the company was put in the place of buying back from the manager their questionable shares in the units.

This did not go well with the manager and most quit the company leaving them to hire less qualified people to run their units. The chain for the next few years had 500% turnover per year of management for their units.
What was left was the sell off of the units they had, that had not been closed and the chain was lost.

 

Larry Shoup

That's the way I underrstand it, Milan. That comes from the last remaining Sambos. It's in Santa Barbara, CA

Stephen Ringler

All responses are correct regarding Sambos demise.

Having lived in Santa Barbara 15 years and frequented the last remaining Sambos (on the beach) and had the good fortune of knowing the owner (grandson of co-founder, Sam Battistone) I was told the "inside baseball" version regarding the SEC and IRS but also that it had become the poster boy target of restaurant racism during the civil rights activisim movement, more so in certain liberal pockets of the country than others. 

I learned that they have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of regarding their namesake history and invite those still curious about the truth of the matter to visit their website, www.sambos.com. The SB location is a booming success with long lines waiting to enjoy a superior product to IHOP (outselling the 2 local IHOPS 2 to 1). And yes you'll find Afro-Americans dining there seven days a week.

 (SAM Battistone and Nowell BOhnett = SAMBO) co-founders, registered trade name predates the discovery of the childrens book, "The story of Little Black Sambo," who was by the way from India, not Africa or Afro-American.

I discovered that the same newspaper reporter who attacked SAMBOS as politicaly incorrect has also adovcated a politially correct change in the pharse, "Two-bit hooker," to that of "Low cost provider."

- Stephen Ringler (A recovering Californian!)

Larry Shoup

I guess I always thought they were lw-cost rental units. Anyway, people who think there is a racial thought behind Sambos, and, therefore the story of Little Black Sambo really need to read the book again and share that racial bias. Good to hear from Steve.

Milan Jackson

This Wednesday is Breakfast Wednesday for the class of 1962. We will see you at Shannon's at 9am.

James Wilson

Milan Jackson

Before we went to 7 digit phone numbers, what was 7651?

Milan Jackson

I just found out that Bev Zolt Lerman passed away Thursday, August 17, 2006

Milan Jackson

Location?

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Jan Scott Vitton !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Was it at the corner of South Main and Wood?  The Northwest corner.

Larry Shoup

Sorry we couldn't make it to the breakfast. WE really have a great time and wonder why more of the class doesn't show up.

Milan Jackson

It was not the corner of Main and Wood.

Milan Jackson

When we were in high school, this was at one of the busiest intersections in town, for us at least. :)

Edd Marks

The gas station at the corner of Main and Wood was a Texaco station in the late fifties. I picked up my Pantagraph bundle for my paper route there for 2 years. Don't know when it was a Sinclair. It was one block  south of where Casella's was located and about 2 blocks from where I lived on Center.

Milan Jackson

Main and Wood

Milan Jackson

Sorry to announce that the Class of 1962 lost a classmate. Dick Hopper died Sunday at his home. God bless Dick and family.

Jackie Gessler (Rudat-Fann)

Hi all

i was looking at the gas station picture and thought it might be the one on the nw corner of Morris and Wood

Milan Jackson

Not Morris and Wood. Think East Side. :)

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Was it the corner of Washington and Towanda?

Milan Jackson

Not that one either. This one isn't there anymore. At one time a liquor store had taken it's place.