Stuckey's

[Maynard]

While traveling in my youth (not too long ago) I remember stopping at Stuckey's for snacks and cool souvenirs. I think they also served meals. Stuckey's seems to have disappeared. At least in these parts anyway. However, don't they still exist in the southeastern states, or throughout the plains? We're going to make a loooong road trip in the near future and I'd like to take a little trip down memory lane by making a Stuckey's stop.

[Puttin]

dedmiston,

Thanks for that. I actually remember some of those offerings but I also remember ordering off the big person's menu. The other fun thing was when my Dad and Mom decided to get off the road early on some days so we could go swimming.

[Horsedoc]

Bill Stuckey was the founder from here in Georgia and a politician as well. He made a lot of money on the then money crop of southern Georgia - pecans.
He got into politics and was in the state congress for several years.

The Stuckey stores were scattered up and down US 441 before I-75 became the route to Florida. As a kid we loved stopping for gas and hoping to get a piece of candy from the abundant choices.

Business went down and the family began selling and leasing the stores. The quality of the tourist attractions went down as the traffic on 441 decreased.

I believe there may be a new store below Fort Valley on I-75 but I don't know if it is a franchise or family owned. Either way, it is a little nostalgic to see something from 60 plus years ago.

[dedmiston]

Puttin wrote:
Yes, and Howard Johnson's as well....road food at it's finest! Especially if you're a kid!:B

[Puttin]

Yes, and Howard Johnson's as well....road food at it's finest! Especially if you're a kid!:B

[BB_TX]

There was one just outside my home town and we made frequent trips there. But it closed many years ago. Parking lot is still there but building is long gone.

[Tripalot]

Ahhhh memories. We stopped at one and ordered sandwiches for lunch. We each got a plate with a regular sandwich cut into 4 quarters. Problem was, there were only 3 quarters of the sandwich and the fourth spot had a few potato chips. We always joked that the cook must have been hungry and ate part of our sandwich after making it. Guess we should have only paid 3/4 of the price. Never went to another one after that experience.

[NRALIFR]

Pet Inc. (makers of Pet Milk) dang near killed them off under their ownership. I believe a memeber of the Stuckey family bought what was left of them back and is still running them, but there aren’t near as many as there once were.

What I remember best is the phrase “Sparkling Restrooms!” on their signs. You can guess what kids did with that.

“Mama, can we stop? I need to sparkle!”

I remember one of the stores on a route we took frequently had a beehive under a glass dome right inside the store.

:):)

[Lwiddis]

Discovered Stuckey’s driving from Southern California to Ft. Benning GA in 1972. Fun place to stop and stretch the legs.

[dedmiston]

gbopp wrote:

dedmiston wrote:
I forget what their big promo was. Wasn't it something like "Free pecan nut roll with every tank of gas"?

It was the Pecan Log. I'm sure they are now a bit smaller than what you remember.

Haha. That's probably just as well. :B

[KD4UPL]

We stopped at one in SC in January. I don't remember where exactly. I think it was off of I-95.

[lampooner]

There is a Stuckey's at exit 108 on I-95 in South Carolina. It is in an original building with high V shaped roof. They have candy, souvenirs and a Dairy Queen that serves ice cream and sandwiches.

[gbopp]

dedmiston wrote:
I forget what their big promo was. Wasn't it something like "Free pecan nut roll with every tank of gas"?

It was the Pecan Log. I'm sure they are now a bit smaller than what you remember.

[Iraqvet05]

I loved Stuckey's as a kid. They had toys and a pecan candy roll I had to get when we stopped there. I haven't seen an open Stuckey's in decades. There was an abandoned store west of Topeka, KS a few years ago.

[dedmiston]

I forget what their big promo was. Wasn't it something like "Free pecan nut roll with every tank of gas"?