America's last Howard Johnson's restaurant has closed

[Warpy]

13. Fast food drove out sit-down restaurants because wages lost purchasing power

HoJo's was a pretty no frills place, but until the late 70s, it was a place most families could take the kids once or twice a month to give Mom a break from constant kitchen drudgery. Purchasing power took a dive in the massive inflation of the lat 70s and has never recovered.

I went to the original one in Wollaston, Mass, before it closed because it was too small to turn enough of a profit.

Most mid range, sit down places are in trouble these days. It's not just fast food, it's also competition from the freezer aisle at the supermarket. Mom needs a break these days, she can just shove 5 different meals for 5 different people into the microwave and all 5 picky eaters will be happy.

I think most of us who grew up in the 50s and 60s remember them somewhat fondly. Rubber clams and a hot brownie for dessert were my usual choices. Good luck tasting any of it through the thick clouds of tobacco smoke.