I admired the architectural rendering of the proposed Marathon Oil service station shown in this small article that ran in the Lorain Journal on May 30, 1968. The station was being planned for Amherst at the corner of Leavitt Road and Cooper-Foster Road.
What's interesting is that the illustration includes the new L-K Restaurant to be built just to the south of the gas station on Leavitt. I had completely forgotten about that particular restaurant and the once ubiquitous L-K chain.
Mr. Cleo Ludwig and Robert Kibbey founded their Ohio-based restaurant chain in either the late 1930s or early 40s, with the first one in Marion, Ohio.
Here’s an undated postcard showing an L-K Restaurant in Marion, Ohio.
At one time, there were more than 150 outlets, with as many as 90 in the Buckeye State. Many of my older readers remember eating at one.
Here’s a link to an article about the mid-80s sale of the restaurant chain.
Today, while the L-K on Leavitt Road in Amherst is long-gone (a Taco Bell sits at its old location), the Marathon station is still there. Today, however, you’re more likely to get a coffee or snack there as opposed to an oil change.
This is awesome! For about the last year or more, I've been trying to locate a lot of their locations (or where the locations used to stand) and this is one I haven't yet found.
Judging from a Newspaper Archives online C-T of July 22, 1967, there was one in Elyria too, at 2928 Oberlin Road at the Junction of Routes 10 and 20. The highways have moved around a bit since then, though.
You’re right, Jay – a Sisters Chicken was at that spot. I’ll be posting some city directory listings of the various businesses along that stretch very soon.
There was also an L&K Town House at Midway Mall, at 40379 Griswold Road in the mid-1970s, just west of Leona Street. It had become Godfrey’s by the early 1980s.
There was one (recently demolished) right where I grew up. It was at rt. 33 and st rt 42 exit/Plain City/Delaware. Parking lot is still there...it was a super seedy joint up until it closed a few years ago.
I was a maintenance technician for L&K in the 1980's. I had a chance to work at most of the restaurants and motels. I can confirm the Delaware location at the corner of William and Sandusky. It's a coffee shop now.
L&K was one of our coffee/hanging out spots back in the day.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! For about the last year or more, I've been trying to locate a lot of their locations (or where the locations used to stand) and this is one I haven't yet found.
ReplyDeleteJudging from a Newspaper Archives online C-T of July 22, 1967, there was one in Elyria too, at 2928 Oberlin Road at the Junction of Routes 10 and 20. The highways have moved around a bit since then, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, the one in Elyria I frequented as a child - on summer Sunday mornings after Drive-In Church down the road!
ReplyDeleteOur sports car club met at the LK on Oberlin Elyria road for awhile. Still there as a VFW today. It had that distinctive wedge shape:
ReplyDeletehttps://vintageaerial.com/photos/ohio/lorain/1969/MLO/63/27
Wasn’t the Taco Bell originally a Sisters Chicken?
ReplyDeleteYou’re right, Jay – a Sisters Chicken was at that spot. I’ll be posting some city directory listings of the various businesses along that stretch very soon.
ReplyDeleteDennis Thompson, thanks for posting that! I can't say I've seen any other L&Ks in that design before.
ReplyDeleteThere was also an L&K Town House at Midway Mall, at 40379 Griswold Road in the mid-1970s, just west of Leona Street. It had become Godfrey’s by the early 1980s.
ReplyDeleteThere was one (recently demolished) right where I grew
ReplyDeleteup. It was at rt. 33 and st rt 42 exit/Plain City/Delaware. Parking lot is still there...it was a super seedy joint up until it closed a few years ago.
Oh! Apparently there was also the LK restaurant back in the day in Delaware (OH) on the corner on Sandusky and East William (:
ReplyDeleteI was a maintenance technician for L&K in the 1980's. I had a chance to work at most of the restaurants and motels. I can confirm the Delaware location at the corner of William and Sandusky. It's a coffee shop now.
ReplyDeleteI would Love to know the kind of cheese they used on their salads it was a white soft cheese Does anyone know the type?
ReplyDeleteBest milkshake ever
ReplyDelete