A while back I bought a Sandy’s key chain over at Urban Artifacts and I joked with owner Jon Walker that when things get slow at my blog or facecrack page, all I have to do is to post something about Sandy’s or Hunt’s Family Restaurant and all of a sudden you get a massive amount of hits and “likes.” Both of those places really spark Peoria memories for a lot of people including yours fooly. I’ve already gone and covered what Sandy’s on Sheridan is these days, so I thought today we’d go down to Farmington Road and see what is going on in the building that once housed Hunt’s Family Restaurant. I’m craving a chocolate soda already!
Here's the building that used to be Hunt's. It looks different to me and I'm wondering if this is the same building.
This is the only photo I could find online and it's hard to tell if this is the same building today. Let's get closer and see if anyone is around to confirm if this is the old Hunt's building or not.
It's now called Pink Sugar Boutique. There's not a lot of activity here in the front parking lot, let's go see if anyone's in there.
Well, this doesn't look good, the front door is padlocked. What's that writing on the lock?
It's a Master Lock with Jim Grube's phone number on it. If you're like me, you're thinking, "Who the hell is Jim Grube and why is he putting his phone number on Master Lock's?" I thought about calling him, but I've got to keep investigating around here. But if you'd like to call him, feel free and let me know how that goes for you. Maybe he'll take you out to lunch or something.
I tried to take a shot in the front window, but with the sun shining down, it turned into an obligatory front window mirror shot, quite by accident. Anyway, take my word for it, this section of the building is empty, nothing going on in here. Damn, I was really thirsty for a chocolate soda!
Hey, what's that over there, I see a light in the window...
Self Centered Hair Studio, let's go in and see what's happening here.
It's very nice in here...
And it's bigger than it looks from the outside.
I ended up meeting the whole crew in here and it's a friendly and fun bunch of people. From left is the co-owner of the studio, Kelli with Kristen, Jeff and Katie. Kelli confirmed that this is indeed the old Hunt's building and the hair studio has been here for seven years. Kelli took it over last August. It was great to meet all of them but sadly, there was no chocolate sodas to be had. So it's time to take a little trip.
That "H" stands for hospital. Proctor Hospital to be precise.
Why are we at Proctor Hospital, you must be wondering. Well, just follow along and in a bit it will all make sense.
Let's go through these fancy-schmancy moving doors and soon I'll let you in on this well-kept secret.
If you stare at this picture long enough, you'll see a clue as to what we're going after here.
If you haven't figured it out yet, let's go through these doors and soon I'll let you know what's going on.
Check out that snazzy neon sign: "Snacks 'N Sodas." Sodas, as in "chocolate sodas," just like Hunt's used to sell.
Check out some of the items on the menu: Shakes, sundaes and orange freezes. Those are all items that used to be on Hunt's menu and they're treats that we all miss. But we don't need to miss them anymore. And here's the secret that I'm now going to reveal to you all: This place has all the old recipes from the original files from Hunt's Family Restaurant. I told one of the many research assistants here at MBIP, Nancy Kemper about the fact I was going to the old Hunt's building and she told me that this snack shop has the original recipes for the ice cream treats from Hunt's. I don't think too many people know about this, so I need to get a confirmation and if it's true, I need to get a chocolate soda!
That's Judy, on the left, who's the Director of Snacks "N Sodas here with volunteer, Ruth and she confirmed that they do have the original recipes from Hunt's! Faith Hunt, the wife of Hunt's owner, Gordon Hunt was a volunteer here at the snack shop for 35 years and she gave them the recipes for all the Hunt's ice cream treats. Sadly, Faith passed away in April, but her treats live on in this Snack restaurant at Proctor Hospital. I'd say this is the perfect time for...
A chocolate soda! This is Jean, who's volunteered to make the soda, using the old Hunt's recipe!
Chocolate syrup is being poured and we're off and running!
Here she's stirring it up in true Johnny Nash fashion.
Judy pointed out that some of the recipes are taped right here on the shelf. I've blurred the photo so you can't read them, they are secret recipes after all! If you want to try them, you have to come here.
I'm ready to drink it just like this, but there's still more to add to this tasty concoction.
And that includes a healthy dollop of Prairie Farms Ice Cream.
Whipped cream is now added to this growing tower of chocolate soda.
Wow, it looks just like they made them back in the days when Hunt's was serving them up!
And here's Judy serving it up at my table...
Wow, this is like a piece of art. It's almost too beautiful to eat...
Of course, "almost" was the operative word in that last caption! It was so good and it brought back a flood of memories from the past. If you miss the old treats from Hunt's, check them out here at Snacks 'N Sodas, they're open Monday through Friday, 10AM to 3PM.
After I finished my chocolate soda, I was introduced to Marty who's a volunteer here at Snacks 'N Soda. It's Marty and Marty! And our glasses match, we're like the modern day Bobbsey Twins!
In addition to the old Hunt's ice cream treats you can also get cake and cookies from Trefzeger's Bakery here! Sweet! We'll see you all tomorrow!
Self Centered Hair Studio
2027 W. Farmington Rd.
Peoria
309-673-9900
Proctor Snack Shop
Proctor Hospital (Near the main entrance)
5409 N Knoxville Avenue
Peoria
309-691-1000
Related Posts: This Used To Be...Jumer’s Castle Lodge, Peoria Spalding Institute and The Drug Store In Junction City.
Daryl Klusendorf from Sky Harbor sent me an email to let me know that the World Champion Piano Competition is in town. You can read about that here and if you want to meet some of the contestants, many of them are meeting at Sky Harbor for dinner and then gathering in the piano bar to jam and have fun. Music will be happening from 5PM till closing time.
And next Thursday, the 29th of May at Sky Harbor is the ongoing, “Pickin’ On” concert at Sky Harbor with co-hosts, Tim Harr, Al Peacok, Chris Tarpley and Daryl Klusendorf. The music is going to be Pickin’ On Jerry Jeff Walker and Zac Brown, so check out that evening of acoustic Americana music and storytelling. The show starts at 7PM.
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Today’s post was brought to you by Jimmy's Bar. Check them and all the other fine businesses helping to support this blog over at the MBIP Bucket List Page. Your Daily Random Linkage awaits you at the bottom of the that page as well!