Take another nostalgic drive down memory lane as we cruise south down Kettering Blvd. in Moraine. Sixty years ago, it looked a lot different than today. Just north of Stroop Road was a government-built WWII 500-unit housing project for Frigidaire workers coined Moraine Fields/Cardboard City which eventually became the Kettering Municipal Court Building and later the Kettering-Moraine Museum. Across the street was a bar, barber shop and a grocery store with many names through the years from Stragand’s IGA Foodliner to Al & Joe’s Foodtown to Hatchers Food Center.
South of Stroop Road on the east side of Kettering Blvd. across from Frigidaire were mainly restaurants feeding the factory workers and residents. At the corner was Dr. Higley’s Veterinarian office, followed by Angelina’s Pizza, the areas first McDonalds Restaurant, Arthur Treachers Fish and Chips, Robert Hall Clothing Store (which later became Hipple Cancer Research Center in 1977 and then Days Sales & Service Bike & Lawn Mower Shop) and Angelo’s Drive-In.
Angelina’s Pizza was run by Joe Marks and was known for the best pizza, great subs (the Gondola Sub and The Frigidaire Special were favorites), torpedo and cheesesteak sandwiches. The McDonalds opened in 1962, a white enameled building with lighted golden arches. Customers would walk up to windows, place their order, and then eat their food in the car. I remember in 1964 the hamburgers cost only 15 cents each. Eventually indoor dining was added.
Next door, Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips restaurant offered fried fish, chips, hush puppies and shrimp boats. Lastly, next to Robert Halls at the corner of Kettering Blvd. and Marconi Avenue was Angelo’s Drive-in. Built in 1954, Angelo’s patrons could eat inside at tables with juke box controllers or park in one of 23 parking spaces under a long car port and order from the microphone box while sitting in your car. A car hop waitress would bring the food order out and collect the money. Hot rods cruised Angelo’s often. Locals remember seeing the famous Golden Sahara Custom Car and Indy 500 driver Salt Walther in his T Bucket Roadster. Known for their famous Chickie in a Quickie plate (deep fried chicken, fries, coleslaw and a hot roll for $1.00), this busy local hangout also served the Chubby Boy double decker hamburger,and the Jumbo Shrimp Plate. Angelo’s eventually became Grannies 4200 Place Restaurant and then just 4200 Place.
