GAINESVILLE - Next week in downtown Gainesville, you'll have the chance to experience what it was like to eat at a 1940s short order restaurant.
Former pastor and Gainesville businessman Jeff Worley has purchased the historic Collegiate Grill, which served its first homemade fresh beef hamburger 61 years ago in 1947.
Worley recalls when he was 12-years-old and grill icon George Brown hired him to work behind the counter. His pre-teen stature required Brown to give him a Coke bottle crate to stand on while serving fountain drinks to customers.
"My father owned a car lot downtown," Worley said. "I'd come around the corner to get my daily hamburger and milk shake. I finally talked Mr. Brown into hiring me and that's how I got my start here."
Worley added, "this is almost like coming back home to me."
Worley went on to manage the Collegiate for Hank and Cathy Holderfield for several years. Worley and his wife, Donna, are restoring the Collegiate to its former, simple operation and appearance with a 1947 menu in the 21st century.
"We've got a vision to return it to its former glory," Worley said. "There have been numerous endeavors over the last decade that we're aware of with good intentions, but I don't think they panned out."
Worley said the reason some of those didn't work is because they failed to keep it simple. "It's the simplicity that made it great. We're going to return it to that."
Worley said beginning Thursday, pending permits and approval, the grill goes back to specializing only in fresh burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and fries with hand dipped milkshakes and service with a smile, just "like the good old days."
Hours will be Monday through Friday 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Friday
October 18th, 2024
12:23PM
