Where did you hang out on weekend nights? You know, those places where you expected to find kids you knew, either from school or the neighborhood.
Think of the hours we spent nursing sodas, munching pizza or burgers, talking, laughing, having spats. The hangouts were crucibles for sometimes intense interaction . . . and they were places where many hours were spent on pretty much nothing.
In the South End, one place was Ray’s Grinder’s on Longhill Street. Here’s a picture of the place now, from Google Street View. It’s called Antonio’s.
Current view of what was Ray’s Grinders in 1963-64.
One expects and certainly hopes the place has been renovated in the last 50 years, but it remains very true to its early-Sixties self. The parking lot in front, the “patio dining area” at left. The food there today is rated quite good on Yelp, but food was probably not the criterion in our day.
On Hungry Hill, it was the Van Horn Spa, affectionately called “Leo’s” after its owner. It was on the corner of Carew and Armory streets, across from Our Lady of Hope church. Sadly, it has succumbed to “progress” and is no longer there.
Kids today have many more options for entertainment, but our lack of same may, at least, have encouraged us to get out and about and connect with others. Sure . . . it also led sometimes to trouble. Is it better now to be safe and in front of a video box?
The hangout I remember most vividly while at CHS was East Longmeadow Friendly’s. After the Friday night basketball games at the Field House at Springfield College (where the walls actually seemed like they were vibrating as the roar of the fans grew louder), everyone packed into cars and had to be seen at ELF’s, as it was affectionately called. The inside quickly filled with kids and the overflow usually was in the parking lot. It is still around and continues to do a good business.
Yes, Donna, I remember the ELF, as we called it. Right next door there was a drive-in we rode around on warm nights. Don’t remember the name, but it was also a favorite hangout. And, what about Riverside Park? Free admission and all!