Steve's Gay 90's - Tacoma, Washington

Steve's Gay 90's restaurant was located at 5238-40 South Tacoma Way in South Tacoma, Washington. Originally known as Steve's Cafe, the restaurant was opened by Steve Pease and John Stanley in 1941. After a few years of operation the name was changed to better fit its atmosphere and decor.

The restaurant offered cocktails and American food served smorgasbord style for a nominal charge, with dining music  and entertainment in the evening. The Gay Nineties had a smorgasbord table and booths decorated to appear like "surreys with fringe on top." Checked table cloths and wagon wheel chandeliers complete the down home look.

In the mid-fifties, Steve's added to their unique treasure trove an actual cable car, converted to street driving, bought at auction in San Francisco and driven to Tacoma. The Cable Car Room then opened with replicas of Tacoma and San Francisco cable cars as booths in the cocktail lounge. The crowning gem was the Opera House, opened in a mid fifties expansion, furnished with antiques from the South Tacoma mansions and featuring a twice nightly floor show with can can girls, among other performers.

Sadly, due to years of declining business, Steve's business partner "redistributing" restaurant, and changing tastes, Steve's Gay 90's Restaurant closed its doors in 1977. The building appears to be empty, but the shell of the sign survives.

Special thanks to the Tacoma Public Library for the information and some of the text above. You can see nearly 100 images of Steve's from the Library's fantastic image archive here.

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YouTube Video of the Day:


The Wonderful World of Wash 'n' Wear - 1958 RCA Washing Machine 

The new "RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII Laundry Pair" washing machine is put through its paces during this sponsored 1950's infomercial. The film also explains the benefits of the new man made fibres being used in clothing.
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In the Heart of Downtown's Motel Postcard of The Day 

Motel 6 - Boise, Idaho

Then: 
2323 Airport Way Boise, Idaho 83705 91 Units, TV, Phones, Pool

Now:
It's still standing and it's still a Motel 6.
This place is permanently etched in my mind. I grew up in the Boise area and remember seeing this sign lit up from Interstate 84. I love this sign so much that I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.  The rest of the place is not much to look at. It's a pretty standard chain motel but I am certain that this is one of the places that started my fascination with motels.
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QSL Corner
Skyking and Freckles! Skyking wants to drink away the pain and the large-chested Freckles is alerting someone somewhere that Skyking is holding up the bar. I had no idea that there was a town in Pennsylvania called Shoemakersville. It makes me imagine an entire town of elves and cobblers.

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What Makes The Pie Shops Ticker: I was born and raised in Idaho. I was in the Idaho History Bee when I was in 4th grade. I am fascinated by Idaho History and this has to be one of the best blogs around on the subject...Want something safe and fun to do this weekend? May I suggest taking a trip to Guidancetown U.S.A.?.....Please don't squeeze the Charmin but feel free to squeeze the Butternut Bread....I am currently an intern/volunteer for the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St, Joseph County here in Northern Indiana. There is a bit of a war going on between the HPC and the St. Joseph Country Public Library over the historic Avon Theatre in downtown South Bend. The commission is working on saving the theatre. The library, which now owns the building, wants to tear it down. I hope the commission wins. No other notes for the day. I plan of having a drink or twelve and watching some goofy old movies. Maybe even Gidget. Have a fantastic weekend. The end. ************************************************************************
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