FORGOTTEN PEORIA

I graduated from Richwoods Highschool in June 1972. During the summer of 1970, I worked at the Sandy's across the street from Sheridan Village. I applied at the Sandy's on Main Street downtown (anyone remember that place?) and was hired by a guy named Ken if memory serves, and assigned to the Sheridan Road store. I worked the fryers and later the cash registers. The milk shakes had no milk or ice cream. A syrup poured into a machine was frothed with air and instant milkshake was the result. Pretty much the way McDonalds still does it today. During slow times, burgers sat under hot lamps until they were completely dried out. We sold them anyway. Nothing was thrown away. The pickles for the burgers were kept in a brine filled oak barrel in the rear of the store. My first couple of weeks there, we had an employee who thought it was hilarious to pee into the pickle barrel. He was finally caught by the manager and fired. I live in Florida today and know that the location became a Dairy Queen Brazier. I don't know what it is now. Next door to Sandy's was a clothing store where I remember getting a new suit when I was in highschool. And across Lake Street from there was a business called Caughy Carpet. My dad was a floor covering salesman in that store for about 15 years. Next door was Adams Furniture. My mom was a book keeper there there for several years. Also on Lake Street, across from Sheridan Village, I seem to remember a big retail store called Venture. Going east on Lake Street would bring us to Lou's Drive-In and those coney dogs, tamales and root beer. What a unique part of Peoria that area was. Mike

 

Thanks for the comment, I only have memories of Sandys on McClure
st., and I hate pickles lol..

 

Yes, hold the pickles please.

If anyone has pictures and/or memories of Sandy's please send them along! sandyshamburgers@yahoo.com Thanks! & thanks for remembering Sandy's on this website! - Rich