BUSINESS: Hat Creek LOCATION: Burnet Road, Austin, Texas USED TO BE AN: Arby’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: These guys were up hat creek without a paddle ’til they found an empty Arby’s just waiting for them to move in. PHOTO: Eric Kennedy
Original Restaurant: ( All Restaurants )
BUSINESS: Klub Cirok LOCATION: Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Red Lobster CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Sure hope they kept the lobster tank for the VIP lounge. PHOTO: Robert G. Anderson
BUSINESS: Family Pancake House LOCATION: Illinois Avenue, Dallas, Texas USED TO BE AN: International House of Pancakes CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Taking a more local focus. PHOTO: Eric Kennedy
BUSINESS: Kettering Chiropractic Center LOCATION: Kettering, Ohio USED TO BE A: Ponderosa CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: This Ponderosa-turned-chiropractor is great in a pinch if you can’t get to a nearby KFC-turned-chiropractor. PHOTO: Nathaniel Kaelin
BUSINESS: Biggby Coffee LOCATION: Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan USED TO BE AN: Arby’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Because a good cup of coffee was an important element of the pioneer days. PHOTO: Suzanne Schimanski-Gross
BUSINESS: Great Lakes Dive Center LOCATION: Van Dyke between 21 & 22 Mile Roads, Utica, Michigan USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Saved so much money not having to buy and install their own pier motifs! PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner
BUSINESS: Tony’s Coney Island LOCATION: Groesbeck Highway, Mount Clemens, Michigan USED TO BE AN: Arthur Treacher’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Really wanna know what Tony changed his mind about on the lantern sign up there. PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner
BUSINESS: Five Star Country Kitchen LOCATION: Groesbeck Highway, Mount Clemens, Michigan USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Are we sure this wasn’t a Mexican restaurant in between? PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner
BUSINESS: House of Reuben LOCATION: Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: House of Reuben trumps Bell of Taco any day in my book! PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner
BUSINESS: Bay Cities National Bank LOCATION: Manhattan Beach, California USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Money your way, right away. PHOTO: Matt Shevin
BUSINESS: China King Express LOCATION: 1-94 & Belleville Road, Belleville, Michigan USED TO BE A: Howard Johnson’s Restaurant CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: No snark here. This is freakin’ inspired! PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner
BUSINESS: Kumo Sushi LOCATION: Waterbury, Connecticut USED TO BE A: Wendy’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: So much of America believes icicle lights can fix anything. PHOTO: Roger Katz
BUSINESS: Greek Corner LOCATION: San Diego, California USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Hellenic color scheme does not succeed in drawing the eye away from the DQ ovoids. PHOTO: Carl Gustafson
Body Elements Beauty & Tanning
BUSINESS: Body Elements Beauty & Tanning LOCATION: South Walker Street, Princeton, West Virginia USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: [insert chicken heat lamp joke] PHOTO: Andrew Turnbull
BUSINESS: Dino’s Sub LOCATION: Amsterdam, New York USED TO BE A: Quizno’s Sub CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I’m not sure what Dino did with the Q, U, and Z, but I hope it involved a triple word score. PHOTO: Nick Constantino
BUSINESS: Hot Dog Truck LOCATION: Spotted in Hoboken, New Jersey USED TO BE A: US Mail Delivery Truck CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Arguably more important a public service than the USPS nowadays. PHOTO: Jack Silbert
BUSINESS: Dimple Donuts LOCATION: 21st & Gage, Topeka, Kansas USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: So cute you just wanna pinch their widdle cheeks. PHOTO: Christy Cheray
BUSINESS: Boer Chiropractic LOCATION: 21st & Gage Streets, Topeka, Kansas USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: We have uncovered a dust-bowl-based-KFC-to-chiropractor phenomenon. You’re welcome. PHOTO: Christy Cheray
BUSINESS: Subway/Tank Aquariums LOCATION: Pacific Highway, Belmont, NSW, Australia USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Because two bad conversions are better than one! Plus that fresh-baked-bread mixed with fish food smell is so hard to resist. PHOTO: Stew Raper
BUSINESS: Pearle Vision Center LOCATION: Hicksville, New York USED TO BE A: McDonald’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If your vision is good enough, you can see just where the arches used to be. PHOTO: Robert Gerard
BUSINESS: Highland Florist LOCATION: Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: At least I’m not the one who has to look themselves in the mirror after sending a funeral flower arrangement from a Taco Bell. PHOTO:
BUSINESS: La Gondola Spaghetti House LOCATION: North Water Street, Decatur, Illinois USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Hey who wants to come over for a GIANT BUCKET OF SPAGHETTI????? PHOTO: Michael R. Allen & Claire Nowak-Boyd
BUSINESS: Church’s Fried Chicken LOCATION: Merrill Road, Jacksonville, Florida USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Giant yellow signs so distracting you may have momentarily forgotten about pizza. PHOTO: Tommy Higgins
BUSINESS: China Bowl Express LOCATION: San Antonio, Texas USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Chinese restaurant includes “sushiscape” in place of former playscape. PHOTO: Discovery Gerdes
BUSINESS: Allstar Donuts LOCATION: Berkeley, California USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Where donuts, not design, are the star of the show. I hope. PHOTO: Jeff Stendec
BUSINESS: Gaston’s Auto Sales LOCATION: Saint Catharine’s, Ontario USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Makes ya feel just a little more confident in that used car purchase, doesn’t it? PHOTO: Rob Antonishen
BUSINESS: Turpin’s Car Wash LOCATION: Auburn, California USED TO BE AN: A&W CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: It used to be an A&W, now it’s a gas station without the gas. PHOTO: Lunar Shadows
BUSINESS: American School of Jewelry LOCATION: Sunrise, Florida USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Truly a diamond in the rough! PHOTO: Chris & Allison Atkinson
BUSINESS: California Welcome Center LOCATION: Lincoln Way, Auburn, California USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: For those who have just mysteriously arrived in landlocked Placer County, California, the state would like to welcome you from this abandoned KFC. PHOTO: Lunar Shadows
BUSINESS: Filiberto’s LOCATION: Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Not just a Dairy Queen conversion but part of the great legacy of Alberto’s/Roberto’s/Norberto’s/Alanberto’s/ Julioberto’s taco copycats across the Southwestern US! PHOTO: Brian Torwelle
BUSINESS: Little Caesars Pizza LOCATION: River Oaks, Texas USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: This Mexican-turned-Italian restaurant may seem very exotic, but the parking lot streamers and American flags are here to remind you we’re still in Texas. PHOTO: David
BUSINESS: Hunan’s Express LOCATION: Corpus Christi, Texas USED TO BE A: Wienerschnitzel CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Replaced hot dogs with foo dog. PHOTO: B. Frame
BUSINESS: Dippin Donuts LOCATION: SE 82nd, Portland, Oregon USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Cos, y’know, uh, sometimes you don’t really feel like dunking…just, uh…dipping. PHOTO: George Helewa
BUSINESS: Zap of Fresno LOCATION: Mackenzie & Abby, Fresno, California USED TO BE AN: Arby’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: “Hello? Is this Zap of Fresno? Do you have anything fuel-efficient in a covered wagon right now?” PHOTO: Daniel F.
BUSINESS: Enterprise LOCATION: Auburn, AL USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: When they pick you up, see if they can bring a pizza. PHOTO: David Thornton
BUSINESS: China Star LOCATION: Chili Boulevard, Rochester, New York USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: The streamers, the floodlights, the Chinese characters—this conversion really is a star! PHOTO: Dan Varenka
BUSINESS: Burrito Station LOCATION: Halsted & Volmer, Chicago Heights, Illinois USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still serves tacos, but the idea of arriving trainloads of burritos has me very eager to learn more. PHOTO: David Aldridge
BUSINESS: Cash Advance LOCATION: Tulsa, Oklahoma USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Look, they said “cash” advance, not “architectural design” advance. PHOTO: Gary & Aric
BUSINESS: Little Caesars Pizza LOCATION: Redford, Michigan USED TO BE A: Wendy’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Unique and almost fancy Little Caesar’s dine-in experience thwarted by HOT-N-READY signs and…what are those yellow things? PHOTO: Jim & Sue McClear
BUSINESS: Courtesy Ford LOCATION: Syracuse, New York USED TO BE A: Friendly’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If you can’t be friendly any longer, at least be courteous. PHOTO: Rachel & David Tarr
BUSINESS: Midway Hollow LOCATION: Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas USED TO BE A: Denny’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Disjointedly “woodsy” sounding name tries to soften the blow of this terrifying looking veterinarian. PHOTO: Gary & Aric
BUSINESS: Our Cleaner World LOCATION: Abrams Rd., Dallas, Texas USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Great name for a dry cleaner, an indie-pop album, or a Burger King. PHOTO: Gary & Aric
BUSINESS: Cafe Espresso Donuts LOCATION: Renton, Washington USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I was going to stop at a regular donut shop but this one with espresso looks so upscale. PHOTO: Jon Madison
BUSINESS: Limp Lizard Lounge LOCATION: Syracuse, New York USED TO BE A: Wendy’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If your lizard’s not limp before you get there, it will be by the time you leave. It may also be scaly. PHOTO: Rachel & David Tarr
BUSINESS: 8 Tracks Tavern LOCATION: Syracuse, New York USED TO BE A: Friendly’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I realize some may not consider Syracuse to be on the leading edge, but a watering hole solely dedicated to 8 tracks? Pretty much the ultimate hipster move.
BUSINESS: Mi Pueblito LOCATION: Pasadena, Texas USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Mi Pueblito takes the higher ground here by doing almost nothing, and gives the visual nightmare of a Taco Bell/Long John’s combo next door (such betrayal!) enough rope to hang
BUSINESS: Jilberto’s Mexican & Sea Food LOCATION: Dallas, Texas USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Suddenly incredibly festive pink makes me crave fish tacos. A success! (Bonus points for being a -berto.) PHOTO: Gary & Aric
Waffle Palace Cyber Cafe Restaurant
BUSINESS: Waffle Palace LOCATION: Southlake Parkway, Morrow, Georgia USED TO BE A: Waffle House CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: These ambitious cybernauts have upgraded a mere house of waffles into a palace—simply by changing the sign. Ingenious! PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Coffee Time LOCATION: Saint Clair and Caledonia, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Harvey’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: In quintessential Coffee Time non-style, they have done basically nothing here. Nice hamburger sign! NOTE: You may also enjoy this website. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Baskin Robbins LOCATION: Airport Highway, Toledo, Ohio USED TO BE A: White Castle CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: This is certainly one of the most, um, regal Baskin Robbins stores around! PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: New Orleans Seafood LOCATION: Detroit Street, Cleveland, Ohio USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Handsome red-and-white planter boxes incorporated nicely into Cajun, as opposed to Kentucky, color scheme. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Original Pancake House LOCATION: Union Road at Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, New York USED TO BE A: Ponderosa CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Please pay special attention to the pole-mounted (ex-Pondo) sign and the ingenious placement of the word “house”. PHOTO: Liz
BUSINESS: Huntington Learning Center LOCATION: Union Road at Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, New York USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If you want to get high school kids to pay to study for the SAT, you could
BUSINESS: Enterprise LOCATION: Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia USED TO BE AN: Arthur Treacher’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Oh, so sad! They took down the lantern! But it’s great that it’s more convenient to rent cars than eat fast food nowadays. Or…is it? PHOTO: Carl
BUSINESS: Orlando’s Mexican Grill LOCATION: Clear Lake, Houston, Texas USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Relied on the trusty “put shutters up and pretend the windows weren’t trapezoids” method. NOTES: Also converted from El Lago Burrito Company PHOTO: Douglas Cudd
BUSINESS: Budget Rent a Car LOCATION: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia USED TO BE A: Captain D’s Seafood CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Drive-thrus for cars, by cars. It’s kind of mindblowing. PHOTO: Randall Smith
BUSINESS: Oriental Kitchen LOCATION: Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Well, no, not really. PHOTO: Jim Early at Columbus Restaurant History
BUSINESS: Thai Town Express LOCATION: Hollywood Blvd. and Western, Los Angeles, California USED TO BE A: Red’s Hot Dogs CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Nothing quite says Thai cuisine like a huge fiberglass hot dog with onions! (P.S. Dear Thai Town: please never take that
BUSINESS: Cafe Mingo LOCATION: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California USED TO BE A: McDonald’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Stripped the fiberglass arches and added “You tried the rest…Now try the best!” slogan for uniqueness. PHOTO: Doc
BUSINESS: First on Queensway LOCATION: Queensway, Prince George, British Columbia USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: It’s truly amazing how versatile the standard Pizza Hut store is. PHOTO: Douglas Koyama
BUSINESS: Marino’s Seafood LOCATION: Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio USED TO BE AN: Arthur Treacher’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Didn’t even have to clean the grease traps. PHOTO: Jim Early at Columbus Restaurant History
BUSINESS: China Buffet LOCATION: Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachussets USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Once again, not even trying to fool anybody. Sigh. PHOTO: Don Small
BUSINESS: Ruby House LOCATION: Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachussets USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Painted the roof ruby. And they have a US mailbox for some reason. PHOTO: Don Small
BUSINESS: Quality 1 Auto LOCATION: Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, Georgia USED TO BE A: Sonic CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Even more festive than an IHOP turned into a used car dealership! PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Los Compadres LOCATION: Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Sonic CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Is it Los Compadres or Los Cabos? Oh well, why not have more than one name? PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Basket Rabbit LOCATION: Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Baskin Robbins CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Could I please just get a cone…hold the rabbit? PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Athens Pizza LOCATION: Clairmont Road, Decatur, Georgia USED TO BE AN: Arby’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I think it woulda looked more Greek if they’da left the ten-gallon hat. PHOTO: Greg Germani at Atlanta Time Machine
BUSINESS: River Bend LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham, Texas USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen (ya think?) CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Good lord! None. PHOTO: Nigel Gripp
BUSINESS: China Palace LOCATION: Collins Rd and Strickland St, Lakeland, Florida USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I’ve never thought of a KFC as palatial, but if you say so. PHOTO: Brad Hissing
BUSINESS: Typhoon of Tokyo LOCATION: Dayton Blvd at Morrison Springs Rd, Red Bank, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Bojangles CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Whoa! This Bojangles looks like it was hit by a typhoon! PHOTO: Chris Hardesty
BUSINESS: Regal Cleaners LOCATION: Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Bojangles CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Dudes, you left up the poles that used to hold up the word “Bojangles”. Some royalty. PHOTO: Chris Hardesty
Des Moines Police Traffic Unit
BUSINESS: Des Moines Police Traffic Unit LOCATION: Forest Ave, Des Moines, Iowa USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Oh my god! They turned a Pizza Hut into a Cop Shop! What, there were no abandoned Dunkin’ Donuts stores
BUSINESS: Chicago Style Gyros LOCATION: Harding Road near I-24, Nashville, TN USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Now, I’m from Chicago, and I have to say it was not really our style to serve gyros out of a seafood
BUSINESS: River City Donuts LOCATION: Research Blvd. near Ohlen, Austin, Texas USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Reused all old interior signs but cut out or stickered over old Dunkin’ Donuts logo! (See detail) PHOTO: Kelly Vaccaro
BUSINESS: Mann’s BBQ LOCATION: Research Blvd. near Ohlen, Austin, Texas USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Maroon exterior is both convincingly jarring as well as reminiscent of BBQ sauce. Not bad! PHOTO: Kelly Vaccaro
BUSINESS: Aurora Donuts LOCATION: Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, Washington USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: The weirdest thing about this conversion is that the brand-partnered Baskin Robbins store is still there next to it! (Also, did they reuse that pink
BUSINESS: Taco John’s LOCATION: US 212, Watertown, South Dakota USED TO BE A: Wendy’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: They sneakily replaced Wendy with John, but otherwise I’m totally not buying it. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: The Castle Jeweler (and Castle Accordion Store!) LOCATION: 33rd and Lyndale, Minneapolis, Minnesota USED TO BE A: White Castle CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: This is not a bad conversion but rather a totally bizarre conversion. The Castle Jeweler pays homage to the slider
BUSINESS: Pineda Tacos #2 LOCATION: Lake Street at Highland, Minneapolis, Minnesota USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Managed to tear off Pizza Hut lettering only to find it left marks. Then they threw some white paint up top,
BUSINESS: Disco Diner LOCATION: North Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia USED TO BE AN: International House of Pancakes CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still claims to have best breakfast in town….disco style. PHOTO: Greg Germani at Atlanta Time Machine
BUSINESS: Lee’s Market LOCATION: High Street, Columbus, Ohio USED TO BE AN: International House of Pancakes CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Retains “international” feel. PHOTO: Paul Nini
BUSINESS: Northeastern Title LOCATION: US 13, New Castle, Delaware USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Painted it yellow to make it look more Mexican. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
Hang’s Express Chinese Restaurant
BUSINESS: Hang’s Express Chinese Restaurant LOCATION: US 13, Dover, Delaware USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Actually I can still see the post-holes where the old DQ sign used to hang on the front. I guess Hang did
BUSINESS: Rodeway Inn LOCATION: Memorial Drive, New Castle, Delaware USED TO BE A: Days Inn CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Dudes…we can all see that sun! Don’t try and distract us with your “specail” offers! PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Main Street Medical LOCATION: Main Street, Athol, Massachussets USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Podiatry is now on the menu at this former home of the Whopper! PHOTO: Don Small
BUSINESS: Sak & Run Foods LOCATION: Danforth Avenue near Main Street, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: 7-11 CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: An ingenious conversion that manages to rip off local convenience chain Sak’s while clearly being an ex-7-11. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Reggies Hair Nails LOCATION: North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Hardee’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Hair nails sounds almost as unappetizing as a “Thickburger”. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: England Piano LOCATION: I-85 Access Road, Atlanta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Waffle House CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: “We have got to make sure everyone travelling on the interstate knows where the nearest EZ-ON EZ-OFF piano store is!” P.S. Nice keys… that’s more
BUSINESS: Oasis Pool & Spa LOCATION: Canton Road, Marietta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If they can smooth out the hump in that rooftop, imagine how nice your in-ground calzone-shaped pool will look! PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: The Hobby Store LOCATION: George Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw, Georgia USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: The Pizza Hut lunch buffet is like a hobby to some, so this is a fairly natural transition. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Exterior Connections LOCATION: Main Street, Woodstock, Georgia USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: “I don’t know that I’d trust a business that does exteriors when they managed to make a Pizza Hut even uglier.” —David Hornbuckle PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Cars to Go LOCATION: Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, Georgia USED TO BE A: Hardee’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: There is still a drive-thru! These cars are truly “to go”! Also: that specials board is just aching for a combo deal. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Beef O’Brady’s LOCATION: Highway 92, Woodstock, Georgia USED TO BE A: Hardee’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: What can I say? The Irish are known for their meat, right? PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: American Deli LOCATION: Church Street, Decatur, Georgia USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If by “American” you mean North American, as in including Mexico, well, then, maybe. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle
BUSINESS: Scarborough Funeral Centre LOCATION: Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut…and before that, a Ponderosa!!! CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I guess the direct chain from fast food to funeral home is sort of uh, poignant. (Pizza Hut,
BUSINESS: Oreck Floor Care Center LOCATION: US Rte 1, Saugus, Massachussets USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Without a doubt, a great deal of floor cleaning was required before anyone could move into this ancient KFC. PHOTO: Don Small
BUSINESS: Peking Malaysia LOCATION: Route 35, Shrewsbury, New Jersey USED TO BE A: Friendly’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Bricked-up the front door and moved capital of China to Malaysia. Innovative! PHOTO: Ralph Brandi
BUSINESS: Capt’n Joes Galley LOCATION: Andrews Road, Murphy, North Carolina USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: The nautical blue paint job is nice, but the, uh, Capt’n’s ideas about apostrophes are truly baffling. PHOTO: Ernest Paik
BUSINESS: Shanghai Express LOCATION: Armenia Avenue at Tampa Bay Boulevard, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: You can take the cupola off of the roof, but I can still smell the hush puppies! PHOTO: Brad Hissing
BUSINESS: Churrasco Gaucho LOCATION: Florida Avenue north of Waters Avenue, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE AN: Arby’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I have always wanted to see a converted Arby’s. I’m a little disappointed. PHOTO: Brad Hissing
BUSINESS: Canton Chinese LOCATION: Florida Avenue north of Busch Boulevard, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Took a big step and replaced the “round rect” store sign with actual rectangle! PHOTO: Brad Hissing
BUSINESS: Quest Autos LOCATION: Florida Avenue north of Waters Avenue, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE AN: International House of Pancakes CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I’ll have the ’99 Explorer with a side of peach compote and a half carafe of juice, thanks! PHOTO: Brad
BUSINESS: Boston Grill LOCATION: Florida Avenue at Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Palm trees, stucco roof, arched windows left intact to conjure up image of good old Beantown. PHOTO: Brad Hissing
BUSINESS: Veggie Castle LOCATION: Church Avenue at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York USED TO BE A: White Castle CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: An impressive conversion from one kind of restaurant to its culinary antithesis. PHOTO: Mike Epstein
BUSINESS: Gilstrap Chiropractic LOCATION: 71st and Elm Streets, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Um, Mr. Gilstrap… I don’t know how to tell you this… but there’s a giant bucket of chicken attached to your sign! Winner of
BUSINESS: Eggroll Street LOCATION: 71st and Elm Streets, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma USED TO BE A: Burger Street CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Whoa! What the heck street are we on, anyway!? PHOTO: Lee Sanders
BUSINESS: Marbie’s Donuts LOCATION: Corning, New York USED TO BE A: Dunkin’ Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Kept up orange-and-magenta color scheme for sign. Marbie’s got balls! NOTE: After this was taken, Marbie’s was converted BACK to a Dunkin’ Donuts! PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Back in the Day Soul Food LOCATION: 8 Mile Road, Ferndale, Michigan USED TO BE A: Little Caesars Pizza CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Nice use of stencilled lettering in mysterious circle on building. But get a new drive-thru awning fer chrissakes! PHOTO: Doug
BUSINESS: Monte Vista Liquors LOCATION: Phoenix, Arizona USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Convenient adaptation of drive-thru for alcohol purposes—very Ohio. PHOTO: Doc
BUSINESS: Honey Bear’s BBQ LOCATION: Phoenix, Arizona USED TO BE AN: International House of Pancakes CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Patio seating a nice touch. PHOTO: Doc
BUSINESS: Best of Philly Cheesesteaks LOCATION: Phoenix, Arizona USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Unbelievable adaptation of clearly visible taco-style bell on sign. NOTE: Next door to converted IHOP! I love Arizona. PHOTO: Doc
BUSINESS: Tuptim Thai LOCATION: Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, Michigan USED TO BE A: Long John Silver’s CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I am sorry to report they did take out the Captain’s Bell. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Furusato Sushi LOCATION: Essa Road, Barrie, Ontario USED TO BE A: Greek restaurant of some kind. CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Sushi…now, with Greek flair! PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Rosie’s Xpress Take Out & Deli LOCATION: Brock Street, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: KFC CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: That awning could use some more yellow paint, eh Rosie? PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Quality Properties LOCATION: Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan USED TO BE A: Burger King CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: You almost don’t notice it’s a Burger King. Almost. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Master Donut LOCATION: Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario USED TO BE A: Mister Donut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: More assertive “Master” seems to have successfully attracted the biker crowd. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
Icescapes Ices & Frozen Treats
BUSINESS: IceScapes Ices & Frozen Treats LOCATION: Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, Michigan USED TO BE A: Hot’N’Now CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still looks like Hot’N’Now. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Hungry Howie’s Pizza LOCATION: Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: They actually knocked out the brick arches and made square windows here. NOTE: Wedged between a converted Burger King AND a converted 7-11! PHOTO: Liz
BUSINESS: Hastie Market LOCATION: Oshawa, Ontario USED TO BE A: Hasty Market CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Sloppy work, people. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Harty Market LOCATION: O’Connor Avenue, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Hasty Market CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: They got the awning real dirty so we wouldn’t notice. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Gino’s East LOCATION: Wells & Ontario Streets, Chicago, Illinois USED TO BE A: Planet Hollywood CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Zilch. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
Fortune House Super Deluxe Chinese Buffet
BUSINESS: Fortune House Super Deluxe Chinese Buffet LOCATION: US 20 & US 421, Michigan City, IN USED TO BE A: Ponderosa CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still a buffet! PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: County Side LOCATION: Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Country Style Donut CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: I’m sorry, what the hell is a County Side? PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Country Site Cafe LOCATION: Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Country Style Donuts CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still looks kinda like “Country Style” if you maybe can’t read. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Coffee Time LOCATION: Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Coffee Time stores all look ridiculous and un-uniform, so this is as good as any. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Chinese Hut LOCATION: Kennedy and Ellesmere, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Pizza Hut, duh! CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Excellent re-use of the word “hut”. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Big Bites Ice Cream & Burgers LOCATION: Kingston Road, Toronto, Ontario USED TO BE A: Dairy Queen CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Continued implementation of well-proven “frosty treats served in barn” ideology. PHOTO: Liz Clayton
BUSINESS: Al Noor Mediterranean Cuisine LOCATION: Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Made use of arched windows to evoke Middle Eastern feel. PHOTO: Liz Clayton