Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
GETTING READY — Taylor Forest, left, and Michelle Williams of Shelley’s Café are getting ready for the Friday night car hop service in downtown Houlton.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — At one time, the Houlton community enjoyed car hop hours on the weekends at York’s Dairy Bar and cramming in everyone that could possibly fit into one car to hit the Borderland Drive-in theater on the North Road.
“Since York’s Dairy Bar closed, Houlton has not had a fast food restaurant where you could drive up, put on your headlights and someone would appear to take your order, but that is soon to change,” said Jane Torres, executive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
Bangor is preparing to open a drive-in theater, while Houlton is getting ready to offer the infamous car hop hours at Shelley’s Café in Market Square.
Michelle Williams, owner of Shelley’s Café, is hoping to create traffic and energy in the downtown.
The whole idea of car hopping came about through the circulation of an old photograph of downtown Houlton on Facebook.
“Did you see all the people down there?” she asked. “There wasn’t a parking spot empty.”
So, Williams threw the idea of car hopping to her helper, Taylor Forest, in hopes of creating an atmosphere that would entice more people into the downtown.
Shelly’s Café will be offering car hop service each Friday night from 5-7 p.m.
“Michelle thought it might be a fun addition for Friday evenings in Market Square and is not afraid to try something new, “Torres added. “She is hoping to draw Temple Theater goers, folks out for an evening drive or simply people who want to people-watch while they wait for their food.”
Though Shelley’s Café has a full menu of homemade items, the car hop menu will consist of more fast-foods such as cheeseburger, hamburger or bacon cheeseburger baskets, lobster or clam roll baskets, steak and cheese, chicken finger, chicken wing, hot dog, barbecue chicken or BLT baskets. Shelley’s Café will be offering milkshakes on that night, as well.
William’s husband, Danny, will cook all the burgers on a barbecue grill out back of the café, while Williams and crew will be busy taking orders in the restaurant, as well as on the street during car-hop hours.
Shelley’s Café crew will have matching outfits, but unfortunately, no roller skates like in the 60s at the malt shops.
“I thought we would break our necks,” laughed Williams. “But, I am hoping the car hop draws some people in.”
Anyone wanting car hop service will park in the right-hand lane coming into Market Square by the café and keep their lights on.
“We will come out and get their order,” said Williams. “It shouldn’t be a long wait, probably 10 to 15-minutes. I thought it would be cool and no one else offers the service.”
Williams noted that if anyone has any ideas on how to make the car-hop run smoother to call the Café at 227-8997.
Beals Variety will also be open for shoppers, as well.
