A brief history of JJ Hilsinger (and his chickens)

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA'S WATER TOWER INN

************************* Garage sale offers many Saultites a glance back at hospitality history Staff at Algoma’s Water Tower Inn have been digging through a treasure trove of memorabilia this past week, stored over the past 47 years since entrepreneur J.J. Hilsinger started his first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant under the city’s old water tower.

“We just sent down a box of old photos of Sault Ste Marie to the museum,” says General Manager Donna Hilsinger.” It’s time…we’re getting rid of it all in a huge garage sale that starts Thursday.”

Saultites of not so tender years might just catch a glimpse of themselves in one of the many photos for sale that have adorned the walls of JJ’s Family Fare, the Athletic Club, the Sawmill, Ripples, and Jimmy John’s.

Many can look back at employment or enjoyment in the years since 1964.

They just might catch a glimpse of themselves in some of the old images.

JJ’s Family Fare was the first KFC eatery in the Sault, and the Colonel’s chicken was always referred to as “JJ’s chicken."

Many folk will remember enjoying the live bands at the Sawmill Lounge, which eventually became Jimmy John’s Mill, The Lone Star, and in 2008, Casey’s Grill Bar and The Pub.

The Granary was a smaller fine dining restaurant in the 80s, before The Pavilion was built.

Ripples was a lobby lounge with Friday night entertainment.

“There will be some memorabilia and collectibles at the sale,” says Donna, “but we’ve been renovating all of our rooms and there’s a large quantity of good furnishings.”

The sales start Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and go through to Saturday.

Location is at the large shed behind Algoma’s Water Tower Inn, accessible from Old Garden River Road.

PHOTO CAPTION: Colonel Harland Sanders visits JJ's Kentucky Fried Chicken on Great Northern Road. Circa 1964.

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