El Rio, TraveLodge – icons of The Strip | Multi-pane postcard recalls the era of fine dining and entertainment in Trumbull County.
El Rio – El Rio was located at 4256 Youngstown-Warren Road SE in Warren. The restaurant, also known as Fiore’s El Rio, hailed from the era of fine dining and live entertainment on The Strip. The district roughly began at the Brown Derby at Central Parkway and extended southeast on Route 422 to Alberini’s in Niles. Contemporaries of El Rio included Abruzzi’s Cafe 422, Alberini’s, Cherry’s Top of the Mall, the Flamingo, the Living Room, and others. The Strip thrived in the era of Kenley Players, Packard Electric, and vastly different laws and attitudes toward drinking. During its heyday, the district was a focal point for fine dining, live entertainment and Mahoning Valley nightlife.
Travelodge (formerly TraveLodge) – Who remembers Sleepy Bear? TraveLodge’s memorable mascot was introduced in the early 1950s and used in advertising and marketing. The motel chain was founded in San Diego in the early 1940s and is owned by Wyndham Hotels. In 2006, parent Cendant Corp. spun off its hotel services, which included Travelodge. The new entity became Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
Some interesting facts, via the Wyndham Hotels website: Founder and building contractor Scott King opened the King’s Auto Court motel in San Diego to coincide with the 1935 World’s Fair. Over the next five years, King opened 24 locations across Southern California. In 1940, Scott opened the first motel named TraveLodge. In 1954, the hotel chain introduced its mascot, Sleepy Bear.
Find more iconic Valley restaurants and night spots in this matchbook photo album:
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