Flavorland
Ran across this ad for Flavorland in a Schenectady Gazette from 1977.
Flavorland was pretty much the same as Friendly’s, slightly upgraded
diner food and an extensive ice cream menu. It must have been a chain or
franchise; I remember the one at Mayfair (or was it the neighboring
Willowbrook) on Route 50 in Glenville, one of the earliest of the
suburban strip plazas. But there were locations on Altamont Avenue, I
think on Nott Street, and probably a couple of other places. Whether it
was just regional or national, I haven’t learned, and I don’t know when
it died out, though it seems as if several of the locations became
Friendly’s. Don’t know much more about it, but seeing that old logo (which was exactly how their sign looked) brought me back.
Flavorland was pretty much the same as Friendly’s, slightly upgraded
diner food and an extensive ice cream menu. It must have been a chain or
franchise; I remember the one at Mayfair (or was it the neighboring
Willowbrook) on Route 50 in Glenville, one of the earliest of the
suburban strip plazas. But there were locations on Altamont Avenue, I
think on Nott Street, and probably a couple of other places. Whether it
was just regional or national, I haven’t learned, and I don’t know when
it died out, though it seems as if several of the locations became
Friendly’s. Don’t know much more about it, but seeing that old logo (which was exactly how their sign looked) brought me back.
I remember the Flavorland near Willowbrook Plaza in Glenville. It was perpendicular to the shopping center, which had Grant’s, Carls’ & Price Chopper then. Eventually Grant’s went out of business, and Price Chopper expanded by moving into its old space. I don’t recall ever eating at Flavorland, as I was only in Glenville until age 11 and rarely got to eat even at Friendly’s. I’ve also read about another Flavorland near Niskayuna High School. I think that the whole Flavorland chain is gone now, and now I’ve heard that the Friendly’s in Glenville has closed. Too bad! I love getting the Watermelon Sherbet Cooler/Slam when I visit.
Yes, that was one Flavorland. I think there at least one other, in Rotterdam, and for a while the restaurant portion of Ripps Pharmacy in the village of Scotia also was a Flavorland. I think you’re right about Niskayuna, too. Flavorland and Friendly’s were almost indistinguishable at the time, and in fact I think the Flavorland in Rotterdam became a Friendly’s. Friendly’s had a major contraction about two years ago, and I think at last count there were only five left in the Capital District, but they do still exist!.
My family eat at Flavorland in the 70s. I’m trying to find it on Google Maps. What was Flavorland’s address?
I believe it was in Willowbrook Plaza, on Route 50 just north of Van Buren. That has all been redeveloped, and I don’t believe the building still exists.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g88uMH2QzG4jHEzn9
While I was in highschool back in the 70’s, I worked for three summers as a busboy/dishwasher/sodajerk at the Flavorland in Niskayuna. It was within walking distance of where I lived, but I rode my bike.
Loved the job, worked my butt off all the time.
Was hired by one of the Brother’s of the family that ran the restaurants. (can’t remember the name)
Hated the Sister that did the scheduling, she was always yelling at the waitresses and the guys in the kitchen. The waitresses loved me because I was very diligent about keeping their areas clean and they shared a little of their tips with me.
My last year with them, she started scheduling me to work a four hour shift in the morning to open and then come back for three hours at night to close. (I was 17 and going to CBA over in Albany at the time)
When my Mom called and complained to her that those hours were ridiculous, she tried to transfer me to the Rotterdam location by the Carl Company store on Altamont Ave. (about a 30 minute trip on my bike)
Mom called the Brother who was actually the Operating Manager and talked to him about it.
He cancelled the transfer and told the sister that he would be doing my scheduling from then on.
She didn’t really work out of the Niskayuna location, but every time she came in and saw me after that, she would demand I stop what I was doing and do some stupid task for her.
I finally had enough of her and quit at the end of my Jr. year at CBA and got another job.
Good memories and bad . . thanks for sharing!