Howard Johnson’s in Greenwich Village

The show Mad Men reminded us all that Howard Johnson’s, that slice of mass-produced Americana, had a home in Greenwich Village in the mid-20th century, even as Greenwich Village was one of the spots in this country known for most visibly rejecting mass-produced Americana. Digging back we found scant but interesting  evidence of the chain’s time in the Village, including the fact that like much of mid-20th century Americana, Howard Johnson’s appeared to have a race problem — even in liberal/radical Greenwich Village.

The first Howard Johnson’s restaurant we found was located at 415 6th Avenue, at the corner of Greenwich Avenue.  Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York unearthed an advertisement for the restaurant in a 1955 issue of the Village Voice, showcasing its special Thanksgiving dinner menu….and boy was it a steal!  According to another historic Voice article, on May 9, 1963, the Chelsea-Greenwich Village Branch of the NAACP began picketing the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant at 415 Sixth Avenue, charging it with discriminatory hiring practices.  These pickets were taking place at Howard Johnson’s all over the country.

According to the Howard Johnson’s history blog, HoJoLand.com, there was a second location at the corner of 14th Street and 1st Avenue, although which corner it does not say.

While historic information on the Howard Johnsons of the Village appears to be sparse, GVSHP has been able to unearth some pretty surprising details about some other diners of historic interest in the Village.  Read our research about the possible location of the diner in the Village which may have served as the inspiration for Edward Hopper’s painting “Nighthawks” HERE.

Please share with us any recollections or stories you may have of either of the Village Howard Johnson’s or any other classic neighborhood diners!