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Golden Point

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Golden Point buildings had a distinctive 21-foot-tall gold towers. The buildigns were designed by Barancik and Conte. The chain was founded in 1958 with its headquarters in Chicago, IL. The first location was built in Highland, IN. There were at least eighty locations nationwide with eight Golden Points in the Chicago area. Other locations were built in California, Colorado, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and possibly other states. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

former Golden Point
Orlando, FL
This Golden Point in Orlando opened in 1960. It operated until at least 1970. The building now houses Station 441, a bar and check cashing place. The first Florida location was built in Winter Park in 1959. By mid-1960, there were other locations in Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. For more, see this website. [map]

former Golden Point
Hampton, VA		 former Golden Point
Warren, OH
This Golden Point in Hampton now houses Arnell's Barber & Hair Styling. This building was moved a few hundred yards back from its original location. City records indicate that this was a Gibson's at one time. I don't know which restaurant occupied the building first. The Gibson's chain was based in Bethesda, MD. There must have been some relationship between Golden Point and Gibson's since the companies' building styles were so similar. By 1963, Gibson's had locations in Wilmington, DE; Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; Norfolk, VA; Roanoke, VA; and Washington, DC. [map]

This Golden Point in Warren has been converted into the Mayfair Laundromat which is now part of a strip mall. The sign still retains the original shape. The original orange color is showing through the peeling paint. One of the "wings" of the original building is visible from the back. [map]

Murray's Market
Petersburg, VA
Records show that Murray's Market was built originally as a Gibson's. These photos are from 2005 and 2009. The building was vacant in 2015. By 2018, the building was housing King's Fish & Chicken. The building now houses Global Seafood. [first three photos thanks Robby Delius] [map]

former Golden Point
Brooklyn, OH
This former Golden Point was built in the 1960s. It housed "PDQ Hamburgers" from 1965-1975. It was occupied by Pat's Brooklyn Cleaners until 2015. Later, the building housed the Golden Pyramid jewelry store. It now houses Bulldog Ice Cream. [map]

former Golden Point [gone]
Elyria, OH		 former Golden Point
Dayton, OH
This former Golden Point in Elyria peeked out from the top of the Cabana restaurant which was closed when these photos were taken in 2009. The building was still vacant in 2013. It had been demolished by 2016. For more, see this website.

This former Golden Point in Dayton was last occupied by Shield's BBQ. The building is vacant now. For more, see this website. [map]

former Golden Point [gone]
Painesville, OH
This former Golden Point housed the Pizza Parlor from around 1977 until 2013. These photos are from 2010. The building was still there in 2013 but gone by 2015.

former Golden Point
Lockland, OH
This former Golden Point housed Little Learners when these photos were taken in 2012. The building now houses the Saving Grace Community Church. [map]

former Golden Point [gone]
Grand Island, NE

This Golden Point was home to Randy's Auto Sales, a used car dealer, when these photos were taken. It was one of the most intact Golden Points that I have seen. It even had what appeared to be the original blue canopy in front of the building. In 2006, there was talk of demolishing the building for road widening. Sure enough, in 2008, it was gone and Randy's had a new building. For more, see this website.

former Golden Point
Beloit, WI

This former Golden Point was built in 1958 as one of the earliest locations. By 1963, the name had been changed to the Circus Drive-in. I don't know if the double canopy was original. At some point, Dog n Suds menu boards were added to the drive-in lanes. I'm assuming that they got them from a closed Dog n Suds. I believe this place closed in 2017. It remains vacant. For more, see this website. [map]

former Golden Point [gone]
Aurora, CO

2008:
2012:
This former Golden Point housed Country Liquor in 2008. The building appeared to be vacant in 2012. By 2015, the building had been demolished.

former Golden Point [gone]
Denver, CO
The former Golden Point last housed the China Bowl Chinese restaurant. The building was boarded up in 2018. It was demolished around 2020.

There were also Golden Points in Boulder, CO and Greeley, CO. Both buildings are gone now.

former Golden Point [gone]
Oklahoma City, OK
This former Golden Point housed a Ku-Ku Drive-in by 1965. It closed in 1980. The owner, Bob Hahn, turned all five of his Golden Point locations in Oklahoma into Ku-Ku Drive-ins. In addition to this one, his locations were in Shawnee, Duncan, and two in Lawton. Only one building in Lawton survives. The pole sign at this Oklahoma City location is a match for the location in Miami, OK. The Oklahoma City sign looked like this originally (vintage photo credit Jacob McMichael). This Oklahoma City location housed T.J.'s Seafood in later years. The building was demolished in 2017. The sign is still there as of 2018.

former Golden Point
Warr Acres, OK
This former Golden Point houses A Plus Motors North when these photos were taken in 2011. By 2014, the building housed Payless Auto Sales. The roof bears a scar from where the steeple was removed. [map]

former Golden Point
Lansing, MI
This former Golden Point was built in 1959. The building housed D&D Automotive, a used car dealership, when these photos were taken in 2011. By 2015, the building had been painted blue and red and was housing Fast Finance Auto Sales. [map]

Subway
Independence, MO
This Subway location is a former Golden Point. This photo shows the wing-like structure on the side of this building which was unique to this chain. [map]

More Golden Points:
St. Petersburg, FL: 1, 2 [gone]
Tampa, FL [gone]
Chicago area [gone]
Mount Prospect, IL [first location in Chicago area, opened 1958; gone]
Rockford, IL [gone]
Cleveland, OH [gone]
Longview, TX: 1, 2 [gone]

Chip's Der
Wienerschnitzel		 Foxy's, Lodge Coffee Shops
& Hyatt Coffee Shoppes		 Griff's
Burger Bar
International
House of Pancakes		 Mister Swiss Village Inn
Pizza Parlor		 Whataburger Woody's
Smorgasburger		 More A-Frame
Chains

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