The first Frostop Root Beer stand opened in Springfield, OH in 1926. The company expanded nationwide, reaching over 100 locations by 1958. By the 1960s, there were over 350 locations. Some previous known locations include: Birmingham, AL; Kirksville, MO; Bowling Green, OH; Perrysburg, OH; Marysville, OH; and Wood River, IL. In 1954, the chain expanded to the South with the first location there in Jefferson. Three other stands were built in New Orleans with other known Louisiana locations in Baton Rouge (three), Shreveport, La Place, Morgan City, Houma, Harahan, West Monroe, Mandeville, New Iberia, Crowley, and Chalmette. Three were built in Little Rock, AR. There were at least eight stands in Mississippi (Batesville, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Greenwood, Greenville, Picayune, and Jackson where there were two). There were at least two stands in Florida (Jacksonville & Bradenton). In the early 1960s, a stand was built in Winnipeg, Canada and others appeared elsewhere in the Northwest. The chain folded in the early 1980s. However, several stands still survive as shown below and continue to use the Frostop name although they are all independently owned. It is believed that the rotating mug signs were introduced in the 1954 at the Jefferson, LA location. The sheet metal mugs are about 14 feet tall. I don't believe any of the original mugs had neon. It is not known how many locations had these mug signs. It is also not clear which were originally installed on the roof and which were placed on poles. The locations shown in the pages that follow are organized alphabetically by state.

Alabama: Birmingham [photo thanks Tim Hollis] [vintage; gone]

Frostop
2008: North Little Rock, AR		2011: Carlisle, AR

The Frostop in North Little Rock had this giant mug on a platform in front of their building. In 2008, the restaurant moved to a shopping center nearby and the mug was sold. When these photos were taken in 2011, the mug was in storage and was about to be restored. It is installed on a trailer and will used for parades and special events.

Shipley Donuts Conway, AR

This Shipley Donuts sign was built as a modern Frostop sign. This shopping center Frostop was short-lived. By 2007, the location had become a Shipley Donuts and the sign was adapted with a new paint job and the addition of a donut. This photo is from 2010. By 2017, the mug had been repainted for the store's new name, Shimmery Donut. [map]

former Frostop Tucson, AZ 2008:

2012:

2017:

This former Frostop was here by 1972. The building housed the El Cachanilla Mexican restaurant when the first two photos were taken in 2008. The mug was painted as mug of Corona beer then. When the second two photos were taken in 2012, the building housed Three and a Half Brothers. The mug had been repainted as a mug of Hires Root Beer then. The restaurant closed and, by 2013, the building was housing the Wild Garlic Grill. The mug was repainted to resemble a mug of beer. Most of the front of the building was covered up. This mug is much smaller than those shown above. The handle is flat and the bottom is sealed. There is also no evidence of the attached foam piece on top. It may have been a local build based on the style of the other mugs. Or this may have been a later style of Frostop sign. In 2018, the building began housing Asian Sofrito. By 2022, the building was housing the Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe. The building had been repainted and the mug is now orange. [map]

former Frostop mug South Lake Tahoe, CA
2008:	2014:

This former Frostop Mug is located at the Burger Lounge. This mug was a slimmer version of the Frostop mugs shown above. I don't know if this mug came from somewhere else or if there was a Frostop here originally. [map]

former Frostop Twain Harte, CA 2017:

2025:

This former Frostop has another skinny mug. It was built in 1961. The building style is like those shown on the first page. The building now houses the Local Press restaurant. The mug was restored and repainted by the Twain Harte Cabin next door. It now reads Twain Harte, Heart of the Sierra. In 2024, the sign fell over in high winds. The owners of the Local Press plan to repair and reinstall it. [map]

More California: Greenfield [vintage; gone]

Frostop Ashton, ID

This Frostop was built in 1965. The giant mug still revolves. For more, see this website. [map]

Riggen's Frostop Chrisman, IL 2006:

2010:

2024:

This Frostop opened in 1954. This location features car hops who bring food to cars and the picnic tables. The is no indoor seating. The root beer concentrate is still from the original Frostop supplier. In 2010, a fire gutted the building but they reopened later that year. [map]

Frostop & Mugs page 2

Frostop & Mugs page 3

Giant Containers Main Page

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Copyright. All photos at this website are copyrighted and may only be used with my consent. This includes posting them at Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, other websites, personal use, etc. Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com.