Douglas institution to close after 30 years


Published/Last Modified on Saturday, December 15, 2007 3:08 PM MST


The bright yellow neon sign will soon be dark after Sonic Drive-In announced it will be closing its doors  for good on Monday, December 17, at 9 p.m.


Sonic Drive-In, located a 1855 10th Street, will close for the final time at 9 p.m. Monday.

Sonic has been a fixture in Douglas for more than 30 years, and has been a favorite stop by high school students, families, law enforcement and anyone just looking for a quick drink or bite.

Employees were notified this week of the closing. Owner Floyd Bergen owns the Sonics in Douglas and Sierra Vista nd has been trying to sell the restaurants for some time. He sold the Sierra Vista store, but the new owner did not want to take on the Douglas responsibility. Bergen does not want to run just the one store and has decided to close this Douglas institution.

Background

Sonic Drive-In began in the United Stgates in 1953.

SONIC is parked in a very prominent place in the annals of drive-in history. Not only did it develop innovations in the drive-in concept, but are one of the few remaining drive-in chains left in America. In an industry overwrought with automation, SONIC keeps the personal touch. Carhops still deliver food prepared-to-order right to your car.

In 1953, Troy Smith, the founder of SONIC and World War II veteran, was living in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Troy’s dream was to own his own business. In fact, he had already tried his hand at running a restaurant...twice.

Troy’s first venture was a tiny diner with 12 stools and four booths called the Cottage Cafe. It was barely large enough to make a living for his wife and two children. He sold it and bought a bigger place.

Troy’s Panful of Chicken was so successful that Troy tried opening more of them. Unfortunately, the fried chicken concept didn’t fly in early 1950s Oklahoma, and Troy’s Panful of Chicken faded quietly away.

What didn’t fade was Troy’s desire to own a restaurant. His ultimate dream was to run a fancy steak house in Shawnee. And, for a while, he did.

The lot where Troy’s steak house sat also had a root beer stand. Troy meant to tear it down to add more parking for the steak house. Until he got around to it, he figured the root beer stand could make him a little extra pocket change.

In a twist of fate, the humble Top Hat Drive-In, as the root beer stand was called, proved to be more profitable, and outlasted the steak house.

And Sonic was born.

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    E&E wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:03 AM:

    " Now that Sonic is closed, more and more teenagers won't have anything to do. Resulting in an increasing amount of delinquent teens. "

    john wrote on Dec 18, 2007 9:35 AM:

    " i think they shouldnt close because a lot of people eat there and work there. "

    Burger lover wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:11 AM:

    " I really hope someone will see that Sonic is a good business and take it over. The food there is a very good variety and quality. There have been many upgrades to the menu. It is unique in the service style. There are too many so-so restaurants in town. This one was very good. It is a sound investment. Sonic will be missed by my family. "

    JH wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:12 AM:

    " WOW! Another thing closing in Douglas, and they expect Douglas to get better? I remember eating with friends during lunch from High School at Sonic and watching friends cruise on by. Memories.... All we keep getting is "Dollar Stores" whoop-dee-doo. Soon Douglas will be a Ghost Town. K-mart down the drain, Sonic now gone. Whats next? "

    Former Resident Also wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:05 PM:

    " This is a very Sad Day for Douglas. The place where My husband kissed me for the first Time. We have been married for 21 years. Very Sad Day ;-( You will be missed...... Good Luck "

    R. wrote on Dec 17, 2007 12:24 PM:

    " OMG! It figures! "

    very sad resident wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:36 AM:

    " I think it is very sad than another business is closing down. Pretty soon all the business will be along the border and all the rest will be closed down. One new thing opens in Douglas and two close down. "

    al wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:22 AM:

    " It sure was sad to hear the news of the closing. Sonica has the best burgers in town. Here's a place where many young people have their first job. Hopefully someone can keep it open and keep this great place open. "

    MCM wrote on Dec 17, 2007 9:54 AM:

    " That is really sad we all have memories, good and bad.. If there was anything we can do to have something for are youth in Douglas Make it known and we can all work together. Everything on this side f town is going.... "

    Chuck wrote on Dec 16, 2007 6:20 PM:

    " Why doesn't the City of Douglas buy into this entity? It is too bad that some of the astute businessmen who have started with nothing can not buy into this. It is a money making diner. "

    Bob wrote on Dec 16, 2007 5:49 PM:

    " It's so sad to hear the Sonic is closing. We will surely miss it. "

    John Enriquez wrote on Dec 15, 2007 11:33 PM:

    " Sad to hear the bad news. Lots of good memories at the Sonic. Where is the Street Rod car show going this year? "

    Former Resident wrote on Dec 15, 2007 3:48 PM:

    " Sad, such is life in Douglas. The more things change, the more they stay the same. "

    A wrote on Dec 15, 2007 3:32 PM:

    " THAT IS SO SAD. WHENEVER I VISIT THAT IS A MUST STOP. NOTHING LIKE HAVING A CHERRY LIMEADE AND TAKING A CRUISE. ITS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT TO SEE THAT PLACE CLOSED. I WISH SOMEONE ONE JUST BUY IT. SONIC IS SURE GOING TO BE MISSED. "

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