Philomath’s service industry appeared to be thriving in 1965 with a variety of businesses along Main Street offering everything that you could need — no need to run to Corvallis.
This list could be much, much longer but we narrowed it down to five (not included — businesses that are still around today such as the Galaxie, Timber Supply and Dairy Queen).
Do you remember any of these?
1. Philomath Hardware & IGA Grocery
Located on Main Street, this business served as the community’s grocery store — a building that had been constructed 10 years earlier in 1955. The hardware store had been around for decades and was really pushing jacuzzi pumps during the summer of ’65.
2. B&R Furniture
During the summer of 1965, this establishment on the west end of town was advertising three complete rooms of furniture — a 13-piece living room set, 14-piece bedroom set and nine-piece dinette (plus a hair dryer as a bonus) for $16.90 per month. The business was located at 420 W. Main St.
3. Smiley’s Cafe
This spot was also located on Main Street and was open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You could get breakfast for 85 cents, a T-bone or rib-eye for $1.35 and a cup of coffee for 5 cents. The restaurant was known for its Sunday turkey dinner, which would set you back 88 cents.
4. Nusbaum Service Garage and Chevron Station
Located at Main and H, this longtime auto service business did tune-ups, muffler jobs, rebuilt engines, serviced tires and radiators and would loan you a car if your vehicle was being worked on. Owned by Denny Nusbaum, mechanics that year included Mike Askey and Jim Thompson. The place even distributed S&H Green Stamps.
5. Larry’s Frontier
This restaurant was located at 752 Main St. and offered patrons “fine steaks, seafood and chicken dinners.” Today, this part of town is the location of Main Street Plaza, which features businesses such as Jona’s Market.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
