Vandalia

Took the 29 exit on Ohio I 70, through Englewood, across the pike on West National longing for a malt at Friendly's. Found it closed and vacant just like the property across the street. So many good memories from more than 30 years of shooting, good business and seeing good friends.
Bruce Bowen

 

Thanks for the memory's , yes we would eat @ Friendly's at least 1 or 2 times a day for the week when at the grand great food and Malts to dye for , great times back in the day ,
jdhog

 

WOW Friendlys was closed, ATA crowd loss must of had quite an effect. What a loss, I used to eat there with Britt Robinson and his wife.

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

Vandalia is just a shell Gary. I drive past the Home grounds aleast once a week. What a sad story.

 

You can't help smiling just thinking of the GRAND in Vandalia.

Fkyersarebest

 

Absolutely, I can't believe anyone that experienced Vandalia over the years doesn't smile just thinking of all the good times had there. You can shoot all day at Sparta's large facility and not see as many people to converse with as Vandalia where you couldn't move 500 feet without running into friends. Vandalia had the great atmosphere for shooters.

 

Do you think Dayton would welcome us back? And install new traphouses? Just to get us back?
We only need the original banks, and the same program, I think we would be welcome with open arms, and be given tax relief, and other options, from the BBB of Vandalia, and the County.. Friendly may reconsider and build a new Restraunt. And our Sausage Vendor would come back.

Maybe I will send a letter to Vandalia and the Airport, and see what the response would be.

Emery and DHL both declined the move there.

Think of the Millions $ Coming back to the Area.

Maybe they would donate us back use of the grounds for 99 year lease.

Maybe a PITA Exclusive site w/o the ATA.

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

Vandalia would love it, but they don't own the airport. The city of Dayton does, and they could care less about what happens in the smaller communities around them, only concerned about what money flows into THEIR pockets.

 

What about the Fish sandwitch guy?

 

You mean the Walleye Sandwiches about $5.00?

I believe he was at the Cardinal Center a couple of years,

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

Yeah, I heard he sold the Boat after the move!

 

Many memories, I know people who never left the grounds to eat they always ate in the cafeteria. All the other places to eat around the area we used to go to a different one every night, looking back wondering if those places are still in business or have gone the way of Friendlys.

 

That 's depressing. 1st banana split I ever had was at that Friendlys. A lot of people predicted the town would dry up. They got s....d just like we did. chris.

 

The Buckhorn is still open, I was told.

 

Shuckin' Shack long gone!

 

Maybe it's just me, but when I was in Vandalia, I felt like I was part of the community. I felt like I was part of what was going on. Not the same in Sparta, more like a visitor or spectator. chris.

 

Could someone post a picture or 2 of the old home grounds, as it looks today?

 

Here ya go.

 

Your confused AZCO ....

Not the Sparta old home grounds .... the other one ....

 

Damn

 

Brian please post us some pictures

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

I'm on it. Stay tuned.

 

OK guys I'm back with the pictures. Enjoy the memories and good times from the past.
Flinch King

 

Thanks Brian. I moved 8 months ago to Ohio and only live about 2o min away from Vandalia. I too took about the same pics you did. Unless you shot here, one has no idea of what it once was like. Oh the memories.