Beavertown museum exhibit celebrates town’s restaurant history
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BEAVERTOWN -- There's a certain kind of memory that lives in small towns -- the kind carried not in photographs or records, but in flavors.
The first bite of a favorite sub, the swirl of homemade ice cream on a summer evening or the sign of a familiar diner meant you were home. This fall, the Beavertown Historical Society Museum is bringing those memories back to life.
Its newest exhibit, "Beavertown's Restaurants," will be open to the public on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. inside the Beavertown Borough Building, 111 W. Walnut St., Beavertown.
The display pays tribute to the eateries that fed generations, anchored neighborhoods, and helped shape the borough's identity long before chain restaurants dotted the landscape.
At the heart of the exhibit is a warm remembrance of Tressa's Sub Shop, a Strawberry Alley favorite that opened in August 1976 and served the community until Aug. 9, 2002.
For 26 years, Tressa Troup's shop was a place where people gathered after games, grabbed lunch on work breaks, and swapped stories while waiting for their order. The museum's display includes original signage at the pinball machines, photos from the shop's 25th anniversary and social media posts from customers who still remember their go-to subs.
"Tressa's was more than a sandwich shop," said Karen Burns, president of the Beavertown Historical Society. "It was part of everyday life. People still talk about it with so much affection."
The museum is also adding a sweet touch to the season. Rich Wagner's award-winning vanilla and chocolate homemade ice cream (which was Charles Bobb's recipe) will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m., giving visitors a chance to enjoy a scoop of a local favorite while exploring the exhibit.
Wagner's ice cream has long been woven into Beavertown's culinary story, and its single-day appearance is expected to draw families and longtime residents eager for a taste of tradition.
The exhibit itself unfolds like a walk through Beavertown's past. Early displays highlight small lunch counters and roadside diners that once dotted the borough, while later sections focus on community favorites that became landmarks in their own right.
Photographs capture familiar storefronts, signs and the faces of owners and employees who helped define the town's dining scene. Old menus reveal prices that now seem impossibly low, and newspaper clippings recall grand openings, anniversary celebrations, and the occasional quirky promotion.
Museum volunteers spent months gathering artifacts and memories from residents. Many shared stories about first jobs, favorite meals, and family traditions tied to local restaurants. "Food connects people," Burns said. "When we talk about restaurants, we're really talking about the people who made them special."
The Beavertown Historical Society hopes the exhibit will spark conversations and encourage visitors to share their own memories.
The museum will remain open for regular hours throughout the fall, with the special ice cream offering on Sunday, Oct. 11. Admission is free, and donations support ongoing preservation projects.
Highlights about Beavertown’s famous restaurants:
Tressa's Sub Shop, 412 E. Strawberry Alley
· Diana Shawver, daughter of Tressa that worked there: "I sure do miss all the customers and friends!! It was a great time. Many memories."
· Kristie Burns (Karen's daughter): "It holds a special place in my heart. Tressa's Sub Shop wasn't just a favorite spot -- it was our hangout, where we gathered with friends to eat, laugh, and make lasting memories. It's where we stocked up on penny candy, battled it out on arcade games, and celebrated our town softball victories. So much of my childhood was spent there, and even now, it brings back nothing but fond memories."
· Sandra Kline: "They had the best hoagies."
· Alissa A. Jones: "Love, love, love the times we had here after softball and having a safe and fun place to be with friends. And you couldn’t beat penny Swedish fish."
Bailey's Restaurant and Dance Hall
Bailey's Restaurant opened in 1948 by Clarence and Mary Bailey, the restaurant offered delicious meals alongside drugs, toys and groceries. It featured a dance area at the back, and the hill on North Center Street, known as Bailey's Hill, became a lively spot for sledding during snowy winters. Streets were blocked off for sledders, who were always welcome to come in for hot chocolate.
Benfer's Dairy Bar, 476 W. Market St.
Elmer "Slim" and Grace Benfer owned Benfer's Dairy Bar "Where Friends Meet For A Treat" for seven years, from 1953 to 1960, were out for a while and then returned for three more years. They served homemade pies baked by Dot Kepner. You could go there and play the pinball machine and listen to the jukebox while enjoying a delicious lunch. They specialized in hoagies and featured Engle's milk and ice cream.
Bobb General Store, Restaurant, Ice Cream Parlor and Boarding Home, 221 W. Market St.
This is the third location of Charles (Sniffer) Bobb's General Store, Restaurant, Ice Cream Parlor and Boarding Home. Funeral dinners were held at his restaurant and ice cream parlor. Charles made some of the best Grapenut ice cream made. Richard (Chops) Wagner still makes his homemade ice cream from Charles Bobb's recipe to serve at the Beavertown Historical Society events. Operating in the 1930's, his motto was "Everything Good to Eat."
Beavertown Hotel and Restaurant
The stools lined the long counter where customers dined on their favorite food. Behind them was the ever-popular jukebox as well as several tables and booths.