U.S. Route 20 – M.A. Kleen

Royal Liquor Mart

Royal Liquor Mart — Beautiful neon sign for the Royal Liquor Mart, 3714 E. State Street (U.S. Route 20), in Rockford, Illinois.

Don Carter Lanes

Don Carter Lanes — Pink and orange neon sign (when lit) for Don Carter Lanes, at 4007 E. State Street (U.S. Route 20) in Rockford, Illinois. Don Carter Lanes opened in 1959 and has greatly expanded over the years, lately incorporating an off-track betting room.

Theater Motel

Theater Motel — The 1940s-era Theater Motel, at 7592 U.S. Route 20 east of Westfield, New York, was originally a drive-in theater. Checking the box on all roadside amenities, there’s also a small diner attached. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the theater in the late 1990s.

Main Street Diner in Westfield, New York

Main Street Diner, at 40 E. Main Street (U.S. Route 20) in Westfield, New York, is a Ward & Dickinson model with an attached dining area. It features 1950s-style nostalgic interior decor. It was originally owned by Harold Washburn and Walter Moore circa 1929.

Photo by Michael Kleen

Photo by Michael Kleen

Diner Resources

Capri Italian Restaurant

Capri Italian Restaurant — Sign for Capri Italian Restaurant, 313 E. State Street, in downtown Rockford, Illinois. This white stucco building has a long family tradition imported from southern Italy. Vito Michele Grisanzio and his brother, Domenic, bought The Capri Restaurant in 1963 and Vito has worked there ever since. He’s now joined by his wife and their three grown sons. Don’t let this beat up old sign fool you – the food is great and the dining room is lovingly maintained.

Miami Motel

Miami Motel — The Miami Motel, 4126 NY-5 (U.S. Route 20), Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, is a deliciously retro motor inn built in the 1950s. Check out the little flamingos!

Junkyard Art

Junkyard Art — Found outside Ms Gail’s Outdoor Store, 6550 NY-5 (U.S. Route 20), Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York.

“The Devil whispered behind the leaves: ‘It’s pretty, but is it Art?'” – Rudyard Kipling