George's Coffee Shop (Demolished)
Fresno, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Looking for a good place to eat while in Fresno? Then check out this googie coffee shop... George's, just off the main drag.

The structure itself screams googie. Just take a look at the support beams and facade.

Unfortunately, yet another treasure from the space age era has disappeared. George's was torn down in the late 90's and replaced by a rather ordinary looking structure.

Mearle's Drive-in (Closed)
Visalia, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Not sure if Mearle's Drive-in really is a "coffee shop" but what the heck. This classic eatery has been serving motorists since 1940.

(Far left) Close-up of the sign

(Near left) The drive-in

UPDATE 08/06 : The Mearle's Drive-in Restaurant closed down on August 15, 2006 after 66 years of business. The owners of the restaurant were evicted due to non-payment of back rent. Another grand stallion of the road has left the stable. Many thanks to Chet Wilson for update. 08-06

Below are more photos of the Mearle's Drive-in from when times were better.

UPDATE 12/08 : Since August 2006, the historic Mearle's Drive-in eatery off the main thoroughfare in Visalia, CA has sat vacant. Mearle's was placed on the local register of historic structures in late 2006 after being threatened for demolition by the landlord. According to the Visaiia Times-Delta, the site is now being advertised for lease. 12-08

UPDATE 11/10 : While Mearle's will not re-open, the Save Mearle's team has gotten the City to protect it as a historic landmark. The drive-in is now going to be under ownership by The Habit Grill (a chain in California). They have proposed their sketches of what it will look like. While it will no longer be a classic drive-in that our community has so many fond memories of, the building will NOT be demolished, as planned. Many thanks to Kaci Hansen for update. 11-10