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Sara Tyrrell is all smiles at the SNO-CAP in North Augusta, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Mike Adams/Special
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SNO-CAP plans plenty of fun to celebrate its 40 years of nostalgia
Web posted Saturday, August 7, 2004
By Kamille Bostick
| Staff Writer
Beneath the wing-shape, beach-house blue awnings of the SNO-CAP Drive-In in North Augusta, a short order becomes an experience.
"It's kind of like coming back in time," said Tom Colgrove, of Augusta, who had crossed the bridge for an evening meal of a burger, Coke and onion rings. "The people are friendly, they have good burgers and they do a lot of stuff to make it entertaining."
And authentic.
Besides a few modern additions to the menu - buffalo wings, salad and chicken fingers - and some booths, not much has changed at the drive-in that is marking its 40th anniversary with a yearlong series of celebrations, including an adult-only sock-hop Aug. 28.
In a town where quite a few streets go quiet after dark and the lights of modern restaurants line busier thoroughfares, SNO-CAP should be more hit-and-miss than destination, yet its old-fashioned charm keeps it a local favorite.
"It's off the beaten path, so not a lot of people know about us," said co-owner Kenny Franklin, who purchased the restaurant eight years ago with his wife, Rachel.
Situated on an unassuming corner of West Avenue, just far enough off the main drag to not be visible, SNO-CAP is still housed in the original buliding.
"It's kind of like a museum," Mrs. Franklin said. "I have people stop in all the time and ask if we're open."
The pace at SNO-CAP is unpredictable, Mr. Franklin said. Things can be slow for hours and then a youth group or ball team can walk in and change everything.
Caught at a peak time, the dozen seats of the SNO-CAP counter are usually filled, as are the seven booths that line the walls. During the busiest times, people stand to make their orders or honk from their cars to get curbside service.
"It can get crazy in here," said waitress Jessica Jaques, 15. "Around lunchtime and dinnertime sometimes there's no tables or chairs."
Bells ring to alert cooks in the back, cash registers cling and the volume of conversations can create a buzz much like that of the ice cream machine.
Not that anyone's complaining, but it can be a bit hectic, Mrs. Franklin said.
"We're open Monday through Saturday," she explained. "We're not open on Sunday because we need one day, too, to rest and rejuvenate."
Quality service
Although the original parking speakers have long been out of order (the Franklins are hoping to have them repaired by next year), little has changed over the years at SNO-CAP where, alongside commemorative T-shirts and 25-cent candy machines, original menus hawking milkshakes for 30 cents sit on counters and on windowsills.
Even as the prices have caught up with today's economy, a lot of other things harken back to a simpler time.
Customers can still get root beer floats served in frosted mugs, have cherry Cokes prepared the old-fashioned way or enjoy pink lemonade poured over crushed ice made in the restaurant's original machine.
Food is still made to order, ice cream cones are dipped in chocolate fudge and young patrons still get bubble gum as a treat after their meal is done.
"People ask about competition and I tell them we don't have any competition," Mrs. Franklin said. "You just can't find many places with 40 years of history, where the older folks can say that this is the same place I ate at when I was your age."
Like an old car
Visit SNO-CAP on the last Saturday of the month and there's bound to be a parking lot full of vintage cars.
Over the years, the drive-in has allowed local car clubs to sponsor "cruise-ins" as a throwback to the early days.
"People come every weekend for these kind of things," said Mike Brinkman, of Augusta, who attended the cruise-in with his wife, Jan.
Although cruise-ins are common place with auto clubs, Mr. and Mrs. Brinkman said SNO-CAP is special.
"We come here for the camaraderie," she said. "There's nothing around here but good people and fellowship. The food ain't bad either."
The events have been popular and successful for a simple reason, said patron Kenneth Holmes, of North Augusta, who parked his red 1937 Ford on the grounds.
"Just like these old cars, people like the nostalgia of coming and eating here," Mr. Holmes said. "Everyone likes doing activities they did when they were little."
It's that nostalgia factor that makes Mrs. Franklin, who sees the SNO-CAP and its role in the community as a ministry, believe the drive-in will always have a place among the dining experiences in North Augusta.
"This place is very, very special. The people are loyal," she said. "To the townspeople it's a landmark, but to me it's a blessing.
"And I think they enjoy the fellowship and being able to sit around and have a family spend quality time together. You know, that's good old-fashioned fun."
A year to party
WHAT: Customer appreciation 40th year anniversary celebration
WHEN: Aug. 27, from 7-10 p.m. with the Mustang Car Club; Aug. 28 from 1-11 p.m. featuring antique car shows and puppet shows and an adult-only sock hop.
WHERE: SNO-CAP Drive-In, 618 West Ave., North Augusta
COST: Free
EXTRAS: The SNO-CAP has scheduled monthly events, including a Burger Bash in September and a homecoming day in November, throughout the year in honor of its 40th anniversary. For information call 279-4004 or visit www.snocapdrivein.com.
Reach Kamille Bostick at (706) 823-3223 or kamille.bostick@augustachronicle.com.
--From the Sunday, August 8, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle
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