+ What business did Wade and Betty Lindsey buy in 1947 that eventually was renamed and became Wade’s?

Mrs. May’s Grocery Store

+ In the early 1950’s, before Wade’s was called “Wade’s Restaurant”, it was called “Wade’s _ _ _- _ -_ _ _”.

Wade’s Bar-B-Que – this was the sign on the first building Wade and Betty built. There is a picture in the lobby.

+ What business had an operation center across form the original wooden building that Wade’s started in?

Duke Power – this operation center was previously the “Trolley Car Barns” which is where the trolley cars that ran throughout Spartanburg and down through Glendale were located.

+ What business was located across the street from the cinder block building and provided a faithful customer base for many years?

Draper Corporation – Wade “Pop” Lindsey worked at Draper for several years and this is where he learned about Mrs. May’s Grocery. Did you know that in the 60’s a plane hit a tower that was located behind Draper and crashed behind the facility?

+ What was the popular “non-alcoholic” drink made with 7-up, orange juice and a splash of cherry juice called? (Wade’s sold tons of these back in the 1960’s.)

Pink Lady – We sold tons of these on Friday and Saturday nights in the 60’s.

+ What type of service did Wade’s offer in the 60’s that we no longer offer?

Curb Service – Wade’s had curb hops for years. To alert a curb hop that you were ready for service, the proper thing to do was to blink your headlights. Of course, blowing your horn worked too.

+ In the 50’s and 60’s, Wade Lindsey pulled a food wagon through Draper Corporation twice a day and sold food items to the workers. What did they call this wagon and why did they call it this?

The “Dope” Wagon – you certainly would not want to use this name today! It was called this because they sold soft drinks out of this wagon and many southerners used to refer to soft drinks ( especially colas) as “Dopes” . I assume this was from the 'tonic' or 'medicinal' nature claimed for the original syrup, and have even heard that it referred to the 'Coca' (as in "cocaine") part of the name. “When I would visit my grandmother in Rutherfordton she would always ask me, Would you like a DOPE?”

+ What was the last name of the founders of Wade’s - Wade and Betty?

Lindsey- Although Wade Lindsey was called “Mr. Wade” for years, his last name was Lindsey. To this day, many people still think that the owner’s last name is Wade.

+ Where was Betty Lindsey from?

Rutherfordton, NC – Just up the road about 30 miles, there were a group of 5 sisters that could cook like no others. They were all “born to cook”! Betty Kiser was one of those sisters. She met a man named Wade Lindsey and they created Wade’s! Betty Lindsey loved Wade’s like no other. To this day people still talk about her homemade pies – especially the Coconut Cream Pie! She passed away in 1970 from breast cancer.

+ In the 60’s, there was a gas station on either side of Wade’s. What were they?

Facing Wade’s, there was a KAYO gas station on the right and a CROWN gas station on the left. During the gas wars in the late 60’s (maybe early 70’s), gas was selling for 25 cents a gallon at the KAYO station. The first self service gasoline station I remember opened up just down the road past the corner of Pine and Country Club and it was called “ Sav-A-Ton”. You pumped your gas, then drove up to a window to pay the cashier. Good old “Gas Station Service” was on its way out.

+ For years there was a mural on the wall of the old Wade’s on South Pine Street. What was the basic scenery of this mural?

The mural was of a “snow covered mountain range” and was a part of the dining room for years.

+ What did Wade’s have inside the building in the 60’s that was popular to put a nickel in and play?

Juke Box – on Friday and Saturday nights it was playing constantly.

+ What beverage did Wade’s sell that we stopped selling in 1977? Can you name some brands that were popular that you don’t see much anymore?

Beer – Wade’s probably sold more beer that any other restaurant in Spartanburg at one time. Some brands sold that you don’t see much anymore – Fallstaff (Dizzy Dean’s Beer), Schlitz, Carling Black Label and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

+ What are these 3 popular items that Wade’s used to sell, but are no longer on the menu?

1. H__M C__ __ B

   __O__ R____ST __ __ __ F

2. SL__ __ E __ __ __ SA__ __D__ __ __H