The Hollywood Grill, which in 2003 changed its name and ownership after operating for 48 years in Fairfax as Howard Johnson Restaurant and Ice Cream Shop, closed its doors at the end of April.
A sign posted on the restaurant door Monday said the restaurant on Concord Pike near Murphy Road was closed for “major renovations,” but apparently has not closed permanently.
“Thank you for your business so far, and SEE YOU SOON!” read the sign.
No one was inside the building when a reporter visited the site or answered the phone. The parking lot was empty, and no more information was available Monday about the renovations.
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The site had been the home of the last of Delaware’s six Howard Johnson’s restaurants. It was sold in 2003 to Thomas Hatzis by original HoJo’s franchisee Arnold J. Isken, who had opened the restaurant in 1955.
Howard Johnson’s chain was at its peak in the 1970s and operated more than 1,000 restaurants in the United States and Canada.
The Hollywood Grill is known for its diner fare and especially for serving breakfast all day.
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In 2016, former President Bill Clinton surprised diners with a visit on a Sunday afternoon. Clinton stopped at the Hollywood Grill on his way from a campaign stop for his wife, Hillary, in Baltimore to another stop in Pennsylvania.
Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico
