I have very fond memories of Isaly's. There was an Isaly's shop where I grew up in the Temple Square area of Akron, Ohio back in the 1950s and '60s. Like the "malt shops" in most cities and towns, Isaly's was a gathering place for teenagers. They served burgers, hot dogs and fries plus their famous ice creams and shakes.

The location of our Isaly's was perfect. It sat on the corner of Tallmadge Ave. and North Main St., right between my high school and my home. So we would stop there just about every day on the way home from school. Behind the counter were a man and a woman, I can't remember their names but they served up the chow. There was the ever present juke box that played everything from Elvis to the Beatles. Guys with their combs and cigarette packs rolled up in the left sleeve of their T-shirts sat in the booths with their girlfriends who wore the poodle skirts and the ever popular penny loafers. The best way to visualize it is to remember Arnold's Diner on Happy Days.

There were several Isaly's shops in Akron. But the North Hill Isaly's at Temple Square was our's. I remember it well. I would give almost anything to be able to walk through those doors one more time.