Friends! Let’s take a stroll down malt shop lane and check out some cool images from the 1930’s-1950’s of vintage soda/malt shops and the customers who are enjoying them.
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Lana Turner in”Slightly Dangerous”, 1943 serving up a ice cream float.
Vintage Malt Shops
Vintage Images 1930’s – 1950’s
HISTORY OF THE MALT SHOP
A Soda shop, also often known as a Malt shop (after malt, a sweet milkshake flavoring), is a business akin to an ice cream parlor and a drugstore soda fountain. Interiors were often furnished with a large mirror behind amarble counter with gooseneck soda spouts, plus spinning stools, round marble-topped tables and wireframe sweetheart chairs.
The counter-service soda fountain was introduced in 1903, and around that same time, drugstores began to attract noontime customers by adding sandwiches and light lunches. The beverage menu at a soda shop usually included ice cream sodas, chocolate malts, fountain colas and milkshakes. A 1915 issue of Soda Fountain magazine stated: “The soda fountain of today is an ally of temperance… Ice cream soda is a greater medium for the cause of temperance than all the sermon ever preached on that subject (source).”
Now, what can we get you?
Further Reading: Big List of Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Drink Recipes
Source: Wikimedia
1950s vintage photo of teens at the malt shop counter enjoying treats.
Further Reading: Mini Guide To Holding The Ultimate 1950’s Themed Party
Source: Flickr- UNCG Digital Projects
Late 1940s / early 1950s photo of a busy malt shop. All those treats look yummy!
Malt Shops are for hanging out, catching up and also reading as these girls are demonstrating in 1952.
Source: Flickr- File Photo Digital Archive
When grabbing a drink at the counter it’s mandatory that one looks their best, like these very stylish teenagers. Their hats are the BEST! -1940s Photo-
And looking their best for these boys means it’s all about the Plaid. 1950s photo.
After a fun day at the beach a nice refreshing drink will do the trick. And now on a side note, what an amazing photo! The girl swimsuits are stunning as well as the girl’s hair on the right. WOW! -1940s Photo-
1942 Nifty Nook Diner / Malt Shop. Phoenix, Arizona. Super 1940s “teenager” fashions on display in this image.
Source: Etsy
There is that fantastic “counter” style we keep seeing. Another great hat!
Even movie stars stopped by for a milkshake or two as seen here in the picture below with Joan Crawford and her editor Alice in 1939. P.S. HAT!
Image by © CondÈ Nast Archive/Corbis
Malt Shops are not just for teenagers and movie stars, they are for all ages.
Source: We had faces then
1953 – Mavis sipping a strawberry milkshake in a white milk bar.
Photo by Terrence Spencer//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
1930s photo of a couple out on date night at the malt shop.
1950s photo of two teenagers enjoying a drink together and some fun conversation. Wonder what they are chatting about?
Shall we have a dance or listen to some music before we leave? -1950s photo-
Image by © Michael Ochs
So much to take in here! Saddle shoes, jukebox, plaid skirt, 1940s hairstyles and young men and women enjoying their time at their local malt shop.
Source: Pinterest
Lastly when I was in Memphis the hubby and I stopped in at A.Schwab and had REAL soda’s from their vintage soda counter. Here are a couple of images of that super cool experience.
Read about my trip to Memphis & Nashville HERE.
Mmmmmm real soda pop. Which one to try first?
Now Question Time: Do you have a favorite place to go for vintage sodas? Milkshakes? Maybe you hung out at a Malt shop back in the day? Share anything you want in the comments section below.
FURTHER READING:
Liz
So fun! I want my time machine again. From lovely Lana to all the cool hats, the way they even made rolling up their jeans look cool, that girl on the right’s hair (bet that took a lot of work) and crazy Joan Crawford drinking calories, malt shops look like the place to be. We were born too late to have “soda jerk” make us one in our youth. Of course, all that time at the counter prepares you for the adult years, sitting at a bar, drinking different drinks.
How fabulously fun!!! It really warms my vintage loving Canadian heart to hear about a classic malt shop like this opening. I’m so going to tag along with you in spirit! 🙂
♥ Jessica
I will have a milkshake in your honour 🙂
I’m crazy about vintage soda shops. There are two great ones near mr Franklins fountain in Philly and Brooklyn farmacy in Brooklyn. We need more of these places
ohh good to know about the 2 soda shops your mentioned if I ever visit. I love them so much and I’m excited Toronto is finally getting one as I agree as well that we need more.
Ok, so I need to get a great hat and a plaid outfit and then hang out with my friends in a soda shop. I loved these photos!
right?! I’m inspired to update my “drinking sodas” at the soda fountain looks too! 🙂
Did any of you ever get what was called a coffee stir at the mulch shop?