Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.
From the web site:
1941 - Old Town Drive In was originally an A&W restaurant first opened by the Farwell family right on our current site on Gratiot and Granger in Old Town Saginaw.
1962 - Farwells demolished the old building and built the current one on the same property. We still use the original root beer system! Did you know that we sell our draft root beers to other bars and restaurants throughout the area?
1970 - The Farwell’s daughter, Irene, took over the business. For the next decade there would be at least two other owners, including the Trogan and Greketis families. During this time, the A&W franchise was dropped. The name was changed to Old Town Drive In, but because there was no signage or advertising, nearly everyone still called it “The Old A&W”.
1987 - Eddie starts working at Old Town Drive In. He would soon become the guy that has been making the coney sauce and root beer for over 33 years. He’s also a familiar face to many throughout Saginaw.
1987 - Current owner Geoff Emede and his family took over Old Town Drive In and made it a year-round business. To this day, people still ask it we’re open in the winter time. We are!
1993 - Erin, one of Old Town’s most familiar faces, started working here. Now her son Brett works at Old Town Drive In too. Most staff are long-term employees…with three parent/child pairs.