Lovejoy’s on Main, one of the longest-standing businesses in Whitesboro, celebrated 70 years last weekend with a two-day community event.
On Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, Lovejoy’s was open to the community for lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., held a cake cutting ceremony at 2:45 p.m., later had a cake walk, hosted a Bingo game and held a raffle for prizes.
Lovejoy’s employees and owners encouraged all to dress in their best 1950’s-era attire. Those that came dressed in 50’s style clothing would receive a free milkshake, one of the special treats from the soda fountain for which Lovejoy’s is known.
Many arrived dressed in thematic attire and customers had the chance to take pictures with Hank Lovejoy, owner of Lovejoy’s on Main. Guests also had the opportunity to take pictures in front of a 1955 Ford Thunderbird which was parked in front of the building.
This year, the family and community were not able to celebrate another year in business with Hank’s late wife, Rita Lovejoy, but her memory continues to live on in every aspect of the business. Additionally, Rita’s high school letterman jacket was on display along with both her and Hank’s pictures in their high school yearbook.
During the cake cutting ceremony, Hank (along with his daughters Laurie Hilliard and Sharon Autry) were joined by previous employees and family members that were there when it all began.
The family business started in 1954 when Bill and Vivian Young (Rita’s parents), Gladys Hefner and Ginny Lee McDowell launched Whitesboro Manufacturing Co. Inc. It was a sewing factory, above Jim Smallwood’s station, making dresses and blouses for Jeanie Co.
In June of that year, Hank and Rita met. Hank worked at the Whitesboro Finley-Hayes Drug Store located at 125 E. Main Street. He was a soda jerk at the drug store and one day offered Rita a free soda. The rest is history. They were later married on June 15, 1958.
In 1983, the Lovejoys purchased Whitesboro Manufacturing Co. Inc, moving 20 machines to 138 E. Main Street (the current location of Lovejoy’s on Main) and renamed the business Lovejoy Cutting Room, Inc. In 1985, the Lovejoys opened the front of the cutting room and turned it into a retail fabric store where they also made and sold their own line of sweatsuits with ruffles down the sleeves.
Throughout the years, the business evolved, kept up with trends and sold popular items like Beanie Babies. In the early 2000’s Lovejoy’s introduced the Sweet Shop where they only served desserts. Then in 2004, The Cook’s Hat cafe was launched and served a limited lunch menu.
In 2010, an old-fashioned soda fountain, modeled after the Finley-Hayes Drug Store soda fountain where Hank gave that first soda to Rita, was built by Hank and his late son, Chris Lovejoy. They have remodeled throughout the years and even added brick columns repurposed from a building downtown. In 2021, Lovejoy’s held their Grand Re-opening. They launched new hours, new branding and an online store: www.lovejoysonmain.com
During the cake cutting at Friday’s event, members of the Lovejoy family shared some great memories and thanked all for their commitment to the business. Hilliard said that, as a small business, things may get tough. But they continue to strive because of the customers in the community that continue to return.
Lovejoy’s on Main plans to hold these celebrations every year. Anyone who missed this year’s event should plan to attend next summer. Stay connected with Lovejoy’s on Main by following them on Facebook or Instagram at Lovejoy’s on Main.