The Last Howard Johnson's Restaurant in the World, at Lake George, New York

Howard Johnson's was once a thriving restaurant and hotel chain.  The Johnson family sold their business to Imperial Group PLC of England in 1979 and after several acquisitions, the company eventually became part of the Wyndham Hotel and Resorts chain.

During Marriott's ownership, company owned restaurants were closed and franchise owners negotiated rigthts to stay open as Howard Johnson Restaurants.  The newly established franchise group was unable to grow their business and the remaining restaurants closed, year by year.

In September, 2016, the Bangor Maine Howard Johnson's closed, leaving one restaurant serving its public, in Lake George, New York.  Eric and I must go there to have a meal at the last Howard Johnson's Restaurant in the world.

I called the phone number listed on the internet and was told that the restaurant opens at 8:00 am.

We enjoyed autumn's

 colors during our 58

 mile drive north to

 Lake George.

The Howard Johnson's,
iconic orange roof &
its large OPEN sign.





Route 9, Lake George Village's main street, is being paved.

Our Jeep & the empty

Howard Johnson

parking lot.

This is not a good sign....

The sign on the front of
the building promises
Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner.

The Sorry We're Closed Sign

beneath the restaurant's

listed hours.

I called the Caldwell-Lake George Library to find out what's going on at the last Howard Johnson's Restaurant.  The librarian told me that everyone in the village sees open sign and yet, the parking lot is empty day after day.  She has no official word as to what's going on at the last Howard Johnson's Restaurant in the world.