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But what truly sets Shake Station apart is
its fun and upbeat vibe. Upon entering,
you feel as if you’ve walked into a diner
and ice cream parlor in the 1950s. From
the chrome stools and stainless-steel
counter, to the black and white checked
walls, the design is decidedly retro.
Oldies are played all day, and vintage
tin posters advertising I Love Lucy,
Corvettes, Dubble Bubble Gum, and
other products and entertainment from
the 1950s hang on the walls. Classic car
shows - usually consisting of some 120
cars — are hosted by the restaurant from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second Saturday
of the month.
“I feel like the 50s theme is timeless,”
Ameres said. “I try to keep it as nostalgic
as possible.”
From the road, (US 301 N.), you can’t
miss the restaurant, with its black and
white checked walls, with red trim. On one
corner of the red roof stands a statue of
a 1950s-style cook wearing a black and
white checked apron.
The free-standing, 40-year-old building
used to house the Big L restaurant.
While Andy and Kalliopi kept some of
Big L’s nostalgic, classic car, and route
66-themed decor (such as the mural on
the front exterior wall), they gutted and
completely revamped and updated the
building’s interior. They also repainted
the exterior and added a front deck with
bright red picnic tables with umbrellas
(you can host a party here for up to 50
people.) A walk-up window for ice cream
(or takeout) overlooks the deck.
While the Shake Station’s menu is
completely different from that of its
predecessor, it does offer the “Big L.T.,”
its version of a B.L.T., in its honor.