In Memoriam: Ames Business/Restaurants

JP4CY

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They added the pitchers deal after they found out it was illegal to do All You Can Drink night. I used to live walking distance from there. What a time it was to be too young to get hung over.
After that law went into effect, the Zone would charge like 5 bucks then people would slam pennies on the bar.
 

TXCyclones

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Does anybody remember exactly where on Duff the old Best Western was or what's in that spot now? I remember my Dad having drinks w/ Johnny Orr in there often, but cannot remember where exactly it was located. If I recall, Hickory Park is where the old Bonanza used to be, and the BW was where Panchero's is (and stretched all the way down in front of where BestBuy/BAM is)?
 
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usedcarguy

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Does anybody remember exactly where on Duff the old Best Western was or what's in that spot now? I remember my Dad having drinks w/ Johnny Orr in there often, but cannot remember where exactly it was located. If I recall, Hickory Park is where the old Bonanza used to be, and the BW was where Panchero's is (and stretched all the way down in front of where BestBuy/BAM is)?

It was further north on Duff....in front of where Target is. A bank sits there now. It was just north of Home Furniture...which is now a Buffalo Wild Wings. It was called the University something...University Inn?
 

TXCyclones

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It was further north on Duff....in front of where Target is. A bank sits there now. It was just north of Home Furniture...which is now a Buffalo Wild Wings. It was called the University something...University Inn?

I'd forgotten about University Inn, but that was a different hotel entirely. In fact, I think that one was a Holiday Inn at one point.
 

jackrabbit

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I'd forgotten about University Inn, but that was a different hotel entirely. In fact, I think that one was a Holiday Inn at one point.
The hotel that was at S 3rd and Duff was originally a Holiday Inn. Then became the University Inn. Across Duff on the west side where Panera Bread is was Hardee's. Wal-mart originally was Montgomery Wards and then a couple different discount grocery stores. Farther south on Duff over the Squaw Creek Bridge (now Ioway Creek Bridge) on the east side was the Ramada Inn (I think this is the hotel the original poster was asking about). I believe Books-A-Million and Best Buy are there now.
 
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TXCyclones

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The hotel that was at S 3rd and Duff was originally a Holiday Inn. Then became the University Inn. Across Duff on the west side where Panera Bread is was Hardee's. Wal-mart originally was Montgomery Wards and then a couple different discount grocery stores. Farther south on Duff over the Squaw Creek Bridge (now Ioway Creek Bridge) on the east side was the Ramada Inn (I think this is the hotel the original poster was asking about). I believe Books-A-Million and Best Buy are there now.

Yes! It was the Ramada Inn rather than Best Western; thank you for that correction.
 
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TXCyclones

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Good Lord I forgot about the Ramada. LOL But did that have a bar in it?
It did. The bar was called Johnny's. Through the front door and to the left. If I recall there was a fireplace that was visible from the street through the outside wall.
 

TXCyclones

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Do you live in TX? I live in Odessa.

I do live in TX. I'm in the Rockwall-Heath area east of Dallas. We have a thriving alumni group here in the DFW area and I invite you (EVERYONE) to come on over and join us anytime! In fact, join us at the Baylor BBQ/Tailgate!

 
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isucy86

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Can't remember the hotel, but I seem to recall one of the Duff Ave hotels served cheap Bahama Mama's on Friday afternoons. Snack food as well. That was back in early/mid 80's.
 

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