Anyone out there remember anything about this place? There was a Maple Leaf Restaurant on Pelisser St. in the 1950’s, that served Chinese Food, but I’m not sure if there’s any relation. I wonder if there’s any relation between the place above and the current Maple Leaf on Tecumseh Road.
The caption on the back reads:
MAPLE LEAF
MOTEL & RESTAURANT
On Hwys. 2 – 98 and 401
HOWARD AVE., WINDSOR, ONT.
ONLY 5 mins. to WINDSOR & DETROIT16 ultra modern units featuring, cross ventilation, central
hot water heat, ceramic tile tubs & showers, T.V., telephones,
playground and china shop, air conditioned restaurant
serving a variety of fine food.
ELSIE & MIKE MAKOSKY TEL. C.L. 2-4656
It’s too bad that neon sign didn’t survive. At one time, Windsor had quite the collection of signs at one time. It seems today only the Lazare’s Furs sign downtown and the Yorktown Plaza sign survive. Even the Firestone Building recently lost its lettering on the roof.
I wish I had a AAA Tour Guide from the late 50’s or early 60’s to look up the listing for it. I see it’s AAA rated.
Those and old Mobil Travel Guides are real yard sale finds. They usually don’t cost very much and are packed with trivial information about the area they cover. The vintage motel ads are fun to look at, and they make great bathroom reading fodder…….
Doug, agreed. I always keep my eyes open for the 50’s-60’s era travel guides. Always fun to look in.
I love how under their sign is another big sign that just says “Television”. My dad’s not that old and they didn’t have a TV when he was younger. Maybe you could go on vacation and stay somewhere and the kids wouldn’t want to leave the room because there was a TV. It’s funny how today we’re looking for these signs to say “Wireless” and “Free Breakfast”.
Most recently the restaurant had the name the “Road Kill Cafe”? I think
Ultra-modern rooms featuring cross-ventilation.
Windows that open at the front and back of the unit. Awesome!
I remember this place. It was on the west side of Howard Avenue on the outskirts of Remington Park. Don’t know why the Hwy. 2 and 401 are mentioned. It was still quite active in the sixtiees and seventies. Roughly across the street from where the Dairy delight is today. A later post card would have included a swimming pool in the depicted grassy area. The cool part…I believe it is still there. Not sure if the motel portion is still open (last time I looked it was still standing) but the restaurant is there and functioning (under a different name). A popular breakfast spot. The Road Kill Cafe was originally called the Pompeii which, at the time was quite high end. It was around during thesame time frame. A camera would make for a good follow-up.
MOM – I was trying to place it on Howard (which I drive every day). Looking at the aerial view, I see something similar just south of Edinborough St. on the West Side of the Road.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=499+edinborough,+Windsor,+Essex+County,+Ontario,+Canada&sll=42.282667,-83.011209&sspn=0.002127,0.00412&ie=UTF8&ll=42.282921,-83.011006&spn=0.001064,0.00206&t=h&z=19
I’ll scope it out on my way home today…
I can’t remember what it’s called but Devonshire rings a bell- right across from Subway, Mac’s in that plaza. If it’s the motel I’m thinking of, there is a jewlery store next door to the north.
Yes Devonshire would be correct, Colin. Precision Jewelers is just to the north.
And the restaurant would be the Tiffany Dining Room, no?
No, David, thats at the Towne and Country down the street….
A google search of “Mike Makosky” reveals the following:
“In his earlier days, Mike was the builder and former owner of Windsor’s Princeton and Devonshire Motels, and the developer of the Pleasant Valley Trailer Park West in Kingsville.”
According to my 83 year old mother, Mike Makosky built this motel starting in 1949, and finished it in the early 50’s. Mike was a master carpenter, and businessman. He built many houses and two motels in the Windsor area. Mike passed away in January 2008, and Elsie in 2007. They were friends with my father and mother. In the 50’s, the Makoskys lived across the street from my grandfather on Bernard Rd. Mike built that house, and the one next to my grandfather’s house. Mike and Elsie’s children are Lyle, Brian, Jimmy, and Kimberly. I believe the two children in the picture on swings are Jimmy and Brian. When I receive additional information, I will post it.
Ken, thanks for the update. Keep us posted in you learn anything else.
I recognized this place as soon as I saw it. In the 70’s they would rent out the pool. I remember takings my boys there to swim on hot summer nights when we had no air conditioning. They both learned to dive from a diving board there.
What great times we had and it was an affordable-after-supper thing to do.
p.s. I should have mentioned that I’m a newcomer to the site. I’ve just recently learned of it through another site I have just become a member of, by the name of
“If you Live in Windsor, you remember…”
I have not been able to leave your site for hours now, I’m so intrigued by all the nostalgia I’m reading about, the good and bad, the happy and the sad. I love it and find you’re doing a awesome job of it. What a great service you’re providing to your audience
Many thanks
Welcome to the board, annie!
This posting is late in coming. I’m a newcomer to International Metopolis and I love the site. I have spent hours “catching up” and have enjoyed every minute. Thank you for this wonderful service.
About this posting….I recognized the Maple Leaf as soon as I saw this photo. In the 70’s they would rent out the pool. I remember takings my boys there to swim on hot summer nights when we had no air conditioning. They both learned to dive from a diving board there.
What great times we had and it was an affordable-after-supper thing to do.
I would like to learn more if anyone has any updates. Now, I’m wondering if there’s any connection between this Maple Leaf and the Maple Leaf restaurant on Tec. Rd. E. I’ll have to ask next time I go in there.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this motel is the present Towne and Country on Howard. The two storey brick building can still be seen (although under stucco) and they added a floor at some point.
Barry C, you are wrong. It is further north on Howard. It is a little south of Jose’s Noodle Factory. It is called the iSleepInn Motel and the iDineIn Restaurant.