Exploring An Abandoned Shoney's Restaurant

[@knottheory79220]

When I was a kid we used to drive cross country a lot, and I feel like we used to see Shoney's everywhere. It's amazing how many things from my childhood are just gone now, only preserved in KZbin channels like this one.

[@eroesslr98]

The interstate has lost countless stops. I thought I was the only one that noticed. Now it’s all wendys & hardies at every exit.

[@tntornadox89]

Shoney's has always been one of the better buffet restaurants, IMO. I wish they could formulate some kind of comeback.

[@robertbauers2210]

@Curtis Munse I agree I liked their AYCE Breakfast Bar and also liked the AUCE Breakfast Bar Bobs Big Boy had. I used to work for Shoneys and Bobs Big Boy in Frederick Maryland as a server

[@aaronz9410]

in some areas they have... I know at one time they were trying to do a more Applebees type of thing and include a bar. A Shoney's with a bar, I know it sounds crazy but it has happened, and as far as I know their new locations are that. Also to Robert's reply, yeah I agree Shoney's AYCE breakfast, when done right (hit and miss now sadly) is the top. I am not a huge breakfast person but will throw down and a properly done Shoney's AYCE breakfast buffett. Funny as I got older, the eggs, as a kid I would just throw some cheese on them, now, yeah I add the mushrooms then the cheese (I have always liked mushrooms, but never thought of it until I was in my 30s). The potatoes, screw ketchup, give me the salsa.

[@robertbauers2210]

@Aaron Z 30 I heard that Shoney’s in Morgantown WV Sells Beer/Wine Unsure if that location has a full bar. Speaking of Restaurants that tried something different. Bob Evans tried having a Restaurant/General Store consent Lin Cracker Barrel Bob Evans only had a few like that. One is in Morgantown WV one other was Williamsburg VA however the one in Williamsburg didn’t last long I’m unsure of the location of the other Bob Wvans with the Restaurant/General Store

[@amymays8727]

I loved shoney’s

[@fabb5]

yes

[@Bemfactor98]

Shoney's breakfast bar was so great as a kid.

[@matexplores32]

I love my shoneys near me

[@kilebogart]

There's no more Shoney's in Jacksonville, Florida.

[@izezee3815]

The one they relocated to has since closed too

[@martyschleder]

Best breakfast bar ever!

[@negativenancy4735]

Great video . My first job was at a Shoneys in Saint Clairsville Ohio back in 1991 . There was an Elbys next door and they took over the Shoneys and it closed a couple years later.

[@Haruspell]

Was is crazy? Just saying

[@lindamikel7913]

Wow This is Awesome Find I'm Doing The Abandoned Video Every Single Week.

[@CharlieA623Official]

I visited the Shoney’s in Morgantown and it was amazing. That one is pretty new and I wish I could’ve gone to this one. It’s really unfortunate people have to destroy and vandalize abandon places. Nice video!

[@BWItoATXF]

All Shoney's closed in MD decades ago. I haven't been back since. But that Shoney's bear used to have lolipops in the hole. Memory UNLOCKED.

[@melodybeitzel5378]

I Miss shoneys I loved 🥰 their food especially their hush puppies and shrimp 🍤

[@gripgaragedoor82]

Did you find motel 6 we will leave the light on for you

[@mikemcclune1440]

I used to stop at the Shoney's down in Summersville VW on my way back from Florida Glad to see some of the locations are still open

[@slackingpacking]

WOW! That place is untouched! Awesome exploration dude!

[@matthewfarmer6830]

We use to have them here in the state of Kentucky Shoney's they one day move out, good to see this one it bring back memories. Thanks so much Wallie say hi to your Kayla.😎✌️👍👍

[@matthewjbauer1990]

The reason there is a Shoney's at a Motel 6 is because the Motel 6 was originally a Shoney's Inn. When the Shoney's in my home town closed, the Inn remained and was rebranded. The Shoney's itself got modernized and upgraded and now is a First Watch. I went to a Shoney's like 3 or 4 years ago, on my way home from Mammoth Cave. There are a couple of Shoney's in my town. After eating there the last time, I have no desire to go back. I think Nostalgia brought me and my dad to Shoney's the last time.

[@jerrysanders9101]

Interesting about the inns 🏨

[@sandral2178]

Where I live, we had 3 Shoney’s in the area, we now have 1 and they aren’t open full days, they can’t find people to work, other food places are having the same problem! It’s sad!

[@Aaron-ce2yq]

I live in Myrtle Beach SC, ours is only open 7a-4p. Wouldn't be surprised if it eventually just goes to breakfast hours once tourist season is over.

[@mariebelladonna437]

When I was a little girl, back in the mid-80s, my aunt worked at our local Shoney's. One of her jobs was watering all the plants. She always had a green thumb, and I remember her house was full of plants, too. She had one, I think it was a philodendron, with vines that twined all over the railing around the landing at the top of her steps. My papaw loved Shoney's and would take us there often. I even still have my stuffed Shoney's bear that he got me. Thank you for inspiring these sweet memories!

[@oldguyreal9681]

They used to be all over the place here. Now, according to their website, the closest one open is ~90 miles away.

[@daverogers9386]

Cool video! Can’t believe those West Virginia lights were still there along with those team photos. Surprised someone didn’t take those, especially the lights. Something else seeing the bear and signs also. You’d figure someone would’ve taken them and sold them. It’s awesome when you find things like that left there. It is sad that restaurants like this are slowly disappearing. Places like this were where you could relax and enjoy a meal like a human being. It’s all going fast food shoebox buildings. There’s just something special about sitting at a table and enjoying a meal at a restaurant and not just gulping everything down at a fast food joint.

[@amymays8727]

I agree people should Not vandalize.

[@Rob0876]

My first job was shoneys in Salina Kansas. 1992. It was a new location when they were expanding to the central usa. It was a horrible company and the place only lasted 1 1/2 years. Management sucked. We were always out of food. It was terrible. From what I know. A few years ago they were trying to make a comeback. More of a bar and grill type. But I don’t think many are around anymore. I quit mine and worked for the new target store in Salina. Shoneys closed abruptly and the employees never got paid their final payments

[@brentamania89]

Never been to a shoney's awesome video as always they never disappoint keep up the good work

[@unistat1]

Google maps shows it open in June 2012 and closed in October 2015.

[@cindyjoyner1426]

Hey👋 next time you’re coming south down 95 through North Carolina there is a Shoneys that has been closed 😢for several years now in Selma .

[@charliemartin-k7m]

That watermelon was a fake prop the one in my area had one inside of a display case with a few other fake fruit props.

[@UnkownPanameraLover]

Can you visit the Chick-fil-A in Columbia SC, I believe it closed right after new years.

[@josephhughes3313]

I use to work for shines a long time ago a dishwasher

[@robertbauers2210]

I worked for Shoneys in Frederick Maryland late 80s early 90s as a server the building was designed like the one in this video but a little smaller the section of the restaurant you showed had tables in it (at least the one I worked for)

[@slackingpacking]

Bright Sun Films used your video!

[@WallieB26]

I know! He reached out to me a while back and asked if he could use it in an upcoming project. Of course I said yes! But I kept my mouth shut as to not spoil the surprise!

[@WallieB26]

Jake is good people!

[@slackingpacking]

@@WallieB26 That’s cool! I enjoy his videos!

[@MrIceman22]

Great video wallie keep it up love it Thanks for sharing

[@Christopher0817]

It's just something special when a restraunt is connected to a motel and seeing people like you doccument these long forgotten treasures is always a pleasure to watch thanks for filming abandon places love them

[@danielfoster3642]

Have you ever heard of Shoney's Inn?

[@hardymichael533]

Amazing on KZbin abandoned locations video 😎👍

[@JMShearer]

It's really a shame this place has been left to rot, even if there is a new location nearby. It looks like it was a fun place to eat. Thanks for another awesome video, Wallie~

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

Here in Crossville we have a Shoneys

[@mrscott5778]

nice find mr wallie look vary cool in side

[@JackVegetables18]

That old shoney's was a step back in time awesome explore man 👍

[@Rossturnerphoto]

That’s an awesome find. I always liked Shoneys, but they don’t have any more in my area. I agree with you, it’s a shame the owners didn’t take the inside plants with them to the new location or at least give them to somebody to save them. Some of these abandon restaurants it often looks like The staff left in a hurry after the last shift and didn’t bother to clean up, which is also a shame.

[@pawliksworldofentertainmen1734]

Awesome video Wallie and Kayla!!! All of the stuff you found inside the Shoneys will be thrown away. What a waste. Great find!!!

[@matexplores32]

I’m so happy I still have shoneys near me ! Great video

[@watershed44]

*Shoney's used to be a HUGE advertiser on The Weather Channel back in the late 1980s and 1990s* There is new owner of the brand and the company is trying to make a comeback.

[@phillipmoffitt5380]

Wish there was a Shoneys where I live

[@danielfoster3642]

In case anyone's wondering which Shoney's this was, this was located on Route 19 in the northern suburbs of Morgantown, West Virginia. Star City to be exact. This Shoney's closed around 2013 when they relocated over to a new shopping center in the neighborhood of Sabraton just off of WV State Route 7 a few miles west of the interchange with Interstate 68. There is an adjacent hotel next to this building still in operation today as a Motel 6. I'm guessing it's a former Shoney's Inn? There is a Shoney's over in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The building was a Shoney's in the mid-to-late 90s, closed in the mid-2000s, became a Chinese restaurant around 2007, closed in early 2020, and then Shoney's came back there a year later. I knew it was a Shoney's during it's heyday because the sign for the Chinese restaurant used to have the old style Shoney's sign. I found that out on Google Street View.

[@charliemartin-k7m]

I kind of hate when people give out the location on these because sadly the Low Lifes will find it and bust everything up.

[@danielfoster3642]

@@charliemartin-k7m Just want to let you know, I only wrote this comment for historical purposes. Because I'm from that general vicinity, and so many people are often curious about the history of a particular place. So I'm just giving out the historical aspects of the place. Just wanna throw that out there.

[@ZachArmstrong02]

Not many Shoneys left unfortunately

[@nearandfarexplorers5125]

That’s wild!! I can’t believe how much stuff was left behind to rot. Sitting there for years!!! Seeing the old computers was insane. It must have been there for at least 10 years sitting untouched

[@sandrahunter5749]

We used to have a Shoney's where I live , it closed in 2000 or 2001. The last time I ate at Shoney's was 1996, they had good food.

[@kylezimmerman9228]

i miss shoneys used to have one out near valley mall in hagerstown

[@danielfoster3642]

Shoney's used to be everywhere, mostly in the Southern states.

[@andypritchard9644]

To think I was in Morgantown a few months ago, down the hill at the Best Western for the night and didn't see this Shoney's. Honestly, considering its location in the middle of a college town, I'm sadly not surprised that the place has been vandalized. What I am surprised about is the owner of that Motel 6 not being aware of the vandalism going on, because if the owners knew I'd guarantee that it would be torn down, one way or another. Once again, great video Wallie!

[@realtv01]

Ahh surprise…! A open door…

[@marvelousme5]

Wallie, please eat a piece of the hot fudge cake for me!!!! I haven’t been to a Shoney’s in over 20 years!!!! It’s a great place to eat!!! There are so few Shoney’s left now days. I always got the hot fudge cake and it is delicious!!! Thanks for the videos and all of the wonderful memories!!!! Take care and stay awesome!!!! 👍🏻😬

[@danielfoster3642]

I could go for a hot fudge, honestly. Too bad the closest Shoney's from me is like 75 miles west of me. At least there's Eat n Park.

[@marvelousme5]

@@danielfoster3642 Yeah I don't even know where the closet Shoney's is to me. Really really far I am sure. Wallie has to eat a piece for us. LoL 😬👍🏻

[@danielfoster3642]

@@marvelousme5 The closest one to me is like 55 miles.

[@BitmappedWV]

West Virginia University owns the land where the Shoney’s sits. I’ve been sort of surprised they’ve allowed that building to sit and rot versus just knocking it down.

[@jennifergarrett6809]

Cool that you got inside. It always strikes me as funny that the fans always droop. Like they just gave up.

[@pants6000]

This building is gone now, just torn down (late July '23.)

[@kilebogart]

Wallie there's a tie on the buffet counter did you notice that.

[@kellyj.9898]

I ate at shoneys when I was a kid. They had good food.

[@ysbtoby]

I remember going here when I was kid. My grandmother had to eat next to the salad bar. Nice to know the cats meow village pieces were still over the register area. Wow this place brings back big time memories. Every Saturday I would end up here or eat ‘n park. Of course down the road was the old Hills. The lights were from the Mountaineer Room which was full of WVU memorabilia

[@kimt4870]

There isn’t another Shoney’s in Statesville. There was many years ago, down towards the Walmart, but it’s been closed for years as well. I’ve eaten at both of the Shoney’s that used to be in Statesville. My grandmother ALWAYS loved to eat at Shoney’s, regardless of where it was. Good memories !!

[@jakeinlow1561]

Badass video wallie of being able to get inside great video as always

[@kmyoung180]

I haven't thought of Shoney's in years, until you uploaded this video. My Grandmother loved this chain and insisted that we eat there on our way home from a trip. I didn't know anything about the restaurant and wanted to eat elsewhere, but she made me go and it WAS a good meal!!

[@danielfoster3642]

It's been a long time since I've eaten at Shoney's. I've eaten there four times as a kid. They've gone downhill for the past 15 years.

[@ZeeMann_Retail]

Great video!

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

The old computer was interesting.

[@jaimienichols5649]

Awesome Wallie

[@Barabyproductions]

Hey Wallieb26 this reminds me of Sizzler for some reason not sure why. But this seems like a great place to bad people have to mess it up!!

[@gracierobar7036]

Wallie you need to go went they open a bec'ee in the pigeon forge area in Tennessee

[@45AMT]

I grew up in GA All our local Shoney's closed years ago. But here in SC where I live now Shoney's is alive and well. Our local Shoney's looks just like this same architecture even an Econo Lodge off to the side. They've kept up our Shoney's and it's in mint condition.Our even has the bright green paint inside LOL! They still have the breakfast bar and even an all you can eat bar overnight of the week. We have lots of retro brands of restaurants here Like Western Sizzlin and Quincy's

[@BEV0323]

I love Shoney's, I live about 16 miles from one that's still currently open in Pearl, Mississippi.

[@Contour2932]

This is a interesting find, awesome video!

[@rbisme113]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels badly for the plants left behind in closed establishments.

[@charliemartin-k7m]

Sad thing is a lot of places won't even sell them when they shut down sadly.

[@rbisme113]

@@charliemartin-k7m Or put them out curbside with a sign: Free to a Good Home!

[@corvus1970]

@@rbisme113 Agreed!

[@clarky417]

I still have a couple of shoneys big boy 👦 comic book 📕

[@spock592001]

I used to work for Shoney's in Aronld, Missouri

[@BeautifulAngelBlossom]

they had one in Marion IL long time ago it looked like that but it was tore down for auto parts store witch went out of business a few year ago

[@Richard-vq2lj]

So I just noticed that the kings out in Altoona closed not sure when but I did

[@brandyrodgers4329]

The Butler PA kings had closed sometime in March/ April

[@703am]

always cool when you can get inside, makes me wonder why they left so much behind

[@corvus1970]

Honestly, it probably comes down to money. You have to pay people to remove and disassemble items, and then pay to have them dumped or repurposed. When a place shuts down, that money is often unavailable. A lot of people do salvage, and would probably take stuff with no payment, but that would be a big liability issue. That said, it is indeed a shame that places like this are left to slowly decay away, unless they are lucky enough to be repurposed.

[@marshabrown8337]

I always wanted to eat at a Shoney's, but never have. Thank you for the walk down the lane. Take care.

[@joeydersario2470]

Wow awesome video I don't like vandalism alot of stuff inside good job wallie

[@ryderollis5550]

Where was this at also I found an abandoned Hardee’s on 301 blvd come to Fayetteville please

[@Renee-zx2lo]

I loved shoneys as a child it was so good. haven’t had they’re food in over 16 years 🥺

[@gmoney1093]

Likely this was a Shoney's and Shoney's Inn. Back in the day Shoney's would at times have a motel along with its restaurant. The motels are gone now and now under many different names.

[@ThePresentTimeNow]

The French toast sticks were clutch!!!

[@wicketwolfgamer8349]

The shoney's here in Evansville Indiana caught fire didn't burn down but had some bad fire damage too bad to reopen so they moved then 3 years after they moved it closed down for good they have some good food I miss it a lot

[@aaronz9410]

I have a spot (my family owned, well still owns it) that is abandoned that I would be happy for you to explore (it is a locked building although someone recently broke a window, but I do have a key and full privilages to go in). Truly it hurts my heart to see it in the condition it is in, but would love to have someone document it (hell I might do it). If you see this please drop me your email or something so I can contact you so we can maybe figure something out. Have to edit this to say I am outside of Richmond, VA by about 30 minutes so you have an idea of where I am.

[@kimberlygorcey4290]

Love those French doors

[@Jackthefanman800]

I love how the parking lot sign in the back is still lit up after all these years.

[@jet34thehawk]

Awesome 👌 video

[@carlavision6143]

WallieB26 totally awesome and cool abandoned Shoney's video! Really enjoyed it! I'll never get to exploee awesome and abandoned places like you and others do!

[@lettherebetacos]

I have memories of going to Shoney's with my grandmother. It's now a Panera Bread.🤦😂

[@StantonsJourneys]

It's a shame people have to wreck places and vandalize. I been to the one in the new Philadelphia area and man was it good.

[@davidhoff4237]

I've been to this particular Shoney's once about 15 years ago.

[@ianchristopheralexander1985]

There used to be a Shoneys in Frederick Maryland from 1986 to 1998. It's a Japanese restaurant now but it still looks like a former Shoneys on US 40 West Patrick Street Frederick MD.

[@burgcarli929]

Back in the late 80's, a couple of friends and I would visit my brother who was bartending in Gainesville Fl. Every Sunday morning before the trip back to Clearwater, we'd hit the Shoney's buffet and talk about all the stupid things we did the previous two days. Great memories, from what I remember.

[@GregTheMan]

That was awesome.

[@nancydarling4918]

Good video. Thanks.

[@michaelnovakjr7317]

I use to work at shorney in crystal lake illinois when they brought wags restaurant in the 1993

[@davidsquires154]

Hi Wallie and Kayla, Back in the day,I was on vacation in Columbus,Mississippi and I ate at Shoney's Big Boy 👦. The food was very good and the buffet was very good 👍. I wonder if the Shoney's Big Boy 👦 is still in Columbus,Mississippi? The,last time that I was in Columbus,Mississippi was in 1994.

[@tigertailz4444]

We have one in Branson Missouri

[@evanwilliams6406]

Most of Shoney's I have frequented now have been re-purposed or are in disrepair and that is unfortunate. The two in my area are closed completely and the other one was re-purposed into another. The one in Richmond still operates even though the last time I went there, they had no cool air and its currently being serviced. The one in Staunton I used to visit turned into Hometown Grill and it serves the same purpose as Shoney's did and even kept that aesthetics and that location is very similar to the abandoned one you are showing.

[@entvids1]

Am I the only one who got scared during this video? 🤣 his commentary was scaring me “hello?” “I keep hearing things in here”. Subscribed! Glad I came across this channel it’s cool.

[@gradymcclintock6160]

Its probably a cat or something hes hearing

[@entvids1]

@@gradymcclintock6160 you’d be the one to get shot or murdered being unaware of your surroundings 🤣

[@DRNicholasJones]

We use to have a Stoney’s in town in closed in late 90’s unfortunately I really enjoyed it .

[@DavidWetherell-ro9ye]

There is a abandoned shoneys in cookville tn closed in 2019 about 4 years

[@miss_lyss2166]

There is still a Shoneys in Dover, Ohio!

[@lisafreeman4222]

That was awesome video