As a kid growing up in rural Iowa, I always got a kick out of the nearby town’s small motel. It was cleverly named “Dew Drop Inn.” Even though the small motel units didn’t look like much, the business’s name intrigued me. I wondered what it might be like to “drop in.” The name was catchy and welcoming. It was unusual and memorable because I easily recall it, still today!
In our RV travels back and forth across the country, we’ve come across many unique, memorable and unusual business names. Perhaps you’ve seen some, too. I have to admit that many times just the quirky name has caused us to pull over or pull in for a closer look, a great meal, or even an overnight stay.
Funny campground names
First up is a delightful campground named, “The Last Resort.” My husband and I still enjoy telling other campers that after looking everywhere, we decided to stay at The Last Resort. The campground is located near Warsaw, Missouri, and is a real gem.
“Grandma’s Grove” is another campground featuring a memorable though, to me, confusing name. Does the name mean the campground is exclusively for seniors? Or does the name “Grandma” refer to the place where hordes of children love to stay? We’ve only driven by, so I’m still not sure! (This campground is located near LaBelle, FL.)
Over the years, we traveled many, many miles with our three children. After one such exhausting trek, my husband and I thought of a good campground name: “RV There Yet?” If you’ve traveled with children, you understand.
More unusual business names
When we’re home we like to eat at “Nachomama’s” in St. Louis. And yes, the name brought us in. This franchise restaurant has select stores throughout the U.S. They serve great Mexican food, along with yummy adult beverages, befitting the name.
“Strange Donuts.” How’s that for a memorable and unusual business name? Who wouldn’t stop by for a taste test? This favorite local Maplewood, MO, donut shop features all kinds of unique donuts, like Maple Bacon and so many more. (Good news! They’ve opened additional stores in the area!)
Near our current campground is a car wash named “Splash and Dash.” Nearby is the drive-through liquor store. It’s called, “Git and Split.” Perhaps one rhyme-inspired businessperson owns both? Who knows? I just like the names!
How about you? What memorable and unusual business names have you seen? Or invented? Share your ideas in the comments below.
##RVT1045
My all-time favorite is Lick A Chick, a fried chicken franchise I saw in Nova Scotia many years ago.
One of our favorites is “The Lost Alaskan” RV park in Alpine, TX. When we worked in Big Bend National Park about 10 years ago Alpine was the nearest full service grocery store. It was a 220 mile round trip and at the time there were no three color traffic lights. Big Bend isn’t really “on the way” to anywhere and is literally the end of the road in several places.
Nice RV park. I stayed there about 8 years ago when my girlfriend and I went out to Alpine for the annual Cowboy poetry gathering.
I have been to Hell (MI) and spent time in Congress (AZ) just so my epitaph can say that I spent time in both Hell and Congress. Actually, I’m not sure there is much difference between hell and congress
“The Farmer’s Daughter” – an older motel across the street from the Farmer’s Market in the west side of Los Angeles. Had hourly rates advertised on their marquee.
Not sure of the business name just the highway billboards:
“The best Fudge comes from Uranus”
Uranis, MO.
What I know as a Speed Bump sign, I’ve seen Speed Table (Boulder, Colorado), Speed Hump (Valmore, New Mexico), and Traffic Calming Device (Valhalla, New York). I seen plenty of “Road Work Ahead” signs but only one “Road Preservation Ahead” sign (Avon, Indiana). For businesses, I’ve seen “Dailey’s Pour House Bar and Grill (Brewerton, NY) and a couple of “Wreck-a-mended Auto Body” shops.
In Pahrump NV there is an Indian and American restaurant named “the Pour House”
My favorite that I have yet to actually see has to be a furniture show room somewhere named –
Shack of Sit…..
One of my faves was the Wishy Washy Laundry.
Hyder, Alaska has one campground and it is named Camp Run-A-Muck. We stayed there in 2015.
East of Asheville, NC, we stayed in an RV park named “Mama Gerties.”
We stayed there too. Very steep drive to the top of the mountain, but the view was amazing and the campsite was perfect!
In Arizona there is a town called Hope. At the town limits there are signs that say “you are now beyond Hope”.
You stole my thunder! On Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho, just past the town of Hope lies Beyond Hope RV Resort. It’s a lovely place to stay, BTW.
Many years ago, on a trip between KC and STL on I-70 in Missouri, we kept seeing signs for “AtLastA” Motel ahead. As we were getting closer and closer to the designated exit for the aptly-named destination, our anticipation mounted. We finally arrived, only to discover that the AtLastA Motel had recently burned to the ground, and only charred rubble remained. Imagine our disappointment, but I’ll never forget the name… Don’t know if they ever rebuilt.
Near the small town of Hope, Idaho, on Lake Pend Oreille, is an RV resort named “Beyond Hope Resort”. It is east of Hope along Hwy 200. It’s a nice campground with 70 RV sites, a marina, a restaurant, and right on the lake.
There is a ‘hot spot’ on Lake Ozark Missouri that is half way between Bagnell Dam and Truman Dam called “Big Dicks Halfway Inn”
They recently added a 2nd location on the Bagnell Dam strip “Big Dicks Dam Near Inn”
http://www.bigdickshalfwayinn.com
On the Denali Highway: Skinny Dick’s Halfway Inn, halfway between Fairbanks and Nenana.
A regular stop for many travelers. That would be me.
A former law office where I live was named using the last names of the attorneys: Hero & Slick.
There’s a Serbian restaurant across from Denali Park in Alaska called Moose-AKa’s, (the capital letters are correct). I ate there because of the name, even though moussaka is Greek, I couldn’t resist the name. (Great restaurant, too!)
Reminds me of a game back in the 80’s that had a law firm in it by the name of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.
I think that comes from Car Talk on PBS.
I also believe that they are a real law firm in the Cambridge, MA, area.
The original is actually from an old Three Stooges feature.
When we started our business of wholesaling fishing tackle my wife would not allow me to name it Master Baiters.
There was one named that for a few years in Orange, VA
Helsinki, Finland has a restaurant called “The Wrong Asian Kitchen”.
Then there is the “Ho-Hum RV Park’ in Carrabelle FL and the “Ho-Hum Motel” in West Yellowstone MT. Funny part is I have stayed at both of them.
A number of hair salons around San Antonio, Tx are called “Curl up and dye”. A pretty catchy name I thought.
Entering a rundown town out west:
“John’s Tax Service &
Screen Door Repair.”
Well, it is difficult to keep body and soul together in a rural berg.
Fortunately, I had no need for either service.
There is/ or was a restaurant in a small Iowa town called “I Don’t Care” for those of us who could not make up our minds.
As we travel the country, we see a lot of small-town bars named “The Office”.
Bar in Deere Creek, IL is “The Library”
Ok, I was looking for propane one day and called Passmore Gas. I commented to the person on the phone how appropriate the name was and she sounded irate because that was their real name.
I went to an RV park in New Mexico a few years ago where the address was (xxxx) Rotten Road. And the road to the RV park was really bad.
You might think “Who Song and Larry’s” was an Asian restaurant. Nope Mexican. Vancouver WA.
“Who’s Dunes” is an establishment in Pahrump NV.
In London Ontario there is a gutter cleaning company called, Men In Kilts.
When I had the gutters replaced on our house I hired “Gutter Done!”
Then there’s the Lost Resort, Lake Ozette, WA
Quicker Liquor a drive thru liquor store
There’s a Harvest Host location in Maine,”Packrat Phyls”. Kinda like a flea market gone crazy.
Phyl is actually a wonderful lady and we plan to visit again soon.
There is the “Sir Cramalot” storage place in Rochester WA.
On a business trip, I was to meet with the mayor of a small town in SC. He said we could meet at his diner: The Chat ‘n Chew.
In Orange, VA there is a convenience store named “Gas ‘n Stuff”, and way back in the 1970’s I remember a store by the side of the road in Orange (VA) called, “Animals and Appetizers”. I heard it was a pet shop, but don’t know a thing about the appetizers!
Saw a Chinese restaurant in Ireland. The name? Soon Fat!
We love the name ” Inconvience Store ” in Neihart, MT. We love going there every time we are in Montana.
When planning for our trip to the Pacific Northwest, we discovered an RV campground, winery, 9-hole golf course in Idaho. A perfect combination for us! It’s called “Y Knot.” Beautiful campground right next to the golf course and across the road from the winery, restaurant. Going back again this year.