Andy's Igloo
Andy's Igloo is a "greasy-spoon" style diner in Winter Haven, Florida at the corner of U.S. Highway 17 and Avenue G.
When opened in 1951 by Roger "Andy" Anderson, it was a Dairy Queen. Ten years later, Andy expanded the store to include restaurant space.
Andy's closed for a short period of time when the kitchen caught fire while a hurricane was passing through. Instead of destroying the business, it gave Anderson a chance to realign and enlarge the restaurant and remodel the kitchen.
In 1990, Emmanuel Emmanuelitis walked up to the cash register and told Andy, "I would like to buy this store."
Emmanuelitis purchased and ran Andy's Igloo for nearly ten years, selling it to its current owners in 1999.
A trademark of the Andy's experience is the menu, which has one big bite taken out of the corner.
Significance
Andy's has been a favorite place to visit by Jon's family & friends for more than two decades.
It was a regular lunch spot for Jon and his friends (most notably Jason Harden, Marcus Brixa, & Eric Vaughn) when they were students at Polk Community College.
Trivia
- Jon's introduction to Andy's Igloo was by Jason Harden's mother, Juanita Harden, when both boys were of middle-school age. She treated them to Andy's Igloo after picking them up from a computer day-camp at a local college.
- Mildred Watson joined the staff at Andy's in 1961 when she was 23, and worked at Andy's for more than 40 years.
- Two of the spires of the signature roadside sign (the two holding the "Burgers" and "Fries" balloons) were blown off during the 2004 hurricane season.
