Over on Instagram, I saw that my friend modbetty_retroroadmap posted the photos above, saying “Broasted Chicken and fabulous 1973 decor- win-win! Speck’s in Collegeville is my go-to spot when RetroRoadhubs is away and I don’t feel like cooking (I rarely feel like cooking ????).” Hey, we love a dinner out, too — but: Those tabletops! Are they original? Or are they the recent reproduction of Wilsonart Daisy in Apricot Glow? I called up Speck’s to find out, and owner Randy Landis confirmed: They are original! Well… sort of.
“Original. Sort of”?:
Randy said that Speck’s had a fire in 1972. After the fire, his father went to a restaurant auction, and there, he picked up all of that Daisy-topped seating. Writing this up, I realize I am confused whether it was a restaurant-supply auction or a restaurant-going-out-of-business auction. But, I think it was restaurant-going-out-of-business auction. If so, that means the orange Daisy laminate could be several years earlier than 1972. I don’t think that Wilsonart ever gave me an exact date of its marketplace launch.
Above: Wilsonart Daisy laminate in Apricot Glow — does not seem as orange to me at the Speck’s original.
Above: See >> Kristen’s kitchen in progress <<. She used Wilsonart Daisy in “Envy” for her countertops.
Link love:
- Mod Betty’s blog, Retro Roadmap
- Modbetty on Instagram
- Speck’s Broasted Chicken Restaurant, Collegeville, Pa.
- All our Kitchen Countertop research here.
Those chairs are Herman Miller, designed by Charles and Ray Eames. I believe they were the first mass produced molded plastic chair. Truly revolutionary.
Sitting at the very table in the pic above waiting for my daughter to finish her third(!) drumstick , and I can confirm that the tables are the same color as the “orange glow” spec- I think there might be a filter applied to the Instagram post. There are also super cool orange and yellow globe pendant lites to match!
These — or ones similar — come up on ebay now and then. You need to set up a variety of searches… then wait it out…
Flowers were the power in the late ’60s and ’70s.
Oh my! Speck’s!!!! I grew up in this town and this was our go-to place on the far end of town cruising! They had the best shakes in town! I haven’t been there in probably 40 years…didn’t realize it was even still in operation. Glad it is…brings back LOTS of memories 🙂 I will have to re-visit when back in that part of Eastern PA. Thanks for sharing!