Former Kay's Castle is now Mr. T's in St. Elmo. Click to enlarge all our photos.
photo by Harmon Jolley
The history of Chattanooga businesses includes many "heavy" industries such as foundries and chemicals. However, there is also a long list of products made locally, past and present, which appeal to the sweet tooth: Moon Pies, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Coca-Cola, Double Cola, Brock Candy, and Kay's Ice Cream. The last product in that list was once marketed through supermarkets and drug stores, and later sold exclusively through the Kay's Kastles restaurants. Most of those ice cream shops have disappeared from the Chattanooga area, but several of the buildings still remain, including one in St. Elmo at 3924 Tennessee Avenue.
After graduating from Iowa State University in 1925 with a degree in dairy science, Frank R. Kollmansperger moved to Chattanooga in 1925 to work for the George K. Brown Co., a candy and ice cream business. George K. Brown's "Palace" at the southeast corner of 7th and Market was a popular ice cream parlor for many years. Mr. Kollmansperger remained with the Southern Dairies company for a few years after its acquisition of Mr. Brown's operation, but left in 1934 to begin his own ice cream business. He started with only $340 in capital, and a two-person staff. He and his wife formulated the ice cream in the evening, and he would deliver it to retailers the next day. "Kay" was an abbreviated form of Mr. Kollmansperger's name. Throughout the years, he insisted on providing the finest quality ice cream, such as using fresh fruit and cream. The quality attracted many loyal customers. In 1936, he established Kay's of Knoxville, followed in 1946 by Kay's of Roanoke, VA. The year 1946 also saw the doubling of the Chattanooga ice cream plant in Brainerd. The Kay's headquarters at 3744 Brainerd Road included both a manufacturing and retail business. There was a Tudor-styled building that housed the ice cream shop, later known as "Kay's Kastles."
The restaurant was soon joined by others in the area. Most of my visits to Kay's Kastles were to the St. Elmo location. The ice cream store opened in 1951 in the building vacated by Jay's Drive-in and situated at the foot of "Pine Top," a small hill which has since been leveled for development. Like other Kay's Kastles, it featured not only ice cream in many flavors, but also hot dogs and chili. I recall that a Watling weight-and-fortune-for-a-penny scale was placed in the store for many years. Seated at a table inside, one could watch the Incline go up-and-down Lookout Mountain and daydream while partaking of some ice cream. For St. Elmo residents, the visit to Kay's might follow shopping at Redford's 5-and-10, Incline Drug, Mrs. J. E. Jones Grocery, and Zahnd's. Tourists could have a Kay's malt or banana split after a trip on the Incline, or a visit to the Hall of President's Wax Museum (part of the Redford's building) or to Confederama. This and other Kay's locations were very popular after church on Sunday evening, and after ball games. A prominent bit of advertising at several Kay's Kastles was a giant ice cream cone about to be consumed by a small boy standing on a ladder.
Mr. Kollmansperger passed away in 1975, leaving not only a successful business as a legacy but also results of considerable civic and charitable work. His family had already assumed a large role in the business, with son Charles P. Kollmansperger in the lead. However, he died unexpectedly in 1978. As many as 20 Kay's Kastles were in operation in the Chattanooga area at that time. The Kollmansperger family sold Kay's in 1979. While most of the Kay's Kastles have since closed in the Chattanooga market, there is a relatively new one in Soddy-Daisy which is a franchise. Other Kay's Ice Cream shops are still open in the Knoxville area. The former Kay's of St. Elmo is now a Mr. T's Pizza and Ice Cream. One may still sit at one of their tables, watch the Incline go up-and-down Lookout Mountain, and daydream while partaking of some ice cream (personal experience while there to take the picture for this article).
If you have memories of Kay's Kastles, please e-mail me at jolleyh@signaldata.net.