The Orange Julius used to stand at the intersection of Market Street and M. L. King Boulevard. Click to enlarge.
Saturday, July 24, 2004. It’s 3 p.m., and I’m leaving the Bicentennial Library and the cool climate provided by its air conditioning system. Walking to my car, I’m already basking in the 90-degree heat and high humidity. There are no clouds, and very little available shade. The concrete and asphalt of downtown are absorbing the heat like a baking stone in a pizza oven. I look towards the intersection of Market Street and M. L. King Boulevard, and wish that I could still sip an Orange Julius there.
With Milton Wolinsky as its proprietor, the Orange Julius restaurant served many downtown customers over the years, beginning in the late 1960’s. The featured menu item was the Orange Julius drink, a mix of orange juice, crushed ice, and a dairy-based flavoring. Today, Orange Julius is part of the International Dairy Queen system. According to their corporate Website, the jazzed-up juice got its start in 1926, when Julius Freed teamed with real estate friend, Bill Hamlin, on a new orange juice stand in California. Hamlin, a former chemistry student, used his skills to concoct the drink that soon had customers raving, “Give me an orange, Julius!”
Chattanooga had at least three Orange Julius locations: the one downtown and others in Eastgate Mall near Loveman’s and at Northgate in the food court. Then as now, the local franchisees could offer other menu items alongside the Orange Julius drink. Mr. Wolinsky operated a grill at the downtown store, and served up hamburgers and hot dogs with various toppings.
When I worked at Volunteer State Life Insurance, many employees took the short walk to the Orange Julius. They could also do a lot of shopping within the 800-block where Orange Julius was located. Loveman’s Department Store was at 8th and Market, and the S.S. Kress and Moore & King Drug Store adjoined.
The Orange Julius was also a hit with students when they took a trip downtown. My wife recalls going to the Orange Julius with some friends after watching the Armed Forces Day parade on a hot late-spring day. She remembers that the employees of the Orange Julius performed a simple act of kindness by offering free ice water to the parade-watchers.
Well, I can’t get an Orange Julius today. Miller Plaza stands where the Orange Julius once quenched the thirsts of many. The closest one to Chattanooga, according to the Website, is in the Nashville area. As I’m about to open my car door, I see a couple of shuttle buses filled with tourists. Those buses aren’t air-conditioned, and the folks look like that they could use an ice-cold drink right now. I wonder how much an Orange Julius franchise costs?
If you have memories of the local Orange Julius restaurants, please send me an e-mail at jolleyh@signaldata.net.