The Riviera-- Gardner, Il.-- Part 3

** Bob and Peggy Kraft bought the Riviera in 1972.

** The restaurant and bar were downstairs with the kitchen upstairs.

** A dumbwaiter delivered meals downstairs. It was counter balanced with a WW I artillery shell. A pulley system with food orders attached by clothespins was used to get the orders to the kitchen.

** Bob started to collect battery operated toys and had quite a collection of them. I especially liked Hank Williams, Jr., singing the Monday Night Football song.

** Bob never had a drivers license and liked to say, "Drinking and driving don't mix. So I would rather drink."

** Another famous feature of the bar were the mile high toilets downstairs. Definitely a challenge to use them. I think they had something to do with pressure or the proximity of the river.

** Peggy was one fantastic cook. We were fortunate to get to try her famous spaghetti sauce, cheese spread, and salad dressings. Plus, you never went away hungry.

** Once word of the closing got out, , the place was filled with well-wishers and folks wanting to have the experience one more time.

We're sure going to miss the Krafts, but at least the new owner intends to keep things as they were, if he is able to work out problems with the town of Gardner.

One Great Place to Visit. --RoadDog