In 1947, with only $900 to his name, Pete Grant rented a piece of land for $20 near 31st and Van Buren Streets in Phoenix and opened Pete’s Fish & Chips restaurant. He made $12 profit his first day and eventually grew the business into a chain of 8 locations across the Valley.
This is a photo of the back of Pete’s Fish & Chips in Tolleson. The Tolleson restaurant was the second location opened and is the third highest grossing of the eight but the oldest original building. Plans are being made to replace this building with a new, larger building which will have 40 picnic tables instead of four, go from 10 parking spots to 40 and almost double the number of fry cookers.
The future renovation will be called Ruth Walden Super Pete’s in honor of Ruth Walden who worked as a manager at Pete’s for 57 years and died this past May at the age of 79. She loved the place so much that she asked to be buried in the restaurant's shirt and jacket and asked that people wear the same to her funeral.
16 comments:
Wow! Had no idea Pete's had been around so long. There was also one in Flagstaff back in the '70s when I lived there. I hope they get someone to repaint the mural on the new building.
Pete's is certainly a valley favorite. I didn't know that about Ruth Walden.
I've never heard of Pete's -- great success story. Those colorful cartoons are fun.
I hope this wall art stays on in some form or is replicated in the new building.
- Mindless Mumbai
Great post! Wonderful info and image.
Oh how I miss Pete's! I don't think there is any place like it in the valley. Nice shot. Thanks for the memories.
What a great story. Lots of fishes and water there. I hope the new and bigger shop is a go for them. MB
that's a bit different. interesting read.
WoW! That's quite a story & quite an expansion in the works! Nice tribute to a long time loyal employee... very sweet!
who lives in a pineapple under the sea...cool little place and a neat story to boot! happy sunday!
A great great way to speak about Pete's!
That is a great story! The painting on the building is priceless.
Whoa, there's a lot going on in the mural. It sets a cheerful mood so you anticipate having a good time here.
Oh wow, the company must be very good to its employees for Ruth to have asked for that. Lovely story.
I hope the new restaurant will have a mural just as fun as this!
Now I know that fish, chips and malt vinegar is a very British thing, does that explain the presence of the Union Jack on this fun mural?
Am taking a short tour of your blog. You two have some fun posts, but I had to stop by this one to say how much I like the mural and the story. I more often hear people gripe about the company they work for, so this kind of loyalty is precious. (I only started blogging recently, but already I've posted quite a few murals and mosaics.)
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