Taylor’s Drive-In building, not name, up for sale

More than two years after the last steakburger and hand-dipped milkshake was served, the longtime home of Taylor’s Drive-In is for sale.

The asking price is $600,000 and does not include the name of the restaurant.

Jeff Childs, SVN/Rankin Co. LLC, said the centrally located property was listed days ago and is already generating interest.

“We’ve already got two or three groups that have called with interest. Some people are just curious,” he said. “If you’ve been around Springfield for any length of time you know there’s been so many people who had first dates there or lunch meetings.”

The sign at the lot along Trafficway Street, where Kimbrough Avenue turns into Benton Avenue, reads “Taylor’s Old Fashion Steakburgers.” It was opened in 1947 and while the carhops were discontinued years ago, it is still referred to as a drive-in.

“It’s got such a great history of being a Springfield icon,” Childs said. “A lot of people are just interested in the story of it.”

Childs has a personal connection. He said 47 years ago, his mother Linda Childs sold the property to current owner Darlene Collins and her late husband, Jack. The couple were living in Iowa and sent feelers to different cities, trying to figure out where to move.

“Mom happened to get the contact and wrote the letter and invited them to come to Springfield. Darlene said they looked at 50 houses before they bought,” he said. “In that process, they mentioned they were looking for a business, and mom sold them that piece of real estate. That formed a lifelong friendship with the family.”

Collins was a fixture in the restaurant, sitting behind the cash register and talking to customers – including many regulars – when they came in for lunch. Her grandson was often nearby along with longtime employees.

A couple years ago, she temporarily closed the restaurant to focus on her health, but it never reopened.

“It’s been shut down for a couple years, but she finally decided it was time to sell it and that’s when she called me, based on that history with my mom,” Childs said. “It’s nice to be able to help her.”

The property includes a 1,564-square-foot building with existing hood and grease trap. The real estate summary noted additional income from on-site billboard lease and after-hours parking rental are also options.

“Darlene is in good shape. She’s happy. She came to my office, drove herself, all that,” he said. “I just think it was that time in her life to make a change.”

The property, located at 139 Memorial Plaza, listed as slightly more than one acre, is sandwiched between Hold Fast Brewing, American Legion Post 69 and the Shrine Mosque.

Childs said the Taylor’s Drive-In name is not included in the sale price.

“She was pretty protective of the tradition, and I don’t think she wants to have that get tarnished in any way by someone not doing the same quality of food,” he said. “My understanding is it’s not for sale.”