“The Grimes” sounds like a vernacular term for the way your skin feels after a long day in the car. Got me the grimes. You can only hope the place’s owners didn’t pronounce it “Gree-mays,” and correct everyone who called for a reservation. The three balls atop the sign are a festive touch, very sixties, and an indication of how signs would soon get uglier and cheaper.

“Connecting rooms if desired,” says the card. A welcome change from FORCED, UNWANTED connecting rooms, I guess. I always found the connecting doors to be a great mystery as a kid – the door that led to nothing, just the back of another door.

The Greem-ess was located in Troy, Alabama.