On my way home from Pensacola, I had to stop in Bagdad to visit Florida’s last real Stuckeys. When I was a kid and my family did road trips to Florida down the East Coast every year, we’d always stop at Stuckeys. The distinctive yellow-roofed shops were filled with treats, had clean restrooms, and often included a snack bar, in later years typically a Dairy Queen where I could indulge in my favorite, chili dog! I’d save my allowance so I could buy pralines, which at the time were 3 for $1.
Did you know that in the 1970s, Stuckeys had the first real email system for travelers? I still have the brochure. It was a computer where you could leave a message for a friend and they’d stop into any Stuckeys, type in their secret code, and get the message. But over the years, the interstates crowded out the US highways and Stuckeys vanished, converted into less-glamorous uses. There are only two “real” Stuckeys left in Florida – I don’t count the Stuckeys name slapped on a gas station to sell candy to be the same – and of those two, the one that still shows the genuine hospitality, cleanliness, and friendly spirit I remember from the 1960s is the Stuckeys at the Bagdad / Milton exit along I-10. It’s loaded with goodies and nostalgia items, and has a Dairy Queen to boot. Do stop in when you’re on a road trip!
From Garland Pollard:
Sandra
I should have known you were a big Stuckey’s fan! The big question. Did they have those fruit jelly slices? And what about the novelty game vending machines that sold whopee cushions and smoking monkeys? Such great memories of Florida.
I had no idea about the early email…
thanks for bringing back the old memories.
From Sandra Friend:
Hi, Garland! None of the vending machines anymore but yes, fruit jelly slices live! There is also a Stuckey’s in Yeehaw Junction in its original building, but it’s a bit rundown and sad compared to this cheerful example of 60s road tripping near Pensacola. I’ll have to scan & post that flyer I have about the email sometime.
From Bill Coleman:
During the late 1950′s and through the early 1970′s, Stuckey’s was always one of our stops on the way from Birmingham to all points in Florida. Lots of stuff for a kid to play with there and we always bought something. For some reason they always had a lot of Indian stuff. And pecan rolls.
From Kristi:
My father owns the Stuckey’s in Bagdad, FL and it has been a huge struggle to keep its name alive. He has devoted his life to making that store what it is today and was been working within the Stuckey’s family since the late 70′s. I worked for him for many years growing up and have seen the many changes within this company over the years. Thank you for your devotion to help keep his store open!
From Sandra Friend:
Kristi, thanks for sharing and tell him we DO appreciate all his hard work. It’s a must stop for me on every trip to Pensacola … both ways!
From Melissa:
We were also on our way home to Louisiana from Daytona and needed a Chevron for gas. Stuckey’s in Bagdad, FL is one of the most exciting and amazing stops on our trip. We could not stop looking at all the goodies! My daughter bought her Wizard of Oz lunch box! We will definately stop by every time we come through there! Thank you so much for keeping the memories alive!
From Sandra Friend:
I found another old fashioned free-standing Stuckeys recently at the I-95 exit for US 1, Bunnell. It wasn’t as neat and cheery as the one in Bagdad, but it does exist. I’ve missed it for years since I usually take back roads through the area.