The Bartow or Lakeland Florida KFC 1967 Mug – A Crispy Nod to Fast-Food Evolution

 In the sun-baked heart of Central Florida, where phosphate mines once dotted the landscape and citrus groves whispered of prosperity, a humble KFC outpost emerged in 1967 as a symbol of post-war convenience. This $9.99 ceramic mug from Skyway Diner's "Places Not There Anymore" collection captures that era's golden arches of fried delight—likely emblazoned with a retro rendering of Colonel Sanders' iconic bucket, the original red-and-white signage, or the drive-thru window that revolutionized roadside eats in Bartow or Lakeland. At 11-12 oz, microwave- and dishwasher-safe with a chip-resistant glaze and ergonomic handle, it's no fragile relic; it's a sturdy companion for morning joe or evening sweet tea, evoking the sizzle of pressure-fried chicken that first hooked Polk County palates.

KFC's Florida footprint traces to the chain's explosive 1960s growth, when Harland Sanders franchised his secret 11-herbs-and-spices recipe from a Corbin, Kentucky café to nationwide outposts. By 1967, as America's car culture boomed, small-town spots like those in Bartow (a phosphate boomtown) and Lakeland (a rail hub turned suburb) welcomed the Colonel's crispy promise. Imagine locals lining up at a fresh-built eatery on Broadway or Florida Avenue for buckets of Original Recipe, mashed potatoes with gravy, and those addictive biscuits—affordable escapes amid Vietnam headlines and moon-landing hype. This wasn't gourmet; it was democracy on a plate, feeding families from citrus pickers to air-base personnel at Lakeland's then-thriving Linder Field.

Fast-forward through decades of mergers (Heublein to PepsiCo to Yum! Brands), menu tweaks (hello, chicken sandwiches), and real estate churn. The 1967 KFC—whether the Bartow staple at 1492 N. Broadway or a Lakeland counterpart on Memorial Boulevard—faded as chains consolidated. Urban sprawl and shifting tastes led to closures, with many original sites repurposed into everything from strip-mall voids to, in this case, a Hungry Howie's Pizza. Founded in 1973 by Jim Hearn in Madison Heights, Michigan, Hungry Howie's brought its signature flavored-crust pies to Florida in the 1980s, emphasizing fresh dough, real mozzarella, and quirky twists like Cajun or butter cheese crusts. Today, a Howie's at 1405 N. Broadway in Bartow slings Howie Wings, oven-baked subs, and gluten-free options, its drive-thru echoing the KFC's convenience but swapping buckets for pepperoni-loaded pies. In Lakeland, similar evolutions unfolded along US-98 or S. Florida Avenue, where former fast-chicken haunts now peddle Sriracha wings and veggie-loaded calzones, blending Yankee ingenuity with Sunshine State flair.

The mug's magic lies in its layered benefits. Nostalgically, it reignites tales of family road trips—picture swapping stories over coffee about sneaking extra biscuits or debating Extra Crispy versus Original. In an era of app-ordered isolation, it sparks connections at tailgates or book clubs, a subtle badge for Florida expats mourning lost drive-ins. Practically, its ceramic core retains heat like a true diner cup, fitting seamlessly into humid mornings or air-conditioned afternoons; top-rack dishwasher safe, it outlasts paper sludge. Eco-consciously, it champions reuse over disposables, with small-batch production funding Skyway Diner's mission to archive vanished eateries—reducing waste while preserving Polk County's greasy-spoon soul.

Versatile for herbal infusions or iced brews, it adds mid-century pop to any shelf, gifting ideally to retirees or foodies. Psychologically, nostalgia's grip—backed by studies on memory's mood boost—turns sips into stress soothers, bridging 1967's optimism to 2025's hustle. At under $10, this mug distills fast-food folklore into tangible joy: from Colonel's cluck to Howie's crust, a flavorful reminder that reinvention keeps the drive alive.

https://skywaydiner.com/product/23979560/bartow-or-lakeland-florida-kfc-1967-now-hungry-howies

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