All right all you mid-century enthusiasts! The first official Retro Richmond MCMeetup will be at Dot’s Back Inn this Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m.

It’s not the most mid-century place in town, but it’s cheap, the food is good and it’s close to my house (so if no one shows up, I didn’t drive out of my way for an overpriced brunch).

I wanted to keep the first MCMeetup casual so everyone can get to know each other. We can discuss where the next meetup should be during brunch. (I’m already casting my vote for duckpin bowling!)

If you think you can make it, let me know. That way I’ll know about how many seats we need. We can meet outside at 10. If you’re coming late and we’re already seated, look for the girl with bling’d out vintage cat eye glasses. I’m sure I’ll be the only one!

Dot’s Back Inn is located in Northside at 4030 MacArthur Ave. Here are some directions if you need them:

View Larger Map

I look forward to meeting everyone!!

People often frequent diners while on road trips, but this diner has been on quite a few road trips itself! Purchased in Newport News in the late 1940s, this prefabricated restaurant made its way to Richmond where it became known as Sam’s Diner.

The diner’s first home was on West Broad Street across from the former Division of Motor Vehicles. A few years later, owner Sam Shahda decided to move his 45-foot-long diner across the street from the Defense General Supply Center on Jefferson Davis Highway.

Sam’s eventually closed its doors and the diner had a brief stint as a Tex-Mex restaurant before it was left abandoned and rundown. It wasn’t until 1996 when the diner formerly known as Sam’s was purchased by Richmond restaurateurs Paul and Lisa Keevil. The Keevil’s also own Millie’s, another well-known Richmond diner located at 2603 E. Main St.

The couple renovated the chrome-plated restaurant and shipped it off to Nags Head and the rest is history, or so Richmond thought.

Millie’s Diner - Nags Head, NC

I recently received an e-mail from Bill of Richmond’s own rockin’ rockabilly band Hamburger James letting me know that Sam’s has changed hands once more. Here’s what he had to say:

About 10 years ago, Millie’s Restaurant bought the old Sam’s Diner and moved it down to Nag’s Head. They sold it and it sat vacant for several years. I stopped by last summer and found it open under new management.

Located at 2008 S. Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills, NC, the former Richmond diner is now known as the Kill Devil Grill.

Kill Devil Grill - Kill Devil Hills, NC

With a fresh coat of blue paint, the Kill Devil Grill is inviting and cheerful, but a far cry from the Sam’s of Richmond’s past. Still, it’s great to see new life in this former River City resident. Next time you’re at the beach, stop by the Kill Devil Grill and grab a bite to eat and take in the sights of one of Richmond’s most-cherished diners.

Special thanks to Bill for the photos and the suggestion!

If you have a building you’d like to see featured on the site, send it to me at olivia@retrorichmond.com. I’m also looking for guest writers to share their stories and memories about Richmond’s past.

Built in 1935, the Lighthouse Diner was the front runner of modern design in the Manchester area. With its flat asphalt roof and aluminum marquee, the quaint diner — located at the corner of Hull and 13th streets — once was the place to go to grab a hamburger and a beer for about a $1.

Last year, CBS 6 did an uplifting story about the new owners’ plans to restore and reopen the diner in an effort to help the revitalization of the area. The newly renovated Lighthouse Diner — complete with rooftop seating — was slated to open Spring 2008.

As we make our way into Summer 2008, the diner doesn’t look much different. Dusty straw and napkin holders still sit on a dirty bar. The red-and-green flowered wallpaper still is peeling off the walls. Ovens wait to be turned on; coffee pots wait to be filled.

A “For Lease” sign now sits in the window, shattering hopes of enjoying greasy diner food and rooftop dining in the near future. On a positive note, the space currently is being used by Vacant Spaces, Artful Places, an art initiative that displays the work of local artists in vacant storefronts around the city.

(I apologize for the blurry photos. I had to shoot them through the window without a flash.)

Fortunately, the diner is included on the National Register of Historical Places so it won’t be turned into a Walgreens anytime soon. Still, it would be nice to see the lights back on in the Lighthouse one day.

I know I’d be willing to roll up my sleeves and put a little elbow grease into fixing this place up. It would be great if the whole community got involved to help restore a little piece of Richmond’s history.

Tucked away in the quiet Bellevue community is a little restaurant gem called Dot’s Back Inn. From the outside it isn’t much, but once you step inside your dining experience is instantly transformed to 1945. Recently featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” Dot’s has the true charm of an old diner without all the glaring chrome you see in some of the big-box re-creations (like River City Diner and Silver Diner).

I recently had the opportunity to serve as the hair and make-up artist for a photo shoot at Dot’s with local pin-up photographer Ginger Curry-Richmond of 422 Studio. Together we transformed two women into 1940s pin-up girls — like those that grace the walls of Dot’s Back Inn.

So, instead of showing you boring pictures of the restaurant, which can be found by doing a Google search, I’m going to present to you two hot ladies in one hot diner!

As the menu states, Dot’s pays tribute to every woman who’s ever worked in the food-service industry. Former owner Frances “Cookie” Giannini named the place after her aunt, Dot, who was a waitress for 50 years.

Old black-and-white photos, advertisements and newspapers decorate the walls above the wooden booths. Yellow and green diamond-patterned linoleum covers the floor. Above and behind the bar is a wide collection of antique radios, glass and kitsch.

In addition to having great food and a great atmosphere, Dot’s is one of the few places you can enjoy spirits and a smoke no matter where you sit.

So next time you’re looking to add a little mid-century atmosphere to your dining experience, stop by 4030 Macarthur Ave. and tell them Aunt Dot sent you!