Most abundant of ghosts of these chains of days ago are the Little Tavern's, who encouraged you to "Buy 'em by the bag." Living up to the name, the Little Tavern's were just that - little.  Most could only accomodate a literal handful of seated patrons at the counter, as the floor space was designed for maximum efficiency.  It could only be assumed that the bulk of the business was "to go."  Competition from larger chains eventually ate into the market share of the Little Taverns' business, and many of the Taverns would close beginning in the 1960's.  However, three full-time Little Taverns remain in operation,  including ones on Eastern Avenue near Conkling and Holabird Avenue near Dundalk, while a Laurel store and a seasonal franchise operation continue in Ocean City for this family run business.  A bag of 6 burgers will only set you back $3.95, and taste better than any of their fast food rivals!  While not the ubiquitious presence they once were, the family running them works hard to try to preserve, maintain, and restore these gems of old Baltimore.  It is still very comforting to know that in this era, one can still "Buy 'em by the bag," even if a nickel won't get you anything with inflation of today!

If the Tavern's were little, one could certainly see that the Towers were white, although tower they really did not.  The architectural distinction of the old "White Towers" was a corner piece which rose about 6 feet above the rest of the square structure.  The exterior was finished in an enamel porcelain-like material, hence the White in White Tower.  Interiors were roomier than the Little Taverns although the space was still tight.  Though never particularly prominent in the area, there was a good degree of affection for the old "towers."  One located on Howard Street above Centre Street across from the old Greyhound terminal closed about 1986, and was later relocated to the ill-fated Baltimore City Life museums.  Another, which once occupied space on Erdman Avenue east of Belair mysteriously disappeared about 1999.  Thus, the lone known survivor is one located on the Southwest corner of Washington Boulevard and Monroe Street, which is now known as "Nilo's Old Tower Cafe," but which closed several years ago.

Another lost icon of old restaurant chains were the White Coffee Pot chains.  Prominent for a time in the 1960's, the chains lost ground during the 1970's and became an all but forgotten part of the culinary scape of the Baltimore area.  Locations included Edmondson and Monroe, Howard and Franklin, and the Erdman Shopping Center.  Unlike the Towers and Taverns, the White Coffee Pots often used already existing buildings, with no uniform appearance.  While still very much in evidence in the 1960's and 1970's, these family based restaurants have all but disappeared from the landscape, victim to fast food chains, and competition from other chain restaurants such as Friendly's, Denny's, and the like.

This former Little Tavern on 25th Street east of Greenmount Avenue has been remade into a Pizza Delivery outlet.	After a period in use as a printer, this Little Tavern on Belvedere east of Park Heights now sits neglected and in need of some TLC.
The tavern architecture leant itself to some degree of modification, as seen here at the complex intersection of Greenmount Avenue, 32nd Street, and Merryman's Lane.  This one still serves customers a quick meal, though it's specialties are now poultry based.  PHOTO COURTESY OF IRA WEXLER.	Those scurrying about the Downtown area could buy by the bagful as well, such as here at this former Tavern in the unit block of Park Avenue, since converted to the pub for the Lighthouse restaurant.
Alive and well!  Three Little Tavern Stores persist in this day and age, offering a pleasant glimpse into Baltimore's past.  This one, here on Holabird Avenue West of Dundalk, may not carry the signature shack architecture, but does carry a rotating sign to boot!
Yet another Tavern in particularly good shape awaited an owner on Conkling Street south of Eastern Avenue, before the Southeast Library project obliterated it.	A peek inside the window of the Conkling Street tavern revealed a small but efficient interior.
The original sign even remained on the Conkling Street tavern.

The lights still hang from all four sides of this "tower" at Washington Boulevard and Monroe Street in Southwest Baltimore, though the grill no longer prepares the staples of quick fulfillment 6 days a week at Nilo's Old Tower Cafe.

Anyone riding the light rail passing Howard and Franklin Streets will easily be able to find out what this building on the corner once was, if they care!

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