By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – In the 1950s, Lemuel and Dana Laxton opened Laxton’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop. Their motto was simple, serve tasty food. It worked for them.

For many, Laxton’s soon become one of their favorite places to eat. Laxton’s was on West Central Avenue about where the Peoples Bank of the South drive thru exit is today.

Inside the restaurant were plenty of tables and booths, but there was one large round table called the businessman’s table. This was the table where local businessmen would gather around for coffee or a meal and talk business and about anything else.

The building that housed Ray Bolton’s Barber Shop as it later became still stands today.

Laxton’s was the first morning stop for lots of folks to get that first cup of coffee. Back then there weren’t many convenience stores or gas stations that sold coffee. Some of you may remember eating at Laxton’s.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The Coffee Shop, as the restaurant was called around WLAF, was where a lot of the announcers could put on a long song and run over and get a carry out meal. It was a popular hang out for station manager Elmer Longmire and friends as well. In fact, the Coffee Shop is where I sat down with Elmer, and he hired me (Jim Freeman) there. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/04/2021-6AM)

5 Replies to “Remember the Coffee Shop/Laxton’s Restaurant”

  1. I always look forward to “Throwback Thursday.” My dad, L. D. Dupuy, would take us to Laxton’s once in awhile after we came from church in Habersham. Thank you for featuring this great restaurant that holds good memories for me.

  2. I ate there often on the round table and even some Sunday lunches. But what I remember most is Lem Laxton was a huge Cincinnati Reds fan. He always had a schedule on the wall.

  3. Hey Jim, little history on Tri State barber shop. Dad owned Tri State barber shop in Lake City and later built this shop and kept the name. The shop was completed and opened one week before I was born. When did the name change?A man came in the shop wanting to repaint his sign for the price of a meal. After he scraped the window clean Dad told him just put Bolton on it, that’s what they call it anyway. Kathie Bolton K

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