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  MR. PEANUT HIMSELF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Source of image: Florida State Archives)

 

 

 

 

 

If you're into pecan logs or peanut clusters, then this Jax hotspot was for you.  The aroma must've been heavenly.  According to the postcard above, here was the "home of Mr. Peanut, where world-famous Planters Peanuts are sold.  See Planters Peanuts roasted right before your eyes and mail them to your friends back home.  See Mr. Peanut's complete line of souvenirs." The postcard probably dates from the Fifties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planters operated goober shops across the nation, including one in New York City's Times Square.  The one pictured above stood at 6424 Arlington Expressway.  Constructed in 1951, the building housed a boat dealership in later years, and it now contains St. Nicholas Auto Brokers, with used cars surrounding the arched structure.  Long gone is the Mr. Peanut sign, which would be worth a fortune on eBay.  The old nut shop is located next to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, not far west of the Travel Inn at Arlington Road. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In some cities, people in Mr. Peanut outfits walked around in front of the stores, giving away free samples.  In Columbus, Ohio, during the Great Depression, these costumed characters were paid in peanuts rather than money, according to the webpage "Erin's GA Journal: Reflections from Erin Cox-Holmes" (http://www.kiskipby.org/GA/erin2141.htm

 

 

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