A slice of Modesto history is up for sale. What is the future of Graffiti-era drive-in?

Who wants to own a piece of Modesto history?

One of the city’s most iconic “American Graffiti”-era burger joints is for sale. The longtime owners of the downtown A&W drive-in at the corner of G and 14th streets have put the restaurant on the market with hopes that a new owner will continue its 66-year legacy.

Since 1996, Johnny and Tammy Matthews have run the restaurant known for its big burgers, overflowing root beer floats, singing Elvises and roller skating servers. The married couple is only the fourth owners of the site since its opened more than six decades ago. But after 27 years of running the popular spot and serving as a steward for its history, Johnny Matthews said it was time to retire.

“We appreciate all of the business that we have had through the years from people in Modesto,” said the 75-year-old Matthews inside his restaurant surrounded by classic car memorabilia and vintage photos. “We appreciate their encouragement to keep on with the cruises and their basic desire to have this in Modesto forever, I really appreciate that.”

The Matthews made the decision to sell — they own the building and restaurant — after their franchise agreement expired in June. Company representatives told them they’d have to re-up for another 20-year term, which would make Johnny 95 years old when it ended. The couple would also have to shell out at least $200,000 in upgrades and renovations if they renewed.

So they decided it was time to hand the keys to the Modesto institution to the next generation, with hopes that they can find a buyer who would continue its concept.

First opened as a food stand in 1957, Modesto’s A&W Root Beer Drive-In touted its 5-cent drinks, 25-cent long dogs and “fast courteous service” in a March 1958 Modesto Bee ad celebrating its grand opening. On the same page were ads for the Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich film “Witness for the Prosecution” at the State Theatre and Polaroid’s 10th anniversary sale at Rogers Jewelry Co.

While the menu and prices may have changed over the years, the restaurant’s original rectangular wooden structure is still a part of the current building. In fact, you order from what used to be its west side wall and stools sit along an enclosed hallway of what was its front window.

When the Matthews took over, the dining area had already been enclosed. But plastic sheeting covered the windows instead of glass. He also added a children’s play area with friendly burger-wielding figurines.

After about a year of owning the A&W, Johnny Matthews decided to really lean into the location’s built-in nostalgia. He had hosted a classic car event in the parking lot, which inspired him to start the Friday night cruise-ins hosted by singing Elvis impersonators.

Those summer night events continue today, complete with servers on roller skates. Carhop service was halted during the pandemic, but have since returned for the Friday events. The summer gatherings, which run weekly from June to early September, have become a tradition for Central Valley families who bring lawn chairs and classic cars to listen to oldies music.

“It caught on and became very popular. It was kind of something that took on a life of its own,” Johnny Matthews said.

At the peak of their popularity, the Matthews had more than half a dozen singing Elvises at each cruise-in, along with karaoke. Now the Friday night events feature two Elvis impersonators.

Over the years, the restaurant also has been a magnet for international visitors, many who have found it in guide books referencing “American Graffiti” and “Star Wars” creator Lucas’s hometown. Johnny Matthews said he used to keep a guestbook for people to sign, but lost count of all the countries represented.

In 2015, the restaurant even hosted an Elvis-themed wedding with six impersonators serenading the happy couple.

“People (from Modesto) do not realize how excited other people are to see this from around the world,” he said. “They stop in on the way to Yosemite to and see the birthplace of ‘American Graffiti.’”

Johnny Matthews has been honored to be the keeper of so much local nostalgia. The burger joint from another era encourages its customers to slow down and enjoy the moment, he said.

“(We have) people come in and say we just love, love the ambiance of this place instead of all these different strip malls where they’re all the same,” he said.

While the Matthews’s downtown Modesto restaurant is part of the international franchise, it is the only A&W in the region with a retro look and standalone brand. The five other A&W locations in Stanislaus County — in Turlock, Riverbank, Oakdale, Patterson and Ceres — are all modern construction and share space with the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand.

The downtown business also stands out because of its staff, including sisters Jennifer Rushman and Julie Hale, who have both worked at A&W for more than 25 years. Rushman who is now general manager, started working at the burger joint in 1994 at age 19, and three years later brought her sister into the business, who started as a carhop and is now assistant manager.

Over the years they said they’ve seen customers bring in their kids who then become customers and bring in their kids. Hale served the actor Rob Lowe lunch before his appearance at the Gallo Center for the Arts in 2015. She also appeared onscreen as a carhop in the 2003 indie movie “American Grace” which was filmed in part at the A&W and inspired by “American Graffiti.” And they both met the man himself, Lucas, on a visit to the restaurant.

Both also said they’ve stayed all these years for the business’s family atmosphere, and because of Johnny.

“It was a really good place to work and become like family,” Rushman said. “He’s been a big father figure in our lives.”

Since putting up big “For Sale” signs, the Matthews have been flooded by comments from longtime customers. Everyone is sad to see them go, and hopes like they do that someone will pick up the mantle — or in this case the rhinestone-studded Elvis cloak — and keep the nostalgia going.

Longtime Central Valley resident Mike Woodward has been coming to the Modesto A&W for 20 years, and shook his head at the news it was on the market.

“Everything old is disappearing,” he said.

The property and business are listed for $875,000. The space is zoned for fast food, so a new buyer could also put in another restaurant. A&W corporate has extended the Matthews lease until October and after that they would be able to keep operating on month-to-month agreements. But they hope to have the sale finalized by then, and said corporate representatives are aware of the site’s historic value and are willing to work with new owners.

Johnny Matthews said he knows the place needs work. The drop-ceiling panels sag, and the four-top tables are out of date. Other modernization work is needed as well.

But he said he hopes, as do longtime employees like Rushman and Hale, that they keep the nostalgia.

“It is going to be kind of a family moment when we do have to say goodbye,” Johnny Matthews said.

Honestly, it should be for the whole city.