06/22/2026
48 years ago today, June 22, 1978, we opened for the first time. We were way off the beaten path, often referred to as the place in the woods. But we were in a great little community called Dawnville, in a 12x16 foot building with two sliding windows in the front, one side window, and a back door. We had a bun warmer, fryer, small sandwich bar, 2-foot grill, refrigerator, freezer, Coke machine, and a mixer for milkshakes. A plastic tackle box from Sears and a calculator as our cash register. It wasn't as if I didn't know anything about the restaurant business; I began working in the business when I was 9 years old. First, there was the Kozy Korner/J.C. and Edna Parker, which is Parker's restaurant today, then John's Barbecue, owned by my Aunt Kat and Uncle Johnny. Their son, my first cousin, Tommy, and his wife, Tody, worked there. So, I had great mentors that taught me a lot. Then, at 20 years old, I decided I wanted to start my own business. With the help of my father-in-law, John Maxwell, Vicky's Dad also known as Big John, Big John's Treat Shoppe began. People often ask why did I name it what I did. Back then we did shakes, sundae's,banana splits, hand dipped cones. The Big John's was my way of thanking my Father in law for helping me get started. The second half of the name came from a small sandwich shoppe in downtown Dalton called the Treat Shoppe. It had caught fire and had closed. The equipment had been cleaned up so I bought it and that's where I got second half of the name.
Big John's Treat Shoppe.
The first few weeks we were pretty busy but as with most new businesses everyone try's it out when something new opens then it drops and levels off. The Dawnville Community kept me in business. For without them we most likely wouldn't have made it. In December 1983 Vicky's Dad retired. Giving us access to his small grocery/package store. We cut a 5 foot wide door in the wall to connect the 2 buildings. We put down commercial carpet and made it into a dining room. I went to K Mart and bought 6/6 foot red stained picnic tables and put them together and put table cloths on them. Now you could come inside to eat. Our business doubled quickly. Many had to share tables but people made new friends. I've been told of deals that were made with people sitting together. Carpet was one of them. We had a wide range of customers! Shirt and tie to construction workers to many families. Parking was a problem. We had them parking on the sides of the road. There was a small pond beside the restaurant. We drained it. Filled it in to help alleviate the parking situation. Around 1985 I purchased some tables and booths that had came out of a McDonald's and doubled our seating capacity so the business kept growing. I never advertised. It was by word of mouth. In the fall of 1990 we began constructing a new 1800 square foot building. The week after Thanksgiving 1990 we opened up in the new building. Once again business continued to grow. Many Executives would call in their orders and we would have them waiting when they arrived. All through the years it was family that worked for us and good friends who were just like family. Vicky decided to leave the business in 1997. We kept rolling right along. Vicky passed away in June of 1998. Continued in Dalton til April 2006. I felt I needed a change. Was approached about moving my business to Calhoun. On Highway 53 which is now Christian and Jake's. Was there for five years. Had the opportunity to move into a much newer and larger facility on Lovers Lane. Opened there the second week of April 2011. We are still there today. GOD has blessed me all throughout these 48 years. The best part of being in the restaurant business is meeting new customers. Who become friends. And then more like family. I've lost many of my family of customers though 48 years. But I haven't lost all the memories of them. I still have families that come down from Dalton. Kids and grandkids of those who have passed. I've always felt Big John's Treat Shoppe was just one big family. Thanks to everyone who continues to support us. I love you all. All of our Big John's family is why we are still here 48 later. Without you we wouldn't be. Thanks again for your love and support of Big John's
I was there on day one and 48 years later I'm still there. Thank again.
Tommy Hall
