08/30/2026
Hello everyone, I am Gary, Kim's Husband, and part owner of Carlton's Hamburgers. Over the last couple of days watching this wonderful community share their stories and memories has brought back a flood of memories for me, and I wanted to take a moment to share a memory of my own.
My very first memory of Carlton’s was in 1976, when I was about ten years old. My dad took me here for the first time and told me it was his absolute favorite place. We got our food and sat together on a bench downtown to eat. As a kid, I was in awe of how many people my dad knew, and how many stopped just to talk to us. People in this town were so friendly, so polite, and showed such deep respect for one another.
Growing up, going to get scrambled burgers and hot dogs became "our" special time. I used to beg him to take me—not just because I loved the food, but because I loved that time we had just to talk.
That tradition never stopped. Over the years, my dad eventually brought his grandchildren here. And even as a grown man, I would meet him here to grab a burger and just catch up on life. In 2016, just a week or two before he passed away, we went to Carlton’s for the very last time together.
I cherish those memories with my dad more than I can say. Taking over Carlton’s isn’t just a business for us; it’s a big part of my life. We are here to make sure this place continues to be a home for those kinds of memories for generations to come.
Now... we want to hear yours. What is your favorite memory here at Carlton's? Drop it in the comments below!
