Another restaurant is driving into California this summer.
5&50 Drive-In, a historic business from Tipton, is opening its second location in California. Owners Trevor and Holly Higgins are finally expanding the restaurant after 50 years of operation.
Trevor Higgins told the Democrat he bought 5&50 Drive-In from the Dueber family when he was 21 years old in 2014. He said acquiring the business at such a young age was quite the learning curve, but he was still able to manage.
"Well, (the Dueber family) kind of approached me. I worked there since I was 16 and...I guess I kind of put a bug in their ear too, just because I knew they were wanting to retire. I'm still very close with them and I still ask for advice sometimes. It's kind of like your second family," Trevor Higgins said.
The Higgins felt it was finally time for them to expand after so many years in Tipton. Holly Higgins, a California native and teacher at California Elementary School, always liked the idea of setting up a shop in her hometown. According to the Higginses, establishing a second location in California is a good way to give back to a community that's given so much.
"We had always talked about growing (5&50) and we just felt like this was a good location. Close to where we live and close to our original location," Holly Higgins said. "It's a community that means a lot to us. And obviously, I grew up here so it's just kind of come full circle."
Patrons will have a variety of options to choose from on the menu. They include double cheeseburgers, tenderloins, fish, fried chicken, grilled chicken, shakes, malts, sundaes and more.
Stepping inside the restaurant, customers will encounter decor reminiscent of the 1950s complete with booths, tables, wall art and a jukebox.
Although the Higgins family is excited to be in California they did run into a snag or two while setting up shop in the area. With no kitchen in the building, they had to install a new one in the back. The couple is waiting on the state license for this new location, which should be in soon.
Trevor Higgins said 5&50 Drive-In's second location, 207 W. Buchanan St., is at least two weeks out from opening. While there is no set date for the retro 1950-esque restaurant, he said all will be ready to go within the month of August.
Democrat photo/ Kaden Quinn:
5 and 50 Drive-In establish a retro 1950s atmosphere in California.