While not much to look at on the outside, Cone N Shake has more to offer than appearances could tell. Located in the same location for over 40 years, this guilty-pleasure staple of Marietta, OH has survived abandonment and floods abound, only to shine on, avoiding the desolate spirit of the buildings surrounding it.

Offering little more than fried-food goodies and variations of soft-serve, this no-nonsense treat spot is an example of establishments lost over the years throughout the community. It’s location in an asphault wonderland next to a pay-day loan storefront, a drive-thru liquor store and an empty Bonanza lacks the ambiance one would expect in a hotspot that crosses generations and social classes. This particular spot has become a gathering point for any and all during open season, a farmer’s market has sprung up out of nowhere and on weekend nights, it is not rare to see a haphazard car show going on in an adjoining lot.

The establishment itself may not be anything to write home about, but it sure is a memory maker. Every resident, current and former, has a story about the place, whether they worked there in high school in 1969 or survived on their $1 chili dogs during a tight period in their life. The basic window service only structure is accompanied by several picnic tables. The exterior includes a menu with few clues of modern times. One ever-changing feature is the flyers posted on the front window. They include help-wanted ads, lost dog posters, and announcements for red-eye trips to NYC.

This friendly town filled with homebodies needs this place to bring people out of their homes, into town to socialize with one another once again. Other places with this kind of pull have fallen victim to flood, bankruptcy or arson. The community has
lost this place before and would likely fight to never lose it again.

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