Goodbye, My Friend

It's a sad day.
A childhood friend that I spent much of my time with is no longer with us. It's with a heavy heart that I announce that the Friendly's restaurant on Westfield Street in West Springfield has closed.
As an elementary school student at St. Thomas the Apostle School, Friendly's was THE place to go after school was released on half days. Our parents would write permission notes that would allow us to walk to Friendly's rather than take the bus home. We'd all line up and, when that bell rang, would run to the crossing guard at the traffic light. We'd cross and run down the street to ensure a seat in the restaurant soon to be overtaken by children.
It's a miracle that the staff didn't ban us from this tradition. Imagine shooting straw wrappers from one table to another and kids running around...not the ideal dining experience for anyone over the age of 15.
I can vividly remember one trip in particular. My guess is that I was in 3rd or 4th grade and I sat with Taryn and Lindsey. I can still pick out the booth we were sitting in. We decided to get an appetizer sampler and split a Jim Dandy. Honest to God, we polished that sundae off in mere minutes. Quite a feat.
We'd also flood to Friendly's after softball games. In fact, one of my recreational softball teams when I was younger was sponsored by Friendly's. Driving down that stretch of Westfield Street at 730pm during the springtime, you'd be amazed at the number of parents, coaches and players in their brightly colored uniform shirts, some dirty, outside the restaurant having their ice cream cones with sprinkles.
Friendly's continued to be a staple in my high school career. Friends and I would go to Friendly's after basketball games, school dances and events. In college, roommates and I would walk down Route 9 in Framingham to the Friendly's in the Stop and Shop plaza. That is where I first ordered the "Chicky Crispin' Salad" (also known as the infamous Crispy Chicken Salad).
When visiting Mom in West Springfield, we'd often order sundaes through the pick up window. Recently, I had a date at Friendly's...it was my choice and I was so happy about it! I was potentially more excited about the food than I was about the male suitor.
This past week when I heard about the Westfield Street location closing, I got genuinely sad. So many memories took place at that restaurant and that franchise really has brought quite a bit of childhood fun to Western Massachusetts. I'm sad to see it go.
Going forward, I encourage everyone to go to Friendly's as often as possible. Start your own family traditions that include a Fishamajig or a conehead sundae. It'd be a shame for them ALL to disappear. You don't know what you've got til it's gone.