Speaking
of restaurants and things related, I recently paid out at the coffee
shop in Alanreed
and found a quarter coated with red fingernail polish. I had almost
forgotten about "juke quarters" and how important they were to a business
with a juke box playing for the customers.
At one time almost every business serving food or drink sported a
juke box that played the latest on the Hit Parade. These music boxes
were elaborate in construction, colorful, featured neon and flashing
lights, and of course played the best sound available for the times,
inviting you to drop your quarter in for selections of your choice.
Music companies furnished and installed the juke boxes for a percentage
of the "take." In order to entice customers to play music, the companies
allowed the owner of the business to coat quarters with red fingernail
polish, then have the waitresses play music when the place was quiet.
When the take was divided, the juke quarters were removed first to
be used again and again. Many a smart waitress used painted juke quarters
to pick up the pace on a slow night.
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