Last Updated on September 8, 2016 by cassnetwork
A restaurateur who took a $10,000 loan and made his own restaurant a life calling is the latest recipient of a special city honor.
Bob Shanks, better known as “Mr. Happy Burger” to thousands who have eaten at his restaurants, has been named a Bicentennial Citizen of the Week by Mayor Dave Kitchell.
Shanks operated the Bob-o- Link Drive-In in Royal Center before opening his first Happy Burger restaurant at Eastgate Plaza in 1961.
“Bob had a key role in changing the retail traffic flow of Logansport to the east end,” Mayor Kitchell said today. “When he opened, scores of people drove to Eastgate for lunch, just to have a 15-cent hamburger, an order of fries and a shake or Coke. His success not only led fast food chains to locate at the east edge of Logansport, but it eventually led the Indiana Restaurant Association to induct him into the Indiana Restaurant Hall of Fame.”
Shanks recently secured a new sign for his Eastgate restaurant that reflects its status as an Indiana Restaurant Hall of Fame member. Shanks will receive an Indiana state flag and a certificate from the Mayor’s Office. Bicentennial Award recipients are recognized weekly for their contributions.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell