Independence Isaly’s

Mention Isaly’s to an Independence, Ohio resident and the first thing they’ll say is “Chipped Chopped Ham!” But for me, Isaly’s was more than ham and the skyscraper ice cream cone. Working at the Independence, Ohio Isaly’s was my part-time job from 1967 – 1969. I wore a plain white uniform which I hemmed so short that my mother secretly dropped the hem to a more respectable length. I learned to be a short order cook on the run. Eggs “Sunny Side Up” were especially daunting to me – on one morning I broke 9 yolks before the manager threatened to charge me for the next one. I always felt I had the best job in Independence. Isaly’s was the hangout for all the cool kids from school. Everybody stopped by for a Coke and a little bit of gossip. I often asked to be scheduled for Sunday mornings just to see Ron Chojnacki who, having ditched church, sauntered into Isaly’s with a big cigar and the morning newspaper. At 17, he was a year older than I and so mature! Those Sunday mornings must have meant something to both of us. We reconnected 41 years later and have been dating ever since.