Blackies Restaurant (est. 1928)
2200 Waterbury Rd., Cheshire CT 06410
Blackies neon lights shine bright against the dark backdrop of this fall evening. It was 7:45 PM on Saturday when I was setting up my tripod in the parking lot. The restaurant would be closing in fifteen minutes and right now all the customers had all the hot dogs they could handle for one day. My wife Cheryl, per usual, came along for the ride.
Blackies was established at this very spot in 1928 by Arthur Blackman, a local Waterbury resident, and his wife Mary Mahoney who had come to America from Ireland to pursue her dream life. Although changing hands a number of times the business has remained in the family to this very day.
They serve hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. That’s it along with a variety of drinks. Don’t ask for french fries because you won’t get any. They are very proud of their secret family recipe for making hot dog relish. They can the ingredients fresh every fall, for their spicey pepper relish and it’s eaten throughout the year by their appreciative customers.
I’ve had lived in this town for 24 years and never heard a bad word about Blackies. In fact I had often heard “you need to try Blackies”. I haven’t eaten hot dogs or hamburgers in over 30 years so, unfortunately, I’ve never actually set for in the restaurant. Juding from the routine crowds I think they are doing just fine without my business. (smile)
Just as I was ready to snap the shutter a pickup truck pulled in. My first instinct was to pack it up and come back the next night. However, as he backed up to the building and kept his lights running I thought it might actually enhance the shot with him there. So while he obviously was waiting for an employee to exit for the evening I started clicking away.
If you live in the area or just passing through on I-84, (easy on/off and seconds away from the highway), you might want to capture a bit of history and stop by. I’d guess you’ll leave with a full belly, a smile on your face and perhaps a story to tell.
Photographed with a Sony A7RII, 42.3MP mirrorless camera and a Sony 24-105 F4 lens at 47mm.
1/2 second, f11, ISO 400, Manual Mode
(4) shots were taken at various exposures then blended in photoshop because of the extreme dynamic range.
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