A Polaroid snapshot of the old Atz's Ice Cream sign on Tillman Road, just east of Calhoun Street, on the southern edge of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Atz's was a locally owned company that began manufacturing ice cream in 1922. In 1956, they opened their first restaurant, located on North Anthony Boulevard on Fort Wayne's northeast side. They later opened the south side location on Tillman Road, where this sign still stands along the road. When I was very young, there was also an Atz's at the Time Corners Shopping Center on Fort Wayne's west side; but it closed when I was a kid. Atz's ice cream, which was made in Kendallville, was also sold in grocery stores all over northeast Indiana.

Both of Atz's restaurants in Fort Wayne closed in September, 2014. I still miss going there; Atz's had the best ice cream, far better than big chains like Baskin Robbins and Dairy Queen. The original restaurant on North Anthony is now a Thai restaurant. The one on Tillman has been vacant since Atz's closed.

9-19-22