Harry F. Duncan founded Little Tavern Shops inc. in 1927.
By 1937, 33 Little taverns and two Little Tavern Grills had been opened
By 1940, 45 shops were open
1965- 44 Shops, 17 in Baltimore
In 1972, around 42 Little Taverns were operating
1980- Duncan sold the chain to Gerald Wedren.
1982, 36 were open
1983- 31 locations, 13 in Baltimore
1987- 28 locations, 17 in the DC area, 11 in the Baltimore
In 1988, 22 locations were still operating. Little Tavern sold.
1990- 19 locations
In 1991, 20 locations
1996 -4 locations- wheaton, laurel, conkling st., Holabird
2003- Laurel, Conkling, Holabird and a seasonal location in Ocean City. Owned by Alfred Roy
Before the Little Tavern name was hit upon, Duncan had already been in the hamburger business for several years.
Feb 14, 1925 – Baby Beef – St. Louis No. 1
Between 1925 and 1927, 5 “Baby Beef” were opened in St. Louis.
He sold the chain in 1927 and moved to Louisville, KY, where he opened his first Little Tavern.
Little Tavern
——————————–
Locations I’ve been able to find the number of.
1. Mach 24, 1927- Louisville No. 1
510 West Broadway Louisville, KY
Referred to within the chain as the “Mother Tavern”
Image courtesy Larry Collier
2. October 8, 1927 – Louisville No. 2
3. Dec 22, 1927 – Louisville No. 3
Image courtesy Larry Collier
4. March 24, 1928 – Louisville No. 4 – Sold August 1935
5. May 17, 1928 – Louisville No. 5
Image courtesy Larry Collier
6. October 30, 1928 – Washington No. 1
814 E Street NW.
7. February 12, 1929- Washington No. 2
3701 New Hampshire Ave. NW Washington DC
Now Sweet Mango Cafe
Photo from when it was operational
8. August 14, 1929 – Washington No. 3
“3031 14th St. NW : Cost $2000″ – The Washington Post, “Building Permits July 7, 1929″
9. December 3, 1929 – Washington No. 4
“One Story Concrete Block Store at 1490 H. St Northeast: Cost $2000″ – The Washington Post, “Building Permits Nov 3, 1929″
Remodeled in 1937 – October 3, 1937 Washington Post record
Another record says it is 1492 H. St, and that it was supposed to be open by thanksgiving of that year. The lease was reported by Weaver Bros. Inc. The lease was made by George Shultze of the Shultze motor company.
10. May 15, 1930 – Louisville No. 6 – Closed 1932
11. June 2, 1930 – Baltimore No. 1
1/2 East Mount Royal Ave
12. June 19, 1930- Washington No. 5
Probably located at
1221 U Street, NW – The Hamburger Grill
Referenced in 1933 “The Afro American”
13. 1930- Baltimore No. 2
Greenmount Ave, 32nd St. Baltimore, MD
Now Sea Blue.
Image courtesy Doug Hansen Photography (http://www.doughansenphotography.com)
Note the castle-like stonework on the right, similar to that found on the earlier Louisville ones.
14. Jan 29, 1931, Baltimore No. 3 (First “Streamlined” Little Tavern- those built prior were of the castle style, it appears. Some were converted to the tudor style later on)
908 W. 36th St. Baltimore MD
15. March 21, 1931 – Baltimore No. 4 – Closed 1932 due to lease problem
East. 25th Street, Baltimore, MD. Remodeled after 1932. Operated as the “Stone Tavern”
16. May 6, 1931 – Washington No. 6
630 North Capitol Street, N.W. Washington DC
Restored 1983. Demolished 1988.
17. August 1, 1931- Baltimore No. 5
Conkling Street. Demolished in 2003, along with the Grand theatre. Shop No. 5 was remarkably in-tact at the time of its demolition.
It was remodeled with enameled panels, along with some other design changes, but the location, sign supports and general shape of the building are unmistakable as this location.
Pictures taken prior to its demolition. Ext. – Int. Int.
Image courtesy Larry Collier
Photo courtesy Debra Jane Seltzer
http://www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/sets/
http://roadsidenut.wordpress.com/
18. December 23, 1931 – Washington No. 7
1344 G street northwest Washington DC
Torn Down, but the outline of the building is still visible on the wall of the building next door.
Full Post with more pictures
Here’s a shot from the 1980s
19. March 22, 1932 – Washington No. 8
Moved about 4 miles in 1936. to 1309 New York Ave. Relocated c.1956 to 1251 New York Ave NE. Torn down by 1972 to make way for parking lots.
Harry F. Duncan:
“Jackie Kennedy used to pop over to the LT at 12th St. and New York Ave NW ‘eight and nine times a day’ when she was a roving photographer at the nearby Washington Times-Herald, she was quite a coffee drinker,’ he said fondly.”
Images courtesy Larry Collier
20. December 3, 1932 – Washington No. 9
5100 Georgia Ave NW Washington DC
Image courtesy Larry Collier
21. Jan 13, 1934 – The Baltimore Grill / Little Tavern Tap Room – Baltimore
22. February 1, 1934 – Washington No. 10 – Moved 80 feet in 1936 to accommodate construction of government building (Bureau of Engraving and Printing Annex) 14th St. Southwest Washington DC
Image courtesy Larry Collier
23. September 15, 1934 – Washington No. 11
Probably the Benning Road location. The date and number are unconfirmed, but as this is the only outstanding location, it follows that it would be no. 11.
24. November 11, 1935 – Washington No. 12
718 H Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
Now Super Nails.
Building Permit Permit # 183945.
Architect G.B. Wenner. Estimated cost $7,500.
Full Post with more pictures.
25. December 12, 1935 – Washington No. 13
One Story Masonry restaurant at 427 Florida Avenue Northeast, Cost $7500, Lee Luttrell, Designer
The Washington Post permits “October 20, 1935″
Arthur Moreland, 511 K St. Northeast, Manager of a Little Tavern shop, Fifth Street and Florida Ave. Northeast was robbed of $81 at 5am yesterday.
He told the police the man came to the shop and was mistaken for the trash collector. After he was let in the bandit drew a gun and and took the money from the cash register, Moreland said.
Image Courtesy Larry Collier
26. Jan 2, 1936 -Baltimore No. 6
27. April 9, 1936 – Washington No. 14
Georgetown.
3333 M. Street NW Washington DC -
Converted Now Sweetgreen
Photo October 1990
28. April 11, 1936 – Baltimore No. 7
29. July 1, 1936 – Washington No. 15
“Little Tavern Shops, Inc. : One Story Cinder Block Restaurant at 1200 Good Hope Road Southeast – Cost $7500, Lee W. Luttrell, designer” (Washington Post May 10, 1936)
30. November 11, 1936 – Washington No. 16
1110 H St. Northwest Washington DC
Closed by mid ’80s. here’s a shot from 1981
Images courtesy Larry Collier
Photo c. 1986.
Photo c. 1987 of neon
color photo by Robby Delius
31. December 31, 1936 – Washington No. 17
2628 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington DC
Closed December 1972 for the construction of the Woodley Park-Zoo / Adams Morgan metro station
Asst. Manager in 1971 Robert Trauger.
Images courtesy Larry Collier
32. February 4, 1937 – Washington No. 18
1708 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC
Demolished by 1972.
33. February 9, 1937 – Washington No. 19
1326 New York Ave NW Washington DC
34. March 9, 1937 – Baltimore No. 8
655 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E. Washington, DC 20003 (Washington No. 20)
Converted Now Li’l Pub
Permit issued 11/26/1937 , architect Frank B. Proctor, Estimated Cost $5000, Permit no. 20864
Full Post with more pictures
1301/1303 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC
Washington no. 21
1303 Wisconsin Ave NW. Washington DC -
“Little Tavern Shops Inc. will build another restaurant at 1301 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest at an estimated cost of $7,000, Frank B. Proctor designed the building which will be of brick and frame construction.
The Washington Post February 13, 1938
Converted Now Paolo’s
“Ralph B. Swanson- a long time resident of Washington who was manager of the Little Tavern Shop at Wisconsin Avenue and N St. NW for 18 years died friday after a heart attack at his home at 3321 O St. NW. He was 64. Mr. Swanson was known as “Trigger” to his customers and coworkers in Georgetown. A native of Vermont, he moved to Washington about 25 years ago. He has no immediate survivors.” – March 31, 1965.
33-1/2 Independence Ave NW Washington DC – Washington no. 22
Full post with more information
35. 3968 Minnesota Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. (Little Tavern Shop No. 23)
Torn Down. Now strip mall featuring “Rainbow” and “Downtown Locker Room”. Next door to former Senator Theatre, built 1942.
36. 2537 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. (Little Tavern Shop No. 24)
Formerly Best Carryout. Now Continental Construction Next door to the former Highland Theatre.
Built c. 1948?
504 13th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
(Little Tavern Shop no. 25)
37. 2716 Good Hope Road S.E., Washington, D.C. (Little Tavern Shop No. 26)
Now New York Fried Chicken
Photo courtesy Debra Jane Seltzer
http://www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/sets/
http://roadsidenut.wordpress.com/
38. 6th Street and Morse Street, N.E., (530 Morse St.) Washington, D.C. (Little Tavern Shop No. 27)
Converted Now Subway.
Historic photos 1, 2, 3, 4
——————————
Locations I was not able to find the number of. Some almost certainly overlap with locations in the previous list.
The Shops at National Place (Club LT- opened 1987)
529 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
Gone
Columbia Mall – Opened September 1982. Lasted until the late 1980s.
Westside Shopping Center- Baltimore MD – 2600 Square Feet
Leased 1985
6414 Holabird Ave Baltimore, MD 21224 Opened April 1983. Closed 2008.
At the time it opened it was the 31st location and 13th in the Baltimore Area.
800 Square Feet- originally a sandwich shop
Introduced fish sandwich, steak and cheese, french fries, larger “tavern burger” with lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Now operating as a used car dealership
2002 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD Property sold October 1937. Likely opened early 1938.
1 East North Avenue, Baltimore, MD
Full post with more pictures.
900 Block of West North Ave, Baltimore, MD
Robbed of $26 in Dec 1952
115 West Baltimore St. Baltimore MD
Property purchased Dec 21, 1939
400 block of East Baltimore St. Baltimore MD- formerly canmaker’s hall. Storefront location. Still there as of 1993.
“The Block”
Map from The Baltimore Book: New Views of Local History By Elizabeth Fee, Linda Shopes
On the cover of “Players of The Block”
3515 Eastern Ave Baltimore, MD 21224
Closed.
2000 Block East Monument St, Baltimore, MD
Robbed 1968
S. Conkling Street, Baltimore, MD – South of Eastern Ave
Torn Down. Picture.
519 East 25th Street Baltimore MD (open as of at least 1941)
Converted. Now Pizza Deal.
3200 Block of Belvedere Ave. Baltimore, MD- East of Park Heights
photo from btco.net
Photo courtesy Debra Jane Seltzer
Photo Courtesy Debra Jane Seltzer
10 Park Ave Baltimore, MD
Formerly the Lighthouse Pub and the Park Avenue Grill. Tony’s Diner as of 2010.
Little Tavern
Glen Burnie, MD
828 North Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Built of brick in 1940 (Building Permit #2542, 5/22/1940)
Resurfaced with porcelain enamel panels 1959 (Building Permit #15009, 5/27/1959).
1993- Friendly Tavern (BAR Case #93-8, 1/6/1993)
1994- Hogs on the Hill (BAR Case #94-104, 10/5/1994).
1995 – Jerry’s Subs (BAR Case #95-189, 12/20/95)
2005- Merry’s Subs Pizza (BAR Case #2005-00226, 10/19/2005)
2008- Asian Wok Cafe
3125 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA – Built 1941
Converted. Now Goody’s
previously a 24 Hour A Day A Locksmith, Atilla’s Restaurant (Greek), Dumond Cafe, Cafe Cozzi
Former Little Tavern? Now Tarbouch
3110 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA
Wisconsin Avenue and Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland (Built c.1939) Restored 1983.
Converted. Now Golden House Chinese Food.
Montgomery Lane and Waverly St in Bethesda MD. Torn down to make way for a parking garage.
135 Main Street, Annapolis, Maryland
Closed/Torn Down Nothing left at the site.
There was another Annapolis location, closed by the 1970s, located on the corner of West st. and Washington St.
11143 Viers Mill Road and Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland
Torn Down , Though sign-frame is still there, advertising Chuck Levin’s.
c. 1997
Photo courtesy Tom Williams
7413 Baltimore Ave College Park, MD 20740
built c.1940
2010- closed.
Previously housed a Toddle House, JD’s roadhouse, the Philadelphia Cheesecake Factory and Curry Express
8230 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD
Built 1938, demolished 2003
Demolished. It operated as Ollies in the 1990s. The neon signge on the roof (not the rooftop) was added sometime after 1957.
Corner of Fenton St. and Wayne Ave. Silver Spring, MD – Built 1974
Demolished 2008
In the years between Little Tavern’s demise and this location’s demolition, this location housed a chinese restaurant and was painted bright yellow. This is the newest purpose built freestanding Little Tavern which I have been able to find records of. The design is quite simplified, blockier, and without as many specialized parts. 
Rt. 1 Laurel, MD – Now operating as the Laurel Tavern. In the process, the front window was converted to a double-wide front door and the original front door was bricked over. The interior, which was nearly completely in-tact at the time of its closing in 2007, was gutted.
Signage was rescued.
Sometime in the 1980s, this Little Tavern was hit by a station wagon. I believe that it was damage from this collision which resulted in this location losing its distinctive white and green enamel paneling, which is visible in this photo.
7801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
Gone/Converted (Seasonal)
I’m afraid this collectible cutout is the best I can do as far as pictures of this location go. I do not believe this one was operational during the Duncan years of Little Tavern.
A photo from 2011 by Beth Lennon of Retroroadmap.com, while operating as Roy’s Sub Shop.
There was a location in Rosslyn VA.
It’s possible one of the KY locations may have been at 4138 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY
Excellent (although a long time to load the page!)
The earliest Little Taverns were obviously copying White Castle, as did White Tower, another similar chain. In 1929, White Castle sued White Tower, forcing the latter to change its building design. This is just about the spot in your timeline where Little Tavern changed from castle to cottage design. It’s likely that a lawsuit, or threat of one, prompted Little Tavern’s change.
Way cool Spencer!
Sorry about it taking so long, but I felt for it to really do its job, it had to be picture intensive.
They sure were. The signage was almost identical. Basically the same font, same curve to “Hamburgers”. I haven’t found anything showing that there was a lawsuit, and if it was something along the lines of a cease and desist, I’m sure Little Tavern wouldn’t publicize it.
Interesting to see the evolution even within the cottage design over such a relatively short period of time.
There was a Club LT at the southwest corner of Montgomery Lane and Waverly St in Bethesda md
When I was an altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes on East West Hwy,we would serve 6 A.M.mass and have breakfast at LT then head back to Lourdes for school.1967-1970
Fun Times
I used to frequent one in Towson, MD in the early 70′s.
We are doing a hospitallity room with the 50′s theme in March and part of the feature is LT hamburgers. Decor includes the soda fountain look and posters of 50′s cars.
Hey — Sensational work Spencer!! I think your #17 might be the Conkling building. The building it’s shoved up against looks about right.
I think you may be right. Look at the sign/where the sign was. They both have the unusual square pointy topped posts. It appears that when it was modernized, they studded out from the brick structure. This explains the sunken windows and additional width of the body of the LT. The roof also was extended, as was the design of the enamel ones. The sign post lines up with the edge of the roof in the mid ’30s photo, but is a bit inboard in your photo, where the roof has been extended. The height and location of the features of the adjacent building also seem right, as you say.
dinerman, thank you for your comments on my flickr page. I should have cited your webpage as my scource because you confirmed my memory. Sadly I remeber the day walking behind the Little Tavern corporate headquarters in the alley in Silver Spring when the crew was tossing out into the dumpster all their business records and archives. I was heart broken because it was too late to do anything and I could not rescue any mementos. I have some signs and promotional signage I will try to post or send you if you are interested.
nice work!!, i worshiped the tavern and was always in there!! 24-7 -what a heartbreak that they are gone!!!!!!!!
Pingback: Little Taverns « RoadsideArchitecture Blog
Pingback: Little Tavern- Washington No. 27 « Diner Hunter
Pingback: Little Tavern- Washington no. 12 « Diner Hunter
i loved getting hambergers from the clarendon tavern. i grew up in arlington va and a bunch of us would get together and eat our hearts out they were the best burgers but you need to post more pictures for memories sake.
If you have any pics from when it was still operational, I’d love to see them. I only have shots from after it closed.
Little Tavern at 1200 Good Hope Road SE (corner of Nichols Ave now MLK Blvd), Washington, DC was in the heart of ‘downtown’ Anacostia. The buildings shown to its right included a shoe repair shop, a barber shop, and a furniture store.
I was born & raised in Anacostia; chomped down many a 5 cent burger at this LT; my father especially liked their pumpkin pie (real pumpkin; not sweet potato). I sold Sunday morning Times Herald newspapers just outside this LT.
And when my wonderings took my the other direction, I would get my treats at the LT at 2700 Penna Ave SE between the A&P and the Naylor theater – - great memories
Do Opportunities still exist to open Little Tavern Restaurants?
Is there any way of finding out if there are any franchises available, or any possibility of starting a new one?
Contact me at info@littletavernshops.com. We’ll get you set up with a franchise!
Contact me at info@littletavernshops.com. We’ll get you set up with a franchise!
i did not see where you mentioned the little tavern in glen burnie md on the corner of ritchie highway and b&A blvd
I can verify that there was indeed a Columbia Mall location, and those dates sound correct. It was in the original food court, near the main fountan (where the pointesetia tree is erected during the holidays) That food court was removed @ 10 years ago, and the LT closed a few years before that…It was neat to have, but not the same as actually going to a shop..
As a youth living in Fairfax, VA, I would often go to the movies on F street in DC and park in the Old Post Office parking lot on the weekends. Walking up 13th street I’d past the Little Tavern that was located across the street from the Erol Theater. Actually I don’t think I made it past the Little Tavern many times. The aroma from the hamburgers cooking in the Little Tavern was irresistible. Seems the exhaust fan over the grill was directed toward the street and acted like a magnet to draw me in. The best hamburgers going and cooked with the right kind of onions and a very tasty mustard. I remember the burgers costing a dime then, but still a very good deal for such a treat.
Former Little Tavern? Now Tarbouch
3110 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA
~~~~~~~~~
Yes, I know in the 1970′s this was a Little Tavern – not sure when it closed. A few different places went in and failed before Tarbouch opened a few years ago.
Does anyone have a picture of the Glen Burnie Little Tavern Restaurant?
The second Annapolis location was Inner West Street. But I forget the exact address.
Dammit, I was just in Annapolis fot three days and didn’t know there was a L’il Tav there!! Grrr
One was located on Main Street on the left side of the entrance to the Gorman parking lot and the second one was on West Street on the corner of West Washington Street and West Street, next to Greene’s gas station.
Thanks for all these wonderful pictures. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with cherished memories of The Little Tavern. Wish I’d bought more mugs when I had the chance in Ocean City!
DSW
During my hippy days, before I grew up into a conservative, I used to wash the dishes at the Georgetown (D.C.) Little Tavern in exchange for lunch! They were a great bunch of folks working there.
I just got back from shooting the two Georgetown locations! Unfortunately both now gutted, but the exteriors are, for the most part, in-tact. Also got some shots of the former Cellar Door.
My Dad used to work at the Little Tavern on 14th and W Streets NW in Washington DC. ((This would have been in the late 30′s.) I have a picture of him in front of the shop. The top of the picture is cut off a little but the number looks like a 5. The address on the door is 2104. It looks a little larger than most of the Little Taverns because beside the large picture window there is a small vertical window. Does anyone know anything about this one?
I also have a picture of the interior of No. 13 in Washington DC where my uncle worked.
Dear Little Tavern lovers, I found that the location in laurel on rt.1 still serves a great “THROW BACK” tavern burger made from the original recipe and you can still “by them by the bag”, but just don’t take my word for it check it out it’s called the Laurel Tavern.
http://dinerman.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/laurel-tavern-laurel-md/
Ate at the Little Tavern several times in Bethesda. Great nostalgic experience. Don’t
remember any of the other sites. A bygone era all too quickly and sadly being forgotten.
Our Sunday morninig routine in the early 1960′s was to have breakfast at the Little Tavern in Clarendon before going to church at the Clarendon Baptist Church. I loved those little hamburgers, and I so clearly remember listening to Elvis on the jukebox.. Now that I know so much more about the chain, I am in complete admiration of man behind them–Duncan. We take so much for granted until things are gone….Scout
Nice and important site! Thanks for doing all of this research. I still miss those burgers.
I remember going to the locations in Essex, Hollandtown, and Holabird Ave. They had the best hamburgers.
i am looking for a print or picture of the little tavern on 25th street in baltimore md. my dad worked across the street at oles envelope corp starting at the age of 15 and retiring from there in 2002 (he was approximately 68 yrs old and this was the only job he had in his life). he saw one framed at someones house, and they would not sell it to him or even offer to make a copy of the print (probably illegal). does any one have a print or photo of this little tavern? if so, please contact me asap by e-mail. my dad is not getting any younger and i would love to provide it to him.
THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!!!!
Test
There was a location in Salisbury, MD and the one in Ocean City was not owned by Al Roy. They were owned by my late father.
Pltoc@aol.com
Pingback: The Adaptive Reuse Of Little Taverns | Baltimore Or Less
There was one in Salusbury and the Ocean City location. They were NOT owned by Al Roy. You are incorrect. They were owned by the late Bob Permison. I’m his son. You can email me for confirmation.
Looking for a LT in NY
I’m afraid they were only in MD, VA, DC and KY.
If memory serves me correctly, the location in Arlington (attached to National Pawnbrokers) closed somewhere around 1990 or so. On the many late Friday night/ Saturday morning excursions home from Georgetown or other D.C. locales, (yes, I remember Cellar Door well) that was a great stop for a quick bite before heading back to home in Herndon!
I not only to eat at these places but have ton of stories resulting from them. The one on F Street in DC, Crazy. The one north of Olde Town Alex, terrific! Thirty years ago I used to love my little bag full of burgers. Then I moved away and I can’t find them anymore.
I’ll open a franchise in Wilmington (NC) if the company still exists. It would probably be seasonal but the beach tourists would love it. But I’d still have to have the little green roof.
Oh my God, please bring them back, rember them as a child and into my teens and longer. Makes McDonalds taste like garbage. Many thanks for the photos, but where are the two that were in Annapolis.
They’re on the list, but I have not been able to track down any photos of them, unfortunately.
I’m reading a book set in D.C. during WWII, and there’s a passage that describes a character driving to a LT on 17th St. NW between L and M. Because the character is described driving out of their way to go to the LT, and such a detour serves no plot purpose at all, I assumed it was a real location until I read this comprehensive list of yours. What do you think?
Also, have you checked out the Washingtoniana Room at the main DC Public Library? They love helping people with this kind research, tracking down old building records, using old phone books, etc. Very helpful staff!
I haven’t found any reference to one at that location. What’s the book?
I’ve been through all the directories there at Washingtoniana, and through the Star photo morgue. It’s a great resource!