Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News

Midland senior "Dallas" Spitzer serves Mount Pleasant residents Steve and Samantha Esch at the Pixie restaurant on Mission. The Pixie is celebrating its 60th anniversary, since opening in 1948. [Click to enlarge]

The Pixie offers an eating environment giving the restaurant a '50s diner feel. [Click to enlarge]

Anytime anyone wants to get their name on the wall, come into the Pixie and put down at least six coney dogs or 10 Bitty Burgers. [Click to enlarge]

Unlike many restaurants that aim for a '50s vibe, the Pixie doesn't try to be retro.

It is retro.

Having opened in the spring of 1948, the Pixie, 302 N. Mission St., remains one of Mount Pleasant's most familiar restaurants.

This year the restaurant is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

With its '50s-style décor, guests can dine with some very special guests. Pin-ups of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and James Dean grace the restaurant with their familiar faces. The bright neon-light signs and juke boxes add to the 'Happy Days'-esque aura.

The Pixie remains a family-friendly restaurant that offers many varieties of foods on its menu, said Teri Cregger, general manager for the last 14 years.

"It's nice that families can come here, and if everyone wants something different, they can find that on our menu," Cregger said.

In the beginning, there was no indoor dining area, just a car-hop style restaurant that was opened seasonally.

Cregger said one event in particular often catches guests' eyes.

Patrons can work their way into the Pixie's Hall of Fame by eating either six Coney dogs or 10 Bitty Burgers - in one hour. Once guests receive their food, the timer starts.

If guests accomplish the goal, their names are placed on a pink plaque on the wall among thousands of others who have completed the challenge.

"We're starting to run out of room," Cregger said. "We usually put up around 200 plaques per month. We'll probably have to just start putting names on the ceiling if we run out of space."

Assistant manager Janie Cronstrom has enjoyed being part of a team while working at the Pixie.

"It's the best job I've ever had; I've been here for about three years now, and it's such a fun and light atmosphere," Cronstrom said. "We all know that we have a job to do, but we can have fun doing our job at the same time."

Despite being one of Mount Pleasant's oldest restaurants, the competition has actually been good for it, Cregger said.

"It's a challenge to get our name out there because we aren't a chain restaurant, but we've been very fortunate to have our sales continue to grow along with our customers growing, too," Cregger said. "We've been able to maintain very well."

Cregger also said many people, especially new students in the area, may not realize the Pixie delivers everything on the menu. He said students can enjoy everything on the Pixie's menu without having to leave their home.

Joshua Parks has been a long-time customer of the Pixie, coming to the restaurant since he was 7 years old.

"The food is really good, and it's affordable too," said the Oil City resident and Mid Michigan Community College student. "I work right down the street at Hall of Heroes, so it's convenient to be able to walk down here. I've been coming here since I was little. My family (comes) too, but I come here more often than they do."

Brandon Fritzler finds the Pixie's atmosphere cool and welcoming.

"The '50s style is nice. It's different compared to other restaurants in the area," the Ostego resident said. "The food is great, and it's not expensive like some other places in the area can be. This is the second time I've been here this week already, so I'll definitely be returning again."


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