Nogales Magnets
Description: The High Time Tavern opened its doors in 1935 in the small Arizona border town of Nogales, making it one of the earliest watering holes in the Arizona Territory after statehood. Aside from a full bar with an extensive tequila menu, High Time ran a full kitchen that made it a popular stop for anyone passing through between Tucson and Mexico. The tavern had live music every night on their respectably sized stage, most commonly featuring country and honky-tonk artists. When they closed up shop is unclear, but it appears that they were still hanging around in the late '80s. While they may be long gone, any business that can make a 50-year run is a success in my book.
Description: Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant chain founded in 1975 in Richfield, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, by restaurateur Marno McDermott (his wife's nickname was "Chi Chi") and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee. MacDermott had previously founded the Zapata fast-food Mexican chain, which later became Zantigo. From 1977 to 1986, the chain was run by former KFC executive Dula Brown. When Dula took leadership, the chain moved its headquarters to his hometown of Louisville. By March 1995, the chain had grown to 210 locations.
