When Greg Marquis mentions that the Tim Hortons added drive through
windows, I am reminded about the Duis point re the decision of the
various ethnic groups in late 19th cent. Chicago as to where they
drank.  Carry outs, whether with the help of a drive by window or
otherwise, don't provide sociability, not even the quasi-sociability of
drinking alone in the company of other people drinking alone.  By the
way, Jon Stewart fans may remember that in the state of Louisiana drive
through daiquiri bars sell their alcoholic beverages by the drink in
paper cups.


On Mar 8, 2005, at 8:11 PM, gmarquis wrote:

> Hello:
>
> Canadian members of the listserve, and those who have visited Canada,
> will
> naturally think of the ubiquitous Tom Horton chain, named after the
> 'late' NHL player.
> These outlets started in the 1970s, and they still seem to l be
> springing up on
> surburban
> corners, near highway exit ramps and on college campuses (our
> university recently
> decided to allow an outlet on campus).
>
> When a small community gets its 'Tims,' there is a swelling or pride
> almost like when
> Wal-Mart comes to town.
>
> Many Canadians plan their trips around Tim's-for example, a 400 km
> drive might involve
> 2-3 stops at different Tims, which seem to be strategically located.
>
> The franchises are expensive-and lucrative. In my area it is rare for
> a single shop to
> be owned by one person-people seem to own 2 or more.
>
> In the 1970s, there was not much emphasis on takeout-customers drank
> their generic
> coffee in ceramic mugs, and there was a lot of smoking on the premises
> (and smoky
> doughnuts). This was still a period when many folks would stop at the
> local 'mom and
> pop'
> restauarant or diner for coffee and pie, etc. Many of these 'greasy
> spoons' are now
> gone.
> In certain Tom Horton's in the 1970s, I always suspected that many of
> the middle-aged
> male customers, who smoked heavily and drank a lot of coffee, were
> recovering
> alcoholics who were still used to the 'night life.'
>
> In the 80s and 90s the chain proliferated, and added bagels, soups,
> sandwiches, etc.
> Non-smoking sections were added, then they went smoke free (no more
> smoky doughnuts).
> And then, as the 'drive through' culture was encouraged, the Tim's
> chain added drive
> through windows. People will sit and burn lots of 95 cent a litre gas
> to buy a $1.15
> 'double-double' or 'triple-triple.' In some cases the early morning
> trade ties up major
> urban
> roads. Most business seems to be take-out (either walk-in or drive-by).
>
> Tim's has exploited the 'Canadian identity' much like Molson's beer.
> It was spoofed in
> Mike Myers' "Wayne's World" movies (he grew up in Scarborough,
> Ontario).
>
> As far as I know, the overall company is now American owned.
>
> This would make for a great sociological or anthropological study.
>
> I'll be making my stop at 8:15 am tomorrow.
>
> Greg Marquis
>