Actually, someone has done an excellent historical/sociological study of
Tim Horton's - Steve Penfold who now teaches at the University of
Toronto.  He has a number of articles in published collections and I
believe that his dissertation will soon be published as a book.

Catherine

At 10:45 PM 08/03/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>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