Final day of business at the Waffle Stop after more than 7 decades

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – In 1956, a quick stop for the Elvis Presley, was at the Waffle Stop on South Washington Boulevard in Sarasota.

“The Elvis is the draw,” said Dolly Hollinger, the owner of the Waffle Stop.

He ate here while he was in town for a show and the diner is boasting with Elvis tributes and memorabilia. But it’s Dolly Hollinger who came in 34 years ago and really stole the show. She’s been the backbone of Waffle Stop and her place was not one of just comfort food, but comfort in the form of familiar and warm faces.

“It got you up in the morning. I would roll out of bed and I knew I could come over here and have a good cup of coffee and a good meal, talk to the some of the regular guys early in the morning. It was just always here for you,” said Frank Cox, who has been a customer since the 70s.

Hank Maier has been coming here three to four times a week for the last three decades. He says, “We always say this is where the elite meet because everybody in town is here so we’ve met a lot of people over the years.”

So many friendships and memories have been collected here but on this New Year’s Eve, these faces are making up the final memory of the Waffle Stop. The tough restaurant climate of today is forcing Dolly to close.

“It’s sad, it’s hard, it’s good, it’s bad. But I’ve seen a lot of people that I haven’t seen in a while,” she says.

Her daughter, Concetta Hollinger Holmes, says, “This has been her whole life. She’s been an amazing restaurant owner and really built a strong community of regulars that have a good time with her.”

Dolly admits it’s hard to walk away, saying “They say I help them. They help me. I made a lot of friendships over the years.”

Those friendships will continue even after there is no more Waffle Stop.

“She’s always enjoyed here, all her friends are here and hopefully now, she’ll get to enjoy us outside the restaurant,” said Maier.

Dolly’s daughter took a moment out of the busy day to rally the crowd into a round of applause and cheer for her mother.

They may have come for Elvis but they stayed for Dolly.

Copyright 2024 WWSB. All rights reserved.