Glenwood Community in Panama City in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Grady’s One Stop Drive In

c.1946

— Historic Glenwood —

Grady’s One Stop Drive In Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Grady’s One Stop Drive In Marker

Inscription. In Loving Memory of Mr. Grady & Jewel McClain Having served his country with honor, Grady McClain returned with a vision to foster camaraderie, joy and a sense of belonging through the universal language of food and music. He and his wife Jewel opened Grady's Drive-In in 1946, starting the longest continuously running black-owned business in Panama City.

The drive-in, initially a modest endeavor, quickly transformed into a community hub where the melodies of classic hits filled the air, inviting patrons to dine, dance and revel in the spirit of together-ness. The Gradys' late son, Alvin McClain, re-branded the popular spot as Alvins 007. Later named Daddy's Place, the drive-in became home to Pepper's Jerk Spot in 2023.
Grady's One Stop Drive-in - 1209 MLK Blvd.

Erected 2024 by Panama City Quality of Life Program and Destination Panama City.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 30° 10.187′ N, 85° 39.028′ W. Marker is in Panama City, Florida, in Bay

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County. It is in Glenwood Community. It is on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard north of East 12th Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is included in the Glenwood Historic Markers Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1209 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Panama City FL 32401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Anderson’s Standard Service Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Memorial Funeral Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Bail Bonding (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Theater/KofP Hall

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Grady’s One Stop Drive In Marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Russ Shoe Shop (about 500 feet away); Lee’s Gulf Service Station (about 600 feet away); Lady Ethel Beauty College (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panama City.

Also see . . . New Glenwood Historical Markers. (Submitted on March 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.