Zip-In'N-Out Drive-in
1931 N. Last Chance Gulch

Early 1950s Building Still in Use
as a Vehicle Dealership

Built in 1951-52 by Missoula-based entrepreneur Arthur G. Harr (1920-1966), this building was originally the Ace Stop and Go Drive-in. As the Zip-In'N-Out, it made the news in August of 1968, when a Helena teen crashed a car into it, injuring several passengers. Fortunately, no one was in the restaurant at the time.

Builder Arthur G. Harr was involved in a variety of commercial endeavors around the state, including several restaurants in Missoula, where he was best-known. The Ace was apparently Helena's first restaurant with a drive-through.

Newspaper advertisements give the address as 1930 North Main (Last Chance Gulch), but it is technically 1931.

 


Second Season Opening
John and Mabel Stoianoff
(1915-1972) • (1917-1996)


New Management for 1954
Fred On "Freddie" Wong (1920-1987)

It appears that Freddie Wong only managed the restaurant for one year. Classified ads appeared in the Independent Record in 1955 touting "new management", but I find no record of the restaurant being open in 1955. The 1956 Polk's Helena City Directory lists the address as vacant.


Martin G. and Clara Nelson
(1917-2003) • (1922-2002)
Open and Rename the Restaurant

 


The Infamous Car Crash • August 11, 1968
Click on Image to Enlarge in a New Window

 

The Nelsons continued to own and operate the restaurant through 1969. There was a divorce and apparently some financial problems. Martin Nelson moved to Livingston, going to work for the State of Montana.


Opened in 1971 as the "Nameless Place"
a Suds Hut Spinoff

The Suds Hut was opened by William Bahny in 1969. It is still a popular destination.


Naming Contest

The Fin & Feather was a short-lived enterprise. By 1974, the facility was the home of Superior Coach and Truck sales. It has been a motor vehicle dealship ever since.