Growing up in Rhode Island in the 70s and 80s, most people drove from New England down to FL because flying still wasn't affordable for most people. You'd know when someone went to FL for vacation by the South of the Border bumper sticker on their car. Since the late 80s, it's relatively cheaper and easier to just fly. So few people make that long trek down I-95 Edit: It was also a destination to buy fireworks when fireworks were still illegal in most states.

It had this vibe about it when I went in 2007. I wish I could have gone when it was jumpin maybe 50 years ago lol. The gift shop was open and awesome tho

As a child, South of the Border was a main stop off for us, When traveling from New Jersey to Florida. It will always hold A special place in my heart as a iconic childhood memory,in the 60s and 70s, it was a thriving roadside attraction always busy. I am sad to see how Business has fallen off. Hopefully though, they will stay open, Thank you for doing this video and bringing some attention to this once famous roadside attraction.

Sad to see these nostalgic places so empty. Great tour though👍😊

Thanks for the tour of South of the Border. Safe Journey! CHOLULA!!!

I can't tell you how SOTB connects with some of my past! We used to drive from NYC to Miami and back twice each year in the 70s to see my grandma at her condo. The kids at school would always be jealous when this pale kid came back nice and sun-kissed or more likely lobster color most times! Anyway, each time we would stop at South of the Border. It was just a part of the trip's meaning (also whenever I drove with each of my brothers to places on the east coast). We would play the pinball machines, shop at the shoppes there, eat, whatever. There was a stretch of time where I hadn't been there - a long one. Then, early in 2007, my brother and dad and I were driving to Miami from Eastern NC and stopped there to use the restroom and walk around. It looked someone different - run down, not vibrant and fun as it once had been. I went in the restroom and they had these huge metal doors, floor to ceiling, Normally in most stalls you have space at the top and bottom. Well I closed the door and it got stuck. I mean REALLY stuck. I immediately began to panic (I am a bit claustrophobic). After about 10 or 15 minutes of slamming on the door and trying everything to open it I luckily had my cell phone and called my brother. Just as he got there I finally got it to open. Scariest moment! I have not been back since that time, actually.

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

heck yeah! i bet more people have stories like this. Thank you for sharing JB! Very cool. Glad you got out of the stall. lol

@jbjacobs9514

Жыл бұрын

@@theendorsement The real story is I am still in that stall - never escaped. I watch your videos from there. hahhahahahah Thanks for the trip down memory lane! When you went in the shoppes, I really had a deja vu - looking at shot glasses and mugs and t-shirts and little figurines. It was such a family place when we used to go. Now it looks like a found footage movie waiting to happen (or a true crime show about a missing person!). Take care!

Chili today, hot tamale! I remember this sign approaching SOTB back when I would travel to Florida with my grandparents & travel trailer in tow! Great memories of our trips south from NYS. Loved camping in that sweet trailer. My grandfather took the old two lane roads & I got a great education in the late 60’s of southern living. Always came home with bags of pecans & oranges.

I've lived an hour & a half from it all my life but never gone in😂 oh well

I remember my parents went there when I was a kid and they brought back an ashtray with a sombrero on it that said south-of-the-border written across the bottom

Alan Schafer started this place as a beer stand back in 1949. In 54 he added 20 room motel. I love this place and visited often back in the 80s.

It was a Hoppin place back in the 80's, but, alas, its time has passed.

Love this style video! It's giving me Erie Ghost Town vibes in a fun good way! Ha!

Wife and I drive to Myrtle Beach every July and we always stop at South of the Border for ice cream

Cool vlog style video man! You could definitely start a new channel for travel vlogs and I’d be here for it!

Intresting.

Lovin' the vlog style video!! 🙌 I haven't been to south of the border since I was a kid.

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

Thank you jess! This was a fun one to put together! :)

@jess.from.scratch

Жыл бұрын

@@theendorsement you did an amazing job!! 👏🔥

I have fond memories of this place from the late 60's to the early 80's. Lots of family trips stopping there. Thank you for the memories :)

Classic

Great video!

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mary

I was there right after 9/11 when we decided to drive rather than fly to Florida. From what I remember it was pretty busy. Makes me kinda sad to see it so empty, but I'm not surprised.

Great video! Pedro ain't looking right lmao

The rabbit with antlers is called a Jack Rabbit & you can find a big one in South Dakota at Wall Drugs

Might be my favorite review from you yet!! 😂😂

Brought back so many memories driving down from Rhode Island!!! Drove all the way in the station wagon in the last seat facing backwards….lol I honestly don’t remember it being that big in the 80’s… thanks for sharing!

Interesting place. Never know what you'll find on the roadsides of America.

Our Buddy Adam the Woo was up in the tower a year or so ago,,,,

great tour! You should go inside more of the stores next time. they allow filming. There's a really cool racetrack right behind the porky's

I driven by this place many times- never stopped. Thanks for doing this.

I always end up passing thru between 10pm-2am and all I can say is it’s a wild place at that time

I'd say that is a blast from the past. Almost like a time capsule. National Lampoon should have done a movie there! Thanks foe showing us around

Shout out To Jabs fireworks , they have a mega store down the street

I love the retro scene this place has. That is probably what keeps it going. Enough people go just to say they have been there and maybe the Taco places are blow your mind good, so people make sure to stop for the foods?!

I’ve heard many stories from my family how vibrant it was back in the 70s and 80s. It was actually a spot to head and hang out for the day back then and get some cheap shopping and fireworks done. Now more than anything it’s a place to stop on the interstate for a quick bathroom break or quick bite to eat . Also fireworks very cheap to purchase there.

Have never been enough south to visit South of the Border. Most definitely would have been somewhere we would have stopped on our family vacations. You did an excellent job in documenting this place for future generations. But geez, you're minding your own business and a random Lupe shows up to harass you.😂

Used to stop by there about once a year on the way to visit some family. Was a great place to get souvenirs and cheap fireworks.

I crossed that area in 2018, some of this looks familiar to me. I didn't stop, but I saw soemthing from the car windows. Cool to see you do a vlog like this. :)

I live in NC and I went there about 5 years ago at the beginning of July and it was packed. It is a really popular place for some amazing fireworks. They are usually busy around the 4th but I haven’t been during any other time of the year.

That looks better than Red Lobster cheese biscuits. There are so many different recipes I see people making with those store bought biscuits

@jons2514

Жыл бұрын

This was for Head to Tail BBQ and cooking. check his channel out if you haven't...

Last time I drove through was 2018 and it was about as empty. It's the epitome of a tourist trap. "It's a Trap"!

@jbjacobs9514

Жыл бұрын

Hey Admiral Ackbar! Truthfully it was pretty awesome in the 70s. You could play the pinball machines, shop for knick-knacks and eat and walk around. It was lively, vibrant, lots of people and a great vibe. In 2007 (I hadn't been there in a long time and that is also the last time I have been there) when I went, it was very different; run down and just not the same.

His name is Steve Barcelos. Check out his video of this place!

Cool retro/nuclear fallout vibes. I have no memories of it as my only time spent in SC was on a military base and no time for site seeing.

Did you eat there?

I was there in the 80s. Real bizarre spot.

Strange place

It’s closing? I remember riding I95 from NY and seeing the sign every 5 minutes for 100 miles.

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

Not sure.. most everything was closed. Kind of sad actually. I hope it doesn't close

Just passed this today

I loved this place as a kid I would make my parents and grand parents stop there in the 70s. The firework collection was phenomenal. It's a shame it looks like it is going out of business

First

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

ENDORSED

They still have Ron John Surf Shop?

This place looks creepy and cool 😎 at the same time it is unexplainable lol 😂

yep i been there twice once in 1987 and then again in 1991 i thought it was cool place ha

@ncavefan

Жыл бұрын

i wish i would have bought a pint glass or a mug but i was just 12 1st time so didn't think of it

What City & State is this In Endorsement?

@jbjacobs9514

Жыл бұрын

South Carolina.

From a Texan, you need to come a little more South of the border 😅

I wonder what Mexicans make of this place?

@bigpun4780

Жыл бұрын

Chicano here, looks like it would have been fun back in the day. I wish I could have gone.

They still have Ron John Surf Shop?

@theendorsement

Жыл бұрын

They do not