We asked our readers to share their memories of Joe’s Dairy Bar in Waynesburg. Local history buff, Farley Toothman shared some background on this photo.
Joe’s was located on Washington Street (between the Old Armory and what became Scott’s Delight) and was a cherished institution during the mid-20th century. It was owned and operated by Joe Komatz and served as a popular eatery and social anchor for the community. It was the ultimate hangout in the 1950s and 1960s for local youth and young adults. Local family histories frequently highlight it as a nostalgic landmark where life-long friends and future spouses first crossed paths.
According to Toothman, Komatz and his wife originally lived above the establishment until a fire destroyed the apartment in 1960. The building was repaired and modified to a one-story structure. The business continued as a social hub for another decade until a powerful explosion in 1970 brought the business to an end. The inferno also claimed the adjacent pizza shop owned by Terry Squillante.
Many of our readers shared their memories of the place. Linnie Fox and Roy Huffman worked there after school. Others remember the wonderful smells emanating from the building as they walked home from school. Joe Ayersman remembers the popularity of the place during both his high school and college years, noting Komatz was good to the local wrestlers.
