Mooney's Bar-B-Que Drive-In

Princeton Times Article Contributed by Jeff Harvey

I'm taking a break from long columns this week to focus on a long-gone, but long-remembered local business, Mooney's Bar-B-Que Drive-In on Courthouse Road as recounted in the 2002 edition of the Mercer County Historical Society's "History of Mercer County," by the late Peery and Eileen Mooney, brother and sister-in-law of the founder of Mooney's Drive-In, the late Morris Mooney, who, with his wife Loretta Bragg Mooney, opened the business in 1956 and operated it until 1985, when it was leased to David Coburn.

Morris Mooney (April 25, 1920-October 14, 1995), was, like his brother, a Virginian Railway employee, before opening the drive-in. It was known for its good hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecues, sandwiches, soft drinks and so forth. Mooney's employed many high school students as car hops, who served the customers, including their own peers, who used it as a gathering place, especially after cruising. After leaving the business, Morris Mooney enjoyed years of retirement. Loretta Mooney (May 29, 1932) went on to nursing school and served at Glenwood Park Retirement Village as a LPN.

Last Saturday, the First Christian Church of Princeton, with Mrs. Mooney's cooperation, hosted a Mooney’s Barbecue Sandwich fundraiser at the Four Seasons Pharmacy parking lot. All proceeds went towards the First Christian Church Mission Trip 2014 and Operation Christmas Child.

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