The Uptown Cafe was located on King Street across from the present day Police Station and Fire Hall. The Uptown Cafe was one of the popular hangouts for teenagers during the 1940s and the 1950s. The other prevalent hangout was Maureen's Cafe.. (During the 1930s Stansfield's Bakery was an establishment where teenagers spent much of their extra time after school).
Though the Uptown was considered a dive, it was known for the really thick milkshakes that one could purchase for about 10 cents. Inside the Uptown, there were 6-8 booths, where each booth would seat four persons. The booths had high backs that separated each booth from the other.
Diane (Hill) Mason clearly remembers one of the pranks performed by some teenageers at The Uptown. On one occasion, some boys brought in a garter snake in their shirts. They let the snake slither up over the backs of the seats over to the next booth where Diane was seated with some other teenager girls. When the girls became aware of the snakes, they let out a loud shriek that startled everyone else in the cafe.
Maureen's cafe was located on Queen Street in between the present day Legion and Kupper's bakery. Mrs. Smith was the proprietor of Maureens caf.
Some DHS alumni have mentioned that Maureens caf was also known as a dive, and was often frequented by dubious patrons who had moved into the district in search of employment with the many surrounding woodlands operations. However, Sandy Ferguson has emphatically stated that the proprietor would never put up with any shady activities from teenagers.
The caf was open into the late hours of the evening, and was popular after the Friday night dances held at the Teen Canteen. When the Teen Canteen dances ended at about 11:30 pm or midnight, many people would then go to Maureens caf or to the Uptown.
A piano located at the back of Maureen's cafe, was often used for impromptu jam sessions. Sandy Ferguson remembers David Makuch being talented at playing the keys and then numerous others would join in singing and playing other musical instruments.