Couple of Jerks holds third annual Cruise In

When the sign says that Perry is where Georgia comes together, it’s the truth, and the south doesn’t lie. Saturday, Nov. 11, was A Couple of Jerks Soda Shop’s third annual sponsored “Cruise In” featuring some of the community’s finest retro rigs, a personal Elvis appearance and an outstanding performance by Fly By Radio.

A Couple of Jerks Soda Shop has become an essential element to the downtown Perry community. Owner Mike Benson and his family take pride in running the town’s only retro soda shop. The shop opened for the Cruise In event serving many of the old favorites such as chocolate milkshakes and Coke floats that are features in the old photos lining the counter inside the shop. Using down home values and old-fashioned flair, it has become successful in bringing life in the good ol’ days back to a southern town.

Its history begins with the owner, Mike Benson’s vision to recreate a simple old-fashioned theme from the 1950s and place it on the corner of Carroll and Jernigan streets in downtown Perry. A soda fountain shop was always the hubbub of activity in Perry during the ‘50s in a little building on Carroll Street that was then the Houston Drug Store. Bringing a soda shop back into downtown has brought a sense of community back that many felt was missing.

The Cruise In began at 7 p.m. Saturday evening with a line of retro Chevrolets, Mustangs, and several models of old Ford Pickups lining Jernigan Street from end to end on both sides. One of the highlighted vehicles of the event was a 1937 Teal Blue Chevrolet Master Coupe, owned by John Guido, parked picturesquely next to A Couple of Jerks Soda Shop.

In addition to this, vehicle and motorcycle owner Bob Taylor had on display two models of the original motorcycle. One was a Harley Davidson and the other The Flying Merkel model. The spectators were even given a demonstration as The Flying Merkel was ridden up and down Jernigan Street in style.

Elvis Presley impersonator Randy Stephens made his appearance on stage at 6:30 p.m. singing old favorites for the crowd, including a special rendition of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Before and after his performance, Presley walked up and down the street shaking spectators hands and posed for pictures with even the youngest fans.

Fly By Radio began its performance at 7 p.m. featuring a rock pop style that livened up the cool evening and even inspired more than a few fans to join in a some dance moves. Their music for the evening featured the 1970s hit “Play that Funky Music White Boy” as well as some group originals that had the beat flowing up and down Carroll Street.

A Couple of Jerks Soda Shop’s third Cruise In event was a success in every sense of the word and brought a kind of warmth to the small town of Perry that helped many to relive the moments of days gone by. Through old motors and music, Perry brought some Georgians together Saturday night for a step into the past that none will soon forget.

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