Watch: Two historic Tacoma establishments make a cameo in new Toyota Christmas commercial
If you’ve watched television recently, you might’ve seen one of Toyota’s latest commercials advertising the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma.
But you might’ve also spotted some familiar locations.
Bob’s Java Jive and Frisko Freeze both made cameos in Toyota’s “Present From the Past” national commercial.
In the commercial, a young woman receives a vintage camera and a collection of photos of her grandmother as a gift. The granddaughter decides to recreate all of her grandmother’s old photos by going to all of the same places in her 2024 Toyota Tacoma.
The granddaughter travels around the country and finds herself in Tacoma. She poses in front of the large coffee pot structure that is home to Bob’s Java Jive, as well as in front of the recognizable Frisko Freeze neon sign. In the end, the granddaughter gifts her grandmother a photo album with photos of her travels alongside her grandmother’s old photos.
Bob’s Java Jive
Bob’s Java Jive, originally known as the Coffee Pot Restaurant, is a local bar at 2102 South Tacoma Way. The bar is known for its coffee pot shape and the number of up-and-coming rock stars that hit its stage.
The coffee pot-shaped building has served many purposes and survived several eras. Before Bob Radonich bought the building in 1955 and changed its name to what it is now, the pot served as a breakfast place, a drive-in diner and a speakeasy.
Under Radonich’s ownership, the pot was rebranded and has mainly served music lovers.
The building was also at one point Polynesian themed and was home to two chimpanzees named “Java” and “Jive.” And before turning into a karaoke bar and hosting comedy open mics, it operated as a go-go bar.
Bob’s Java Jive was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance in 2014.
Frisko Freeze
Frisko Freeze has been a part of Tacoma’s history for a long time. Famous for its burgers and shakes, the restaurant first opened its doors in July 1950.
Frisko Freeze was registered as one of Tacoma’s historical places in August 2008, mainly due to its principal structure not being changed since it was initially built. The retro burger shack operates as a drive-thru and walk-up food stand and does not have a dining room.
Although the building’s structure has not changed, Frisko Freeze recently came under new ownership for the first time in 73 years when it was purchased by John Xitco and his son Nico Xitco.
The new owners told The News Tribune that although the building will remain the same, the restaurant will close temporarily in 2024 for internal renovations. Xitco said they are working with the city and health department to set up a food truck in the parking lot so customers can still stop in for burgers and shakes.
This story was originally published December 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Watch: Two historic Tacoma establishments make a cameo in new Toyota Christmas commercial."
