spa

[Joan H. Hall]

>
> >DARE's Volume V entry for "spa" labels it "NEast, esp MA." Stay tuned!
> >
>
Is that always to designate a 'grocery, convenience store' as in most of
the recent postings? How widespread is "spa" in the 'diner,
luncheonette' context Alice noted, as exemplified by the defunct local
(College St., New Haven) "College Spa"? Maybe the rarity of this use is
what led inevitably to the demise of the establishment.

DARE's definition:
Any of var usu small establishments where food and drink are sold; a
restaurant, tavern, soda fountain, or, esp recently, convenience store.

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