Memories about growing up in:

Does anyon remember a Carnation restaurant at First and Shaw, across from Fashion Fair? Were there others in Manchester North and the Tower District? When did they close?

I think there was one by Fashion Fair, where you describe. Would have been gone by the time I moved into that neighborhood in early '85. There was indeed one in Manchester North during it's time as a mini-mall, of sorts. Right at the end by the theater. It closed in the early 80's, probably around 1982 or 83. Right before the rest of that mall portion closed. I've heard others say there was one in Tower but I don't have firsthand knowledge. My guess is that all the Carnations probably closed at once, maybe 1982-83 or so.

There was indeed a Carnation in the Tower District. It was located in the building that is now the Landmark Restaurant. It was there in the 40's, and I'm sure it was the original and only one for many years. When we came to Fresno from our home in Kingsburg, it was really special if Dad took us by Carnation. There was once a drive-up window on the west side of the building. When I moved to Fresno in the 50's, my roommate and I lived in an apartment at Belmont and Echo. We often walked up Echo just to go to Carnation.

Yes, there was a Carnation in that strip mall on the south east corner next to what was the Safeway Supermarket.

Yes, there was a Carnation restaurant in the Tower District right where the Basque place is now. That is why that building has the neat glass brick facad and the Art Deco top notch deal over the front door, the whole place had an art deco thru 1950's vibe. I think that both Carnations (by the Manchester Theater on Dakota and the Tower one) closed at the same time, not sure of the year. The inside of the Tower Carnation was so vintage cool-- black and white tile, chicken in a basket, malts and ice cream cones galore, and it had a real diner feel to it. My grandmother lived on Lucern Lane just down from it, and we walked to it and ate there sometimes when I was a little kid.