Whitehaven eatery thrives on Elvis and atmosphere. By Yvonne Nelson March 11, 2004

Where do Elvis fans go after visiting Graceland? Ask anyone in Whitehaven and you'll find out that many like to visit Marlowe's on Elvis Presley Boulevard.
The restaurant was part of a chain of restaurants but was purchased from the chain by Tony Gigliotti in the early '70s.

The restaurant was named for Gigliotti's daughter, Marlo Lauck, and has been run as a family business. Managed by daughter Melissa Coleman, the restaurant displays Elvis memorabilia on every table, in glass cases, along the wall and about everywhere else.
"We cater to the tourist and we have lots of regulars who come in on different days of the week," Coleman said. "It's a warm and friendly atmosphere where everybody feels right at home."
Longtime waitress Brenda Ramos agreed. Ramos was hired by Lauck more than 10 years ago when she was transferred to the now-defunct Whitehaven Red Lobster restaurant.
"I had been with Red Lobster for 17 years but had become so unhappy after being transferred into management," Ramos said. "My love is in meeting people and being a waitress, not doing paperwork. Marlo gave me a W-2, I filled it out and I haven't looked back since."
In addition to the mobile barbecue unit that resembles a pig, the restaurant is known for its pink Cadillac limousines.
"Our fleet currently has four limos," said Becky Prince. "I think they're pink because Elvis's Caddy was pink and Tony thought it would be nice to have pink limos. We don't get as many calls for weddings now, but we can pick up 40-50 people on a slow night."
"About 80 percent of our customers are Elvis fans. We pick up guests from hotels as far as 7 miles away," added Ramos. "It's a great place to work and to come when you just need something to do."
Customer Zandra Maxwell agreed. "I'd never been in here before, but it's pretty nice. I like it." Maxwell stopped by to inquire about employment opportunities. She and her 9-month old daughter, Laila, decided to stay for lunch