Cincinnati Shopping Centers of The 50's & 60's (Reading, Kenwood: lease, motels)

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by Gerri Ann

What was the name of the drugstore in the Valley Shopping Center with the lunch counter? I remember many grilled cheese and chocolate milkshake lunches with my Mom but cannot remember the drugstore name!

Roselawn Pharmacy

Just closed and moved across Reading Road

[Edselmaniac]

When the ill fated Edsel cars were introduced in the fall of 1957, the Edsel dealers had an Edsel show at Swifton Shopping Center where they had a number of Edsel cars on display around the shopping center.

[kjbrill]

Just thought I would throw this in here. Back in the 50s, remember going to a store downtown called MAX's. Don't remember exactly where it was. Conned my mother into taking me there to buy the craze of the day, pink shirts and charcoal grey suit with bell-bottom pants. Later on, after grown and working in the 60s, heard of the Gentry Shop in Swifton Center, which I know was started by Gene Elkus. Since I am large (6ft-4in, 270+ lbs), was always looking for 2XLT clothing, not too easy to find. Became a regular customer of Gentry, their original location in Swifton, and later in their expansions in Kenwood and Tri-County. Remember the original Gentry store in Swifton, where Gene made you feel he really appreciated your buying there.

[Montrell]

I grew up in Westwood and I have fond memories of the old Western Woods Mall.

I think it was torn down in the late 90's.

I do remember in it's waning years it had only about 5 or so shops left in the entire mall.

I remember the movie theatre in the 70's. From what I can remember I think the anchor stores were Lazarus, Thriftway, and JC Penney. JC Penney was replaced in the late 80's by Zayre's.

They had a huge fountain and a really big arcade as well.

[Montrell]

Originally Posted by Latchkey Kid

And does anyone remember Swifton Commons? Was that another name for the village or the center?

I remember Swifton Commons vaguely. I went there one time, probably in the late 1980's. It was another name for the old Swifton Shopping Center (I think). It was virtually a ghost town by the time I went over there.

The only thing I can't remember about Swifton Commons is whether it was an outdoor strip mall or an indoor mall...? I'm thinking outdoor. I'm sure someone else can help me out on this.

[Imo513]

Swifton Commons was outdoors was nice but went down hill in the 90's.

[nightrider127]

I used to love shopping at Swifton. 40 plus years ago it was a really nice place.

LOL, my mom gave my son a spanking over at I think it was Mabley & Carews one time for for having a temper tantrum on her. You do something like that now a days, you would get the cops called on you.

PS He never threw another temper tantrum on his Mamaw again.

[mike1003]

Mom worked at Rollmans, Mabley and Carews and then Elder Beerman, From day one when Swifton opened.

Her "Pension" was 12.00 and change a month for almost 30 something years service '

[pavega56]

I grew up in Roselawn in the 60's and 70's. Mabley's was the anchor store. I used to live in Swifton Village Apartments adjacent to the mall. Corner of Rhode Island and Langdon Farm Road. Pasquale's was a favorite. I used to buy a smal Pizza for 70 cents (the for runner of the personal pizza). Both Swifton as a retail center is gone. The old Mabley's houses the new Roselawn Library and some city offices. The Swifton Apartments were razed a few years ago and replaced by housing developement.

[pavega56]

Originally Posted by blockhead

Hey Unctheel

I went to Walnut Hills, too. graduated in 1970. Lived in Avondale. I spent a lot of time at that Pasquales. There was a pizza joint on reading road in Bond Hill I really enjoyed. I believe it was Capri Pizza and it was take out only. Also, ate a lot at Sugar n Spice (believe that was also in Bond Hill on Reading Road near Victory Parkway.

Do you happen to remember a night club on Reading Road in Bond Hill called "the Sign of the Drum"? It was owned by Barney Rapp, who gave Doris (von Kappelhoff) Day her start.

A a kid in the 60's I got my haircut in Bon Hill at Frank's Barber close to the Synagogue. Franks moved to the Valley Shopping center and changed its name to Jim's Barber. Last time I was in town. Sugar n Spice was still in business. My dad would occasionally take me to lunch there in the 60's. Lot's of "hi hons' from the waitresses.