Denver in the 1960s and 1970s (Memory Lane) (Colorado Springs, Boulder: lofts, wedding)

[Jimer1]

Now I have a request for info. Does anybody here recall a store called Hatches? I remember them having a book store in the old Lakeside shopping center then when the shopping center was rebuilt into a mall. They also had gift shops and book stores in some of the other malls around town. I think they were bought by someone eventually, but I can't seem to find any references on the 'net.

[tinbuck2]

There was a Hatches on the corner of 8th and Colorado Blvd. It was a drug store/book store/and had a lunch counter. They sold cosmetics mags, and everything in between.

[tinbuck2]

Celebrity had 50 or more bowling lanes. This place on Colfaxv and Colo blvd. had only ten lanes.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Jimer1

Now I have a request for info. Does anybody here recall a store called Hatches? I remember them having a book store in the old Lakeside shopping center then when the shopping center was rebuilt into a mall. They also had gift shops and book stores in some of the other malls around town. I think they were bought by someone eventually, but I can't seem to find any references on the 'net.

I remember Hatches Book Stores. They were in all the malls, along with Walden Books and Coles. I spend a lot of time in them all. Had to stand there reading the books. No seating area like the Tattered Cover in those days.

I think they were all bought out or run out of business by B. Dalton's. Which in turn was bought out by Barnes & Noble.

[Jimer1]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

I remember Hatches Book Stores. They were in all the malls, along with Walden Books and Coles. I spend a lot of time in them all. Had to stand there reading the books. No seating area like the Tattered Cover in those days.

I think they were all bought out or run out of business by B. Dalton's. Which in turn was bought out by Barnes & Noble.

I remember them disappearing one by one as The Lakeside Mall went under, and then the Westminster Mall went through its slow lingering death. I think Walden or B. Dalton was also in the Westy mall as well. In any case they are all gone now. Only B & N is left and they have been down sizing as well.

[KaaBoom]

For those interested, here is the Cinderella City directory from 1977.

[Jimer1]

I see the Hatch's books and gifts listed. I also remember one of the record stores there, not sure which one it was, but they also had posters, t-shirts, jewelry and other .... er, supplies used for recreational purposes. I also remember well the Der Wienerschnitzel in the Shamrock Mall. I dated a girl who worked there. She was actually my best friends aunt (an oops baby) but was the same age as me. Used to tease my friend that as long as me and her were together, he should call me "Uncle"!
I also remember the Funway Freeway! One of the largest arcades I knew of at the time! The huge fountain!
Thanks for bringing that Kaboom, that is just way too cool!

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Jimer1

I see the Hatch's books and gifts listed. I also remember one of the record stores there, not sure which one it was, but they also had posters, t-shirts, jewelry and other .... er, supplies used for recreational purposes. I also remember well the Der Wienerschnitzel in the Shamrock Mall. I dated a girl who worked there. She was actually my best friends aunt (an oops baby) but was the same age as me. Used to tease my friend that as long as me and her were together, he should call me "Uncle"!
I also remember the Funway Freeway! One of the largest arcades I knew of at the time! The huge fountain!
Thanks for bringing that Kaboom, that is just way too cool!

No problem. While reading this thread I keep pulling that out to refresh my memory of different stores and places. So I decided I'd scan it and post it for everybody to look at.

Also on the subject of Cinderella City, I just found this video, of the old mall, from the last years in the early 90s. Not exactly the hayday for Cin City, but still interesting.


The Legendary Cinderella City; Princess of Malls of Christmas past (1991) - YouTube

[Prodigal Native]

Interesting video (and surprisingly high quality for its age).

There's a whole mall culture out there on the internet, I once spent an entire work day doing google searches and looking at old picture of from Cinderella City, Buckingham Square and other old Denver malls. Then I went on a movie theater tangent and spent a few hours looking at old picture and reading up on the three big-screen theaters that used to be in town.

[Lost Roses]

Good job on the video, Kaboom. I remember going there during opening week and marveling at the mall. Spent a lot of time there back in the day but as the mall declined the only store I frequented was Joslin's. Sure miss that store! That said, I really prefer the open air shopping centers of today, like Aspen Grove in Littleton and Streets at Southglenn in Centennial. We'll probably be lamenting those one day too. Thanks for the trip back.