Some Orlando Institutions Long gone (Tampa, Lakeland: airport, eat, gas)

[DavieJ89]

I used to love going to Race Rock on International Drive as a kid. That place used to be so much fun. It closed in 2007 I believe?

So its not LONG gone, but it brings back fond memories

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by Bullgator

There was a GREAT steakhouse on John Young Pkwy close to hwy 50 .. can't remember the name.

Bill Mac

That was a Ruth Chris's. The building is standing empty now.

[Haphap]

It was not Ruth's Chris. But the first name of the man who owned it was Chris. He also owned the Mr Dunderbachs franchise at the Fashion Square Mall. It was ____________ House of Beef.

[Lcolla]

This thread makes me sad so many great places gone

I remember going to some haunted house on idrive it was a rainy late night and my boyfriend and I decieded to go to the haunted house nobody else was there so it made it even scarier!! I loved it then we went to go back several months later and it was gone

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by Haphap

It was not Ruth's Chris. But the first name of the man who owned it was Chris. He also owned the Mr Dunderbachs franchise at the Fashion Square Mall. It was ____________ House of Beef.

You are absolutely correct...it was Chris's House of Beef. I've been confusing the two for years lol.
Thanks for the correction.

[Sally1949]

Originally Posted by Jim_W_BooneHS

My Gawd, just came across this thread/site.
What memories!

I grew-up (yes lived there in an apartment) at the old Coliseum Skate Rink as a very small child; My Grandmother (Jessie Owings) worked there, my Mom turned skate pro there, and as soon as I walked I had roller skates on my feet. She later taught at SunState Roller Rink off Primrose across from old Colonial Mall (understand all that is gone now). I skated, competed, and worked at Sun State Roller through most of high school.

I recently found some YouTube videos from the roller rink of dance skaters- heck my mom was teaching figure skating lessons at rink center in one of the videos!

Remember Colonial Mall?! Heck yes- did a lot of fun things with girlfriends in the mall elevator back then in H.S.

Anyone remember Shirley W. (dance skate pro at Sun State?), anyone hang out there in the mid-late 70's?

Anyone remember "E-tickets" at WDW? Ever accidently use it as a phrase these days... That was an E-Ticket ____ ?

Wow, such memories.
Jim

Ditto such memories. Didn'y know the Colisium had apartments at that time.

[just another guy]

Originally Posted by GLS2010

I remember when 434 (alafaya) was a 2 land street from mcculluch through Oviedo. Now it's a 6 lane major road way.

I talked to a couple in their 80s or so who said they remember Alafaya being a dirt road. I'll admit I laughed, but they didn't. They were being serious.

[brinkofsunshine]

I went to Wekiva Springs yesterday and started thinking about Alexander's Riverside Restaurant that used to be there. Such a shame that it burned down... last time I was there I must have been 7 or 8, but I still remember how amazing it was to see the gators and raccoons around you while you ate.

[Harleychick49]

Originally Posted by mikenbacismama

Don't know any of those (only living here for 1 yr). But does anyone remember Circus World in the Orlando area? My mom took us there when we visited Disneyworld back in 1979 or 1980. When did it close?

I remember going there. But, isn't that in Sarasota?

[Harleychick49]

What used to be on Rt. 27 south from Cagan's Crossing (and down a bit) on the other side of the road? There is still a lot and the frame from a sign. Often, a guy selling fruit from a truck sits near it.