Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Georgetown: fit in, zoning)

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by Primo

The places I remember in Colonies North Mall..and parking are:
Handy Andy
A Drug Store (Sommers, then Revco or Walgreens)
Winns
A pet Store....I don't remember the name
Colonies North Twin - the Theater...I remember seein Jaws II there. Scholotzsky's
A Picture Frame shop
A barber shop
There was a small US post office in the middle of it.
The nightclub

Across the parking lot was Dante's Pizza, Trend House Furniture, a Dairy Queen, and J's ice House

Their was also a ball room dancing school. It was actually above the main mall, you had to go up these metal stairs to get there.

[GWhopper]

Does anybody remember that on Sunday, Colonies North mall always had a flea market/side walk sale there? We used to buy collectable stamps there for pennies.

[majormadmax]

The story on Hipp's and Timbo's...

Cheers! M2

[Primo]

Originally Posted by Willsatx

Where was dairy queen located?

The Dairy Queen was there a VERY long time ago....it is where the present day muisical instrument store is....on the very corner of Ironside and Colony....next to the lube place. It has the classic dairy queen architecture.

Yes, I remember there was metal stair case that lead upstairs....never knew what was up there.

There was also a record store called Davey Jone's Locker.

[blabride]

At last a site to prove to the world what a wonderfully unique city SA is. In fact I have heard from demographers that my hometown is the most like an eastern seaboard city of any place east of the Mississippi. Another words very rich in history, local folklore, culture and fiercely loyal people that are extremely proud of everything in their city. SA is the only place in Texas that has the amount of locally owned business and restaurants still in existance. Places like Tip Top, Bun N Barrell, Murf's, Little Red Barn, The Pig Stand, Griffs, heck the list could take up pages. I have lived in Georgetown now for 23 years and I still have only found two restaurants in the entire central Texas area that come close.
I was born and raised in SA and lived there from 1960-1983 and through out this time I have accumulated a book worth of unique memories and places. I believe as you will see that I have had to have come across some of you in my life. I grew between McCulloch and Jones Maltsburger. One of my life long best friend went to Marshall so I am very familiar with that side of town as well. Here are some of the more special memories I have.
North Star Mall; wow, I lived there. It was a quick five minute bike ride. Yes I remember the Myna birds. They would talk to you if you prodded them.
The fountain in front of Walgreens with the lava rocks. The Toy Box with the Corgi F1 and James Bond cars. The Luby's and fried chicken, the fish squares and that wondefull thousand island dresssing. I remember during the Watergate hearings they set up a TV in the back dining room so people would still come and eat.
The HEB on the West side of the mall. The leather shop across from it. The kids clothing store that gave away points and when you accumulated enough you could purchase cool models and stuff.
Who can remember the summer Mattel held a huge Hot Wheel racing tournament. They had a truck load of stuff as prizes and they were going to give prizes to like 50 places. But by the end of the week the were so sick of it they gave it all to the first place guy whom I know very well. In fact he cheated by putting lead in the car.
Also, I want to believe since it has been with me forever that the Mickey Mantle restaurant was in North Star down in the newer part west of Frost Brothers. Today it would be next door to the watch place that is next to the chocolate place that is across from Lidz. In fact is was off in that corner. I also remember seeing Danny Kaye in that same area.
The coolness of Record Hole, were I heard the James Gang for the first time.
I also remember a record store in the newer part of the mall across from Frost Brothers. The North Star Cinema where I saw many movies like Jungle Book in 67, the Love Bug in 68, Wait Until Dark I also remember a big glass bottom boat in the lobby for that movie. Remember the seventies construction down by Joske's and the super long plywood tunnel to connect it to the rest of the mall. Seems it was always raining and cold in there.
Playland; spent a lot of time there. We seemed to go whenever the cousins were in town. I remember the Bullitt, the Rocket, the Motorcycle kiddie ride. The weird miniature chapel. How about the fortune teller machine. By the way, the Rocket is now back in operation as the Phoenix at a park in south central Pennsylvania.
Eateries; Christies this one brings tears to my eyes. This was my parents favorite place to go and about once a month we would dress up and Dad would comb my hair for what seemed like an hour and go pig out. Remember the neon stuff on the ceiling. BBQ from Bill Millers, shrimp and fish from the original Sea Island on Rector. Mambo's Mexican Food on Blanco and there .15 cent Chalupas. Tom Engs Chinese take out on West Avenue, awesome fish dinners and egg rolls. We used to love getting waited on by his mom "You want how many egglo?" Oh yea the three for a dollar Subs at the counter in North Star Mall's Kresge's. A previous poster was right I have never found any as good since. I remember eating at the Whataburger on San Pedro at Basse that yes was the first, with my Dad and Uncle on Saturday afternoon.
Stores; Kiddie City was also in bike riding distance. They had a model and hobby section than most of todays Hobby Shops don't have. My Mom bought me the very first Hot Wheels set there in 1968 with the blue Camaro in it. Spartans next door where I bought a lot of LPS. Was also in there lost, when a thunderstorm blew through and took out the lights.
Globe were we bought most of our groceries. Mom would shop while I looked at the records right down from the entrance to the grocery section.
The little shopping plaza at San Pedro and Oblate. I still have this place in my dreams, a lot. I bought a lot of comic books there. I also remember collecting NFL team stickers off of Chiquita bananas one year. The hardware store that used to be in the middle between Handy Andy and the drug store at the end. Also, remember the indoor mall like walkway connecting these stores? Anyone remember what else was there originally. Winn's was there I think?
How about the Hobby Shop down San Pedro that had the Train running around the front that you could ride? Was this pre Terrell Plaza Dick's? I Also rmember the downtown Woolworth's as a small kid. Seems like it had two levels.Does anyone remember when the downtown Sear's had their Xmas toy store in a small house out in the parking lot? It was packed with toys and lots of slot cars and trains. Hobby Heights and there cool 1/87 WWII stuff.
I also remember the dinosaurs at Wonderland. Also the big slide, a trailer attraction with a huge model railroad in it, another time I saw a preserved whale in a trailer. There was another time they had big racing semi's out there. But my fondest memory is of the Slot Car Raceway. I would go there and watch while my parents shopped in the other parts of the mall. If you remember this place and you still live in SA you must get in the car now and head to Crossroads and go down to the food court because the son of the original owners has a Slotcar Raceway there again.In fact one of the original King tracks is still there. Anyone remember the beach balls held in the air by the vacuum cleaners as you walked in to the main entrance of Wards? They had great popcorn and malted milk balls too.
Mr Davis' Gulf Station next door to Mr M's on McCulloch. He used to give the most awesome give away prizes from Gulf. How about Butcher Brothers on Vance Jackson near Hildebrand. Used to have great meat and BBQ sandwiches. They also had one of those old style soda machines where you had to lift the bottle up and push it through a channel to the front and then lift it out. Mr Peatrees Ice House on Oblate near McCulloch. What a great place and a super nice man. I also ate a lot of hamburger's from Johnny Ringo's I also have never had a better burger since.
Well I could go on and on and on and as you can tell my profession is teaching history so I am a little weird when it come to how things used to be. If anyone wants to discuss anything about SA's wonderful history I am first in line. My wife also was born and raised down there off of Vance Jackson. We plan to return to SA when I retire in about 8 years. But we currently make monthly trips down to see family and eat. I will see what I can rmember about my teenage years next time. That one could be longer.

[Willsatx]

I thought Colonies had a great small feeling to the place, wish the indoor mall was still open.

[Willsatx]

Originally Posted by blabride

At last a site to prove to the world what a wonderfully unique city SA is. In fact I have heard from demographers that my hometown is the most like an eastern seaboard city of any place east of the Mississippi. Another words very rich in history, local folklore, culture and fiercely loyal people that are extremely proud of everything in their city. SA is the only place in Texas that has the amount of locally owned business and restaurants still in existance. Places like Tip Top, Bun N Barrell, Murf's, Little Red Barn, The Pig Stand, Griffs, heck the list could take up pages. I have lived in Georgetown now for 23 years and I still have only found two restaurants in the entire central Texas area that come close.
I was born and raised in SA and lived there from 1960-1983 and through out this time I have accumulated a book worth of unique memories and places. I believe as you will see that I have had to have come across some of you in my life. I grew between McCulloch and Jones Maltsburger. One of my life long best friend went to Marshall so I am very familiar with that side of town as well. Here are some of the more special memories I have.
North Star Mall; wow, I lived there. It was a quick five minute bike ride. Yes I remember the Myna birds. They would talk to you if you prodded them.
The fountain in front of Walgreens with the lava rocks. The Toy Box with the Corgi F1 and James Bond cars. The Luby's and fried chicken, the fish squares and that wondefull thousand island dresssing. I remember during the Watergate hearings they set up a TV in the back dining room so people would still come and eat.
The HEB on the West side of the mall. The leather shop across from it. The kids clothing store that gave away points and when you accumulated enough you could purchase cool models and stuff.
Who can remember the summer Mattel held a huge Hot Wheel racing tournament. They had a truck load of stuff as prizes and they were going to give prizes to like 50 places. But by the end of the week the were so sick of it they gave it all to the first place guy whom I know very well. In fact he cheated by putting lead in the car.
Also, I want to believe since it has been with me forever that the Mickey Mantle restaurant was in North Star down in the newer part west of Frost Brothers. Today it would be next door to the watch place that is next to the chocolate place that is across from Lidz. In fact is was off in that corner. I also remember seeing Danny Kaye in that same area.
The coolness of Record Hole, were I heard the James Gang for the first time.
I also remember a record store in the newer part of the mall across from Frost Brothers. The North Star Cinema where I saw many movies like Jungle Book in 67, the Love Bug in 68, Wait Until Dark I also remember a big glass bottom boat in the lobby for that movie. Remember the seventies construction down by Joske's and the super long plywood tunnel to connect it to the rest of the mall. Seems it was always raining and cold in there.
Playland; spent a lot of time there. We seemed to go whenever the cousins were in town. I remember the Bullitt, the Rocket, the Motorcycle kiddie ride. The weird miniature chapel. How about the fortune teller machine. By the way, the Rocket is now back in operation as the Phoenix at a park in south central Pennsylvania.
Eateries; Christies this one brings tears to my eyes. This was my parents favorite place to go and about once a month we would dress up and Dad would comb my hair for what seemed like an hour and go pig out. Remember the neon stuff on the ceiling. BBQ from Bill Millers, shrimp and fish from the original Sea Island on Rector. Mambo's Mexican Food on Blanco and there .15 cent Chalupas. Tom Engs Chinese take out on West Avenue, awesome fish dinners and egg rolls. We used to love getting waited on by his mom "You want how many egglo?" Oh yea the three for a dollar Subs at the counter in North Star Mall's Kresge's. A previous poster was right I have never found any as good since. I remember eating at the Whataburger on San Pedro at Basse that yes was the first, with my Dad and Uncle on Saturday afternoon.
Stores; Kiddie City was also in bike riding distance. They had a model and hobby section than most of todays Hobby Shops don't have. My Mom bought me the very first Hot Wheels set there in 1968 with the blue Camaro in it. Spartans next door where I bought a lot of LPS. Was also in there lost, when a thunderstorm blew through and took out the lights.
Globe were we bought most of our groceries. Mom would shop while I looked at the records right down from the entrance to the grocery section.
The little shopping plaza at San Pedro and Oblate. I still have this place in my dreams, a lot. I bought a lot of comic books there. I also remember collecting NFL team stickers off of Chiquita bananas one year. The hardware store that used to be in the middle between Handy Andy and the drug store at the end. Also, remember the indoor mall like walkway connecting these stores? Anyone remember what else was there originally. Winn's was there I think?
How about the Hobby Shop down San Pedro that had the Train running around the front that you could ride? Was this pre Terrell Plaza Dick's? I Also rmember the downtown Woolworth's as a small kid. Seems like it had two levels.Does anyone remember when the downtown Sear's had their Xmas toy store in a small house out in the parking lot? It was packed with toys and lots of slot cars and trains. Hobby Heights and there cool 1/87 WWII stuff.
I also remember the dinosaurs at Wonderland. Also the big slide, a trailer attraction with a huge model railroad in it, another time I saw a preserved whale in a trailer. There was another time they had big racing semi's out there. But my fondest memory is of the Slot Car Raceway. I would go there and watch while my parents shopped in the other parts of the mall. If you remember this place and you still live in SA you must get in the car now and head to Crossroads and go down to the food court because the son of the original owners has a Slotcar Raceway there again.In fact one of the original King tracks is still there. Anyone remember the beach balls held in the air by the vacuum cleaners as you walked in to the main entrance of Wards? They had great popcorn and malted milk balls too.
Mr Davis' Gulf Station next door to Mr M's on McCulloch. He used to give the most awesome give away prizes from Gulf. How about Butcher Brothers on Vance Jackson near Hildebrand. Used to have great meat and BBQ sandwiches. They also had one of those old style soda machines where you had to lift the bottle up and push it through a channel to the front and then lift it out. Mr Peatrees Ice House on Oblate near McCulloch. What a great place and a super nice man. I also ate a lot of hamburger's from Johnny Ringo's I also have never had a better burger since.
Well I could go on and on and on and as you can tell my profession is teaching history so I am a little weird when it come to how things used to be. If anyone wants to discuss anything about SA's wonderful history I am first in line. My wife also was born and raised down there off of Vance Jackson. We plan to return to SA when I retire in about 8 years. But we currently make monthly trips down to see family and eat. I will see what I can rmember about my teenage years next time. That one could be longer.

Welcome to the board and you have some great things mentioned on your post, do you have any old pictures to share?

[shortscorner]

One of the odd things about remembering malls is they have gone thru so many transformations over the years. North Star was one thing in the 60's, rubber plants in the planters that went down the center of the mall (I now remember the myna birds! and was it later canaries). The construction hallway made of plywood when they expanded the mall. I remember North Star Cinema used to be disconnected from the main mall and how The Sound of Music played for over 3 years. (poor projectionist!). I remember the sub sandwiches from Kresge's. (Kresge's always had a cool pet section. The one downtown sold spider monkeys). I also remember the Woolworth's on Alalmo Plaza and the spooky escalator 3 stories. Woolworth's had the biggest donuts, and the best. One donut was the size of your head.

Maybe I'm wrong but I was sure Mickey Mantle's was in Central Park Mall on the North side near 410. I remember the day the Central Park Sign caught fire dripping green plastic. We drove past, but I think it burned all day cause it was too high for the fire dept to do anything about. Express News said 500,000.00 sign lost due to .25 cent faulty relay.

[blabride]

This one is going to take some research. I will have to call my buddy at the Institute of Texas Cultures. They have a great collection of this kind of stuff. I cannot for the life of me remember how old I was, I just remember standing in the doorway looking at a lifesize cutout of him to greet you at the door. I remember a lot of wood grain, memorabilia and red carpet. The memory could be wrong but I do remember a corner to my right. It's probably going to be hard to find someone that actually ate there. Back then these places did not stand a chance in SA with all the local food favorites.
Canaries yes I forgot about them they were added later. I wonder what happened to the Myna Birds. Maybe they were to loud?
Does someone have any pictures of a First Mate I cannot for the life of remember these. I know I saw them but we never went there.

[munerider]

I'm a Clemens kid from UC. Old man Bowie's place...oddly enough called Bowies, on Pat Booker was our favorite place to get our six packs...or the Piggly Wiggly on Pat Booker...or the Mr. M's on Pat Booker...or...the Lone Staar on...hold it...I guess no one out in UC really gave a dang. It was a different world then. Some good, some bad...but God bless Bowie's!