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I just stumbled across this forum and here's what I remember about Shreveport. I was born there in the 70's and remember several places of what was listed in the comments above and heres's my list to add to it.
1. Joy Cinema City 7 - the big neon sign on the entrance and seeing many movies here on Saturdays - even first run Star Wars when it came out in 77.
2. Crystal Palace - the original gaming place in Eastgate before it became Chuck E Cheese which was way better than the seizure inducing place it is today. Putt Putt Golf and Games.
3. There was a massive skating rink off of Mansfield road just over the railroad tracks we used to skate at a lot - cant remember the name. Eventually Hot Wheels became the place to go to but had a massive mural of Jesus behind a curtain that swung open on Sundays. Always thought that was weird.
4. Pizza King was great and remember there being one next to the Joy Cinema.
5. Stores: BestYet, Woolco, Globe, Woolsworth, Otasco (had a Coleco Vision on display to play with) ToyFair (sold the first StarWars toys), TG&Y and their jingle that played on the muzak every 10 minutes. Palais Royal, Gibsons. Popes.
6. St Vincent Mall was the mall to go to and remember stopping at the AMC to see the Jaws 2. Across from the theater or near it was a Mexican Restaurant called Los Amigos - was awesome. Was always a treat to meet my Aunt and Uncle there to see Santa in the center of the mall.
7. The large bowling alley off of Hearne Avenue had a giant neon sign with a bowling pin on it. Used to bowl the 11 pm - 2am special with my youth group.
8. Restaurants: Bonanza - off of Mansfield road, Morrisons, Picadilly, Pizza Planet on Mansfield road, Taco Grande - off of Hearne Ave had the best Taco Burger. Dons Seafood. Panchos - when it originally opened in Bossier. It was a treat to eat there as we waited in that long narrow stucco hallway on weekend nights. Griffs Burgers. Of course Southern Maid Donuts is the only donut! HOT HOT HOT! I do remember the original style McDonalds that had the two giant golden arches, one was located I think off of West 70th or Hearne? Mr. Gattis when they opened with the "giant" RGB projection screen.
9. Showtown Drive In - saw Jaws there, I think I remember the Sunset Drive in showing double bill b-movies, one being a knock off of the film Carrie but it was called Jennifer with another horror movie.
10. Hamels - as a kid enjoyed the Magic Carpet Ride, the Log Ride, the big red barn that had the helicopter ride in it.
11. Louisiana State Fair - I've visited the fair in recent years and its not the same as it was in the 70s and 80s. I remember seeing the giant double wheel ferris wheels going up and knew it was fair time. Dr. Blood's Haunted House was an event as well as waiting in line forever. The Pink Floyd Laser Light Show in the inflatable tent.
12. Sooto Records and Stan's Record Shop
13. KTUX-99 when they first aired, KEEL AM Radio, KWKH, 98 Rocks, visiting the Louisiana Hayride. Someone mentioned earlier what Xanadu was before, my parents went to that place and it was called The Lost and Found Lounge. They also went to the Sand Piper that became Cheyenne Lilys and do remember the Urban Cowboy Craze that hit Shreveport.
14. Riding a bike to the local 7 Eleven to get a Slurpee and play in their mini arcade room.
15. Video One and the local mom and pop video stores before Blockbuster killed them off. Always went to local shops before going to the chains.
Wow thrawn66.....I'll comment on your listings and add a couple of my own. I was born in Shreveport in 72 and moved away shortly after college over 2o years ago. Your list brought back great memories...My comments are in red.
1. Joy Cinema City 7 - the big neon sign on the entrance and seeing many movies here on Saturdays - even first run Star Wars when it came out in 77.
I remember joy Cinema....movies for pennies.
2. Crystal Palace - the original gaming place in Eastgate before it became Chuck E Cheese which was way better than the seizure inducing place it is today. Putt Putt Golf and Games.
3. There was a massive skating rink off of Mansfield road just over the railroad tracks we used to skate at a lot - cant remember the name. Eventually Hot Wheels became the place to go to but had a massive mural of Jesus behind a curtain that swung open on Sundays. Always thought that was weird. I actually remember this place as being Crystal Palace Skating Rink.
4. Pizza King was great and remember there being one next to the Joy Cinema. Check
5. Stores: BestYet, Woolco, Globe, Woolsworth, Otasco (had a Coleco Vision on display to play with) ToyFair (sold the first StarWars toys), TG&Y and their jingle that played on the muzak every 10 minutes. Palais Royal, Gibsons. Popes.
I'm laughing over here....we lived right next to the strip mall that contained most of these stores...right off the Greenwood Road. Boy do I remember Otasco and TG&Y. Also, the big Cowboy at the SandPiper that scared the sh** out of me when I was younger. POPES...good God I bugged my mom for just one Polo shirt back in the day. Remember Rubenstein's? Bought my first Huffy bike from TG&Y.
6. St Vincent Mall was the mall to go to and remember stopping at the AMC to see the Jaws 2. Across from the theater or near it was a Mexican Restaurant called Los Amigos - was awesome. Was always a treat to meet my Aunt and Uncle there to see Santa in the center of the mall.
I remember St. Vincent Mall with the Jean Depot and Structure clothing stores. I grabbed all of my OP and Panama Jack gear from there.
7. The large bowling alley off of Hearne Avenue had a giant neon sign with a bowling pin on it. Used to bowl the 11 pm - 2am special with my youth group.
8. Restaurants: Bonanza - off of Mansfield road, Morrisons, Picadilly, Pizza Planet on Mansfield road, Taco Grande - off of Hearne Ave had the best Taco Burger. Dons Seafood. Panchos - when it originally opened in Bossier. It was a treat to eat there as we waited in that long narrow stucco hallway on weekend nights. Griffs Burgers. Of course Southern Maid Donuts is the only donut! HOT HOT HOT! I do remember the original style McDonalds that had the two giant golden arches, one was located I think off of West 70th or Hearne? Mr. Gattis when they opened with the "giant" RGB projection screen.
9. Showtown Drive In - saw Jaws there, I think I remember the Sunset Drive in showing double bill b-movies, one being a knock off of the film Carrie but it was called Jennifer with another horror movie.
10. Hamels - as a kid enjoyed the Magic Carpet Ride, the Log Ride, the big red barn that had the helicopter ride in it.
Was sad to see this shut down. The Log Ride was a favorite.
11. Louisiana State Fair - I've visited the fair in recent years and its not the same as it was in the 70s and 80s. I remember seeing the giant double wheel ferris wheels going up and knew it was fair time. Dr. Blood's Haunted House was an event as well as waiting in line forever. The Pink Floyd Laser Light Show in the inflatable tent.
Dr. Blood! Ripley's Believe it or Not, and the carnies. Awesome
12. Sooto Records and Stan's Record Shop
I used to pass by Stan's Record Shop every morning. My late mom used to work at P & S hospital on Line Ave...back in the day it had the sky bridge that connected the building on both sides of Line Ave. The TIC TOC Grill was a favorite.
13. KTUX-99 when they first aired, KEEL AM Radio, KWKH, 98 Rocks, visiting the Louisiana Hayride. Someone mentioned earlier what Xanadu was before, my parents went to that place and it was called The Lost and Found Lounge. They also went to the Sand Piper that became Cheyenne Lilys and do remember the Urban Cowboy Craze that hit Shreveport.
14. Riding a bike to the local 7 Eleven to get a Slurpee and play in their mini arcade room. THIS! GALAGA, ZAXXON, ASTEROIDS, Q-BERT, DIG DUG, ETC.
15. Video One and the local mom and pop video stores before Blockbuster killed them off. Always went to local shops before going to the chains.
I grew up in the North Market and Stoner Hill area and Murrells grill on Kings Highway was a favorite. Has since been demolished. Also, JIM's chicken was awesome.
I just stumbled across this forum and here's what I remember about Shreveport. I was born there in the 70's and remember several places of what was listed in the comments above and heres's my list to add to it.
1. Joy Cinema City 7 - the big neon sign on the entrance and seeing many movies here on Saturdays - even first run Star Wars when it came out in 77.
2. Crystal Palace - the original gaming place in Eastgate before it became Chuck E Cheese which was way better than the seizure inducing place it is today. Putt Putt Golf and Games.
3. There was a massive skating rink off of Mansfield road just over the railroad tracks we used to skate at a lot - cant remember the name. Eventually Hot Wheels became the place to go to but had a massive mural of Jesus behind a curtain that swung open on Sundays. Always thought that was weird.
4. Pizza King was great and remember there being one next to the Joy Cinema.
5. Stores: BestYet, Woolco, Globe, Woolsworth, Otasco (had a Coleco Vision on display to play with) ToyFair (sold the first StarWars toys), TG&Y and their jingle that played on the muzak every 10 minutes. Palais Royal, Gibsons. Popes.
6. St Vincent Mall was the mall to go to and remember stopping at the AMC to see the Jaws 2. Across from the theater or near it was a Mexican Restaurant called Los Amigos - was awesome. Was always a treat to meet my Aunt and Uncle there to see Santa in the center of the mall.
7. The large bowling alley off of Hearne Avenue had a giant neon sign with a bowling pin on it. Used to bowl the 11 pm - 2am special with my youth group.
8. Restaurants: Bonanza - off of Mansfield road, Morrisons, Picadilly, Pizza Planet on Mansfield road, Taco Grande - off of Hearne Ave had the best Taco Burger. Dons Seafood. Panchos - when it originally opened in Bossier. It was a treat to eat there as we waited in that long narrow stucco hallway on weekend nights. Griffs Burgers. Of course Southern Maid Donuts is the only donut! HOT HOT HOT! I do remember the original style McDonalds that had the two giant golden arches, one was located I think off of West 70th or Hearne? Mr. Gattis when they opened with the "giant" RGB projection screen.
9. Showtown Drive In - saw Jaws there, I think I remember the Sunset Drive in showing double bill b-movies, one being a knock off of the film Carrie but it was called Jennifer with another horror movie.
10. Hamels - as a kid enjoyed the Magic Carpet Ride, the Log Ride, the big red barn that had the helicopter ride in it.
11. Louisiana State Fair - I've visited the fair in recent years and its not the same as it was in the 70s and 80s. I remember seeing the giant double wheel ferris wheels going up and knew it was fair time. Dr. Blood's Haunted House was an event as well as waiting in line forever. The Pink Floyd Laser Light Show in the inflatable tent.
12. Sooto Records and Stan's Record Shop
13. KTUX-99 when they first aired, KEEL AM Radio, KWKH, 98 Rocks, visiting the Louisiana Hayride. Someone mentioned earlier what Xanadu was before, my parents went to that place and it was called The Lost and Found Lounge. They also went to the Sand Piper that became Cheyenne Lilys and do remember the Urban Cowboy Craze that hit Shreveport.
14. Riding a bike to the local 7 Eleven to get a Slurpee and play in their mini arcade room.
15. Video One and the local mom and pop video stores before Blockbuster killed them off. Always went to local shops before going to the chains.
# 3 I think you are thinking of Playland Skating Rink, it was at Mansfield Rd, near 70th St. It was awesome
I may be wrong on this, but the grocery store might have been Bestyet or Safeway, then after a while, brookshires bought both of those grocery stores out.
My father and grandfather told me that back in your day, Shreveport wasn't what it is now, and was actually a decent place.
Believe it or not, it really was. I grew up there in the 70s/early 80s. It was a good place to live until the bottom dropped out of the oil market in the 80s and took all the decent jobs with it (with the exception of the GM plant).
Everyone had to leave town to find work.
Shreveport tried to stop the bleeding by adding the casinos. I guess that's worked somewhat. It certainly would be hurting even more without them.
I left there in 82, and always wanted Shreveport to give me a reason to move home. It never could.
I was born in Shreveport as well and remember the 70s. Those were good times indeed. I remember it being a decent, thriving place back then but as Rooster pointed out, not so much now. It's sad to see that it has degraded to the point it is now. I still have family there that I visit from time to time but it's just not the same. Probably never will be.
You must be thinking of Mr. Jim's on the west side of Youree Dr, north of Olive St. It's still there and still good. I don't eat fried chicken so much anymore.
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