Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
City by the Lake.org, The Voice of Michigan City, Indiana _ City Living _ MC stores remembered...
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 7 2007, 08:37 AM
Since the MC eateries thread went so well, how about a thread to remember some of the stores that used to grace our fair City?
I am old enough to remember some of the five and dimes that we used to have, such as Danners at Marquette Mall, and the one that was at Eastgate, which I can't remember the name of anymore.
Posted by: Ang Feb 7 2007, 09:23 AM
When I was a little girl, we used to live on the corner of Lake Shore Dr and Lake Ave. We used to take our pennies and nickles and walk down to Les's Garage to buy candy. You could get a little bag FULL of stuff for ten cents. He was a block down Lake Ave just past LaCuisine. (which eventually became Swingbellies, and now I'm not sure what is there) He also used to have inner tubes we could rent and take to the beach.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 7 2007, 09:28 AM
The old Swingbellies got torn down. There is nothing there as of yet, but I imagine that plot is to valuable to stay empty for long.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 7 2007, 09:29 AM
Harvey's was in Eastgate Plaza. My mother still has a little ceramic cardinal I bought for her some forty years ago.
Joe's, by Marsh School, where Charlie's is.
Posted by: Ang Feb 7 2007, 09:55 AM
I remember Harvey's Five & Dime. My grandma used take me there. I know this isn't a store, but do any of you remember The Lido on Franklin Square?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 7 2007, 01:17 PM
Here is something else to consider: There were a bunch of little stores People ran out of their houses that catered to the neighborhood kids. By Gardena Park there was one, and they sold penny candy for a penny.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 7 2007, 02:23 PM
Another one to remember is the two Al's grocery store locales that are now gone to history, both the one on Michigan Blvd by the 5th ward offices, and the one on Franklin by Hirsch Ford.
Posted by: Ang Feb 7 2007, 02:27 PM
The Al's by Hirsch started out in the Park N' Shop where King Richard's is now and King Richards was next door to Lindo's where they built the Taco Hell-I mean Bell.
I also remember when Franklin St was two lane south of 20 and there was nothing but houses and woods. My Uncle used to live in a house just about where Auto Zone is now.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 7 2007, 02:40 PM
I remember those houses. I also remember the airport across the street where the Meijer, Lowes and company sit now.
King Richards has also recently moved, to the old Payless Shoes locale down the street and they have remodled that part of the plaza there.
Posted by: Ang Feb 7 2007, 03:10 PM
Yeah, I remember the airport. Speaking of which, do you remember the 212 Drive-in where the airport is now? My grandparents used to live on Warnke Rd and my cousins and I would walk over there and sneak in to watch shows.
Posted by: Tim Feb 7 2007, 06:07 PM
Here is something else to consider: There were a bunch of little stores People ran out of their houses that catered to the neighborhood kids. By Gardena Park there was one, and they sold penny candy for a penny.
That was called The Little Store! Heck - we probably ran into each other there!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 8 2007, 02:10 PM
Yeah, I remember the airport. Speaking of which, do you remember the 212 Drive-in where the airport is now? My grandparents used to live on Warnke Rd and my cousins and I would walk over there and sneak in to watch shows.
I saw the first Star Wars movie at that drive through if my memory serves me correctly.
Posted by: Tim Feb 8 2007, 04:24 PM
I saw the first Star Wars movie at that drive through if my memory serves me correctly.
Those were called drive-INS, not drive THROUGHS.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 8 2007, 04:27 PM
lol
Posted by: Ang Feb 8 2007, 04:55 PM
I remember seeing the movie Phantasm at that place with my parents. I think that might have been the last movie I saw there. Wow!! That movie scared me to death. I watch it now and I think, "How corny!" Isn't funny how things work like that? Like MacGyver. When that show was on, it was so cool how he did all that stuff and now you watch it and you're thinking, "Yeah, right."
Posted by: Tim Feb 8 2007, 07:22 PM
I remember Harvey's Five & Dime. My grandma used take me there. I know this isn't a store, but do any of you remember The Lido on Franklin Square?
The Lido was next to our playground at St. Paul's - we used to throw smowballs at it in the winter. The Lido showed religious movies every spring - like King Of Kings, Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told - and it was also infamous for briefly showing Deep Throat, which was not a religious movie.
Posted by: Tim Feb 8 2007, 07:31 PM
The Al's by Hirsch started out in the Park N' Shop where King Richard's is now and King Richards was next door to Lindo's where they built the Taco Hell-I mean Bell.
Boy, I don't think Al's was ever in Park N Shop. I remember that grocery store - but I don't think it was Al's. Not sure, though....but I think that store was called National. Maybe Al's came later?
Posted by: Ang Feb 8 2007, 08:09 PM
Tim, you're partly right. That store was National Foods first, then it became Al's. A few years later Al's moved into the A&P which was across the street from Jewel that is now MCAS Plant Planning. I called my mom, she knew.
Posted by: Tim Feb 8 2007, 09:47 PM
Tim, you're partly right. That store was National Foods first, then it became Al's. A few years later Al's moved into the A&P which was across the street from Jewel that is now MCAS Plant Planning. I called my mom, she knew.
Moms ALWAYS know! But Al's was on South Frankin next to the Purple Martin station back in the 60's - right?
Posted by: Ang Feb 9 2007, 11:04 AM
Purple Martin. Man, I haven't heard that name in a long time! Yeah, I believe that was an Al's before it became Frank's Nursery & Crafts. If I remember correctly, that one moved down by Wal-Mart and was the first Al's Valueland and the Al's across from Ames Field added "Valueland" after that. Eventually, they both dropped the Al's and became just Valueland. As far as I know, the one in LaPorte is still just Al's and there are two there, also. I could be wrong on that one thought as it's been a few years since I was in LaPorte.
What was the grocery store on Mich Blvd at the end of Jackson St? I'm wondering if that wasn't an Al's too? Does anybody remember that one? I heard that building burned down not too long ago.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 9 2007, 12:28 PM
The Valueland is now Al's again after a remodel.
Posted by: Ang Feb 9 2007, 12:40 PM
Dang!!! So many changes. Am I going to even recognize MC when I come home for an extended visit?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 9 2007, 12:51 PM
You know when you live here it seems so gradual. But when you pick a moment in time and go back to it, it all seems so different. A thread like this where you start thinking back 20-25 years, or more in some cases, really gives you a perspective on how different things really are.
Just take 421 south of 20, there was NOTHING there except the airport and a couple of houses 25 years ago (until you got 400N). Now it is completely commericialized all of the way to 94
Posted by: Tim Feb 9 2007, 04:43 PM
Purple Martin. Man, I haven't heard that name in a long time! Yeah, I believe that was an Al's before it became Frank's Nursery & Crafts. If I remember correctly, that one moved down by Wal-Mart and was the first Al's Valueland and the Al's across from Ames Field added "Valueland" after that. Eventually, they both dropped the Al's and became just Valueland. As far as I know, the one in LaPorte is still just Al's and there are two there, also. I could be wrong on that one thought as it's been a few years since I was in LaPorte.
What was the grocery store on Mich Blvd at the end of Jackson St? I'm wondering if that wasn't an Al's too? Does anybody remember that one? I heard that building burned down not too long ago.
I don't remember which street it was, but are you talking about Petti's Grocery? That was a little, family owned grocery store on Michigan across the street from the old Genes Restaurant, I think.
And I know the place next to Purple Martin was Al's, because I used to shop there AND I went there and saw the James Bond Anston Martin car when it was "on tour".
I saw this name in the user list, but how about Mattie McComb's?
Posted by: Ang Feb 9 2007, 08:04 PM
Petti's is closer to the lake. Jackson St is where Eastside Liquors is. There is a Family Dollar across the street and behind that is the grocery store I mentioned. I really do think that building burned down, I just don't know for sure. I know the place was a church for a while.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 12 2007, 12:47 PM
Petti's is closer to the lake. Jackson St is where Eastside Liquors is. There is a Family Dollar across the street and behind that is the grocery store I mentioned. I really do think that building burned down, I just don't know for sure. I know the place was a church for a while.
The building sat back off of the street farther, and also had the curved arch in the frame, right? That was indeed an Al's at least when I remember it being there. I grew up on Holiday street not too far from up until about 1981.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 12 2007, 02:38 PM
Regarding Al's: I recall the building on Michigan Blvd, and it was on the north side of the street at Jackson. It was built with two very large arches, just like the one by Hirsch, which came later. The one on Mich Blvd was originally on the SE corner of Mich & Jackson, where East Side Liq's parking lot is now. When Al's moved to the then-new bldg across Mich Blvd, Wonderland took this old space, and it was a litte store like the family dollar stores--but with a great candy selection, if I recall.
Posted by: Tim Feb 12 2007, 05:20 PM
How about some MC store trivia!
Finish this billboard-type slogan -
"If You Can't Stop...."
And name the business that featured it, and its location.
Posted by: Ang Feb 12 2007, 05:33 PM
"Wave when you drive by" but I can't remember whose it was. Hirsch Ford maybe? or some other car dealership? And I don't remember where it was. I'm thinking on east 20?
Posted by: Tim Feb 12 2007, 06:56 PM
"Wave when you drive by" but I can't remember whose it was. Hirsch Ford maybe? or some other car dealership? And I don't remember where it was. I'm thinking on east 20?
Close! You don't have the slogan quite right - and you're WAY off on the locations. Keep thinking! You're on the right track -
Posted by: Ang Feb 13 2007, 09:43 AM
Close! You don't have the slogan quite right - and you're WAY off on the locations. Keep thinking! You're on the right track -
Is it "Then honk when you drive by"? I'm at a loss for whose it was. Obviously no one else here knows either or they would have said something by now (I would think). Give me a hint as to what kind of business it is. Retail, food, Auto, computers? I think it had a picture of two guys done in characature (big heads, little bodies) and waving. Am I getting warmer?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 13 2007, 11:35 AM
Here is a hint: Go to Greenwood & Woodland, and look around!
Posted by: Ang Feb 13 2007, 01:29 PM
Roger, that would be no problem for me if I lived in Michigan City. As it stands right now, it would take me two days to get to that spot by car. Sorry, you'll have to do better than that with the hints.
Posted by: Tim Feb 13 2007, 04:36 PM
Here is a hint: Go to Greenwood & Woodland, and look around!
Roger - the place in my original question was not at Woodland and Greenwood - has someone STOLEN that slogan?
Posted by: Tim Feb 14 2007, 05:35 AM
Is it "Then honk when you drive by"? I'm at a loss for whose it was. Obviously no one else here knows either or they would have said something by now (I would think). Give me a hint as to what kind of business it is. Retail, food, Auto, computers? I think it had a picture of two guys done in characature (big heads, little bodies) and waving. Am I getting warmer?
No.
It had something to do with cars, but wasn't a dealership - and wasn't at Greenwood and Woodland...though half of that and another well-known street would be going in the right direction.... And, sadly, it's not "Then honk when you drive by". Let's see what Roger says, and then I'll tell you - okay?
Posted by: Ang Feb 14 2007, 09:36 AM
Let's see what Roger says, and then I'll tell you - okay?
Right on. I'm anxiously waiting.
Posted by: RedDevilMC Feb 14 2007, 01:26 PM
It was Harvey's Dime Store. I worked there while in High School. It was an Ace hardware distributor. It also had clothing and small pets.
Angie
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 14 2007, 01:30 PM
Of all things to remember, I do remember going there with my mom and my grandma so that they could buy their yarn. I also remember really liking their toy section as a little guy 
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 14 2007, 04:06 PM
No.
It had something to do with cars, but wasn't a dealership - and wasn't at Greenwood and Woodland...though half of that and another well-known street would be going in the right direction.... And, sadly, it's not "Then honk when you drive by". Let's see what Roger says, and then I'll tell you - okay? No clue! And the sign at Woodland and Greenwood is at Peggy's, but I do not recall the place in question.
Posted by: Tim Feb 14 2007, 04:13 PM
Right on. I'm anxiously waiting.
"If You Can't Stop, Smile As You Go By"
At SID'S service station - NE corner of Franklin and Greenwood.
Posted by: Ang Feb 14 2007, 05:21 PM
Did it have two characature guys like I thought? Or am I just grabbing at straws trying to remember something that I have no clue about? 
Posted by: Tim Feb 14 2007, 06:55 PM
Did it have two characature guys like I thought? Or am I just grabbing at straws trying to remember something that I have no clue about?
Um - no. Are you on some kind of medication?
Posted by: Ang Feb 14 2007, 06:57 PM
No, but maybe I should be. I guess it's all this fresh mountain air that effecting my synapses. 
Posted by: Tim Feb 14 2007, 09:58 PM
No, but maybe I should be. I guess it's all this fresh mountain air that effecting my synapses.
Okay - here's an easy one - quote the Flanigan the Tire Man slogan.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 15 2007, 09:07 AM
Did it have two characature guys like I thought? Or am I just grabbing at straws trying to remember something that I have no clue about?
That kinda sounds like the Harbor ads they do now.
Posted by: Tim Feb 16 2007, 11:49 PM
More gas station trivia!
There was a gas station south of The Spaulding Hotel on the same side of the street. What was the company name, and what animal was its mascot?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 17 2007, 02:04 PM
Okay - here's an easy one - quote the Flanigan the Tire Man slogan.
"Your alignment specialists", is all that is up there now.
Posted by: Tim Feb 17 2007, 04:36 PM
"Your alignment specialists", is all that is up there now.
This was the slogan Mr. Flanigan would say and the end of his radio commercials on WIMS.
Anybody?
Posted by: Ang Feb 18 2007, 12:01 AM
Sorry Tim, I never listened to WIMS, I was a loyal Looper! WIMS never had any appeal to me.
Posted by: Tim Feb 18 2007, 07:14 PM
Sorry Tim, I never listened to WIMS, I was a loyal Looper! WIMS never had any appeal to me.
Perhaps my questions are too obscure - nobody's gotten one yet! Hmmmmm....
Posted by: Tim Feb 19 2007, 06:03 AM
Okay - here's an easy one. What is this - and where was it?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 19 2007, 09:47 AM
No image shows on my computer, just the text "IBP image." Could you tell me again how to view this?
And What about the gas station on the nw corner of Franklin and Barker?
Posted by: Tim Feb 19 2007, 06:43 PM
No image shows on my computer, just the text "IBP image." Could you tell me again how to view this?
And What about the gas station on the nw corner of Franklin and Barker?
Try this - http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/minus8va/rest.jpg
Roger - you realize there's a Barker ROAD and a Barker AVE. - right?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 19 2007, 08:15 PM
Also Roger, if you get the chance, clear your temporary internet files and your cookies. Unless your security settings are set at the highest level, you should be able to see those pictures. The other thing is that your caches are full, which would be solved by clearing them. It might also help the preformance of your computer.
Posted by: Ang Feb 20 2007, 09:20 AM
Is that the Kreamo Bakery guy in that pic? I'm not sure if I remember exactly where it was, though.
Posted by: Tim Feb 20 2007, 04:17 PM
Is that the Kreamo Bakery guy in that pic? I'm not sure if I remember exactly where it was, though.
No, but I've mentioned the establishment it stood in front of before.....
Posted by: RexKickass Feb 20 2007, 05:28 PM
This was the slogan Mr. Flanigan would say and the end of his radio commercials on WIMS.
Anybody?
He still did as of 2000 when I ran WIMS.
Posted by: Ang Feb 20 2007, 05:50 PM
He still did as of 2000 when I ran WIMS.
Well, Rex, what is it?
Posted by: Tim Feb 20 2007, 06:39 PM
He still did as of 2000 when I ran WIMS.
Well - do you want to answer the question? Go for it!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 21 2007, 09:04 AM
For God's sake GIVE UP THE ANSWER!!!
Posted by: Tim Feb 21 2007, 04:57 PM
For God's sake GIVE UP THE ANSWER!!!
"...and we mark them up just a wee-e-e-e little bit."
Posted by: Ang Feb 21 2007, 05:01 PM
The only thing I remember about WIMS is what it would make me. Does any one remember that?
Posted by: Tim Feb 21 2007, 07:10 PM
The only thing I remember about WIMS is what it would make me. Does any one remember that?
Boy - you got me there, but there used to be a lead in to the news - a guy said "It's time for...." in a booming, explosive voice. Can anyone finish that phrase?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 22 2007, 10:10 AM
TIME
NEWS
and TEMPERATURE!
Posted by: Ang Feb 22 2007, 10:49 AM
Does anyone remember what WIMS is going to make me?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 22 2007, 11:40 AM
Geeky?
Posted by: Ang Feb 22 2007, 12:10 PM
No silly-RICH. It never happened though, so it must've been false advertising.
I guess they had come call in thing where you could win money and you had to be a certain number caller when you heard, "WIMS is going to make me rich."
Rex, didn't you say you worked there? Can you confirm the specifics of this? It may have been before your time, though. This was like 25-30 years ago.
Posted by: Tim Feb 22 2007, 04:15 PM
TIME
NEWS
and TEMPERATURE!
Half right! What's he say directly after "It's time for...."?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 22 2007, 04:51 PM
It's time for
T
N
T!
TIME
NEWS
and TEMPERATURE!
Posted by: Tim Feb 22 2007, 05:19 PM
It's time for
T
N
T!
TIME
NEWS
and TEMPERATURE!
Ding ding ding! Winner!!!! Did you catch my "explosive voice" hint?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 22 2007, 05:49 PM
Actually, I just knew it.
Posted by: Tim Feb 22 2007, 07:27 PM
Actually, I just knew it.
Well, you're the first guy to get one right - care to tackle any of the others?
Posted by: RexKickass Feb 25 2007, 01:57 PM
No silly-RICH. It never happened though, so it must've been false advertising.
I guess they had come call in thing where you could win money and you had to be a certain number caller when you heard, "WIMS is going to make me rich."
Rex, didn't you say you worked there? Can you confirm the specifics of this? It may have been before your time, though. This was like 25-30 years ago.
I cannot which makes me sad.
I worked at WIMS from 1995-2000. I started as an intern for the "D" Alexander show middays, and worked my way up to Mornings and Operations Manager in 2000.
WIMS used to have a set of CRC jingles dating from the early 70s, and I sought to preserve them, but I was told that the masters were long since missing. The station archived nothing... so there was precious little to find. They did, however, have an AMAZING collection of 45rpm singles. Basically the top 200 singles of the year from 1955 to 1985. By the time I got there full time, the record collection was moved to St George's main office in Hammond - and presumably sold off.
Posted by: Johnny Rush Feb 26 2007, 08:14 AM
It really is sad what has happened to WIMS' history, we have looked long and hard to find any of the old jingles or liners that used to play on WIMS...and came up with nothing. All that was left in the old house were old sound effects records and a couple of easy listening albums...nothing. We want a link to our past as we move forward with new programming in March.
I actually kinda dig that T N T thing...is it wierd if WIMS steals ideas from WIMS? I'm really considering ripping that one off. Were there any other uniquely WIMS sayings or promos that I should know about, that would work today? Nothing to do with "Michiana" though...I'm not a fan of that term really.
Thanks,
Johnny Rush
Program Director
AM 1420 WIMS
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 26 2007, 09:50 AM
What is going on at One Four Two Oh now?
I heard some stuff when I was looking for the IU game and there was something unacceptable on. Why don't you become part of the IU network? I cannot find those games on the radio around here at all.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Feb 26 2007, 07:33 PM
It really is sad what has happened to WIMS' history, we have looked long and hard to find any of the old jingles or liners that used to play on WIMS...and came up with nothing. All that was left in the old house were old sound effects records and a couple of easy listening albums...nothing. We want a link to our past as we move forward with new programming in March.
I actually kinda dig that T N T thing...is it wierd if WIMS steals ideas from WIMS? I'm really considering ripping that one off. Were there any other uniquely WIMS sayings or promos that I should know about, that would work today? Nothing to do with "Michiana" though...I'm not a fan of that term really.
Thanks,
Johnny Rush
Program Director
AM 1420 WIMS
Welcome to the site! I would recommend you send Rex a message, as I bet he would be able to help you out, if anyone here could.
Posted by: Johnny Rush Feb 26 2007, 09:35 PM
What is going on at One Four Two Oh now?
I heard some stuff when I was looking for the IU game and there was something unacceptable on. Why don't you become part of the IU network? I cannot find those games on the radio around here at all.
Well, the unacceptable radio was probably because the paperwork and transaction of the radio station FINALLY became complete Friday...so now we can gut the studio, get the equipment in and become a real station again. The proceedings, much like a divorce, went on way longer than any of us anticipated.
We had many talks with Learfield in regards to doing Indiana basketball, but with our previous commitment that we signed for a National College Football game of the week, we were unable to do the football games. We tried hard to get IU basketball as a stand alone, but they were less than receptive.
Well, I hope you give us a chance with our new programming in mid-March and just let me know if there is anything else you wanted to hear on 'IMS.
Johnny
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Feb 27 2007, 10:58 AM
That's whack!
The other day, IU played that school in West Lafayette, and the only radio play was some very sketchy reception from God knows where. We NEED IU and PU coverage; is MC considered some kind of uninterested backwater?
Has everyone registered to vote, by the way?
Posted by: RexKickass Feb 28 2007, 03:22 AM
Well, the unacceptable radio was probably because the paperwork and transaction of the radio station FINALLY became complete Friday...so now we can gut the studio, get the equipment in and become a real station again. The proceedings, much like a divorce, went on way longer than any of us anticipated.
We had many talks with Learfield in regards to doing Indiana basketball, but with our previous commitment that we signed for a National College Football game of the week, we were unable to do the football games. We tried hard to get IU basketball as a stand alone, but they were less than receptive.
Well, I hope you give us a chance with our new programming in mid-March and just let me know if there is anything else you wanted to hear on 'IMS.
Johnny
Johnny,
Shoot me an email if you need any advice on what WIMS was seven plus years ago when it had its last ties to the community... I'll look through my collection of Mini Discs and see if I have anything that I can archive for you in old jingle fragments and whatnot.
Posted by: TSNSPYDER Mar 1 2007, 12:14 PM
Memories.........
Cool Forum. I had to sign up when I saw this topic. I think the greatest part of MC was all of the cool stores. I only visited the lake about once a year, and the lake effect snow sucks (guess that's why I moved to Arizona). I was born and raised in MC and lived there until 1985.
Here are many of the stores I remember (had to go back through some old yearbooks):
Al's Thrif-T-Mart on Franklin and Mich Blvd. It was next to Martin's and Hirsch's. The reason for the arch was he was trying to copy the Kohl's store in Madison WI. Yes, those Kohl's stores people shop now, the outsides have changed though.
Bassett Lincoln Mercury on 20. My Dad always bought cars at Hirsch's or Bassett's.
212 Bargain Center. They had cool cutout records for $1.99 in the 80's.
Disc Records in the Mall, THE place to buy records.
The Hole In The Wall at the Mall. The place to play Space Invaders before that other place took over the Library branch in the Mall and opened there.
Robin Hood restaurant.
Carson, Pirie, Scott restaurant. Don't know if they still have it. It was in the middle of the store, my mom would take me there for lunch after buying school clothes.
Dunes Cinema. I think it was a GNC owned place. Remember the projector that would kick out the balls and do the groovy music before a show would start?
Colonial Bakery. I would always go there after school. It had the best gingerbread men, glazed twists, eclairs I've ever had in my entire life.
Al's Furniture Mart on 20. No relation to Al's Supermarket. I wonder if they became the old Michael's Home Furnishings.
Anxious Al's used car lot on 20.
The mini golf place/driving range next door to Anxious Al's.
Robert Hall's on 20. Behind it they had a fun woods to walk through.
Gilbert's TV. Wonder whatever happened to them.
Jim's Fiesta Villa.
Scholl's Dairy. When I was 5 my parents would take me there for ice cream.
Meyer's Paint And Glass. Not the Meyer that still exists. The original one owned by old man Meyer at 11th/Pine. According to Google Maps, it looks like the building and house are still there. I wonder what it is now.
ZIP food store on Johnson Rd. Used to be Kienetz's before that.
Jaymar-Ruby, home of Sansabelt.
First Bank, different locations. Still have my bicentennial bank from them.
First Federal savings. Still have my model T metal bank from them.
Ramsey's Sport Shop on Franklin St. I'm still waiting for the jacket I ordered from them in 1980 (smile).
G&G Camera Shop on Washington St. Got my Minolta XG-1 from them.
Citizens Bank at Franklin Square.
Remember the old Franklin Square?
Delaney's Furniture at Franklin Square.
The Music Stand on Franklin St. The place to buy your instruments in town.
Swartzlanders Motors on Michigan Blvd.
Jim Vine Chevrolet on Michigan Blvd.
Wonderland on Michigan Blvd.
Burger Chef on Michigan Blvd. I think Burger Chef nationally got bought by Hardees, who got bought by Carl's Jr.
Family Pawn on Franklin St. Got my first real 6 string........., actually got my only acoustic guitar here when I was 12. Used to be on old gas station before that I think.
Rowley's Shoes on Franklin Square. Got my Dexters from them.
Thom McCann at the Mall. Got my brown with red laces hiking boots from them.
Shopper's Fair on Franklin St. Became USA Skating (I think it was actually called United Skates of America). Went to both when I was a kid.
Fun camp at the YMCA on Coolspring. Wish I could tell counselor Ed hi again and I'm sorry I called him fat.
Hooks Drug Store. You could buy ingredients there to make your own smoke bombs.
Mid-Town Barbers is still there I guess. I wonder if Chuck Houck still owns it. Used to get my hair cut from him.
And I do remember "WIMS is gonna make me rich". I think you had to say that when you answered the phone, or they wouldn't give you the money. WIMS played mostly polish music when I was a kid. MC was mostly polish when I was a kid. I would listen to WLS-AM when I was young. Then the Loop or WLS-FM when I was older.
Thanks for the great memories, hope I didn't ramble on too much.
Posted by: RexKickass Mar 1 2007, 12:39 PM
Memories.........
Disc Records in the Mall, THE place to buy records.
Disc Records became National Record Mart. Which got squeezed out of the Mall by Record Town/fye in 2000.
I was all about the Gold Mine.
Thanks for the great memories, hope I didn't ramble on too much.
WIMS used to be all about the polka. In fact, there was still polka partying on Sundays through 2000 with Dick Kamont. He left the station to go to WEFM after a pay dispute with the owner. The first of many to come shortly after. This triggered the great polka crisis of 2000, where there was a legitimate concern that WIMS would lose its biggest advertiser at the time, Tylisz Appliance.
The late Clarence Tylisz was a huge polka fan, and sponsored the Sunday morning show. He was also in a polka band. I believe it was the "Happy Tones."
Posted by: southsider2k7 Mar 1 2007, 01:04 PM
W.O.W.
What an incredible post!
Welcome to the site :cheers
Posted by: Ang Mar 1 2007, 01:15 PM
Wow! Spyder, you brought all kinds of smiles to my face. Thanks for the memories and welcome to our little family. No, you didn't ramble on too much.
The Polish community is dwindling in MC, but the St. Joe club still has its Polish Festival every summer!
Remember the gate at Disc used to be a big record? I worked at Chess King across the way and dated a manager at Disc. I have a couple fond "after hours" memories of that place. 
I remember when Marquette Mall was a cool place to hang out. You could spend all day there between the arcades and the theater, the music stores and clothing stores. Oh, and never get into any trouble. Not like now.
I remember strolling through Franklin Square and looking at all the fountains and tossing coins into them for wishes. The DMV was in Franklin Square when I got my first driver's license. Then they moved to Shakey's Pizza in Evergreen Plaza. Now, they're across the parking lot from that. Remember Shakey's? They had a great buffet. We used to go there after games in Friday night, then down to the arcade--I can't remember what it was called, but it was HUGE. Centepede was my favorite game.
Back then Michigan City was a great place to live. What happened?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Mar 1 2007, 01:25 PM
Now this is more my age slot!
With the Shakey's mentions, you have to mention hanging out for the Shakey's dances, the little troublemakers that we were.
I also remember when Marquette Mall had more stores than anchors in it! Anymore, sadly, it is pretty close.
if you were talking about the arcade at the Mall, it was called the Gold Mine. I used to love going over there for some Chrystal Castles. That was my favorite game forever.
Also the restaruant in Carsons closed years ago, as did the one in Walgreens. If you haven't been in Marquette Mall since 1985, you wouldn't know the place at all anymore.
The original Meyer Glass building next to the 11th street train station is now a beauty shop IIRC.
Chuck still does run the show at Mid-Town. I got my first hair cut there, and still to this day go there for my chop jobs. Those guys in there are the greatest!
Posted by: Ang Mar 1 2007, 02:24 PM
The arcade I'm thinking of was on east 20. It was HUGE. Can anyone remember that place?
Posted by: Tim Mar 1 2007, 07:42 PM
Colonial Bakery. I would always go there after school. It had the best gingerbread men, glazed twists, eclairs I've ever had in my entire life.
The Music Stand on Franklin St. The place to buy your instruments in town.
Family Pawn on Franklin St. Got my first real 6 string........., actually got my only acoustic guitar here when I was 12. Used to be on old gas station before that I think.
Man! What a memory! Great post - Colonial Bakery had the BEST almond crescents - if you were holding one and my brother was lying bleeding in the street I'd step over him to take it from you. Before the music stand we had Superior Organ And Piano, Harmonia Music House, and Olsen's to serve our needs. Family Pawn used to be Sid's service station - with the If YOu Can't Stop, Smile As You Go By sign I meantioned in an earlier trivia question.
Posted by: RexKickass Mar 2 2007, 01:09 PM
Now this is more my age slot!
With the Shakey's mentions, you have to mention hanging out for the Shakey's dances, the little troublemakers that we were.
I also remember when Marquette Mall had more stores than anchors in it! Anymore, sadly, it is pretty close.
if you were talking about the arcade at the Mall, it was called the Gold Mine. I used to love going over there for some Chrystal Castles. That was my favorite game forever.
Also the restaruant in Carsons closed years ago, as did the one in Walgreens. If you haven't been in Marquette Mall since 1985, you wouldn't know the place at all anymore.
The original Meyer Glass building next to the 11th street train station is now a beauty shop IIRC.
Chuck still does run the show at Mid-Town. I got my first hair cut there, and still to this day go there for my chop jobs. Those guys in there are the greatest!
Do you remember when Midtown Barbers moved and then Oz Bayer opened up his own shop in the old location and called it "Oz' Uptown Barbers" and then the building (which he owned) mysteriously burned down two years later?
I remember Midtown had a collection of adult magazines when I was a kid and got in trouble at 8 for flipping through a Hustler.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Mar 2 2007, 01:17 PM
Do you remember when Midtown Barbers moved and then Oz Bayer opened up his own shop in the old location and called it "Oz' Uptown Barbers" and then the building (which he owned) mysteriously burned down two years later?
I remember Midtown had a collection of adult magazines when I was a kid and got in trouble at 8 for flipping through a Hustler.
I never realized that a new place opened in their old spot. I remember them moving, and since we followed them to the new Washington St locale, we never went back. I do remember driving by the burnt-down place to check it out after the fact.
Posted by: RexKickass Mar 2 2007, 01:25 PM
Oz lived down the street from us. We never saw him around after the fire.
The urban legend was that the fire was suspicious, and that he took the money and fled. But who knows?
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Mar 3 2007, 11:26 AM
I remember being 14, getting a haircut at the old place, and getting a beer from someone bringing them around on a tray. Best haircut I ever got!
Posted by: southsider2k7 Mar 5 2007, 07:41 AM
Dang man, all of these years I have been getting gyped! I'll have to ask Chuck about the secret stash next time I am in there!
Posted by: TSNSPYDER Mar 6 2007, 11:17 AM
I forgot all about the Playboys at Mid-Town. I think I was going there in the late 70's/early 80's. Being politically incorrect did have some good uses back then. I remember they used to trim your sideburns with a straight razor and the blond girl there who gave a haircut would massage your neck with an electric massager. Chuck had a cool Datsun 280Z, he would keep in storage during the winters.
Another politically incorrect place was The Ole United in the 70s. (it had a couple of incarnations before and after that name). It was a cigar store on Franklin St. In the back room my Dad used to make his bets on the horses, get the cards where you could bet on the college and pro football teams, and do the pull tabs to see if you could win any money. I think they moved to Franklin Square from Franklin Street in the 80s.
I also can't remember now if the "W*** is gonna make me rich" when you answered the phone was from WIMS or WMAQ.
I think I can remember some of this stuff because I haven't been in MC for 20 years now. I visited Indianapolis in July (that was the first time I had even been back to anyplace in Indiana for 20 years), but couldn't convince my friend to take us back to MC to see what it was like now.
Posted by: Ang Mar 6 2007, 12:50 PM
I also can't remember now if the "W*** is gonna make me rich" when you answered the phone was from WIMS or WMAQ.
It was definitely WIMS.
Posted by: RexKickass Mar 8 2007, 07:05 PM
Actually it was WMAQ is gonna make me rich.
WIMS gave away bumper stickers with AL's and Pepsi for their contest IIRC.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Apr 9 2007, 11:19 AM
Netties has been gone since December 31st and I miss it already! I drove by there yesterday, and there is no longer a for sale sign out front. Does anyone know if they sold it, and if it might re-open?
Posted by: Max Main Apr 9 2007, 03:41 PM
I can't believe I never went there! If they do reopen, I will be there for sure.
Posted by: Connie Jun 2 2007, 06:48 PM
Actually it was WMAQ is gonna make me rich.
WIMS gave away bumper stickers with AL's and Pepsi for their contest IIRC.
It WAS WMAQ. I wrote it on a slip of paper and taped it by the phone so everyone would say the phrase when they answered. That lasted about two days.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Jun 4 2007, 08:46 AM
Any updates?
How about at Netties?
Posted by: southsider2k7 Jun 4 2007, 09:20 AM
They took down the for sale sign at Netties... I am guessing it is DOA.
Posted by: Roger Kaputnik Jun 5 2007, 01:00 PM
If all the kitchen equipment is still in place, it can still be a great little place.
Posted by: Ang Jun 5 2007, 02:01 PM
Maybe it was sold
Posted by: southsider2k7 Jun 13 2007, 08:09 AM
Maybe it was sold
I would hope so, but I kinda doubt it. There is no sold sign, and the main sign out front still has the "thanks for 24 years" stuff on the marque.
On another note, I saw in the ND over the weekend that Marquette Mall says that the rumors about them closing and losing an anchor tenant are not true. The thing that caught my eye was that they claim to have 32-35 occupants, with a capacity of 50 stores. To my untrained eye, that seems like it can't be true. There are huge sections with no stores in them at all. That place can't be 70% occupied, can it?
Posted by: RexKickass Jun 17 2007, 12:47 PM
It's not even close to 70% occupied.... they don't count the community room wing (which used to be Kabelin's and a couple other shops. They removed Mall Service kiosks and placed them in vacant stores (like Customer Service now being in the old First Citizens bank location) so they'd count as full.
There's a market out there for the mall shops, they just make poor decisions. IE signing a one year lease with the Nasrs for a furniture shop when they could have put Old Navy in that spot for a decade.... Pulling all advertising for six months to relaunch a "big multimedia campaign" based inexplicably on a big bird knockoff.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Aug 7 2007, 08:29 AM
For those who are still regulars to Mid Town Barbers, Tom had a stroke on Friday, and was still hospitalized last I knew. Sounds like he needs some people thinking about him.
Posted by: mcstumper Aug 7 2007, 06:41 PM
For those who are still regulars to Mid Town Barbers, Tom had a stroke on Friday, and was still hospitalized last I knew. Sounds like he needs some people thinking about him.
Bracken?????
Posted by: southsider2k7 Aug 8 2007, 04:57 AM
Bracken?????
I'll be honest I don't know anyone's last names there, sad I know, but he is the first person you see as you walk into the place to grab your number.
Posted by: southsider2k7 Sep 24 2008, 08:39 AM
Here is the update you make you feel old for the day... Midtown Barbers has been moved away from their original location for 20 years now.
Posted by: krk Sep 24 2008, 09:10 AM
Any updates?
How about at Netties?
You probably already know it's gonna be another King Gyros. I am not mad! I love King Gyros! Yum!
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)