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THE Hoover Forum
http://hooverforum.com/hoover/YaBB.pl General Category >> General Board >> Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Related) http://hooverforum.com/hoover/YaBB.pl?num=1184368139 Message started by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 6:08pm |
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Title: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Related) Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 6:08pm 1). What was originally located in the building where Goody's on Highway 31 at 459 is? 2). Was there ever a toy store in Hoover that looked like a big castle from the outside? I seem to remember a store like that when I was 4 or 5 but then it could've been my imagination. 3). What all used to be in the shopping center where Bruno's and Petsmart are now? |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by ILuvHoova on 07/13/07 at 6:23pm Yes, the toy store that looked like a castle was where Staples is now. Bruno's and PetSmart used to be Loehmann's Village. Struggling to remember the store names. We used to go to the Framin' Shoppe. There was a men's Big and Tall store there, I know. And a really cool candy store, but I can't remember the name. Loehmann's was the anchor store. The Mole Hole was in there as well. There was a really nice gift shop with paperweights and oriental stuff, but I can't remember the name. The Fish Market was there. I think there was a great ice cream shoppe as well. Service Merchandise was where the Best Buy is now. Can't remember much about the Goody's center..... |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 6:24pm truthseeker wrote:
1. The store was called Loeman's. It was a store similar to Circuit City based in Boston, Mass. that went out of business six months after it opened (if that long). They opened in 1990 and closed the same year. 2. Yes, it was a toy store located in the Riverchase Plaza where Circuit City used to be. They went out of business in the early '90s. 3. A Barnes and Noble and a Service Merchandise. B & N moved to Patton Creek and Service Merchandise went out of business. Wow! I can't believe I remember all that! The Loeman's I remember because I was a manager for Circuit City back then and they came in with tape recorders to get all of our prices... |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 6:29pm ILuvHoova wrote:
Well we agree on almost everything. I'm almost 100% sure that the Circuit City like store was called Loehman's but I could be wrong about the name because I tend to think that what you are referring to Loehmann's Plaza may have been called that. OK, I just googled Loehmann's and they are not a CC like store, so now I have to think back as to what they were called. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 6:33pm superdolfan wrote:
1. The store was called Loeman's. It was a store similar to Circuit City based in Boston, Mass. that went out of business six months after it opened (if that long). They opened in 1990 and closed the same year. 2. Yes, it was a toy store located in the Riverchase Plaza where Circuit City used to be. They went out of business in the early '90s. 3. A Barnes and Noble and a Service Merchandise. B & N moved to Patton Creek and Service Merchandise went out of business. Wow! I can't believe I remember all that! The Loeman's I remember because I was a manager for Circuit City back then and they came in with tape recorders to get all of our prices... [/quote] After digging around, it seems you're thinking of Lechmere. They actually stayed in business in the Northeast until about 1998 or so. I'm real surprised that they even had a location here in Alabama. Also, I'm not sure why but for some reason I heard that the Sam's Club by the Galleria used to be something else. Any truth to that? http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Lechmere-Inc-Company-History.html In fact, it says that 2 Lechmere's were opened in the Birmingham area. Anyone recall where the other location was? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ac/Lcechmaere.PNG/200px-Lcechmaere.PNG |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by LawMom on 07/13/07 at 6:39pm No No NO, The shopping center where Bruno's is was called Loeman's Village. It was like Steinmart...Yeilding's, Marshalls etc. Children's Palace was a toy store shaped like a castle and it was in the building that is now Staples. In the Shopping Center where Guitar Center is. Remember Zayre??? It was where Burlington is now in Hoover Commons. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 6:41pm truthseeker wrote:
1. The store was called Loeman's. It was a store similar to Circuit City based in Boston, Mass. that went out of business six months after it opened (if that long). They opened in 1990 and closed the same year. 2. Yes, it was a toy store located in the Riverchase Plaza where Circuit City used to be. They went out of business in the early '90s. 3. A Barnes and Noble and a Service Merchandise. B & N moved to Patton Creek and Service Merchandise went out of business. Wow! I can't believe I remember all that! The Loeman's I remember because I was a manager for Circuit City back then and they came in with tape recorders to get all of our prices... [/quote] After digging around, it seems you're thinking of Lechmere. They actually stayed in business in the Northeast until about 1998 or so. I'm real surprised that they even had a location here in Alabama. Also, I'm not sure why but for some reason I heard that the Sam's Club by the Galleria used to be something else. Any truth to that? http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Lechmere-Inc-Company-History.html In fact, it says that 2 Lechmere's were opened in the Birmingham area. Anyone recall where the other location was? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ac/Lcechmaere.PNG/200px-Lcechmaere.PNG[/quote] You are good! It was Lechmere. Yes, they did stay in business up north, but couldn't hack it in the south. Circuit City was too much for them back then. Unlike today, back then Circuit City was awesome! The Sam's used to be a Home Quarters, which opened in 1989 It stayed around until 1994 when the company could not compete with Home Depot. Sam's moved in after they closed shop. The Fairfield and Center Point Home Quarters stayed open until 1994. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 6:42pm Sorry, didn't read your last question. The other Lechmere's was located in the Festival Plaza Center in Irondale. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 6:43pm LawMom wrote:
To kill 2 birds with one stone, seems that Loehmann's is still around and they're using the old Zayre logo: http://www.loehmanns.com/intro-flash.cfm |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 6:44pm superdolfan wrote:
And I'm guessing a store of that size was where Home Depot moved into, or did they build their store from scratch? |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 7:00pm truthseeker wrote:
And I'm guessing a store of that size was where Home Depot moved into, or did they build their store from scratch?[/quote] No, Home Depot was an original anchor tenant there. The Lechmere's was located directly across from where the old Campo store is now. I forget what's in there today. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 7:03pm superdolfan wrote:
And I'm guessing a store of that size was where Home Depot moved into, or did they build their store from scratch?[/quote] No, Home Depot was an original anchor tenant there. The Lechmere's was located directly across from where the old Campo store is now. I forget what's in there today. [/quote] Campo, now there's another store I remember from a little over 10 years ago. How many locations did they have in B'ham and did the whole chain go under or did they just leave Alabama? btw, here's an article I found that ought to bring us back: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n9_v28/ai_7622999 |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by superdolfan on 07/13/07 at 7:16pm truthseeker wrote:
And I'm guessing a store of that size was where Home Depot moved into, or did they build their store from scratch?[/quote] No, Home Depot was an original anchor tenant there. The Lechmere's was located directly across from where the old Campo store is now. I forget what's in there today. [/quote] Campo, now there's another store I remember from a little over 10 years ago. How many locations did they have in B'ham and did the whole chain go under or did they just leave Alabama? btw, here's an article I found that ought to bring us back: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n9_v28/ai_7622999[/quote] I started working for Campo in 1994 when the stock was $17/share. I helped open up the Wildwood store (where Old Navy is now) Toward the end in 1997 it was barely at $1.00, having gone as low as $0.10. They finally went belly up in late 1997. They expanded too quickly from New Orleans into Alabama, North Florida and Tenn. We had two stores in Birmingham, one in Huntsville, one in Tuscaloosa, one in Dothan, one in Mobile. We also had Pensacola and Chatanooga. Of course that's not counting the Mississippi and Louisiana stores that were there before the Alabama, Florida and Tenn. markets opened. Ah, memories...wait, I'm sorry, I meant nightmares! |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 7:20pm superdolfan wrote:
And I'm guessing a store of that size was where Home Depot moved into, or did they build their store from scratch?[/quote] No, Home Depot was an original anchor tenant there. The Lechmere's was located directly across from where the old Campo store is now. I forget what's in there today. [/quote] Campo, now there's another store I remember from a little over 10 years ago. How many locations did they have in B'ham and did the whole chain go under or did they just leave Alabama? btw, here's an article I found that ought to bring us back: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n9_v28/ai_7622999[/quote] I started working for Campo in 1994 when the stock was $17/share. I helped open up the Wildwood store (where Old Navy is now) Toward the end in 1997 it was barely at $1.00, having gone as low as $0.10. They finally went belly up in late 1997. They expanded too quickly from New Orleans into Alabama, North Florida and Tenn. We had two stores in Birmingham, one in Huntsville, one in Tuscaloosa, one in Dothan, one in Mobile. We also had Pensacola and Chatanooga. Of course that's not counting the Mississippi and Louisiana stores that were there before the Alabama, Florida and Tenn. markets opened. Ah, memories...wait, I'm sorry, I meant nightmares! [/quote] Makes me think of Phar-Mor. BTW, were there any locations of those in the B'ham Metro area? After all Phar-Mor cooked the books back before HealthSouth and all them did it. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by twintigers on 07/13/07 at 8:01pm Loehmann's was primarily a discounted designer clothing store for women. The store in Hoover closed in the early nineties when the entire shopping center was bulldozed. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by synergis1 on 07/13/07 at 8:36pm The store where Goody's is now was a Phar-Mor. I loved that place and could shop in there for hours - and rent videos really cheap. Loehman's Village was anchored by the Loehman's store - off price clothes and home goods - and by Service Merchandise, a store similar to Circuit City. My favorite store in that shopping area was Rainbows - a small and unique gift shop run by one of my childhood friends - and a fellow Berry grad. Marshall's was also in that shopping center originally. Children's Palace was before the ToysRUs and there was also a neat indoor play center in the same shopping center, but I forget the name. Take a look at www.birminghamrewound.com for some memories of the greater Birmingham area from way back. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/13/07 at 8:44pm synergis1 wrote:
So if I follow: Lechmere and Phar-Mor were both in the same shopping center(where Goody's, Marshalls, and Toys R Us are today), Loehmans and Service Merchandise were where Petsmart, Bruno's, and Best Buy are today Children's Palace was where Staples and Guitar Center are today Sam's Club used to be a HomeQuarters I think I got all that right. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by ILuvHoova on 07/14/07 at 8:32am Thanks for the memories! The indoor play center in the Children's Palace/now Staples center was cool! I can't remember the exact name, but my children had a couple of birthday parties there. Thanks, too, for the name of the gift shop, Rainbows. My mother used to shop there but couldn't remember the name. Does anyone remember the ice cream shop in Loehmann's Village? And I think it was Mitzi's Place, not the Mole Hole, that was in Loehmann's. I spent a lot of time there wandering around with my mother. Yes, Zayre was GREAT. Does anyone remember the Greek Ices they used to serve? There used to be a truck parked at the Golden Rule with the Greek Ices logo on the side. Does anyone know where you can get those original Greek Ices? When Hoover Mall (which was what it was called before it became Hoover Commons) was opened, it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. There was an Aland's, and Hibbett's, and a fantastic record shop, and a Hallmark Store, and Eckerd's (now RiteAid). I still wonder why they had to turn it into a strip mall. Wow. Reallly stretching the limits of my memory here. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by CG4 on 07/14/07 at 2:21pm Thought I would pipe in now that I am warm with nostalgia : ) Okay- the Goody's space - I beleive it was Phar-moor when it was built. That entire shopping center was built after the Galleria. It had the Toys R' Us when it was built. I remember there being a children's clothing store called Kids R'Us too. I don't remember if Marshalls was there in the beginning or if somethig else was there. Big Castle = Children's Palace = current Staples site ( I think ). There were little turretts (spelling?) on the corners of the building. It was gray. I think it came after the Galleria, but before Toys'R Us but I am not positive. Loehmann's village -existed before Galleria had Mr. Gatti's, Service Merchandise, a place that sold Hello Kittie stuff an ice cream stuff. It was kind of the "Berry High School" style of malls- little separate buildings with walkways and hallways in between - open hallways, etc... I think one gift shop type store was called Mitzi's Place or something. There was also a K-mart across the street and the Hoover Public Library was over behind Gabriel's in that shopping center. Lots of new and ice apartment complexes were going up on Lorna Road. 150 was a desolate 2 lane road back to Sulfer Springs ( I think it may not even have gone all the way at one point). This is fun, somebody ask some more! |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by Cletus on 07/15/07 at 9:15am What was the restaraunt where the pink building is now at the corner of 150 and 31? it was a two lane rd back then. They tore the building down to build the current one. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by CG4 on 07/15/07 at 2:37pm I think there was a a place called Wizard's Palace that was like Showbiz and THAT's where you could have birthday parties. I don't remember where it was. I think Children's palace just sold toys. On the corner of 150 and 31 was a cinder block building. It was a barbeque restaurant. At one point it may have been Lockamy's? But that wasn't the first thing it was. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by LawMom on 07/15/07 at 2:49pm CG4 wrote:
Wizard's Palace was a game room next to Piggly Wiggly (used to be Western) in Bluff Park. Jammin Gym was where you could have parties, it was where the Paul Mitchell School is now. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/15/07 at 3:11pm Years ago it was a nightclub called They Playgirl Club or something like that. It later became Captain Hooks and then Venetos Italian Restaurant. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/15/07 at 3:27pm Loehmans Village also had a couple of pretty good restaurants when it first opened. One was called Vincents and was white table cloth, It was at the end where Chinese buffet is now. I believe Fish Market took the space when they closed. And of course Billys which later became Smokey Joes lasted until the end. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by poster112 on 07/16/07 at 12:25pm Corner of 150 and 31 was leased or owned by Jim N Nick's before they moved into their current Riverchase location on the other side of Crown. Speaking of them, J n' N's current location was first built as a Lewbo's. That name is a combination from Wayne Lewis (own's Harbor Docks and others in Destin and is now a JnN partner) and Mike Bodnar (owned a bunch of Wendy's stores and was, at one time, CEO of Shoney's, Inc. and whose kids are partners in Jim N Nicks). In the middle of construction, they met Mr. Jim Pihakis (Nick's father, and a resident of Bluff Park), who occupied that small 31 and 150 location at the time and turned the Lewbo's location into a Jim N Nick's, instead. That one partnership is what started the growth of Jim N Nick's, limited only by Mr. Jim, who was not too keen on the risk of growth and change to casual dining (personal homes were mortgaged to open 11th Ave. Grill near 5 points south). Nick, who helped his Dad's business grow from a tiny place on Clairmont to a growing 4 location chain, brought his vision of a casual dining restaurant, rather than a greasy BBQ joint fully into the light with their Greystone location . The Greystone location became their prototype store model, being the first location designed and built from the gound up. That vision has become a very successful chain. Nick's Brother, Jimmy, ran their Lakeview store before it closed and integrated into 11th Ave. Grill, which was also the brainchild of Nick. I see Jimmy around once in a while, in Pelham, but don't know if he is still involved in the Restaurants. He did not like the restaurant business when I knew him. Sorry, I just thought a brief history of one of the (if not THE) most successful local restaurant chains may be interesting to some. Believe me, this is not a plug for them (I don't eat there). Rather, it's a Hoover story of hard work, risk, and vision, accompanied by a chance meeting with some guys with deep pockets, and it happened right here. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by legalsecty on 07/16/07 at 1:24pm Ya'll are making me feel old! I remember when there was NOTHING where Bruno's/PetSmart is now. Lemme pose this question - who remembers what the Galleria replaced? What was there before? (I already know the answer - just wondering if anybody else is as old as me and remembers....) Also, what was the first big grocery story on the corner of Rocky Ridge and Lorna Road, and what was there before that grocery store? |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by Cletus on 07/16/07 at 2:59pm We all feel old at this point. Talking about some of these developments makes you realize how fast things change. I miss the Hoover of 15-20 years ago before it grew to what it is today. Hoover is spread out from Helena to Greystone, that's just crazy. What was the name of the ice cream place on 31? Swensens maybe? The building became a pizza restaurant and burned down several years ago, the pizza sign is still there. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/16/07 at 7:50pm The Galleria replaced a big valley. I remember them moving the mountain across 31 from the Galleria to fill it up. The grocery store you mentioned was Delchamps? |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by CG4 on 07/17/07 at 1:37pm I remember their being just a big empty field where the Galleria is now. I recall the grass being really tall and maybe just a few scrawny trees. I remember a big sign appearing one day, but I can't remember if it was just a "for sale" or that it was annoucing the Galleria. Probably couldn't read then ! |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by iSports on 07/17/07 at 1:56pm Cletus... yes it was once a Swensen's, amongst a couple of other establishments during its days. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by iSports on 07/17/07 at 2:00pm legalsecty wrote:
Wasn't there a trailer park on that property before Wilson developed and built the Galleria? |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/17/07 at 2:47pm I don't rememember a trailer park there could have been. I just rememeber them moving the mountain that was across 31 where Toys r Us is to fill in a large valley. I do remember a trailer park on Lorna Road where the first Brunos is located. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by hoover1990 on 07/17/07 at 3:39pm I don't remember anything being where the Galleria is now. Across 31 there was an old cement plant, or something like that, on the spot where Goody's is. We bought a Christmas tree one year on the lot across from Crown Auto (where the Shell Station is). |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by PurplePerson on 07/17/07 at 3:54pm The grocery on Lorna and Rocky Ridge was a Liberty Supermarket, wasn't it? I remember one being in Hoover. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by iSports on 07/17/07 at 4:53pm PurplePerson wrote:
I don't recall there being a Liberty Supermarket, but I do recall there being a Delchamps and I thought when that shopping center was initially built Delchamps was the original tenant at that location. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/17/07 at 5:28pm Ninnyhammer wrote:
I don't recall there being a Liberty Supermarket, but I do recall there being a Delchamps and I thought when that shopping center was initially built Delchamps was the original tenant at that location. [/quote] Speaking of Delchamps, hope you guys enjoy these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo4zsX125LI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tc7tF9crxg |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/17/07 at 7:38pm The concrete plant was put in after the mountain was moved to provide concrete for the Galleria. I want to say Liberty Supermarket was where Western is now but not sure. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by legalsecty on 07/18/07 at 11:41am Hello, folks! I was out sick yesterday, and for some reason, my home computer won't let me post here. Now - I remember the huge mountain being where the Galleria is now, as well as across the street. Remember thinking "Dang - are they going to blow the entire place off the map???" In 1986 when the Galleria opened, some schools were closed so the kids could attend the grand opening (Tuscaloosa schools in particular). My grandparents wanted to go, so I took 'em. They were in their mid-80's by then. (A former boss asked me if I was trying to get my inheritance early by taking them to such a madhouse!) I'll never forget my grandfather standing under the red ribbon when they cut it.... The trailer park was farther north, between Hwy 31 and Lorna Road, where the Bruno's is now. I used to date a fella who lived there; the only good thing he ever did was introduce me to the man I've been married to for almost 25 years. Eastwood Festival Centre - Home Depot was not an original tenat. That was part of the parking lot in the beginning; HD was added not too long ago (well, maybe 5-10 years). When EFC was being built, the site work folks got too close in their demolition of the mountain and many of the apartments on top of that hill were destroyed - simply fell off the mountain. They were really nice apts, but no longer. My daughter dated a young man who lived there and they were pretty skanky 2 years ago. What fun this has been! |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by Les Ismore on 07/18/07 at 3:35pm AUFan, That concrete plant on Arnold Rd was there when we moved here in 1968. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by aufan on 07/19/07 at 11:40am Les Ismore wrote:
I stand corrected. I do remember that now. My parents moved us to the Hoover area in 1965. What a difference 40+ years have made. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by legalsecty on 07/19/07 at 1:29pm Want to hear something funny? In the mid-1970's before I-65 was completed through Hoover, my brother (the older, supposedly-wiser, math/computer geek/genius) made this observation: "After I-65 comes through, Hoover will become a ghost town in 20 years." Good thing I never took any stock market advice from him! Anybody remember a place called Nina's Pizza? I think it was right there where Lorna Road comes down into Hwy 31, and that it became Midas Muffler. Great pizza, but the best Philly steak sandwich I've ever eaten. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by cemoto on 07/19/07 at 5:46pm Loehmans was a clothing store...mostly women's apparrel. Truthseeker, before Sams Club, there was an HQ (Homequarters), a home improvement store, in that building. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by truthseeker on 07/19/07 at 11:47pm cemoto wrote:
So Loehmanns was clothing, but Lechmere was electronics. And Lechmere was in the same shopping center as Phar-Mor, Toys R Us and Kids R Us right? I think I got it. |
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Title: Re: Couple Questions about Hoover(Development Rela Post by synergis1 on 07/21/07 at 7:43pm Take a week's vacation and everything changes! I moved to Hoover - one of the last pieces of property owned by Old man Hoover - in 1967 - 40 years ago. Still live in the same house. So much has changed - |
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