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.

Years ago it was a nightclub called They Playgirl Club or something like that. It later became Captain Hooks and then Venetos Italian Restaurant.

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.

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.

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 !

Quote from legalsecty on 07/16/07 at 1:24pm:

Wasn't there a trailer park on that property before Wilson developed and built the Galleria?

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).  
 
 
 

Quote from PurplePerson on 07/17/07 at 3:54pm:

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.

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.

AUFan,
 
That concrete plant on Arnold Rd was there when we moved here in 1968.