Remember Palm Center, Houston's First Mall?

[musicman]

sure was a solid building though.

[Jermaine]

I grew up in the 70's directly across the street from Palm Center. We lived for a few years in a trailer park...right next to the Midas. I remember going over to the Penny's and buying clothes with my mom out of the SESAME STREET section. There was also a big Montgomery Wards about a block north of Palm Center. I think it's a flea market now. But that Ward's sold the best Mego Superhero figures in town. I found CONAN there...and yyou couldnt find CONAN anywhere.

I remember a car dealership being across the street from Palm Center...with this cool lighted sign with palm trees on it. There was also a Big Boy's restaurant on the opposite corner from the Montgomery Wards.

That area was really nice during the mid-70's. I have wonderful memories of it...I drove over there 6 months ago...about 2 months before I moved out of Houston...man, its all ghettoed out now.

jr

[Frenchy]

Friends:

I happened upon this forum quite by accident. When I have some down time, I do random searches for information regarding my grandmother's demise. She was shot to death in the parking lot of Palm Center, right outside the Lewis & Coker grocery store on September 6, 1973 around 4:00 in the afternoon; she drove a gold Buick Electra with a white vinyl roof. Although it was likely a paid killing, I always seek out anyone who may have witnessed the event or who may have lived in the area around that time. Two other sources have told me the individuals who did the actual shooting were hanging around the shopping center for weeks before, as if looking for their target. Descriptions were hazy but it was more than HPD ever uncovered.

Not trying to be a buzzkill - just looking for information or recollections, which now are likely lost to time and dust.

I am glad I found this great forum...great reading and very educational. The obvious intelligence of the posters here is refreshing, compared to most I've visited. It makes me homesick for Houston (almost.)

Thanks in advance for tolerating my quasi-off-topic intrusion and for anything y'all might offer.

[T 2 THA C]

Wonder if the new SE GRT lione will help redevolop this area as well ass the Hwy 35 extension to 610 S Loop EAst.

[gwilson]

Palm Center is/was not an enclosed mall.

I found this description in chron:

While on the topic of first malls...

I have always heard that about River Oak Center

But 15 years before another center was built in the nation???

I have also heard that Highland Park Village (1931) in Dallas was the first shopping center in America .

So i guess the key is to define a category so you can be "first" in something!

Sharpstown Mall also had an honor as the first enclosed/climate controlled mall.

Everyone is first at something.

"This is the second mall to be built in Houston after Gulfgate Mall opened in 1956. Sharpstown Center was the first air-conditioned, enclosed shopping mall in the Houston area. Because it was Houston's first air conditioned mall, many Houston residents residing in the central part of the city wanted to experience the 'mall of the future.'

Edited August 19, 2007 by gwilson

[djrage]

Some of you might, might, might remember the DRIVE-IN movie at the end by 610. Was called The King Center Drive-In.

I mentioned in another topic. We saw Blacula there! Had to be around 1972-73 becasue he was like a Shaft dracula dude but was like real hip but bit people. Had platform shoes and a cape. We were one of the very few families that didnt look like everyone else. Not gonna say because everyone will get upset like on that goofy "racism" thread. Hope you all understand. Want to keep peace in the family. In any case it was torn down and is now a Burger King, rats!

I also grew up in this area from 1976-1986.

Recently I ended up back here in 2004 and now live off of Park Place and Reveille.

I remember going to King Drive in. I remember sitting in line along the 610 feeder road to get in and being able to see the movie playing as we waited to pay to get in. I saw "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" there with my parents in the west lot. Also saw "Survive" in 1976 (remade as Alive in 1993) there in the east lot. That one traumatized me, a 6 year old boy shouldn't see someones intestines hanging out.

The Burger King came along a couple of years before the theater closed. That BK closed around 2004.

Edited August 19, 2007 by djrage

[Sue1948]

Saw your pic Houston Arch. I was born and raised 2 blocks from Palms Center (Schroeder) (1948-1967) and have never seen this restaurant.

[Sue1948]

I never saw the original Palm Center (at least that I was old enough to remember ) but I have been intrigued by the pic in the 1972 architecture guide. Two story open air retail. looks similar to a 50's-60's motel - sort of.

Can anyone describe this part of Palm Center and what stores were in there?

Funny you should ask, 2 of my friends from the '50's-'60's play a sort of nostalgia game trying to name all the stores, etc. I was there opening day, Kitirik was there, merry-go-round and you got a free cupcake that might have a Silver Dollar in it. Gulfgate was built about 59 or 60.

[Sue1948]

here are directory listings from the 1955 sanborn maps:

Could you tell where to get copy of this, this one is hard to read and will not transfer. Thanks!

[Vertigo58]

I only recall visiting Oshman's (on far north east side)? by the early 1980's? Forgetting, other than that we would shop across the street at Montgomery Ward's.

There was or is a Midas Muffler Shop across the street. We only went there in early 80's to get our cars fixed. By then the area had become quite rundown and I knew Palm Center's days were numbered. I was actually shocked to know that Shell had a learning center there for a while but they left about 3 yrs ago? At least I think so.

You can tell that the neighborhoods behind this center was really nice when new. This part of the city had or has so much more potential. Developers where are you?! I imagine it would take millions to modernize?

[JLWM8609]

Why is this thread in the East End forum? Palm Center isn't in East End, it's closer to South Park, Riverside and Foster Place.

[Vertigo58]

Why is this thread in the East End forum? Palm Center isn't in East End, it's closer to South Park, Riverside and Foster Place.

Got that right. Seems topic was started 2 yrs ago. Why under East End? I guess only a mod can move it.

[Subdude]

I guess only a mod can move it.

Done. If a topic needs to be moved it is better to use the "Report" button. If you just make posts about it there is no guarantee we will see them.

Thanks.

[Vertigo58]

Done. If a topic needs to be moved it is better to use the "Report" button. If you just make posts about it there is no guarantee we will see them.

Thanks.

Thanks so much. Cant believe I never noticed it right there like a snake ready to bite! It would be cool if we had a little dunce cap to wear for a day for such oversights. Heck, I wouldn't mind.

[spikey2]

I can still remember those old "Midnight Madness" sales my mom would drag us too! It was fun. The area today is mostly Flea markets and 99 cent stores.

[Vertigo58]

I wonder if anyone can recall if the big neon signs out front with Palm Center had little palm tree designs on them?

During Holiday season they used to hang the striped candy cane decorations and bells on the light posts too.

Wish there was a photo somewhere. I remember Oshman's had huge display windows all around the building.

[OldHouseLover]

I wonder if anyone can recall if the big neon signs out front with Palm Center had little palm tree designs on them?

During Holiday season they used to hang the striped candy cane decorations and bells on the light posts too.

Wish there was a photo somewhere. I remember Oshman's had huge display windows all around the building.

I loved shopping @ Walter Pye's. Was that the only Walter Pye's in Houston area?

[musicman]

I loved shopping @ Walter Pye's. Was that the only Walter Pye's in Houston area?

gulfgate had one by 610

[Vertigo58]

gulfgate had one by 610

I'm pretty sure it was across from Wilson's Jeweler's (I worked at 1977) or rather 1 store on your right as you crossed over from the cinema bridge. They always had real neat, sharp displays like shoes and ties. Just like Brooks Bros does now.

I know it was too expensive for me so National Shirt Shop and J. Riggins were my stores.

TSO had a very cool modern style office here too. That same eye doctor was there for a very long time.

[silverartfox]

I loved shopping @ Walter Pye's. Was that the only Walter Pye's in Houston area?

I used to shop at the one in Meyerland.

[sevfiv]

Yep, there was a Walter Pye's at Meyerland Plaza near the Oshman's

[NenaE]

Across MLK was the old Montgomery Wards. That same corner also had a Kip's Big Boy

My family went to that Kip's Big Boy quite a bit, when I was small. We always sat in the big corner booth. I remember those big platters w/ "sesame seed" bun hamburgers. There was a pharmacy close by, and (I think) a big neon sign w/ a car on it (auto shop).

[Gary K]

Born in Houston in '57 (original St. Joseph's bldg. Maternity Ward downtown), I grew up in the Gulf Frwy & Park Place area.

Random remembrances of growing up in early-to-mid 1960s in this area:

Palm Center for JC Penny, Playhouse Toys (yah!), and Walter Pyes

Globe dept. store at Gulfgate was Wal-Mart of its time (?)

Of course, original Gulfgate Mall. My dad used Gulfgate State (?) bank. Dad would take me to One's a Meal and we would sit at the counter and drink a Coke (from a Coke glass with ice). Loved looking in the hobby shop (can't recall its name), bought Este's rocket stuff there eventually. I can vaguely recall Gulfgate before it was enclosed and A/Ced.

Groceries came from Mucasey's (Lucky-7?) grocery on Broadway just north of I-45 (everyone knew Mr. Mucasey), and Weingartens on Park Place just south of I-45

Drugs/prescriptions from Lang's, next to Weingartens

Burgers/Fries/Drinks from the Chuck Wagon (window service only!) also on Broadway close to Mucasey's

Soft-serve ice cream from Tasty Freeze (?) just next door to the Chuck Wagon

Elvis and Disney Movies at the Santa Rosa (Telephone Rd.) and the Broadway (Broadway).

For birthday parties, Peppermint Park (Gulf Frwy by Gulfgate) and occasionally Kiterik (ch. 13).

Was member and attended area YMCA

Church and School at St. Christopher Catholic on Park Place

Playing at Charlton Park next to St. Christopher

I remember the Drive-In (movie) and Frito Lay factory (class field trip) in the Gulfgate area

John Whirler of the Houston Zoo on Cadet Don (and Seymore the puppet!) TV show (ch. 13 again) in the mornings

Officer Ken Garnett also on Cadet Don, eventually was injured while on duty

Larry Kane's dance show on Saturdays (ch. 13 again!)

Art Grindle advertisements ("I Want To Sell You A CAR!!!") during Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays

Al Bell (news), Sid Lasher (weather) on ch. 11 daily TV news

Chris Chandler and Jo Ann King on ch. 2 daily 5:00 pm local TV show

The Houston Zoo, riding the miniature train at Hermann Park, and the giant locomotive on display there

I remember Astrodome/Astroworld when new and exciting!

I remember a time before loop 610 existed. We went through downtown to get to the Med. Center/dome area.

I remember car dealerships downtown. Jacobe/Pearson Lincoln/Mercury anyone? Dad bought his '65 Comet there, probably in '65

Really trippin' the mind fantastic, but thanks for the opportunity!

-Gary K

Edited January 28, 2009 by Gary K

[NenaE]

Born in Houston in '57 (original St. Joseph's bldg. Maternity Ward downtown), I grew up in the Gulf Frwy & Park Place area.

Random remembrances of growing up in early-to-mid 1960s in this area:

Palm Center for JC Penny, Playhouse Toys (yah!), and Walter Pyes

Globe dept. store at Gulfgate was Wal-Mart of its time (?)

Of course, original Gulfgate Mall. My dad used Gulfgate State (?) bank. Dad would take me to One's a Meal and we would sit at the counter and drink a Coke (from a Coke glass with ice). Loved looking in the hobby shop (can't recall its name), bought Este's rocket stuff there eventually. I can vaguely recall Gulfgate before it was enclosed and A/Ced.

Groceries came from Mucasey's (Lucky-7?) grocery on Broadway just north of I-45 (everyone knew Mr. Mucasey), and Weingartens on Park Place just south of I-45

Drugs/prescriptions from Lang's, next to Weingartens

Burgers/Fries/Drinks from the Chuck Wagon (window service only!) also on Broadway close to Mucasey's

Soft-serve ice cream from Tasty Freeze (?) just next door to the Chuck Wagon

Elvis and Disney Movies at the Santa Rosa (Telephone Rd.) and the Broadway (Broadway).

For birthday parties, Peppermint Park (Gulf Frwy by Gulfgate) and occasionally Kiterik (ch. 13).

Was member and attended area YMCA

Church and School at St. Christopher Catholic on Park Place

Playing at Charlton Park next to St. Christopher

I remember the Drive-In (movie) and Frito Lay factory (class field trip) in the Gulfgate area

John Whirler of the Houston Zoo on Cadet Don (and Seymore the puppet!) TV show (ch. 13 again) in the mornings

Officer Ken Garnett also on Cadet Don, eventually was injured while on duty

Larry Kane's dance show on Saturdays (ch. 13 again!)

Art Grindle advertisements ("I Want To Sell You A CAR!!!") during Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays

Al Bell (news), Sid Lasher (weather) on ch. 11 daily TV news

Chris Chandler and Jo Ann King on ch. 2 daily 5:00 pm local TV show

The Houston Zoo, riding the miniature train at Hermann Park, and the giant locomotive on display there

I remember Astrodome/Astroworld when new and exciting!

I remember a time before loop 610 existed. We went through downtown to get to the Med. Center/dome area.

I remember car dealerships downtown. Jacobe/Pearson Lincoln/Mercury anyone? Dad bought his '65 Comet there, probably in '65

Really trippin' the mind fantastic, but thanks for the opportunity!

-Gary K

Nice list...I vaguely remember a Weingartens around there. I went to the Burger Chef, Pony Rides & Santa Rosa Theater in the Park Place area.I'm amazed that old Pharmacy bldg is still there.

[NenaE]

Wasn't that Weingarten's on Broadway in Park Place across the street from that old Lang's Pharmacy?

It would be where the Kelley's Diner is now.

It sits right by "suicide circle", seen in the aeriel map, as well. Yikes!

Edited February 19, 2009 by NenaE

[Gary K]

Wasn't that Weingarten's on Broadway in Park Place across the street from that old Lang's Pharmacy?

During my time living with my parents as a "youngster" in the broad area of South, Southeast Houston, and Palm Center/Gulfgate, the Lang's Pharmacy was in the same building as Weingarten grocery. Weingarten was on the left side, Lang's on the right.

It is possible that before this point in time, Lang's was across the street from Weingaten's as you mention.

Suicide Circle: As a youngster I remember seeing President Kennedy and his motorcade on this circle, he was passing through from Hobby airport probably going to downtown. I remember upon seeing him in his limo (a 4 or 5 second glimpse as they drove by) that I thought he was the most good-looking man I had ever seen.

-Gary K

Edited April 15, 2009 by Gary K

[NenaE]

During my time living with my parents as a "youngster" in the broad area of South, Southeast Houston, and Palm Center/Gulfgate, the Lang's Pharmacy was in the same building as Weingarten grocery. Weingarten was on the left side, Lang's on the right.

It is possible that before this point in time, Lang's was across the street from Weingaten's as you mention.

-Gary K

I may be getting that pharmacy by Weingartens mixed up with the little rectangle bldg. (drug store, maroon color on front) on the south side of the road, across from the previous Weingartens location. I have a picture of it here, somewhere on HAIF. It is very old, can't recall the name, right now. We never shopped over there, just remember driving down Park Place Blvd. alot, with my grandmother... sometimes to go to the Santa Rosa theater.

Speaking of Palm Center, is there anything left of the original structure that is recognizable? Has it been completely refaced? Read Penney's was gone. Can't recall ever going to PC, as a kid. The pic of it in the Arch. Guide looks very different. for a shopping center, open-air or otherwise.

Edited April 15, 2009 by NenaE

[gnu]

I may be getting that pharmacy by Weingartens mixed up with the little rectangle bldg. (drug store, maroon color on front) on the south side of the road, across from the previous Weingartens location. I have a picture of it here, somewhere on HAIF. It is very old, can't recall the name, right now. We never shopped over there, just remember driving down Park Place Blvd. alot, with my grandmother... sometimes to go to the Santa Rosa theater.

you mean Park Place Pharmacy..across the street (currently) from Kelley's (Langs/Weingarten)

I believe there was an older version of Lang's that was closer to the circle, that was removed when they built the gulf freeway.

George Harris was the longtime owner of Park Place Pharmacy

Edited April 15, 2009 by gnu

[NenaE]

Yeah...that's it. There is also a bldg. that faces the circle, same side, SW, that has been there a long time. Believe there is a florist in it. It's before the post office.

[gnu]

Yeah...that's it. There is also a bldg. that faces the circle, same side, SW, that has been there a long time. Believe there is a florist in it. It's before the post office.

The Flower Box

[Vertigo58]

Only due to the present construction at 45/Wayside were we forced to go down MLK the other day.

Just before you get to where Palm Center once stood were once numerous old dilapidated apts, they were directly across from Church of the Black Madonnna & Community Center.

KIPP Academy has started construction on a new facility there.

After passing by the old Palm Center you can hardly tell it even existed there. Strange what time can do.

[speaked]

Well sister dear.......I remember winning the contest to be in the rodeo parade, and my name was picked as the winner by a horse, there in the center part of the mall. I won a indian themed orange outfit, hats, boots, gun and holster. I was the girl winner and I think someone I knew and had a crush on was the boy winner. Does anyone remember the guy with the monkey taking money and giving you a hug? We loved Vogue shoes...wish they were still around. Bought my prom dress at Charles Ford....it was a lace pants suit with a gray velvet floor length jacket. $65.00...which back in the 60's was alot of money for a dress. Kay I knew this statement was from you right away...didnt even see your name or anything. Yep, Palm Center was important to us. And for some weird reason, apparently still is.

I lived about 2 blocks from Palm Center, and was probably in 1st grade when it opened to great excitement. I remember those big lights they used to showcase an event, as well as the fact they were holding a drawing for a free car. I still dream about Palm Center, as I really spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours there. The Alice McKean Young branch library opened soon after Palm Center, so my girlfriends and I would walk home from Hartsfield and head for the library. THEN, the fun part: we would always walk back through Palm Center and most usually stop for a cherry coke and fries at Walgreens.

I describe Palm Center as being the PERFECT shopping center. It had so many wonderful kinds of stores and shops that I can't think of anything comparable today. There was Lewis and Coker (remember that it had a soda fountain in it when it first opened?), Walgreen's, (as well as a Woolworth's), Oshman's, a gift shop called "House Beautiful", the NW Gas office, a hardware/paint store, the candy store on the corner across from where the record store(the kind you could go into those little booths and listen to the latest 45s)was - I remember kissing the giant cut-out they had of Elvis! And of course there was Golden Needle, a Merle Norman Cosmetics, Thornhill's Cafeteria, Walter Pye's, Schep's, Vogue Shoes (among other shoe stores), the toy store at the end closest to Penney's, Leder's Tots to Teens, several jewelry stores, and my personal favorite: Ruth Crow Salon of Beauty, which was in the center part where there was an upstairs.And there was that shop for men called Mr. (Something). And that coffee shop on the northwest end, close to Oshman's. Oh, and there was that high-end (for Palm Center!) women's clothing store close to Vogue but its name is gone from my diminishing memory bank.

All I know is that Palm Center was as much a part of my childhood as any single other place. So was the U'Totem there on the corner of Brownwood and South Park, and run by this little guy who probably imbibed on the job named "Shorty".My daddy worked at Wards from its opening in 1961 or so, until his retirment, which meant we had additional shelves and racks to gaze through. Remember how Wards would hold an annual contest where they put a diamond in an ice cube and the lucky finder got to keep it? And how they had a department for your animals, like horse saddles? Life was simple. We were lucky to grow up in a time when children were safe, and all we had to do was to worry about rush hour traffic on South Park so we could make it across those streets without danger. We didn't start locking the doors to our house, including when we would be gone for a week, until sometime in 1966. I remember it all so fondly.

[Diane]

I was 10 or 11 when the very first shopping center in Houston opened less

than a mile from our house. It was called Palm Center. It wasn�t a mall or

anything, but it was the first of its kind at the time. It had JC Penney and

Lewis & Coker Grocery store as its anchors. It also had Three Sisters,

Nathan�s, Brown Toy Store, Walgreens, Gordon�s Jewelers, a hair salon,

and other stores whose names I can�t recall.

found this text here http://www.justjac.com/id10.html

I LIVED IN BROOKHAVEN SUBD ON HOLMES ROAD & THEN IN THE AREA JUST NEXT TO PALM CENTER SO WAS IN THERE FREQUENTLY. THERE WAS A BAKER'S SHOE STORE, A RECORD

SHOP, HOUSTON SHOE HOSPITAL, WALTER PYE'S, J.C. PENNEY'S, LEWIS & COKER GROCERY STORE, A SMALL GIFT SHOP, THREE SISTERS DRESS SHOP (I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE NAME), ZALE'S JEWELERS & A DRY CLEANERS. I'M SURE THERE WERE MORE BUT THAT'S ALL I CAN RECALL. ACROSS THE STREET WAS A USED CAR LOT, A "DOLLAR WAVE" BEAUTY SALON & MONTGOMERY WARD'S.

[JLWM8609]

I thought about this thread a few weekends ago. There was a federal job fair there that attracted thousands a few weekends ago. As I passed through, traffic was choked, and people were standing in a wraparound line down MLK and Griggs. I thought to myself "Palm Center probably hasn't seen a crowd like this since the 50's!"

Edited August 4, 2009 by JLWM8609

[NenaE]

Found this online -

"In 1956, Gulfgate Mall opened to great fanfare as the first enclosed mall in Texas."

First in Texas, not just Houston.

Gulfgate Shopping City was not an enclosed mall when it first opened in 1956. That happened a little later, sometime in the early 1960's. The internet sources are not always accurate.

[GFT]

Gulfgate Shopping City was not an enclosed mall when it first opened in 1956. That happened a little later, sometime in the early 1960's. The internet sources are not always accurate.

Speaking of Gulfgate, I recall a Woolworths that had a lunch counter. There was also a bowling alley beneath the Mall. I remember those concrete steps on the outside of the Mall.

Across the street (across 610) was the Carousel Hotel that offered hour rates. Also across the street (Reveille?) from the Hotel, there was a park for the kidos...Peppermint Park I think it was called. One of the buildings is still there. Car lot now.

Speaking of Kelley's Restaurant on Park Place, the counter (what's left of it) is in the rear of the restaurant...it is the original from the Pharmacy that was there. Ironic, Kelleys was started by a retired Policeman from Houston...Jim Kelley. He just passed last year. Inside the restaurant, there are large photos of him and his Family. There are also pictures of him escorting President Kennedy's caravan since he was a motorcycle patrolman. Pictures with Kennedy at Ellington also.

http://www.kelleysrestaurant.com/about.php

[msteele6]

Forget the bowling alley, there was actually an auditorium under the mall accessed by way of the stairs that led to the mall offices. On Saturday mornings they would show free movies (the only one I remember was a "Frances the talking mule" movie that starred Donald O'Connor. The idea was that parents could drop their children off while they were shopping.

When the mall first opened, it wasn't covered (believe me, I don't forget walking around in Houston's heat even 50 years after the fact, Sharpstown had the distinction of being the first enclosed mall in Houston). In various place in the mall there were large "maps" made up of colored plastic blocks indicating the various stores with a key giving the store name. Attached to these maps were holders for paper copies of the map which you could take as a reference.

When the mall was built, I can still remember the giant pile of dirt that was built up and on top of which the actual mall was built, the "basements" weren't actually dug down, dirt was actually piled up around the ground floor construction (including the delivery tunnels at two ends of the mall, to give an impression of basements.

As far as Palms Center, I can remember going to it for a while before Gulfgate was built with my most vivid memory being of the toy store right next to the J.C. Penney. Of course we frequently ate at the Thornhills Cafeteria where there was a conveyor belt that ran through the dining area that you were supposed to put your trays and dishes on when you were finished, these would be carried back to the dish washing area.

Anyone interested in seeing how the mall looked in 1957 from the air can visit a website called "Historic Aerials" and see aerial views of Houston at various times over the last 50 years.

[NenaE]

http://books.google....epage&q&f=false

here's an article on the first kiddie park, called "Kiddieland", sounds like it was located inside Gulfgate Shopping Center, in the courtyard, open area; sounds like it was the precurser to Peppermint Park which was not connected to, but across the bridge, and a little bit southeast from the actual shopping center. Maybe this explains why so many people who went to Gulfgate when it first opened, called it by that name, not Peppermint Park, which came later.

The article talks about adding portable rides later, at other malls. I remember the only time I was in Northline Mall, as a kid in the 1960's, I saw the West entrance with lines on both sides of the walkway filled with coin operated horses, etc.

Maybe someone can recall where these rides sat, exactly, in the Gulfgate courtyard.

I am fascinated with how the original Gulgate was created, with the dirt, hills, rerouting of the water, and all.

And the Carrousel wasn't always an hourly motel. Too bad it was linked to shady characters & fell into decay. It was a nice design.

Maybe that's one reason Peppermint Park relocated to the Southwest Frwy, following suburbian expansion. It sat so close to the motor hotel.

Edited July 19, 2011 by NenaE

[The Drake]

On the corner of MLK and Griggs, there's a big 2 story (maybe 3) building that is called King's Best Market. At the Palms Center (Palm Center now), there's a Tax Office, a Constable office (Precint 7), and a community college/courses. Recently a YMCA has been built opposite of the King's Best Market.

[bred]

On the corner of MLK and Griggs, there's a big 2 story (maybe 3) building that is called King's Best Market. At the Palms Center (Palm Center now), there's a Tax Office, a Constable office (Precint 7), and a community college/courses. Recently a YMCA has been built opposite of the King's Best Market.

Is King's Best Market the old Montgomery Wards that everyone is referring to, or something else? I remember going there in the late 90's for stereo equipment, and I can see how that was probably a department store at one time.

[sevfiv]

Is King's Best Market the old Montgomery Wards that everyone is referring to, or something else? I remember going there in the late 90's for stereo equipment, and I can see how that was probably a department store at one time.

Yep, it's the old Montgomery Ward

[msteele6]

As sevfiv says, it was the old Montgomery Wards store, one of my best friends mother, Mrs. Guererro, worked at the store in the sewing (cloth?) department.

What I remember even more distinctly than the Montgomery Wards was the Jack in the Box that was built just in front of it on South Park (Martin Luther King). This was the first Jack in the Box that I remember in the Houston area. I still remember being driven up to the old Jack in the Box with the hidden speaker and placing my order, generally a burger with "secret sauce" and those great old fries. Had to have been mid '60's?

Edited August 29, 2012 by msteele6

[The Drake]

There was a Jack in the Box?!

Man. Does anyone know the median income before white flight?

[hbcu]

There was a lot out there then...but they kept on flying down the street when the area darkened up only to repeat the same thing down Bellfort, Almeda Genoa, etc. to now Pearland

[bred]

There was a Jack in the Box?!

Man. Does anyone know the median income before white flight?

Here's a good article on the history of South Park:

http://www.houstonpress.com/2011-01-13/news/still-standing/

[djrage]

Is King's Best Market the old Montgomery Wards that everyone is referring to, or something else? I remember going there in the late 90's for stereo equipment, and I can see how that was probably a department store at one time.

That Montgomery Wards was closed by 1985. The building became a flea market not too long after

[Konnie]

On 1/28/2009 at 12:18 PM, Gary K said:

Born in Houston in '57 (original St. Joseph's bldg. Maternity Ward downtown), I grew up in the Gulf Frwy & Park Place area.

Random remembrances of growing up in early-to-mid 1960s in this area:

Palm Center for JC Penny, Playhouse Toys (yah!), and Walter Pyes

Globe dept. store at Gulfgate was Wal-Mart of its time (?)

Of course, original Gulfgate Mall. My dad used Gulfgate State (?) bank. Dad would take me to One's a Meal and we would sit at the counter and drink a Coke (from a Coke glass with ice). Loved looking in the hobby shop (can't recall its name), bought Este's rocket stuff there eventually. I can vaguely recall Gulfgate before it was enclosed and A/Ced.

Groceries came from Mucasey's (Lucky-7?) grocery on Broadway just north of I-45 (everyone knew Mr. Mucasey), and Weingartens on Park Place just south of I-45

Drugs/prescriptions from Lang's, next to Weingartens

Burgers/Fries/Drinks from the Chuck Wagon (window service only!) also on Broadway close to Mucasey's

Soft-serve ice cream from Tasty Freeze (?) just next door to the Chuck Wagon

Elvis and Disney Movies at the Santa Rosa (Telephone Rd.) and the Broadway (Broadway).

For birthday parties, Peppermint Park (Gulf Frwy by Gulfgate) and occasionally Kiterik (ch. 13).

Was member and attended area YMCA

Church and School at St. Christopher Catholic on Park Place

Playing at Charlton Park next to St. Christopher

I remember the Drive-In (movie) and Frito Lay factory (class field trip) in the Gulfgate area

John Whirler of the Houston Zoo on Cadet Don (and Seymore the puppet!) TV show (ch. 13 again) in the mornings

Officer Ken Garnett also on Cadet Don, eventually was injured while on duty

Larry Kane's dance show on Saturdays (ch. 13 again!)

Art Grindle advertisements ("I Want To Sell You A CAR!!!") during Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays

Al Bell (news), Sid Lasher (weather) on ch. 11 daily TV news

Chris Chandler and Jo Ann King on ch. 2 daily 5:00 pm local TV show

The Houston Zoo, riding the miniature train at Hermann Park, and the giant locomotive on display there

I remember Astrodome/Astroworld when new and exciting!

I remember a time before loop 610 existed. We went through downtown to get to the Med. Center/dome area.

I remember car dealerships downtown. Jacobe/Pearson Lincoln/Mercury anyone? Dad bought his '65 Comet there, probably in '65

Really trippin' the mind fantastic, but thanks for the opportunity!

-Gary K

I was also born in 57 at St. Josephs, Palm Center for Ones-A- Meal, Peppermint Park. I was a ride operator at Astroworld in the Alpine Sleighs. I took sewing lessons in Gulfgate Mall.

Went to Mt Carmel Schools and Church. We lived off MLK originally South Park. My dad worked for channel 13 in Master Control so I got to be on Kiterick and Cadet Don. I remember Marvin Zindler Eyewitness News. Dialing for Dollars. I’m glad I logged on and seen your post. I lost my mom in May of 1976 and my dad 5 years later. So even though I remember things of days gone, it’s nice to know someone else does.
 

[mayerl]

I have the dimmest of memories of a record store, Palm Music Center, that my father ran there. I believe he opened it 1956. Three years later we moved to NY. I remember the booths that you could go into and listen to records before you bought. There was the RCA dog, Nipper, that was as big as I was at 5 years old.