Gabacho

some memories of meyerland - circa late 50's-early 60's

Uncle Lew's records - got my first 45 there, still have it; it had those listening booths;

agree it was next to Playhouse Toys as mentioned in some other posts

I learned to drive in the parking lot on Sunday's after got my learner's permit - my Dad would

take me over there.

Madings - haven't heard that word for a long time - that was a drugstore, right ?

I recall a Walgreen's at Meyerland with a lunch counter but maybe it was Madings ?

anyway, I remember the cherry cokes there or even regular cokes, that were made

from the syrup put into the glass first, then the carbonated water - really good !

separate water fountains - good topic for another thread - I had same experience with my parents as the

poster to this thread who mentioned about it.

I remember Lew's Record Shop. I bought all my old Beatles albums there. I remember the listening booths also. I used to love hanging out at Meyerland. I remember the eating area in either Woolworths or Walgreens. I remember their pet store that sold baby aligators. That's where I bought my first ID Bracelot for my girlfriend at Lovett. That was our sign that we were "going steady". I recall the great carnivals that set up in the parking lot, and the great fireworks displays.

Anyone remember Dipper Dan Ice Cream across the street from the big mall?

Those were wonderful days. Although the current mall is nothing like it was. I am thankful that they revived it and it is thriving. I just moved back to the old neighborhood a couple of years ago, and just love it.

Wasn't this place closed down for quite a while? I thought I have seen some pics of the this place closed.

This was a great place! My dad used to do business with Larry Pico, who owned Spanish Village. He was a fine man! The food was pretty good (of course I used Felix's as my gauge) Their margaritas were very good and they had friendly servers, which most Mexican restaurants lack these days.

I bartended at GITH for about 4 years and can relate a bit about what happened, but don't want to step on any toes. Also, I have no idea of the status of various lawsuits.

The land and building was owned by the Houston Saengerbund. Around August of 2002, they elected not to continue business with the two gentlemen who had managed the facility as Garden in the Heights for eight years and put on all the Celtic festivals, as well as the huge St. Paddy's Day weekends. The split was extremely acrimonious to the point of the former managers not even being allowed on site to finish the Thursday night country music festival series, contracted long before the dispute arose. The property was duly leased to Tomas Romero of Jalepenos and Courtyard on St. James Place fame, and as part of the deal extensive renovations began, some of which broke my heart. The gorgeous indoor bar with the antique taps was torn out to build more restrooms and I heard the beautiful detailed mural in the dance hall was painted over as well - I couldn't bear to go back and look.

I kept in touch with another bartender who continued to work there - from what she related, some kind of disagreement came up between the Saengerbund and Mr. Romero, and the workmen left until further notice in a kind of "don't finish pounding that nail" departure. Months later, it was listed for lease on a commercial real estate site and stayed there for about a year, I think. Meanwhile, the roof was partially open to the elements and the already-aging building deteriorated to the point where saving it would have been impossible.

The Saengerbund seems to be alive and well and the former managers have gone on to much success with the Meridian, so a happy ending for all except the lovely old place itself.

I used to work at the old Bavarian Gardens, from 1969 when it was first leased. I worked as a bus boy, kitchen help, beer keg wrestler, cashier, and bar tender, off and on until around 1981.

It was a great place during some great times in Houston. I remember all the Oktoberfests. It was the best party in town!. Great bands. Good food! Willie Nelson played there when he was virtually unknown in '69 or '70. He was so drunk; he fell off the stool he had to sit on. I met so many great people, and as a young kid; being in that business really was an education! It taught me many things, and many things to avoid. Gus got his hands in too many businesses and The Gardens went downhill starting in 1980. I did enjoy the rock and roll bands that played there. I saw many great acts; Matt "Guitar" Murphy from the Blues Brothers played there one night and he just smoked on the guitar. I remember seeing Alan Haynes, Blowtorch Repair, and many others. The guy responcible for the R & R shows was Jim Gaines, who went on to be a big time producer (Stevie Ray Vaughn's first album, and Metalica) I remember Nan, who someone mentioned earlier. She was dating Larry, who ran the Parlour for Gus, before it "myteriously" got torched. That really ticked me off. I used to go see bands there frequently, as well as Damians, Carnabys, Corkys, On the Border, and Cardis. Anyway, I have many fond memories of that place. For awhile; they also served a "killer" hamburger during lunch outside, which inspired then bartender, Cliff; to open his first Cliff's Hamburgers, which I believe there still might be a few locations around town. It breaks my heart to see all the "Casitas" where the old place once stood. The old building would have lasted allot longer than the townhomes will. As usual; a builder got rich, and will be untouchable when the places fall apart, due to the cheap labor and materials used.