Coming Sunday: an aging scale
I know I'm getting old, and I didn't need a newspaper story to remind me. I used to track memories by music. Now I've discovered that I also track them by the growth of Friendly shopping center. Michelle Jarboe writes about the 50 years of the shopping center and its expected sale in Sunday's paper.
As I read it, I thought about where I was when I heard about the closing of Green Valley golf course. That the first "restaurant" my wife and I ate in after we moved to Greensboro was Jay's Deli. When they booted out Fleet Plummer and Scott Seed. How I used to take my daughters to Ziggy's in the Forum VI after pre-school. How the Friendly folks really don't get convenient traffic flow.
I mentioned that to Michelle. She responded: "The hardest thing about writing that story was how many good anecdotes there were to choose from -- it's unbelievable how attached people are to a shopping center. :)"
I didn't need that little smiley face at the end of her message.
Comments (4)
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Some of the things that I remember about Friendly Center when I was growing up:
1. There was a big bowling alley that was located near where the Kangaroo is on Green Valley.
2. The Sears store had gasoline pumps attached to the auto section on the Pembroke side and sold gas to the public.
3. There was a "Colonial" grocery store located where Belks is located today. Later, it was changed to "Big Star" and then "Food World" and, finally, "Harris Teeter" before the store moved over close to Sears.
4. Eckerds Drug Store had a lunch counter where you could buy hot dogs and a variety of other cooked food to eat on site.
5. There was a big clothing store called "Paul Rose" located near the Pembroke side.
6. There was a "Mayberry" ice cream shop located close to where Jay's is today.
7. There was an ABC store located where the Muse restaurant is located today.
8. Sears had a "driving school."
Posted on August 17, 2007 9:38 PM
Yep, you qualify as old, Wendell. Great memories. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on August 18, 2007 8:49 AM
John:
I found the article on Friendly Center to be quite interesting. I had completely forgotten Pleasants Hardware and the old Friendly Toy & Hobby Shop. Now, I remember. I still can't place Kirby Shoes, but my wife says she remembers buying shoes in the store.
A couple of other memories come to mind:
1. The Trophy Room was a favorite watering hole for many folks. The building (now vacant) was located on top of Friendly Auditorium. After the Trophy Room relocated to Spring Garden Street, a restaurant named "Le Chateau" opened in the building. It was a great restaurant. Eventually, a restaurant named "Steak & Ale" moved in (if I remember correctly).
2. There was an interesting little store named "Potpourri" close to where Bear Rock restaurant is located today. You could find all sorts of unique gifts at "Potpourri." It was a fascinating little shop.
Posted on August 20, 2007 6:02 PM
It is sad when Starmount decided not to pay their bills on Forum VI. Even though they had other resources, they refused to make the payments and the lender forclosed. A lot of good people lost millions because Starmount was greedy. The one thing you can say about Starmount is that they worship at the feet of the almighty dollar.
Posted on August 21, 2007 9:47 AM