Shreveport, Remember When...

[autumnweisz]

Anybody remember that Six-a-go-go show that Ron Fortner hosted?

[modster]

We lived in Shreveport when I was a kid from 72 - 76. A few things I remember from that time period; They started a River front/downtown revitalization with Shreve Square I think it was called. I remember it being at the foot of a big bridge that went over the River, Texas Ave maybe? There was a TGI Fridays in there that as a kid, thought was so cool lol. It was very successful at the time, but I think it's played out since then.

We had the shopping center on Youree and Southfield? Or was it Pierremont? There was a Safeway, TG&Y and a fancy furniture store called Interiors. Another store called The Butler's Pantry was on Southfield.

Mall St. Vincent was just being built. The Sears had been there for years, and they were adding a mall to it. There was the original St. Vincent's facility on what is now the mall. I think it was either a Catholic private school or church or something. Lovely old Tudor style buildings they tore down to build the mall.

There was also a fabulous old mansion where Fairfield & Old Kings Hwy intersected, yellow brick with masonry trim and a green tile roof. Coming down Old Kings Hwy, the trees canopied the street and it was at the end, very imposing. It later fell and the site chopped up into townhomes.

A nearby Mansion on Fairfield, the Smitherman's I think, sat on something like a whole city block or two. It was sold off at that time and townhouses were built on the front grounds.

It must have been Shreve Square that was the major shopping center. I remember a Woolco, JC Penny, I think a Dillards was there, Palais Royal, and as a kid of course I remember the hobby shop.

There was a small mall in an older, nicer area (at least back then), maybe on Line Ave? It had a Morrison's cafeteria we frequented. I think there was a Selber Bros. at the far end, along with Ryder's Jewelers and a toy store in the mall. There were some small boutiques across the street like Hearne's or Herndon's maybe. I also remember there being a Rubensteins and Levy's stores, not in that mall, some in Shreveport and some in Bossier. It's a shame there aren't more independent retailers like that as much anymore.

Brocato's was in some kind of Art Deco type building with a lot of glass block on the outside, but the interior had been "updated" to some kind of dark 70's era something.

First Baptist Church had some ginormous chandelier in it's chapel. There was a story back then that the chandelier cost $60,000 something like 50 years ago. When they first went to hang it, the chain or rope broke and it fell to the floor. All the crystals broke and it had to be redone.

The city seemed to play out much past Spring Lake or South Broadmoor. There was an Ethan Allen down by South Broadmoor. In the 70's people thought it was the end all be all for home furnishings. Lots of maple!

Haven't been back in years. So I don't know what, if any, of these things are still around.

[hdwell]

Modster,
Much of what you mentioned as you remember is long gone. There are no local department stores anymore, sadly. Dilliards is the only game in town; one in Shreveport (MSV) and one in Bossier at Pierre Bossier Mall. Shreve square only exists as the Blind Tiger which was once TGI Friday's. No Sears anymore, South Park Mall is closed and converted to a church. Shreve City shopping Center which at one time was the largest in Louisiana is only a Walmart now and a few other odds and ends of small stores.

There has been infill over the years in that area you recalled as South Broadmoor. Lots of townhomes and subdivisions down there now. Ellerbe Road, which is well past Springlake, is the area developing the fastest. Homes are pricey (for Shreveport) down that way. Lots of HOA, gated communities there. Shreveport has had a population shift to that area and also to Bossier City.

What the new decade brings to this city is uncertain. But the last 35 years haven't been good. Most of our manufacturing is gone and replaced with Casinos which are not doing that well at the moment, what with Covid and the competition from elsewhere. So I don't know.

Feel free to ask me anything about this city as to what is still here or not. I generally know.

[kb5auk]

Anyone remember the name of the ice cream shop on the north side of Greenwood Road between Esplanade and Curtis Lane? It was a small white building. No inside seating. Order from the window.

[JES1270]

Originally Posted by kb5auk

I am surprised more have not posted. I still can taste those Hash Browns from the Tic-Toc Grill once in Shreveport.

Yep, it was the grease, potato chunks, and spinkle of paprika that made em! Miss em greatly!

[JES1270]

Originally Posted by kb5auk

Anyone remember the name of the ice cream shop on the north side of Greenwood Road between Esplanade and Curtis Lane? It was a small white building. No inside seating. Order from the window.

Dixie Made, maybe?