Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Austin: to live, shopping center)

[googie2525]

Originally Posted by 940

Remember Jud Ashmore who did the weather on channel 5 for awhile? He used to end his weathercasts with something like "hug somebody, it'll make you feel good!"

Weird, there's this ol' man that comes into my shop weekly and ALWAYS delivers that line (quite loudly) to my employees, a super nice old fella...I'm gonna ask him the next time he comes in if he's Jud Ashmore.

[940]

Originally Posted by googie2525

Weird, there's this ol' man that comes into my shop weekly and ALWAYS delivers that line (quite loudly) to my employees, a super nice old fella...I'm gonna ask him the next time he comes in if he's Jud Ashmore.

Hey googie2525, I'd bet you odds that it is Jud Ashmore! I can't imagine someone else using that tag line as often as ol' Jud did years ago.

I remember my Mom and I driving from the NW side of town over to Windsor Park quite a few times in the late 70s. I always thought it was one of those malls that would be around forever. I haven't lived in SA on a day-to-day basis in quite a long time so it was a bit puzzling as to why Windsor Park ceased to be the vibrant place it always was. Anyone have any ideas as to what happened to it and the area because I've never really found out the reason and I honestly don't know. I have a memory of standing in line in the mid to late 70s as a little kid to get an autographed photo from Robert Hegyes who was one of the guys/students in the old TV show "Welcome Back Kotter!" It was a very popular show I remember..it also starred John Travolta in one of his first roles.

[smuboy86]

Windsor and the area around Windsor got a huge negative perception in the Early 90's that it hasn't been able to shake. Their was a drive by shooting by two rival gangs, from Judson, in the VIA Park N Ride that killed an elderly lady. The mall was not responsible for providing security as it was VIA's lot. Shortly after VIA was booted from all Simon Malls (Ingram, Rolling Oaks, Windsor Park). The damage was done however and the media focused on the story for weeks. This was at the height of San Antonio's gang problem and it wasn't unusual to hear gunfire every night on the East side. It's been over 10 years and the area still hasn't been able to shake it image.

[irnag]

To Piggyback on that thought 940, I remember Jamie Farr (Klinger of MASH) was there for the grand opening. I just can't believe that it went from the "it" mall to shuttered in such a short time frame. Wasn't Tommy Kramers pub out that way?

[940]

Originally Posted by irnag

Wasn't Tommy Kramers pub out that way?

I believe it was out that way. I'm guessing he's no longer there or that he no longer owns a restaurant/pub anymore too.

By the way, I think this was posted somewhere else on this forum in another thread but if you haven't seen this videoclip about Windsor Park then here it is. It's actually a bit depressing...

http://mallsofamerica.blogspot.com/2...inal-call.html

[Willsatx]

Smu great pics from Windsor, keep them coming. Anyone have an interior pics of Central Park mall?

[irnag]

The things I remember best about Central Park Mall was a place called Lox and Bagels. First time I had ever heard of a bagel. And then years later spending many nights chasing the local women at Broad Street.

[Willsatx]

What was the name of Tommy Kramer's bar and where was it located?

[940]

Originally Posted by Willsatx

What was the name of Tommy Kramer's bar and where was it located?

It was called, appropriately enough, Kramer's. It always had a large Happy Hour and also advertised a Ladies Night with Chippendale Dancers, or a Cinco de Mayo party, or a Football Kick-Off party, Summer Bash party, etc. (you get the idea)! I actually never went but I believe it was off Walzem Rd near to Windsor Park Mall.

[940]

Originally Posted by 940

I remember 55 KTSA..and the older announcer (his name escapes me right now) for the news who seemed to start off every newscast with "Bienvenidos..todos mis amigos" or something similar to that.

I remember his name now. It was Logan Stuart. He was also one of the Rey Feo's (ugly king) from Fiesta years ago. Anyone also remember Bruce Hathaway from KTSA?

Remember PM Magazine on channel 12? Peggy Kokernaut and Mario Bosquez were the anchors. Mario was the cousin of a good friend of mine in high school so he'd show up at school doing TV interviews and getting opinions all the time.

Other names that I remember..Centeno's, Dyer Electronics and Waitz Model Market. My father bought a lot of his hardware and lumber at Handy Dan's.

Remember when the Stowers Building was imploded? How about the old Bluebonnet Hotel when it was imploded? Or when the Fairmont Hotel was moved from one location to another a few blocks away downtown? It was the largest and heaviest move ever at the time.

I remember driving through the San Antonio River on a bridge that cut through Brackenridge Park. The water wasn't very high but you literally drove through the streaming water on that bridge.

In the late 70's, a buddy of mine had the new cable television at his house. UA/Columbia Cable and it was a big deal. You had to wait until 5 pm or so for HBO and Showtime to come on the air!