Friday, March 4, 2011
Southside Plaza - 1960s
Here's a picture of a booming Southside Plaza in the late 1960s. Southside Plaza originally opened in 1957, just a year after Richmond's first suburban shopping center, Willow Lawn. It's had ups and downs over the years, including the loss of a lot of business to nearby Cloverleaf Mall when it opened in 1972. However, Southside Plaza still thrives today, and has even outlasted Cloverleaf Mall, which has closed, and will be demolished this Spring/Summer.
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WOW - this amazing pic brings back my childhood. i spent many a happy day back in the mid-to-late '60s and early '70s with my family shopping at the old Southside Plaza. Would love to find other vintage photos of the Plaza - i grew up going on shopping excursions to those stores, eating at the S&W - and many a year visited that little hut in the corner to speak with the big fella from the North Pole. Fantastic memories! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeletewas here in the 60s, but in the late 90s, early 00s, i was there almost everyday. i was also there frequently during the entire 90s. loved this place. still standing, but no where near the same, imo. i remember going with my grandma to woolworth, gc murphys, whitneys, from farm fresh to community pride, manhattan, k's, and so many others. wow.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks to both of you for sharing your memories. I don't think I have too many other Southside Plaza pics, but I'll check.
ReplyDeleteI would like to locate a lee griffith who was a hair stylist at La Vogue in south side plaza in 1959. k9fritz1rpd@yahoo.com, first name unknown
ReplyDeleteThe photographer would have been in front of Sears, with Sears on his right. Obviously Christmastime, since you can see Santa's little hut at the intersection of the two wings of the center. It was definitely taken in the 1960's, because it became part of the City on January 1, 1970, and that's a Chesterfield County police officer in the picture. It was an absolute traffic nightmare getting in and out of the place during those days. A 40 acre parking lot jammed full of cars going every which way.
ReplyDeleteSort of a historic fact was that the Southside Plaza ABC store (still there), was the first ABC store in Chesterfield County when it opened in 1957. And, like Willow Lawn, both centers were built about one or two blocks outside of the city limits (lower taxes, but close enough to pay Richmond to extend water and sewer lines), both were anchored by Giant Food stores (the Giant from D.C./Maryland), and both were developed by interests affiliated with the Cohen family that owned Giant at the time.
I am trying to compile a list of all the "original" stores, included in the "Plaza". I have 22 on my list at present, but I know there were more. Southside Plaza, was THE place to be! It was a big thing, for the kids growing up in Chesterfield County. I wish it could be restored to its original beauty! I am glad it is still there, though! I want it all back!
ReplyDeleteMorton Jewelers was one
DeleteWhat a fantastic picture wish I could have seen it back in the day I do have a Fantastic business which is called Solange spa which is located at 601 East Southside Plaza right behind Radio Shack. Massages are starting at $25 for 1/2 hour and $40 for one hour. Stop by and see me or call 231 1799. Bring in class to the Plaza.
ReplyDeleteSupposed to be bringing class back to the plaza
DeleteI remeber going there with my grand parents. Then, in the early 70's my mom took me there to see RICKY NELSON AND THE STONE CANYON BAND. They played a free show in the parking lot. Does anyone know the exact date of this. Please let me know. joefjones@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteRicky Nelson free concert with 1979 I was in 10th grade at Manchester High School I was there with my elbows on the stage
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DeleteI'm not sure it was 1979 for Ricky Nelson I think it was earlier than 74 but I'm going to keep searching that date
DeleteIt was 1979 it was not 1974 I'm not old and senile I remember when I went
DeleteAnd other than RICKY NELSON, I remember meeting Sailor Bob there. I still have the photo he signed.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the name of the family that owned Music City at Southside Plaza? They were the kindest most helpful family, just the salt of the earth. thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere was a car club called the Paladin's that hung out at Southside Plaza. Does anyone have any history on the Paladin's car club??? Thanks
ReplyDeleteWould anyone happen to have some photos of the windows of some of the shops where children, who represented their elementary school, painted scenes during the seasons? This would have been around 1958-59
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Welton Avenue, a block away, and could fill a book with memories. Neighborhood moms got together informally to disallow us kids to cross Hull Street to go there. Southside Plaza had everything in those days. Giant Food, Miller and Roads, High’s and duckpin bowling! Just yards away were Thalhimers Mr. Donut, Southside Dodge, and Bill’s Barbecue on Belt Boulevard.
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked at Miller & Rhoads.That building is right off Hull st
DeleteThere was a Circus, Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers, an Indian Village at different times in the late 50s/ early 60s. Sailor Bob was there when they opened. I don't have any pictures because my Daddy didn't have a Flash attachment to our Kodak Brownie Bullet camera. I still have the camera.
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ReplyDeleteI used to live on Broad Rock road right where Albert's Pizza Reia is now, 1953 to 1955, my Daddy used to work at the old McGuire Hospital. Until Sensational Southside Plaza was built there was Sears on Broad St.