The first picture seems to be from the late 1950s judging by the cars. The aerial shot is probably from 1966, because the accompanying text mentions Willow Lawn's 10th anniversary, and because the Markel Building is there. I LOVE the original Willow Lawn sign, anyone know when it was replaced?
The third picture is an architectural drawing of what Willow Lawn will look like next year, after the enclosed mall that was added in 1986 is torn down.
Click the photos below for the larger images.
Top two photos from the book Richmond: Her Triumphs, Tragedies & Growth
I remember the sign that replaced that one in the late 60's. The picture is facing west towards Willow Lawn Dr. That corner store on the left was Highs Ice Cream. It's the same spot as Dairy Queen today.
ReplyDeleteIn the second photo, if anyone is interested, the anchor store at the top (south end) was JC Penny's, then a quarter way down was Woolworth's at the mid point was Miller & Rhodes/S & W Cafeteria, at the three quarter mark was GC Murphy's and next to the end was Giant Food. Behind the mall at mid point was a Safeway grocery store and in the back on the north end was Willow Bowl, a duck pin bowling alley.
The only stores I remember from the mall section were Jim's Keys, Fanny Farmer Candy and in one of the second story offices was a stamp collecting store.
There was Gary's Music, Peoples Drug Store, LaVogue, Burnett's, Thom McAn, Eljo's, Shevels, Jacob Levys and a hat store near the Fanny Farmer.
DeleteWas there an ABC store and a Peoples at the High's end??
ReplyDeleteCool I go by here every morning
ReplyDeleteI remember Willow Lawn very well! My mom worked at Murphy's from the beginning and was there over 30 years! My first job was in the stockroom there for 75 cents per hour! There were two major fires at Willow Lawn when I was growing up and both were at Murphy's!
ReplyDeleteThe original sign was blown over during a storm and it was replaced with a different one.
There was an ABC store as well as a hobby shop and an auto parts store. One of the stores in the mall area was Shevels. That's where we bought our "Ivy League"'shirts and such! I remember my dentist was in one of the upstairs offices. Also in the M&R building was S&W cafeteria.
I remember going to a fire sale at murphys with my mom
DeleteHello my name is Mark and I bought a vintage men's hat from a street fair recently in Richmond and it said that it was sold from the store Jacob's & Levy. Does anyone know when that store was around and when it sold men's hats. I am trying to date the hat. It is the brand Caesari which is no longer around. If anyone can please help me that would be great. -Mark
DeleteGary's Records, Roundtrees, and Flair were stores there as well.
ReplyDeleteHighs, Willow Lawn Cleaners, Giant Food, Peoples Drug, ABC Store, Murphy's, Eljos, Jacobs & Levy, Thom McAn Shoes, Bob's Hobby Shop, Gary's Records, Rountrees, LaVogue on the upper end of the mall. In the mall were Worth's, Flair, Junior Shoe World, Russell & Holmes, Shevels, My Maternity Shop, Jules Hairstylists, Burnett's, Jim's Keys, Fannie Farmer Candy, Safeway at the back. Across from the mall were Miller and Rhoads and the S&W Cafeteria. Lower end had Edie's, National Shirt Shop, Lerner's, Woolworth's, Baker's Shoes, Eton Ltd., The Home Shop, a restaurant (Copper Skillet, then Aunt Sarah's, then a pizza place), Singer Sewing and Fabrics, and J C Penney.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in that neighborhood, and walked those sidewalks many times!
Hello my name is Mark and I bought a vintage men's hat from a street fair recently in Richmond and it said that it was sold from the store Jacob's & Levy. Does anyone know when that store was around and when it sold men's hats. I am trying to date the hat. It is the brand Caesari which is no longer around. If anyone can please help me that would be great. -Mark
DeleteExcellent! Thanks everyone for the great info.
ReplyDeleteI remember picking blackberries in the field that Willow Lawn was built in!
ReplyDeleteCan someone provide a feature clue, something you can pick out, from the aerial shot where Woolworths once was? I had gone there with my girlfriend back in 1968 to pick up her aunt. The aunt had worked there some 30 years or so. Time has fogged my memory of where we had once been.
ReplyDeleteBill
Woolworths was between the center mall section and JC Penneys at the top (south) end of the main shopping center. It was near the white car driving by itself above Miller and Rhodes/S & W Cafeteria building. It should be the area with the darker rectangle roof extension (second story). The lighter and taller roof extension closer to JC Penneys is the theater. Yes, both Woolworths and Murphys had doors in the rear so one could walk through the stores to the rear parking lot.
DeleteHello my name is Mark and I bought a vintage men's hat from a street fair recently in Richmond and it said that it was sold from the store Jacob's & Levy. Does anyone know when that store was around and when it sold men's hats. I am trying to date the hat. It is the brand Caesari which is no longer around. If anyone can please help me that would be great. -Mark
DeleteBill, who was your girfriend's Aunt? I started working there in November, 1968 and stayed until 1993. I would love to know who you're talking about. I worked with some great Ladies back in the begining of my Woolworth carrer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah Duga
I worked at the S & W Cafeteria in the late 70,s. I sure miss their great meals!
ReplyDeleteAlmost all my family worked there. I am a Spillman.
DeleteHi, does anyone know where the old movie theater was located? in the upper photo? was it where Padows was located recently, or up near kroger? I have seen the old photo of the theater and it has to be a double story or taller portion on the project... any ideas would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThe Theater was located next to Woolworths. You had to go out our back door and turn right. The theater was next door and further down was J.C.Penney's rear entrance.
ReplyDelete