It was on the west side of the street just north of NW Expressway, on the corner of 59th.

It was Shoppers World in the 60's but then became something else?

Anybody remember the name?

The only thing that rings a bell with me is service merchandise which used to sit about where the home depot is now.

I think Service Merchandise was a different building, but I may be wrong.

Here is an aerial from 1969 and what I'm referencing is the large building just north of Founder's Bank:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1969aerial.jpg

Just figured it out...

That building did become a Service Merchandise in 1973 but after Shopper's World it was Founders Fair in 1965 then Trade-Mart in 1969.

It does look like it is sitting a bit further east then the current home depot bldg but maybe its just the scale of the photograph.
Looks like at the time of the pic also the warwick apts arent even in place yet.

That Home Depot shopping center came much later, once they demolished that old building at 5901 N. May.

And yes, Warwick West had yet to be built and you see on that aerial that there was a small motel with a pool on the NE corner of that property. I had seen some old postcards of that motel and I'll have to see if I can dig them up.

from the aerial, it looks as if grand blvd was all but removed between nwx and nw 63rd... any truth to that?

-M

Didn't Grand become the Hefner Parkway...

yep... but (i thought) much later than 1969. -M

Awesome aerial, Pete! Where did you get it?

I found the aerial very randomly and then labeled it... A guy on Flickr had posted tons of aerials from the 50's and 60's with old drive-in theaters highlighted all over the country.

I sent him a message to determine his source, as I'd love to see all of OKC from that era. I was three in 1963 when my family moved to near 63rd & Meridian and we had that home until the late 80's.

I have another one that show's Cinema 70 and you can catch a glimpse of Wedgewood Amusement Park.

Here's that old motel (Voyager Inn) on NW Expressway. This had to have been about 1969 as well.

You can see all the common architecture between Founder's Tower, the Continental Theater, the old Physician's Building and a couple other buildings that were all built at the same time.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/founders1969.jpg

It was an event center for a few years. Went to a few meetings there around the 1983 time frame.

I found the aerial very randomly and then labeled it.I think you put Charcoal Oven a bit too far to the west. You have it right off of the northbound ramp from NWX to May, where the Holiday Express is now, but I think it was in its present location even in 1969, which would be just outside of the image area...

Jim, I think you are right. I'll change the image.

Tony's via Roma was somewhere near where you have the Charcoal Oven, might have been the next building east out of the pic

Charcoal Oven is next door West to the Oil Center building parking lot. Just double checked this morning on my way to work.

My grandmother worked in the nursery there. They had cartoons and things for children to do while the parents shopped. It was fun!

I wonder what was in where Target is now?

I wonder what was in where Target is now?
I think it was a Spartans before Target.

The shot at Post #12 is breathtaking.
(They were a lot less sensitive about Auto Emissions back then. =)

Seriously, Pete, thanks for the reminder of how things used to be.

BTW: "Charcoal Oven" was an early Chain Restaurant.
There was one of them in my old hometown at the foot o' the rockies at almost exact the same time as the photo was shot.
The food was probably less expensive and nearly as good as the overpriced plate decoration at The Flagstaff House.)

If I'm not mistaken, there used to be a "Bank"-with similiar "moderinistic" architecture--just out of the frame to the right of the photo.
They refused to cash a payroll check written to me and signed by one of the members of the Board of Director's of that Bank.
I think the Bank had some sort of "Golden Arches" motif borrowed from McDonalds in order to set their buliding apart from the ordinary.

The only Spartan stores I remember were one on Lincoln between NE 36 and NE 50, and one on May Avenue where Forest Lumber is now located. I believe they had become Spartan-Atlantic and then closed, before Target came to OKC.

I think the Target building on May north of NW 50 was built for them in the early 70s. Originally the north quarter of the building was an Office Depot (which moved around the corner later). Originally, Target had a self-service gas station in the parking lot, too.

I think there was a Spartan Store that tried to put down roots in the MWC/DC area but it, too, suffered the eventual fate of Venture (which came later).

Sorry . . . I forgot the topic is "Old Shoppers World" (on N. May).
(So was this, like . . . the missing link to Flea Markets? Outlet Malls? Crossroads and Heritage Park?)

I like threads like these. I learn things about OKC I never knew.

If I'm not mistaken, there used to be a "Bank"-with similiar "moderinistic" architecture--just out of the frame to the right of the photo.
They refused to cash a payroll check written to me and signed by one of the members of the Board of Director's of that Bank.
I think the Bank had some sort of "Golden Arches" motif borrowed from McDonalds in order to set their buliding apart from the ordinary.

If I'm remembering correctly, that was Founder's Bank that you're thinking about.

Thanks for "tagging" it, ljbab728 . . .
It helped me to remember that even back then--in my semi-callow youth--I couldn't help but spot "irony" and express it to the drive-thru teller.

Something along the lines of:
"Whut? You won't cash this? It's signed by a friggin' FOUNDER of this friggin' FOUNDER's bank (fer cryin' out loud)."

I'm just glad that bankstuff has improved so much over the intervening decades that there is no need for that sort of confused outburst . . . =)
(That, incidentally occurred only a few years before The Black PennTower Down the Street Scandal)

The only Spartan stores I remember were one on Lincoln between NE 36 and NE 50, and one on May Avenue where Forest Lumber is now located. I believe they had become Spartan-Atlantic and then closed, before Target came to OKC.



Wasn't there also one on 29th & May, east of where Griders was?

That building at 5400 N. May which became Target in the 70's opened in 1968 at Arlan's, another big, full-service discount store:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arlans102068.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arlans1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arlans2.jpg

And here's a historical photo of what was then Founders Bank:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foundersbank.jpg

It is now Bank of America:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2846/R146091755001sA.jpg

Wasn't there also one on 29th & May, east of where Griders was?

No.....and Spartan always seemed to have a good toy selection

Love the pics, thanks for posting. I would like to see the aerial of the 63rd and Meridian area as well.

I love the pics too, Pete.
Especially the first one of the bank.

Frankly, I'm surprised that a bank that refused to cash a check written on that bank by a Founder of that bank simply because I, personally, didn't have an account at that bank, didn't have the political clout to prevent the construction of those ugly square minimalist boxes in the background that sort of detract from the aestheic of the older photo.

BTW: "Spartan" stores had such a cool logo that I was almost tempted to go there and buy something. (But I couldn't get my check cashed.)
Arlen's offered only clowns and a circus tent. Okay . . . A ferris wheel too, but still . . .

Just found this on wikipedia:


In 1971, Dayton-Hudson acquired sixteen stores from the Arlan's department store chain in Colorado, Iowa, and Oklahoma. That year, two of those units reopened as Target stores, and in 1972 the other fourteen were reopened to make a total of 46 units.

The Target on North May was one of the first Targets.

You may also remember that Dayton Hudson bought John A. Browns before selling it to Dillards.

Some kids really got into that old Parker Brothers game--Monopoly--didn't they.

(Monopoly: At Arlen's: $5.99 . . . At Spartan: $5.95.
But the Spartan version didn't include any souvenier white elephant playing pieces.
And there was Sam Walton, chuckling in the background, waiting to strike . . . =)

Sorry for the double post . . .
But 'zackly what is a "Gym Bog" (with a regular value up to $3) being sold for $1?
(ref the Arlen's Ad with the Clown . . . this mystery item in question is right next to the $2 Boat Cushions)

No.....and Spartan always seemed to have a good toy selection

Then what was the store that was at the very east end of the shopping center where Griders was? Atlantic Mills?

Sorry for the double post . . .
But 'zackly what is a "Gym Bog" (with a regular value up to $3) being sold for $1?
(ref the Arlen's Ad with the Clown . . . this mystery item in question is right next to the $2 Boat Cushions)

It's a two fer. Catch the superfluous apostrophe in the bog's?

And here's a historical photo of what was then Founders Bank:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foundersbank.jpg


Why on earth did they add all that brick????? It's a cool building, but nothing near what it originally looked like with all that glass.

I think the N 50th & May Target was preceded by Founders Fair, a favorite place to buy albums (records).

Never knew Charcoal Oven was a chain. Too bad it was drive-thru only. What lip smacking hullabaloo. Yum!

I think the N 50th & May Target was preceded by Founders Fair, a favorite place to buy albums (records).

Never knew Charcoal Oven was a chain. Too bad it was drive-thru only. What lip smacking hullabaloo. Yum!

Yes, the Target location on N May is where Founders Fair was located. But, Founders Fair turned into Trade Mart in the late sixties, maybe '69. Also bought lots of albums there. Still have some of them. ha

No, Shopper's World became Founders Fair which became Trade-Mart which became Service Merchandise which became an event center which was then demolished for the current Home Depot / Best Buy center. This was at 59th & May, north of NW Expressway on the west side of the road. Refer to the aerial here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=28695&p=508510#post508510

Target is at 5400 N. May on the south side of NW Expressway on the east side of May. It opened as Arlan's (1968) and was converted to Target when they bought out a bunch of the Arlan's stores, circa 1972.


This is all spelled out in the thread if you read through it.

Founders Fair or Trade Mart was in the Target location on the EAST side of May. There must have been something between Arlan's and Target.

If I'm lying I'm dying. Or just wrong, so help me God!

I love how the old newspaper articles go into SUCH detail with regard to such things as the managers' pedigree. That was apparently the style back then and years prior, along with giving the address of local celebrities and contest winners.

Founders Fair or Trade Mart was in the Target location on the EAST side of May. There must have been something between Arlan's and Target.

If I'm lying I'm dying. Or just wrong, so help me God!

Sorry, you are wrong.

Here is an add for Founders Fair (which became Trade-Mart) and it shows the address as 5901 N. May. Not only is that north of Northwest Expressway, odd addresses in OKC are on the WEST side of the street.

Also in the FF advertisement you can see an image of the building, which you can also see in this photo from the 1960's, clearly in the spot I have identified in the aerial.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foundersfair.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/founderstower60s.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/trademart.jpg

Thank you. The newspaper ads are wonderful. Who remembers Man From Uncle action figures, lol.

Sorry, you are wrong.

Here is an add for Founders Fair (which became Trade-Mart) and it shows the address as 5901 N. May. Not only is that north of Northwest Expressway, odd addresses in OKC are on the WEST side of the street.

Also in the FF advertisement you can see an image of the building, which you can also see in this photo from the 1960's, clearly in the spot I have identified in the aerial.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foundersfair.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/founderstower60s.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/trademart.jpg

What a bargain...
The Beatles abbey road for only 3.77 album or 8track.

Here is a link with an add for GEX. http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=DOK/1963/09/26/30/Ad03006.xml&CollName=APA3_DOK_1963-1964&DOCID=268726&PageLabelPrint=30&skin=Oklahoman&AW=1329580069333&AppName=2&sPublication=DOK&sScopeID=UDR6&sSorting=Score%2cdesc&sQuery=gex%201111&rEntityType=&sSearchInAll=false&sDateFrom=%2530%2531%2f%2530%2531%2f%2531%2539%253 6%2531&sDateTo=%2531%2532%2f%2533%2531%2f%2531%2539%2537% 2530&dc:creator=&PageLabel=&dc:publisher=&ViewMode=GIF

Please don't let this thread die. I'd love to see some more photos from this area.

Hey, How do you post a pic? I have one of the Voyager Inn before the construction across the started.

I used to work at Founders Fair/Trade Mart back when I was in high school. I worked in the records and luggage dept,and really it was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. I helped to make out the record surveys for WKY and KOMA each week, and got to buy all my fav music the minute it got on the shelves.

I don't remember guns being so cheap back in '69.
(and look at the prices on the ammo!)

I have enjoyed this thread for sure. I worked at Shoppers World back in the early '60's. I was a butcher in the grocery store.

Shopper's World was a type of forerunner to the Wal-Mart Supercenters of today. They had groceries, sporting goods, household goods, appliances, etc.

Which place had the little movie theater inside for kids? They could watch cartoons while mommy shopped. Pretty sure it was Founder's Fair.

Here is a link with an add for GEX. Article Window (http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=DOK/1963/09/26/30/Ad03006.xml&CollName=APA3_DOK_1963-1964&DOCID=268726&PageLabelPrint=30&skin=Oklahoman&AW=1329580069333&AppName=2&sPublication=DOK&sScopeID=UDR6&sSorting=Score%2cdesc&sQuery=gex%201111&rEntityType=&sSearchInAll=false&sDateFrom=%2530%2531%2f%2530%2531%2f%2531%2539%253 6%2531&sDateTo=%2531%2532%2f%2533%2531%2f%2531%2539%2537% 2530&dc:creator=&PageLabel=&dc:publisher=&ViewMode=GIF)

I just stumbled upon this thread. I can remember going to GEX with my parents it seemed like maybe 3 or 4 times a year back in the 60s. We lived in NW OKC and it was really a big deal to make the trip there. After seeing the ad I didn't realize it was a members only store. I guess we went there because my father worked at Western Electric. I see in the ad they were eligible to be members. I have no idea what they would go there to buy that made it special. Anyone know what kind of things they sold there?

Which place had the little movie theater inside for kids? They could watch cartoons while mommy shopped. Pretty sure it was Founder's Fair.

I think the Kimberlings IGA shown in the upper left corner of the pic in post #3 had one of those cartoon theaters for kids.

Which place had the little movie theater inside for kids? They could watch cartoons while mommy shopped. Pretty sure it was Founder's Fair.

Crystal's Pizza used that same gimmick. Gave Mom and Dad a break.

If I'm remembering correctly, that was Founder's Bank that you're thinking about.

That is correct. I worked there until about '82

I think the Kimberlings IGA shown in the upper left corner of the pic in post #3 had one of those cartoon theaters for kids.

Consumers IGA was at 63rd & Portland and had a little theater inside of it. Red Bud at 50th & Macarthur had one too.

I think the map is mislabeled. Kimberling's was at 23rd & Meridian.

Rezman, do you remember going to GEX as a kid?

Kimberling's at NW 23rd and Meridian had a kiddie theater. We didn't go there often but I certainly remember the cartoons.