John A Brown

[NativeOkie]

Wasn't here a Kambers in Penn Square. And I had forgotten all about CR Anthony.
Wow. One of the Anthony's went in to Politics?

[Doug Loudenback]

Wasn't here a Kambers in Penn Square. And I had forgotten all about CR Anthony.
Wow. One of the Anthony's went in to Politics?

Yes. I think that it was the only Kamber's location, but, if not, it was certainly its main place of business.

[MikeOKC]

Wasn't here a Kambers in Penn Square. And I had forgotten all about CR Anthony.
Wow. One of the Anthony's went in to Politics?

Yes, Kambers was in Penn Square where Cantina Laredo is now.

Bob Anthony has been on the Corporation Commission since 1988. He's the one the crooks know to stay away from. He's not for sale. In fact, he wore a wire for the FBI and exposed corruption back around 1990. The same one that got JC Watts caught on tape accepting $$$$$. Of course, he got off on a technicality and was elected to Congress, until Tom Cole came to him and said the Dems were going to field a strong candidate to run against him and they planned to use the tapes against him and - step aside. He did, for Tom Cole! That's why JC never ran for Governor and was never serious at the national level. Corruption caught on tape and kept pretty quiet. Yet, he would show up for book signings at religious book stores for his book about faith and values. Go figure.

Bob Anthony ended up going to Washington to pick up the highest civilian award handed out by the Justice Department.

[Debsgig]

I worked at Capitol Hill Brown's in the mid 70's, in the basement. I remember trying to work those cash registers! I don't know if I ever rang anything up correct or not, but they were beautiful. JAB's name was marbled in the sidewalk in front of the entrance doors.

[grantgeneral78]

I worked at Capitol Hill Brown's in the mid 70's, in the basement. I remember trying to work those cash registers! I don't know if I ever rang anything up correct or not, but they were beautiful. JAB's name was marbled in the sidewalk in front of the entrance doors.

That is cool I have never noticed that.

[Generals64]

That is cool I have never noticed that.

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Most of the old chain type stores put their name in front as a symbol of prosperity. Plsu, they intended to stay in that location forever....

[grantgeneral78]

I have a old John -A Brown sign probably not many of thos around anymore.

That was the first escalator I ever got to ride on it was fantastic!

[Generals64]

I have a old John -A Brown sign probably not many of thos around anymore.

That was the first escalator I ever got to ride on it was fantastic!

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When Dillard's closed in Crossroads, i bouth out quite a few of their fixtures...up in the money room I found some of the old John A. Browns Bank bags....If I can find them I'll give you one...no money in them though....kinda neat though.

[grantgeneral78]

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When Dillard's closed in Crossroads, i bouth out quite a few of their fixtures...up in the money room I found some of the old John A. Browns Bank bags....If I can find them I'll give you one...no money in them though....kinda neat though.

THAT WOULD BE AWESUM MAYBE YOU COULD FIND A OLD GYROSCOPE TO THROW IN IT..........

It would look good by the sign.

[Generals64]

THAT WOULD BE AWESUM MAYBE YOU COULD FIND A OLD GYROSCOPE TO THROW IN IT..........

It would look good by the sign.

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If I'm in my pick-up remind me about the gyroscope at the next hoe-down....

[grantgeneral78]

I was just razzin yuh.......it is so much funnnnn.

[Prunepicker]

Every time Prunette and I take the escalator at Dillard's, in Penn Square,
we say, almost simultaneously, "John A. Brown's!"

That was a great store.

[Prunepicker]

What are some of the sights and smells you remember about John A. Brown's?

[Generals64]

What are some of the sights and smells you remember about John A. Brown's?

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"musty" old wooden floors on the Mezzanine.... You know, where the ladies lingerie and other sundry items were. "please step forward to exit the car". Elevator Operator.....Cub Scout things under the stairway...Pine box derby kits, Pocket Knives:...oooooooh look out Camp Kickapoo we will kill all the mean varmits for you with our hands....

[USG '60]

Got my crystal set from the Cub Scouts dept. Hello KOMA.

[grantgeneral78]

what year did they close down?

[Prunepicker]

what year did they close down?

Around 1985.

[BajaOklahoma]

I can't beleive no one has mentioned the frequent bell sounds that you would hear at JABs. The pattern of the rings would determine who had to call the operator.

My great-uncle repaired watches in the downtown store. It was fascinating to watch him work with the delicate tools, the glasses with the multiple small magnifying glasses and the rush of people by. I remember crossing the alley and the sounds on the wooden ramps as we hurried from one area to another.

I wonder if my mother has her JAB "dogtag."

[Doug Loudenback]

This was covered in my John A. Brown's blog article ... Doug Dawgz Blog: John A. Brown's

Crossroads and Quail Springs. Under Dayton Hudson's ownership, Brown's expanded to Crossroads Mall at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 240 in the south part of town. The Mall opened on February 17, 1974 with Governor David Hall cutting the ribbon, and the new Brown's store opened in August.

Crossroads Mall in 1974 looking northeast

Coinciding with this event was the closing of the downtown and Capitol Hill Brown's stores. A February 1, 1974, Oklahoman article reported that Dayton Hudson was hopeful that a return to downtown would occur when the pieces for the proposed Galleria fell into place -- which, of course, they never did. The same article reported that Dayton Hudson was looking further ahead to include a Brown's in the then proposed Quail Springs Mall in far northwest Oklahoma City.

[grantgeneral78]

This was covered in my John A. Brown's blog article ... Doug Dawgz Blog: John A. Brown's

Great find! It seems weird to see all that empty land around crossroads.

[USG '60]

Seems weird to see all thos cars in the parking lot.

[grantgeneral78]

Seems weird to see all thos cars in the parking lot.

What is more weird I remember when you could not beg for a parking place!

[Generals64]

What is more weird I remember when you could not beg for a parking place!

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All things come to pass.....

[SE-76]

What is more weird I remember when you could not beg for a parking place!

Brought back a memory, My mom would drive around what seemed like hours to find just right parking space in front or near JAB. My job as a kid was to make a mad dash, nickle in hand, to go plug the neter at the appoiunted time.

Neuron fired off... remeber entrance to TOYLAND was just north of the
Green Stamps booth. thinking back to 65 or 66 big dispaly of Troll
dolls and austin healy matchbox cars aka James bond and Thunderball

[MikeOKC]

What are some of the sights and smells you remember about John A. Brown's?

Popcorn/candy and a smell that was probably associated with the hardwood floors.