T.G.&Y. Stores:Gone but not forgotten

[GaryOKC6]

I used to go to the TG&Y store on 36th & N. Western (next to Bruno's) as a kid. They seem to have anything that you would ever need. There is a store in Banson called Dick's five & Dime that is almost identical to my old TG&Y. it is like being in a time warp.

[Pete]

Dime stores really faded away but I've always thought Walgreens/CVS have become the modern incarnation of having some of almost everything in a similar sized store as the large majority of old TG&Y's.

[GaryOKC6]

Dime stores really faded away but I've always thought Walgreens/CVS have become the modern incarnation of having some of almost everything in a similar sized store as the large majority of old TG&Y's.

I never really thought about it that way Pete but I guess that you are right. Walgreens and CVS are the modern day versions of TG&Y. I guess some day my kids will be having these discussions regarding their memories of CVS and Walgreens after thay have been replaced by something else and I am long gone.

[SoonerDave]

Dime stores really faded away but I've always thought Walgreens/CVS have become the modern incarnation of having some of almost everything in a similar sized store as the large majority of old TG&Y's.

This +++!! I've told my mom several times how much Walgreens reminds me of the small TG&Y stores from back in the day. Lots of fun memories of TG&Y...when I was growing up, it was a fairly routine thing to go to TG&Y with mom to pick up household odds and ends, and that usually meant a trip through the toy department for me. And they had what I have to believe was the most tremendous selection of model kit cars (Revell, Testors, etc) of just about any retailer of the era.

[GaryOKC6]

This +++!! I've told my mom several times how much Walgreens reminds me of the small TG&Y stores from back in the day. Lots of fun memories of TG&Y...when I was growing up, it was a fairly routine thing to go to TG&Y with mom to pick up household odds and ends, and that usually meant a trip through the toy department for me. And they had what I have to believe was the most tremendous selection of model kit cars (Revell, Testors, etc) of just about any retailer of the era.

Yes, You are right. I bought a lot of modelk cars there and they had a great selection. As i got older i mover from buying model cars to record albums.

[SoonerDave]

Yes, You are right. I bought a lot of modelk cars there and they had a great selection. As i got older i mover from buying model cars to record albums.

And TG&Y had 'em, too!

Never got into actually building too many model cars, but I loved to look at them. Did build a few Star Trek "Enterprise" models, though. My mom was just way too skittish about the safety of even the non-toxic Testors model cement. Used it a few times and it took forever to set up, had a nasty strong fake lemon scent, and it never held things together very well...so it just never really became much of a hobby.

[Jim Kyle]

Also, I think there was a T G & Y at Shepherd Mall. Great thread!

Definitely yes. It was on the east end, next door to Stone's IGA, and opened onto the mall and also to the front parking lot. It was one of the larger stores, although of course nothing at all approaching the one at SW 74 and Penn...

[boscorama]

Shepherd Mall had a fine TG&Y complete with great candy counter. In the 1980's, it became McCrory's and, quite frankly, it sucked.

[mugofbeer]

McCrory's killed TG& Y. It almost hurts to think of what TG&Y was turning to and was so ineptly run by McCrory's and then look at what Wal Mart became. I've read in the past that the death of TG&Y created the success of Wal Mart.

[LuccaBrasi]

Oh the memories....TG&Y in Shepherd Mall next to Stones IGA, the first and last time I ever shop lifted. I was probably 5 or 6 hanging out with my mom and older sister of 10 years, when I wondered off to another aisle, felt compelled to open up a package of Pez candy, ate some, then stuffed the plastic wrapper down in the tube of paper towels when the hand of what I recall felt like that of God, came down on my shoulder! It was the store manager who asked me where my parents were. After that, all I remember was being drug out of the store horizontally while my mom said wait until we get home and tell your father while my sister was saying don't kill him mom but also ticked we were not going to stay in line and purchase whatever it was went there to get! Fond memories as if it happened yesterday..........I think somewhere in the attack are still old Xmas items I took from my folks that still have the TG&Y gold price sticker on them.

[LuccaBrasi]

Oh the memories....TG&Y in Shepherd Mall next to Stones IGA, the first and last time I ever shop lifted. I was probably 5 or 6 hanging out with my mom and older sister of 10 years, when I wondered off to another aisle, felt compelled to open up a package of Pez candy, ate some, then stuffed the plastic wrapper down in the tube of paper towels when the hand of what I recall felt like that of God, came down on my shoulder! It was the store manager who asked me where my parents were. After that, all I remember was being drug out of the store horizontally while my mom said wait until we get home and tell your father while my sister was saying don't kill him mom but also ticked we were not going to stay in line and purchase whatever it was went there to get! Fond memories as if it happened yesterday..........I think somewhere in the attack are still old Xmas items I took from my folks that still have the TG&Y gold price sticker on them.

Geez.....I hate it when I don't proof read......I think I "wandered" off and I meant Xmas things in the "attic" and not the attack.

[boscorama]

Enjoyed your shoplifting recollection. My first and only time was at a department store in downtown OKC, 1950's. I took a single mitten, placed into my coat pocket. Before we got home I had been scared sh!tless that the police were gonna get me. Mom later discovered it, and acted like I knew nothing. Whew!

BTW I had forgotten about Stones IGA.

[catdmc]

TG&Y was my first job. I was seventeen when I started there. I spent 14 years working for the company. I survived the McCrory buyout and worked my way up the ladder to a store manager position. I spent 31 years in retail and owe it all to my first job at TG&Y.
I really enjoyed working there. That was back in the good ole days when you enjoyed going to work. Great memeories!

[OKCJapan]

Currently, I am in Japan. My son plays baseball sometimes with other kids a a nearby park. He uses my baseball glove that I used when I was a boy. That glove is a Rawlings Reggie Jackson autogragh edition. Still in good shape after 30 years. I remember going with my dad and buying that glove at TG&Y at the corner of Midwest Blvd and S.E. 15th street.

[Pete]

That's funny about the baseball glove... It reminded me of buying my Rawlings glove there as well. Served me well for years of little league.

When I was a kid in the 60's and 70's, it seemed TG&Y had absolutely everything you could want: sporting goods, toys, records, candy, etc.

[lil0kie]

I remember being there during the opening of that store. Later a family friend worked there. Opal Calton.

[lil0kie]

At one time there were 2 TG&Y stores in Shepherd Mall. Large one on east end that had a snack bar and was much larger. There was a smaller one on the north wing. Never figured out why they had two there.

[lil0kie]

I remember this store. West Park is no longer. It is in the process of being torn down. Family Dollar and a trophy shop were the last 2 tenants. When we moved to this area in 1984, it was completely full. Movie theater,Hallmark store, FAA Credit Union branch etc.

[lil0kie]

March 1968 I'm guessing.

[lil0kie]

The original spot of the Watonga #14 store in downtown area still has the mosaic tile front. It later became a Bill's store. Last time I was in side that space the two tone floor tile was still there.

[Bunty]

This +++!! I've told my mom several times how much Walgreens reminds me of the small TG&Y stores from back in the day. Lots of fun memories of TG&Y...when I was growing up, it was a fairly routine thing to go to TG&Y with mom to pick up household odds and ends, and that usually meant a trip through the toy department for me. And they had what I have to believe was the most tremendous selection of model kit cars (Revell, Testors, etc) of just about any retailer of the era.

No, to me the dollar stores are today's TG&Ys. This is because I don't seem to remember TG&Y selling much in the way of drugs and groceries. I guess you if you look hard enough, you'll find some toys in Walgreen's. Also TG&Y sold hamsters. Walgreen's does not.

[Prunepicker]

The original spot of the Watonga #14 store in downtown area still has the
mosaic tile front. It later became a Bill's store. Last time I was in side that
space the two tone floor tile was still there.

The location in Capitol Hill does, too.

[oulefty]

Mid 50's at nw 23rd and Walker on the north side of 23rd were veasey's drug, crumbs shoes, TG&Y, Tower Theater and CR Anthonys. Next block east a toddle house, loved that place.

[Prunepicker]

Mid 50's at nw 23rd and Walker on the north side of 23rd were veasey's
drug, crumbs shoes, TG&Y, Tower Theater and CR Anthonys. Next block
east a toddle house, loved that place.

I have a large spoon from the Toddle House. I use it when I'm cooking.

[soonergeezer]

The only Spartan store I remember, was just north of Reno on May avenue, on the east side of May avenue. What would be south of the Coke building.