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Flick: Are you a 'local' yet, or still just a transplant?
By Bill Flick
bflick@pantagraph.com
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When Gene’s Ice Cream Shop, the legendary white spot along South Main in Bloomington, opened for another season the other afternoon, all across the Twin Cities, folks were exclaiming, “Gene’s is opening! A rite of spring!” Well, except for a few people. | Read more Flick

They deadpanned “What opened?” and went back to Cold Stone Creamery for a couple more scoops.

Same thing when a new version of “C.J.’s” restaurant opened out near the airport.

Townspeople headed there in droves.

Still are.

Transplants went back to Chili’s or T.G.I. Fridays, again.

Still do.

And so it goes.

In any city, there are ways to differentiate the “townies” from the “transplants” and signposts to weed the “old-timers” from the “new locals.”

Bloomington-Normal?

If you use “fell” only as a verb, you are a transplant. If you also capitalize it and use it as a proper noun, you are a townie.

If the word is spelled “Hendricks” instead of “Hendrix” and you mull a storied murder trial instead of a ’60s rock star, you are a townie.

Townies think spaghetti and do Beningo’s. Transplants think spaghetti and head out to Olive Garden.

If you know Ed Rust as CEO and masthead at State Farm Insurance, you are a local but if you remember Ed Rust as a varsity wrestler at BHS, you are a longtime townie, too.

Transplants head to Krispy Kreme to buy their office treats. Locals are on a first-name basis at Denny’s Doughnuts.

If you have heard of Diamond-Star, you are a townie … or you have at least been here longer than those who only refer to it as Mitsubishi Motors North America.

Townies know all the streets west of Veterans Parkway. Transplants know all the streets east of Veterans Parkway.

If you’ve never voted for a Democrat, you are a local. If you’ve never voted for a Republican, you are a transplant.

If you hear the word “Collins” and think about having a Tom Collins double at NV Lounge, you are a transplant. If you hear the word “Collins” and think about Doug Collins having a double-double at Horton Field House, you are a local.

If someone says “Green Gables” and you are a local, you think of wonderfully greasy cheeseburgers, not the literary classics.

Townies use “sporting goods” and “Read’s” in the same sentence. Transplants are already at Dick’s.

If you think about Bloomington-

Normal stretching almost all the way to Towanda, you are a new local. If you remember when it barely reached Towanda Avenue, you are a longtime local.

Transplants do Destihl or Medici. Townies rarely leave Schooners.

If you drive 5 mph under the speed limit and anger other drivers, you are a townie. If you drive 10 mph over the speed limit and anger other drivers, you are a transplant.

Townies have instant-recall on places like Centennial Grade School, Grand Hotel, Model Paris and Bombay Bicycle Club. Transplants just look at you oddly.

Newbies buy their gas at Thorntons. Those who’ve been here awhile call it Burwells.

Longtime locals can name every business that has been on the corner of Towanda and Vernon while newcomers just know La Gondola, and maybe Kenny Rogers Roasters.

If someone mentions Heartland Community College at Towanda Plaza, they have been here awhile. If someone mentions it was a Lum’s restaurant before it was Risque’s Adult Boutique, they have been here even longer.

You know it’s a local who refers to it as the Consistory. Only newcomers instantly call it the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

And, of course:

If you enjoy reading things like this, you have been here awhile.

If on the other hand you are already doing the Sunday crossword, you are a transplant, dang it.

Contact Bill Flick@pantagraph.com. The Flick Blog: www.pantagraph.com/blogs

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When Gene’s Ice Cream Shop, the legendary white spot along South Main in Bloomington, opened for another season the other afternoon, all across the Twin Cities, folks were exclaiming, “Gene’s is opening! A rite of spring!” (Pantagraph file photo/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 191 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Boiler1 wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:34 PM:

" Its great to see positive comments in here. I didn't think some of these things were that old but I guess I am now showing my age (43). I've been out of Bloomington-Normal since 1988 but get back about once a year....The only thing that I think I didn't see was 8:30, 10:30 and 5:30 leagues run by American Legion baseball program. Tag days and the yellow supervisor shirts..... "

jambalaya123 wrote on Mar 23, 2008 8:46 PM:

" From a departed townie-

I remember the "hard road" and the Beltline is still the Beltline. Downtown Normal is still downtown normal- used to live in an apartment there and worked in the Caboose when it was Student Stores. The Velvet Freeze had teen time limit 15 minutes. Mr. Quick's would make you sick but the Golden West was the best. Rocky's used to be Rada's Hardware Store and the trash cans in downtown normal were in the shape of redbirds. Someone got busted for growing pot on the roof of Vitesse Bike Shop when it got tall enough to be seen from the street. Nickle beer night at the Red Lion, Head East, Bronco Billy's was owned by a guy I went to high school with and he went to prison for burning it, Pegasus in downtown Bloomington, and on and on. Good times. "

lowbrow wrote on Mar 23, 2008 5:55 PM:

" I grew up in Heyworth. My mom used to bring me to town to shop at Adoph's. Then we would go to Sandy's for a hamburger and fries. Sometimes we would go downtown to Rolands. The elevator in Livingstons scared me and the monkey at the hardware store was creepy. There used to be rides at Miller Park and the other park south on Morris had llamas. (spitting llamas???) In highschool, we would come to town to go see movies either at the Drive In or at the theatre next to Bergners in Eastland. "

oldlady wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:03 AM:

" We were just talking about your colume last night. Remember the Green Stamp store down on Main Stree when you had to stand in line to get your TV Trays. Metal one's that had pictures on them...Oh, the joy of shopping for something you didn't have to pay for. The books piled up for a new pot or toy. The good ole days are gone forever. Leath Furniture where I bought my bedroom furniture I still have for $375.00 on payments..solid Oak..can't find that anymore. Stern and Leaths always had the best...but Leath's was the place. Back and forth down main street to "tool" the GAGS...and see all the teens in town on 24 cents a gallon. We had a ball. Cops at the S&S to make sure you didn't burn rubber through the parking lot. Sitting there all night long on a coke and fries. Remember that gals and guys. We snuck into the drive-in in the trunk of the car and would talk to everyone..not watch the movies. That was FUN!!!!! "

cocoa wrote on Mar 22, 2008 11:09 PM:

" I know it wasn't that long ago compared to some of the memories I'm seeing here, but I wistfully remember when the "Vernon Stables" apartment complex on Vernon Ave was actually a pasture with real stables and horses. I used to love taking walks along there and stopping to watch the horses. "

santa cruz wrote on Mar 22, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Oh My Gosh...Barney's Caboose...wow. Now those were some GREAT times, with Doug Collins making a guest appearance! Is that Caboose still there? "

Catfish wrote on Mar 22, 2008 11:06 AM:

" And...

Jules Blatner dance parties at Miller Park

The Shattertones (with Timothy P. Irvin)

Joe Dowell ("Wooden Heart" and "Little Red Rented Rowboat")

McLean Stevenson drinking at Barney's Caboose. "

Chicagoan wrote on Mar 22, 2008 10:10 AM:

" This is a great article, Bill. I will be a Bloomingtonite for 10 years next year, and here's what I remember.....
Rocky's in downtown Normal and their Thursday Bad Music Night!! My best friend met her husband there

The Varsity Club
Garcia's Pizza
When there wasnt a Noodles & Co on Main in Normal
Good old Downtown Normal with Michaeloes pizza "

santa cruz wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:17 PM:

" Thanks Bill for writing this. What a wonderful walk down memory lane. I clearly remember the poision apple, Heap Big Beef, Wishing Well that later became my big Schooners hang out. I went to Jefferson and Centennial grade school. I lived near the Grand Hotel and walked to school through the "fields"...we got to trick or treat at Ewing Castle! The public swimming pool in Normal with the "blinking light". My sister and I would walk to the Milk barn and Leash Dairy to buy penny candy and lots of it. The Red Lion was another great Friday night place to go, but the Poision Apple had the Chip N Dales!! and we all thought we were dancing with John Travolta! Oh my gosh..Jack Lewis was THE place to buy your gold and diamonds! The Passion Play happened at that big building downtown (can't remember the name of it) Strieds Restaurant was the business mans lunch place! Many a martinis drank there! Ok, I could go on and on..but thanks again and I really have enjoyed reading everyones comments. And, I remember YOU Bill Flick! "

Jarhead71 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:14 PM:

" That old bread warehouse on Beech Street in Normal became "The Inn" a dance club for HS kids on Friday and Saturday nights with live bands sponsored by the local police departments and Unit 5 and District 87. Also, how about dances at the county fair grounds out by the airport and CCHS football field next to it? How about Anson's neighborhood grocery store that became Herme's and Henderson's on Willow near School St? Nickel pops and 2 cent deposit on the bottles. The ISU farm EAST of where Normal West HS is now? "

Bloomington Long Timer wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:12 PM:

" These have been great memories. Here's a few more:
. At one time there was just one Santa Claus in the Twin Cities, his cottage was
on a trailer and pulled up on the west side of the courthouse, across from the
old Osco's
. Sporting goods almost meant Rose's on Main Street
. Jumping on and riding your neighborhood in a Laesch Dairy truck, then buying
some ice cream for a dime
. Wither's Library kid's summer reading programs where you'd earn little clay
figures for painting
. When Corn Belt Bank opened walk-up windows on the east side of their buidling
(complete with overhead heaters)
. Lutz's open produce market on south Main St.
. And cotton candy from the log cabin in Miller Park "

jm2 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:10 PM:

" This was a great article Bill. Musicland at Eastland Mall - remember picking out a song you wanted to hear, then going into those booths and listening to it with headphones on? Heap Big Beef (The Beef Place) on IAA Drive - hollered beef, fry and a coke $1.34 into the mic many times during my HS days. Toolin' the "gag" (Steak & Shake and then Dog n' Suds and then back to Main St.) - you could do that for two hours on $2 worth of gas. Quicks - where JH kids settled their differences with each other after school. For those who went to Jefferson Grade School - remember Mrs. Rainey the crossing guard on Clinton Blvd? This was back when a 1st grader could safely walk 4 blocks home from school. The Grand Hotel - used to be fields between it and BHS. Yep, I remember Sandy's across from BHS, too. Eisner's on Towanda - loved those creme-filled powdered sugar donuts! BHS's cafeteria brownies - they were the best! And, the Riley Drive neighborhood was a safe area in which to live and raise a family. "

Jarhead71 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:58 PM:

" Normal Central Elementary School indeed. And the old brass clanging fire alarms and bald Mr Parker a 6th grade teacher that also managed Normal Pool in the summer. How about Sandy's by BHS and Mr Quicks? Tobin's Pizza downtown by the bus station and the Consistory? Bittner's store on the west side, shoot, Walt Bittner as mayor or before that as a council member? DeVary's? Anyone get Laesch Dairy delivered? Alexander Lumber Co in Normal? Piggley Wiggley? BJHS on Washington Street? Brokaw Hospital? Mennonite Hospital? Victory Hall? Yes, I'm a townie. "

Grandpa Jack wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:36 AM:

" How about the Cigar Shop in downtown Bloomington? Also, the Army/Navy store
and the Green Mill Cafe? I always liked the street lights round and not neon and lazy days of summer when a wash tub was our swimming pool and entertainment was laying on the sidewalk and using a leaf play with the ants. We went to visit an aunt in Decatur on the Inter Urban. A version of a train which ran on tracks. This was located on the West side. I can't remember exactly where maybe the old Ice Company on Lee Street. There was a Star Gas Station that gave stamps a little west of downtown.
"

lowrider wrote on Mar 20, 2008 8:03 PM:

" I remember smoking in College hills mall, right down from time out. I remember standing in line outside of a little hole in the wall restaurant, waiting for my chance to purchase a Gondola. I later worked there when Avantis dug a basement and expanded. I went to NCHS when it didn't have air conditioning, now its a Jr. high (they are probably teaching the same things). I used to rent the upstairs of a house on vernon right next to the stables, when horses used to live there. I don't care what the owner of a bicycle store says, I will always call it downtown Normal. "

codered wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:19 AM:

" I remember coming Bloomington from Fairbury. My mom would go to Lowell's across from Towanda Plaza, then head to Bergner's to eat lunch. Stop at Zayre's to pacify my need to look at toys (buying what I wanted was not an option), head up 66 to stop at the Oasis in Lexington for an ice cream cone, then head home. "

prairiemon wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:37 PM:

" remember when Bergners was THE place to eat if you were at the mall? "

prairiedog wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:44 PM:

" I was born & raised in B/N, though I haven't lived there in over 40 years. When I was growing up the only golf courses in town were BCC, Lakeside and Highland. The next-closest were the 9-holer in Kappa and the course with sand greens that you could see from Rte. 150 in LeRoy (or was it Farmer City?). Does anyone remember when circus performers would practice off-season in the field next to the Grand Hotel on E. Emerson? To this day, my choice for my last meal would be fried chicken from the Grand Hotel. "

Grandpa Jack wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:05 PM:

" I've lived in Bloomington all my life - that's a long time. Centenial School was located on North Colton Avenue. Going East on Walnut Street you would run into the drive of the 'old' Centenial Grade School. It is still there, now it houses Bloomington Jr. High School. "

bored wrote on Mar 19, 2008 2:38 PM:

" If you can't drive the speed limit, get off the main roads. "

Bluegrass American wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:25 AM:

" Anyone remember Central School in Normal? How about when you bought property, paying for the title search got you the whole abstract to that property. Taking Pipeline Rd to the lake,the sporting goods places to shop was Gibsons and Bloomington Gun. Jacks Shack on Main st in Normal, The Specialty House on Beaufort St, WIOK radio on Main and Virginia Ave. I remember when Ft Jesse was Gravel, all those roads were Gravel out past Beltline.......Rt 9 was paved. There was a Skating rink on Beech st in Normal, can't remember the name of it, but I always heard "Hey Jude" being played there, That building was a bread store before the rink was there. The 18 story dorms where being build around that time. The 27 story dorms came later. I moved out of the area sometime ago, and am always amazed at what is new when I go back and drive through town. I was born and raised in B/N and so were my parents. Dad remembers when Main street past Gregory going north, was dirt. I was too young to remember that. "

prairiedog wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:15 PM:

" Remember Bounce-A-Rama, the trampoline place just in back of Ragusa's? Those died out pretty quickly, probably due to liability issues. And how about Zesto at Clinton & Locust, the second soft ice cream place in B/N after DQ? And here's a REAL oldie: Anyone else remember the Station Store at North & School Sts. in Normal, and the little man that ran it? He always wore a white jacket like a pharmacist, though I think it was really only a candy store. "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:09 PM:

" Ah, yes, the old Lay-Z-J Saloon and their famous "suckulent sandwiches" (their spelling, not mine!!) "

c.a.t.s. wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:23 PM:

" re:bloomington resident i agree.. but reminiscing about the past is a good stress reliever and tom hamilton the city council and the money pit have us locals a little stressed and pissed off it seems only the transplants want and use the money pit.. thanks again judy!!! and tom your time is running out spend while you can TICK TOCK TOMMY TICK TOCK "

Bloomington Resident wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:22 PM:

" It's amazing that there are so many more comments on this fluffy article than on the story about Tom Hamilton's big raise... Amazing what catches people's attention. Yes, I'm transplanted. "

rosie jane wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Does anyone else remember the Mister Softee's ice cream truck that used to run and they had actual soft serve instead of the frozen treats the trucks have now? And Rogers grocery store on Chestnut st? "

shechem wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:06 AM:

" Or how about drag racing on Towanda Barnes road-becaues it was waaaay out of town and had NO traffic. Um I was only watching, never actually participated ;-) "

shechem wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:57 AM:

" Oh, man, I don't even feel that old but I have some good ones. The coney dogs at Velvet Freeze, getting a haircut from Shorty, how about the Dutch Treat (an all vending machine lunch spot that the ladys filled from the back of the machines with hot soups and fresh sandwiches). The pony rides and the pony was given away at the end of the season at the drive-in. Dr. Bailen (the #1 pediatricain in BN). "

rosie jane wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:19 PM:

" And wasn't it Dog & Suds before it became Kips? "

another wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:12 PM:

" jipsi: before the Eagle grocery store on Towanda was Steinberg-Baum. "

c.a.t.s. wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:06 PM:

" how about the red lion and the lazy J when cheep trick, R.E.O. speedwagon,head east and other big name bands played here . or the kickapoo festival down in heyworth what a party..lol.. some of my favs. that have passed on are kips and thier texas burgers.. pizza wests, great sandwiches at lunch when building s/f. o.w rootbeer and thier coney dogs.. and .50 cent draft beers and talking baseball with old man bid. at bids dugout and the latest to go enjoying a smoke with my beer i think i can thank the transplants for that 1 "

spanky wrote on Mar 17, 2008 5:29 PM:

" Do you remember the Roundhouse and railroad yards on Morris Ave? Harris Market on Morris Ave? Kens Tap just down the road from Harris Market on Chestnut St?? Ah, the memories!!! "

HoosierGal wrote on Mar 17, 2008 4:54 PM:

" Yes, I remember Candles 'n Stuff, it had kind of a 70s feel to it. It lasted longer into the 80s (90s?) than I thought it would, never seemed to be very busy. I'd love to go in there now and get some of their groovy merchandise. BTW, I miss Hot Sam pretzels! "

wrongway1987 wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:50 PM:

" How is iy even possible that no one is mentioning Kip's?!?!? I would give anything to have some of that root beer again. "

Catfish wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:03 AM:

" A few more names I don't think have been mentioned: Ragusa's; Sodie's H-D; Anglers' Club; the Bel-Aire Club; Hanner's Market; and Arnold's grocery on Clinton two blocks north of Locust. "

Batwither wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:45 PM:

" Yes, there was a Laesh Dairy Barn at Empire and Linden, but north of Empire on Linden there was a small milk store called "Little Boss". They had several pin ball machines and ice cold bottles of pop. I delivered papers in the Jefferson School area and remember the smell of Beer Nuts cooking early in the morning. I think the plant was on Douglas Street. Delivered papers to Miller's Metropole, the Hi-Di-Ho and of course, who can forget, The Joint General Store. That route was quite an education for a wide-eyed youth of the 60s/70s. "

protohooman wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Going to lawndale for hooch on the Sabbath. "

protohooman wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Transplants can see the future? Is that why they are leaving? "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:34 AM:

" to jipsi; thank you. That's what I was trying to say; you just said it better. "

jipsi wrote on Mar 16, 2008 7:52 AM:

" to Enough, on a lighter note (LOL), Wasn't there ALSO a Tobin's in the downtown spot later known as "Mosey's"? I was trying to think of what was there BEFORE Mosey's, a few days ago, and my sister reminded me of the "downtown Tobin's"... Ring any bells?
...In the late 70's, early 80's, there was a Goodwill downtown on Main, just north of the current CHS building, that had a basement filled with donated furniture. I bought a table there for $10 (ewww, painted black and white), but when I spent the summer stripping it down, discovered I was rehabbing a lovely turn-of-the-century Cherry table. Wish I'd kept that table...
And a special B-N childhood memory for me was spending a couple nights (I think our furnace had broke down) just before Christmas in the Illinois House hotel, looking down from our fifth or sixth floor window one sunny morning at the BEAUTIFUL (shiny and NEWish in 1964!) and lightly-snow-covered Christmas decorations lining the streets, lampposts and traffic lights. Santa Claus was at the (Leath or Stern??) furniture store across the Square and we kids were gonna go see him in person! "

jipsi wrote on Mar 16, 2008 7:35 AM:

" to Enough: You might be the feller here who always complains about news involving towns other than B-N (but always in the Pantagraph/B-N AREA) not being "local" enough... hmmm.

Longtime B-N "townies" will remember more than just B-N: they'll remember Lake Bloomington, Lake Evergreen, Moraine View Park, the Mackinaw River, Hudson, El Paso and its annual Corn Fest, Pontiac Threshermans' Reunion, Clinton Apple n Pork Festival, Towanda, Carlock, the Yuton elevator, Minier, Danvers, Heyworth and it's HeyDays... Downs and Danvers, the Birkelbaw(sp?) Orchard, Stanford, etc.
See, just like there's "area" news, there's "area" reminiscing.
Because many of us remember school games that took place in neighboring towns, and, when we got our license, we drove ALL OVER McLean County and got to know "other" places, all still part of our B-N lives...
All part of being a true B-N townie.
And, for the area folk (Pontiac, Stanford, etc.), they're not "townies", per se, but if they spent a lot of time visiting B-N back in the day (many live in another small area town but have WORKED in B-N their whole lives, too), they have plenty to contribute in the memories department, I think.
;-) "

jipsi wrote on Mar 16, 2008 12:25 AM:

" to OldFart, Cocoa: Perhaps, instead of remembering PLACES lost, we are, in fact, remembering the days (and the places IN those days) of our youth... for some, it was the 80's, many others of us the 70's (myself included), and there are those whose memories of "places" (during the 60's, 50's, even earlier) precede my "time"...

We all remember our "home town" of our "golden days", and since there will always be an overlap, there is a commonality and shared fondness... ;-) "

Enough wrote on Mar 15, 2008 11:54 PM:

" OK, most of us of reasonable age know about Old Chicago, but what heck does it have to do with reminiscing about B-N????? Let's stay on topic here.
Before Schooners we had the Wishing Well. Also don't forget the Hotel Rogers
with the Jolly Roger lounge. Venturas restaurant on South Main North of
Wiley Pontiac and across Stewart st from Boogie Tavern. After it closed was
the site of Tobins Pizza South. And any townie knows the big fella Jim T really
got pizza prominent in the twin burgs. "

Cocoa wrote on Mar 15, 2008 9:30 PM:

" To jipsi - Yep, I remember Old Chicago! I also remember a Candles N Stuff shop, although I admit to not recalling if I saw it here or in a mall from the 'burbs. I'm still rather young but I've moved quite a few times and don't always recall where I saw something or where I know someone from.

To: Old Fart - Love the Carly Simon reference and quote! I agree; I think she was onto something with that line.



"

dmlh wrote on Mar 15, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Geez....was born in 1974 at "Brokaw" "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 15, 2008 3:24 PM:

" This has certainly been a fun story and line of comments to read. What is interesting is that we all seem to hold a certain reverence for what we remember from a certain time in our own lives (my own included). This is certainly not a condemnation; merely an observation. Perhaps we are too quick to put down the new; remember, our own old favorites replaced what came before them. Maybe Carly Simon was right; these ARE the good old days! Just something to think about. "

rosie jane wrote on Mar 15, 2008 1:07 PM:

" Oh yeah...Phone-a-Feast was the best!! "

another wrote on Mar 15, 2008 12:24 PM:

" What about the Half-Way House. The first steak house on the belt line? the Velvet Freeze on Main Street in Bloomington, Learman's on Main Street, too many beautiful old homes that have gone under the wreaking ball for the Bloomington Library, City Hall, gas stations. The fair grounds that were on main street where DQ is. I'm not a townie, but have lived in McLean Co all my life. Those will always be landmarks to me. "

steelhorse wrote on Mar 15, 2008 8:11 AM:

" This has been a wonderful trip down memory lane! Thanks to everyone for sharing! Speaking of the Eagle grocery store, gatorbait, how about May's Drug Store that was there some time before that. Anyone remember Lynn's Standard that was on the northeast corner of Towanda and Empire? And the Mister Donut behind that on the service road? Sandy's across the street where Arby's currently is? Eisner Foods in the Towanda Plaza? "

seamus wrote on Mar 15, 2008 6:30 AM:

" Does anyone remember Phone-A-Feast???? "

jipsi wrote on Mar 15, 2008 3:45 AM:

" EGbert: I took lessons a year before you, 1986. Later found I was better at booking and working FOR bands (as opposed to being IN one)...LOL. B-N ROCKED in the 80's, even Co-op Records would host live bands (like "Screams"!) in their PARKING LOT (in the area of Citizens Bank, the once-Garcia's and (I can't remember the name of) art shop "strip mall"...
There were TONS of live-music venues then. Now, not so much.

for Cocoa: You probably remember "Old Chicago" then, don't you? Kind of a landmark between Dwight and Chicago South, huge complex, off 55, with amusement-park atmosphere, shopping, etc.
Amtrak passenger rail was actually COOL, in the 70's, and we'd catch it to and from Chicago OR St. Louis at the old Train Depot off of Front St. on the west side (anyone 'member that?); back then, there were ASHTRAYS in the arms of the seats, and you *could* open a window (though I remember we weren't *supposed* to...).
Eastland Mall: anyone remember the Candles 'n' Stuff shop just beside Bergner's? The big concrete (painted) Dolphin, Turtle, etc. statues that we kids were allowed to climb and play on, in the main mall? "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:34 PM:

" what about bonanza? when i was a kid, they had the penny per pound special for kids. i remember double nickel, which was over by gradys. they had green river pop, which was awesome. and dabneys, over by k-mart. the ground round with the popcorn and old mickey mouse movies. the dollar theater. i remember when eagle grocery store used to be on towanda where the post office is. "

cocoa wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:27 PM:

" I am a hybrid, I guess. I have been here since the mid-90s, so I remember some of the places mentioned, like Finnigan's Videos, but I am a transplant from the Chicago 'burbs, so I admit to patronizing a lot of the chain restaurants and stores more than local-owned. I also admit to missing a lot of what's available in Chicago as far as shopping. But I don't miss the traffic congestion and crime up there. I'd like to find a happy medium, but I don't think it exists. Even though I am not familiar with most of the names I'm seeing bantered around in these posts, I've enjoyed reading the trips down memory lane you all are having. :) "

The Extra Crispy JD wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:17 PM:

" Townies live in the past. Transplants see the future. "

me wrote on Mar 14, 2008 5:07 PM:

" i just got done taking my son to miller park zoo. remember the old entrance with the revolving gate thing. "

JTE wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:39 PM:

" Hmmm... Welcome Inn, Velvet Freeze, Randall's, Lindy's Hardware, Chuck's Deli in DOWNtown Normal. Rudat's, Miller Music, Brown's Home & Auto, The Woolen Mill, Mobes, and Discount Den in downtown Bloomington. The Park Store, Skip Drybread's electronic store, York Radio when they were across Front Street from Monkey Wards, Bloomington Gun Company, Murray's Hobbyland (it was on Main Street right by where Gaile's is now). Robrick's Music, Dick Benson, Ax-In-Hand when Jim was in the basement. McLean County Pant Company, The Joint General Store, the amusement rides (merry-go-round, the train, and the ferris wheel) at Miller Park. Bob Johnson's, Streid's, The Bungalow (later Tom's Steakhouse), Tien Tsien, Yen Ching, The Split Rail, Someplace Else, The Red Lion Inn, Gaddy's Tap, The Lazy-J Saloon, White's Circus, and Oakland Bowl.

"

prairiedog wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:22 AM:

" to rosie jane: You're right, it was the Hamilton Hotel that jipsi had inmind. Another one of the slightly seedy places on Front St. that I wrote about earlier. Do you remember the Tilden Hall hotel on W. Washington, at Madison, I believe? I used to get my hair cut in the barber shop in the lobby when I was a kid. Switching to DOWNTOWN Normal, do you remember Hall's Tog Shop, Kline's Coffee Shop, Blunk's Barber Shop, and the annual Tomato Festival (before there was a Cornfest or Sweet Corn & Blues Festival)? "

rosie jane wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:15 AM:

" jipsi wrote " I remember another hotel in the downtown Bloomington area, but can't put my finger (or noodle) on the NAME... It was already in a state of decline, so to speak, in the late 70's or so, on Front Street, I believe, behind the old bank on Washington, between Prairie and Gridley, I think. It was a scary place to walk or ride your bike by, what with there always being some people hanging around outside, drinking or whatever"
I believe this was the Hamilton Hotel. (I posted a response to this earlier but apparently it was rejected for some reason) "

jipsi wrote on Mar 14, 2008 4:15 AM:

" Someone mentioned Strickland Chevrolet, which was Johnny Martin Chevrolet before that. Don Stone Ford across the road (Beltline & Morrissey). Norton Rust (Used Cars & Service) on Washington & RooseveltSt. cader-corner from the Pantagraph building (sold me my first car, a 1971 Dodge Demon)... Clay Dooley Tire on Gridley just south of Front St., and Twin City Hydramatic afterwards... in Normal, on Beaufort, across from Banner Bread, was an old Laundromat (below the Odd Fellows Lodge?)... The Welcome Inn on North St. (with The Stadium bar downstairs?); I skipped school and was hanging out there one day, just enjoying my 23rd cup of coffee or so, when the DEAN came in for lunch and asked me what I was doing there (BUSTED!)... "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:09 PM:

" To: In Japan - I know there are still a few in the states. I didn't know they had them in other countries... interesting. Jim Olsen owned the ones in Central Illinois during the late 80's to early 90's. "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:06 PM:

" To: NoLongerTowny - Finnigan's was on the corner of Morrisey and Lafayette. Bob Finnigan was an interesting guy, to say the least, but I liked him. It's a Tae Kwon Do place, now. "

Enough wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:23 PM:

" How about lining up headed south @ the light on main st, across from
the Mission and in front of Lee Devarys car lot, just down from Bakers famous for hamburgers 15cents? A long block drag race of 2 lanes until you came up on the
old Viaduct which was 1 lane both ways. You sped by Chris Calhouns service
(now Fred Groves), and the old Butts,then Galloway Ford. If you lost in the
right hand lane your choices were hop up on the sidewalk, stop or head down under the viaduct and end up at the 3rd ward club. Yup, I'm a townie. now you have to go out on veterans parkway to risk your neck. "

Uncle Buster wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:00 PM:

" re 1st shakey's: at the time they were in buisness, dad farmed what was then south of brandtville(now do it center) , south of johnny martin (strickland) chevy and between the ford dealer and that little bunchof houses off mercer "

In Japan wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:03 PM:

" -Beowulf and others
I was visiting Tokyo and they have Shakey's Pizza. We weren't sure if it was the Shakey's or a pizza place with the same name. But I had dinner there and yes, it was a Shakey's. It's easier to get it here than back in B-N. "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:48 PM:

" To Farkel - Lived here all my life... just too young to remember the first Shakey's, I guess. I remember hearing about it, just never went there that I remember. "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:45 PM:

" Uncle Buster - That must have been the first Shakey's. I worked at the second one. "

NoLongerTowny wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:11 PM:

" Does anyone remember Finnigan's video store in South Bloomington on what used to be the edge of town. I think it may have been on the same street that Grady's Pizza is on now. The club Cheetah's that was in Normal for a bit was in the old location of the Varsity Club which is now an apartment complex for college students. I have only been out of B/N for 5 years and every time my wife and i drive back there is always something different to see. I can still remember going to the drive in behind the DairyQueen on south Main and also remember seeing Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure at the Eastland Cinema. Reminds me of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. "If your here, and I'm here...isn't OUR time" Long live Spicoli! "

me wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:44 PM:

" oh yeah and you can't forget the old mcdonalds on towanda road that is now a bank. all of that and im sure there is more and im only 34. i also was aware of the old tractor supply downtown. "

me wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:42 PM:

" ok here we go. i use to walk to the steak n shake that is now kellers w my grandma. when that closed it was the one that is now a family video. kips is now a thi resterant. the mall had a water fountain by bergners and the movie theather. and the fountains at collegehills mall. we went to mr quicks with my grandpa and millers downtown with the monkey with my grandma. i went to school at the old junior high. and washington grade school was the high school (that was before me). my sister has a big stuff tiger from sambos( still upstairs) and woolworth and walgreens were the dime stores @ the mall. "

Egbert wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:29 PM:

" JIPSI- I took lessons from Hogan in 1987- you? About the bricks- we got rid of the ones we hadn't used a few years ago.... got tired of moving them every time we'd move... yeah.. the Gallery.. I used to hang there all the time... I had totally forgotten "Roper's Acoustic"... doesn't even sound familiar! Of course the Music Shoppe used to be Downtown... and of course the Velvet Freeze... "

gbean wrote on Mar 13, 2008 3:42 PM:

" Okay, what about Sambo's on north Main in Normal. We lived across from it when I was 5 (back in 73) "

Tony S. wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:57 AM:

" The Hi-De-Ho Lounge, The Joint General Store and the Playboy Playmate Jill Devries who worked there and the Yah Tah Hey Indian tourquois store on the square in Bloomington. "

Tony S. wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:49 AM:

" How about The Caboose clothing store in downtown Normal in what later I think was Abe's Carmelcorn. Mr Kelly's pizza across from the Normal Theater. Hendren's Grocery on Willow Street. Park and Shop on Pine St. in Normal. Ash Street & Suddith Rd.(now College Ave). I believe it was Tex's Gas Station on Beaufort where Watterson Towers is now. The ISU Farm where U-High and ISU's soccer fields now stand. Jesse Sumner. Eisners Grocery in downtown Normal which then became the Normal Public Library. The Falcon Restaurant and Motel on Main in Normal. Skelly Truck Stop in North Normal on RT. 51. Alexander Lumber in downtown Normal. The Ice House in Bloomington. Savidge's Bowling Lanes downtown Bloomington on Front St I believe. Proud to be a townie. "

jipsi wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:45 AM:

" Egbert: Roper's Acoustic! That's where Mike Hogan taught guitar, and where I took lessons, way back in the mid-80's... Wow. Is he still around here?? And just a step or two away, the original Galery (one "l"), with its wood exterior wall literally covered with band flyers and posters (some of which I nabbed and saved); great music upstairs, fantastic food (Galery Egg Rolls... fried rice... Sweet n Sour chicken... mmmmm) downstairs... we always had a quick bite there before joining the crowd in that tiny set of rooms up those narrow, steep stairs to enjoy the live music...
And, you wouldn't have any of those University St. bricks still around, would you? I'm desperately looking for some low-cost bricks for a patio, so I can relax outside in the afternoons this summer! LOL... "

Farkel wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Beowolf: Shakey's on Eldorado? You're more a newbie than you realize. Shakey's was first on Holiday Drive, north of what was then the Holiday Inn. Silent movies, pizza, fried chicken, beer. The other Shakey's was where Chevy's is today. It would be interesting to list all the restaurants that have occupied that space.

Jipsi: Yes, there was a Brown's chicken, on Vernon between IAA drive and Towanda.

Old fart: The milk house on Empire was a Laesch Dairy Barn, wasn't it?

Peanut gallery: Do you remember The Wishing Well?

Seymour Butz: Before it was Bob Knapp's, it was Bob Johnson's. A real all-night diner. Every once in a while, I encounter "broasted" chicken, which is what they served. Basically, it's deep fried in a pressure cooker. I can understand how that might have been problematic. "

Egbert wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:06 AM:

" There was a nice old man who lived in a tiny house behind what is now Cosi (used to be Brewmaster and before that Mike Hogan's (guitar teacher) studio) in Downtown Normal. He kept pigeons, and he would let them out of their coop (probably daily) and they'd circle over Downtown for a while then go back to their coop. Well, the house is gone, the old man is probably gone, and the pigeons are gone.... "

Egbert wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:37 AM:

" University St. (Normal) used to be brick... well one year they tore it up and put the bricks at the dump, where anyone could go take them. We took them... more than 4000 of them... and made patios out of them at various locations.. even as far away as Shelbyville. They tore up that street in what... 81 or 2? It was also fun to listen to Casey Casem's American Top 40 on WBNQ - when actual SONGS were played on the radio...... "

catfish wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:32 AM:

" What about the real pool halls - the Cheyenne, the Saratoga and the Empire? Front Street downtown was once a blaze of neon at night.

And for the best family food and the best drive-in in town - Hubbard's Cubord (not cupbord).

When Fell Avenue in Normal was a brick street...

Going to Kappa on Sunday nights because B/N was dry on Sundays... "

jipsi wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:44 AM:

" to HoosierGal:

I will agree with you there... some of the worst intersections in town ARE now much more manageable. Remember trying to turn LEFT onto Clinton (either way!) from Washington St., in front of Mr. Quick's? That was a nightmare in the afternoons!
The roads have definitely improved. So have the city buses (and their schedules). "

Uncle Buster wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:38 AM:

" beowulf- was that the incarnation of shakeys that used to show silent movies? "

HoosierGal wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:16 PM:

" Does anyone remember Mr. Tees coffee shop in downtown Bloomington? My mom used to take me there when I was very young. What about Rax restaurant that was at Veteran's and Eastland Drive (now a bank)? I loved their roast beef sandwiches. Remember when there was a McDonald's on Towanda across from the current post office? I remember going to birthday parties in their private party room as a kid. One thing I do like about the "modern" times are that traffic lights are now at intersections such as Hershey and Empire. "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:00 PM:

" Shakey's on El Dorado was a great place for a while. Any former employees on here? "

Egbert wrote on Mar 12, 2008 4:41 PM:

" Wow. I remember the Pizza World on west Willow (in the A-Frame building)... the IGA across from ISu on Main st., Clark Gas station on Main in Normal.. HENDREN'S Market- on Willow and School in Normal... I think the Eastland Cinema was called just that..saw Star Wars there back in '77... it ran there for at least ONE WHOLE YEAR... Arthur Treachers Fish place was by Krogers on east College.. Wiley Pontiac and Thornton Chevy.. the Sinorak... and there used to be a drive-in by the Sinorak.. man when you get to thinking about it its kind of sad.. memories come flooding back! I remember the train tracks (vs. the Constitution Trail).. Apple Tree Records... when Ft. Jesse was an asphalt country road from Beech to Belt Line.. "

pantareader wrote on Mar 12, 2008 2:14 PM:

" I've got the best of both worlds: I'm a townie who moved away and came back again after 30 years. Yes, that talking Christmas tree in Eastland Mall was scarey, especially when it was my sister Patty inside. Mom worked for MusicLand in the Mall and we were there for every crazy event owner Mike I. cooked up, like the Piano Marathons, or the "Great Race" between his MusicLand in Eastland Mall, up route 66 to his store in Joliet. "

jack in the box wrote on Mar 12, 2008 2:06 PM:

" Does anyone remember the Gibson's Sporting Good's on Main in Normal I went there to get my first bike. Also Shakeys Pizza was where we went to hang out. CHicago Dough factory on Vernon was my favorite. How about Mennonite Hospital and Brokaw before they joined. Laesh Dairy had the best CHoc. Milk. THe Camel Back Bridge was scary when I was young. I also remember the horse stable in Normal. I remeber the restaraunt in Bergners. "

Inaperfectworld wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:55 AM:

" Mr. Flick, thank you for bringing back so many memories of Bloomingtons past for the "townies." Anyone remember when we had 3 dime stores on Main St? Woolworth's, Kresges, and McClellan's. The Jefferson Cafeteria on Main? Pine's Dress Shop? Fredrick's? Paul Anderson's? Rocket Car Wash? I loved watching them wash my dad's Edsel there. Gas was only 27 cents/gal on Oakland Ave. You could run the "gag" route all night for less than a buck. "

prairiedog wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:10 AM:

" To B/N Reader and others: Yes, I remember the Rogers Hotel and the Jolly Roger lounge/restaurant inside, where kids got to reach in a barrel for a "prize" after dinner. Also, do you remember the HUGE ice cream concoction at Boylan's called a Pig Dinner? It was served in a trough, and if you finished it they gave you a button that said "I was a pig at Boylan's"! And the ersatz-German sayings painted on the ceiling beams at the Village Inn, e.g. "Ve are too soon oldt und too late schmart"! "

tucker wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:09 AM:

" When I was a kid, Eastland Mall had a grocery store. I think it was A&P or IGA. There was also a Walgreens, Wooworths, a movie theatre (all the hot HS boys worked there as I recall). And, yes, the talking Christmas tree was creepy!!! "

tucker wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:07 AM:

" I got very talented at closing businesses while I was in college...remember The Outlet? Thrifty Drugs? (both in Towanda Plaza) or Murray's Jewelers (in the Kmart plaza)? I finally went to work for Country where I didn't think they'd close! "

Uncle Buster wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:37 AM:

" what happened to the collesium (no not the judydrome). this was off the north end of veterans and had great pizza (as far a s my then young uneducated palate was concerned) and rollerscating. we went there with church groups. school groups and even just with the family. dont ever remember going there when it wasnt busy "

prairiedog wrote on Mar 11, 2008 5:50 PM:

" Remember when Front St. had a slightly disreputable aura? Marben's was a step below Moberly & Klenner, the Green Mill was a dive, etc. My first time bowling was when my older brother took me to Savage's, before the days of sanitized "family" bowling at Oakland Bowl and Circle Lanes. In high school days, my buddies and I thought we were tough guys hanging out and shooting pool at the Silver Dollar... "

What now? wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:21 PM:

" Umm. The talking Christmas Tree at eastland Mall was scary. "

TMIB wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:18 PM:

" michelle24- Browns was right next to where La Gondola is now. The old Chicago Dough was at the corner. Browns had great chicken. It was always a treat when we traded pizza for chicken on a slow night. We would use the Browns parking lot to get to the Freedom at the end of the night. Oh, the memories. Those were some good times in high school and college. "

michelle24 wrote on Mar 11, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Hey, Jipsi:: yep, there was a Brown's chicken in the 80's. It was where La gandola is on the corner of Vernon ave, I believe across from Jeffery Alan's. My mom used to work there. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 11, 2008 2:40 PM:

" does anyone remember the movie theater at eastland mall, next to bergners? or how about woolworth....or fan fair. wasn't there a walgreens in the mall near sears? "

Seymour Butz wrote on Mar 11, 2008 10:49 AM:

" What about Bob Knapp's chicken on the south side of Bloomington? That was some good fried chicken. You cannot get that anymore. "

TMIB wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:56 AM:

" MMMMM, Chicago Dough Co. La Gondola is a good resturant, but its hard to walk into that building. Chicago Dough was awsome. I hope Denny and Jean are doing well. I worked there for many years in High School and College. I even met my girlfriend working there!!! Oh the memories. I heard Roger is still around at the new place(Chicago Style Pizzaria). I don't know what happened to all the other long time employees. "

BSS wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:38 AM:

" To Beowulf: Yes, you're right...thanks for clearing that up. It was O&W (which, yes, was the good stuff!)
To Jipsi: Bronco Billys - thanks!
Had another one come to my mind last night...the talking Christmas tree at Eastland Mall "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:31 AM:

" I worked for Town & Country Delivery one summer, used to deliver groceries from Dulin's Market; hadn't seen that one yet.... "

jipsi wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:15 AM:

" Just remembered (answering my earlier question on the old South Main BLM. Home Improvement store): FURROW'S!!

Also, when the Community News was called The PennySaver? The retired clown (Bimbo? Bobo?) who manned (owned?) the gas station next to Baskin Robbins on Main in Normal (I think it's STILL a vacant lot?)... The Quinn's Texaco on Main St. just north of downtown Blm. where Mr. Quinn & family still offered FULL SERVICE long after self-serve pumps....WAIT! Quinn & his Texaco are STILL THERE doing the full service thing, right? One of the longest-lived mom 'n' pop op's in the twin cities, and deserves mention... :-)
I'm so caught up in the nostalgia... must... stop.... "

jipsi wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:00 AM:

" I still call it Burwell's, too... MISS Abe's Carmelcorn... Adolph's Discount Center on the plaza with Bob Johnson's Brandtville... the sub sandwich shop on corner of Morris & Oakland! GREAT sandwiches... the A&P at Eastland that was replaced by Hardee's (which, in turn, caused Gaslight Grill to close down and I was without a job... ;-( )... the Lums restaurant in front of Eastland (which was replaced by the same Morris/Oakland sub shop in its expansion!)... the Beef Place (A-framed building on IAA Dr. just off K-Mart parking lot, now a title loan place?)... Zayre's (worked and shopped there)... picking up sweet feed for my horses at the feed & grain place across Sale Barn Rd. from the Sale Barn (now a gas station)... what was the Home Improvement store there on South Main called (now R.P. Lumber?)?? (was the only such place in town, for a long time)... "

jipsi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:36 PM:

" to BSS: it was BRONCO BILLY'S (that had the machanical bull, out on South Main, Blm)! Now, memory's unclear here: was it BB's BEFORE or AFTER it was the Poison Apple?? I danced there one night! ("Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", Santa Esmeralda, disco lights, sunken dance floor, and my leather platform books, amber "bomber" sunglasses, and embroidered all over matching gauchos and vest (ick, but that was THEN)...)

There was an all-night Skelly's truckstop on South Main way back, too, where we'd drink loads of coffee before heading home at dawn, not a nice place, but was cool for a bit when the whole "trucker"/convoy/C.B. radio thing was big... "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:30 PM:

" Sorry BSS. I didn't see your post. It was the "O&W Root Beer Stand". A&W came on the scene later. "

jipsi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:28 PM:

" to Longtimetownie: omg, I remember Banner Bread! Walking home from school (Chiddix) we'd just pause and BREATHE IN the heavenly baking-bread smells. Later years, same area, I'd peek in at APPLE TREE RECORDS then stop at CHUCK'S DELI (can't believe no one's remembered it yet!) for Cokes and a basket of fries... and to Pioneer: I remember the ice cream place; it was just down the street (south) of University Cinemas! Not too far south, same Main St. area, a cute little white and red building called "The Time Shop" or something like that? Repaired on clocks and watches. I believe OSF own the property now, the little watch hut was torn down sometime in the early 90's, if I remember correctly... on the same block, a red A-frame place called "The Hottle House". "

Beowulf wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:28 PM:

" Shows how long I've been around - anyone remember the O&W Root Beer stand on south Main in Bloomington? (Yes - The O&W not that A&W crap) Best BBQ sandwiches I've ever had. "

wilderness1989 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:24 PM:

" Speaking of bars remember the 6-11 Club at 611 N. Main and Vic's Set Up Club for after the bars closed? Vic's was upstairs in the last building in the 500 block of main on the East side. "

jipsi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:58 PM:

"
MY BAD... the two chicken places *I* described in an earlier posts were NOT "Brown's Chicken", they WERE, in fact, "Famous Recipes" (and I WORKED there... shame on me, shame on my fuzzifying memory...LOL)... Wonder, WAS there a Brown's Chicken restaurant in town that's caused me the momentary lapse into confusion?...

to seamus: THANKS for jogging (and CORRECTING, inadvertently) my memory...
"

BSS wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:12 PM:

" Forgot to ask...can anyone remember the name of the bar far out on south main that had the mechanical bull? Too young to go there at the time but I remember hearing about it. "

BSS wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:08 PM:

" Thanks everyone for the great reminders of what this town used to be...so many memories. Places I had completely forgotten about or forgot the name. I also remember....WW Bake Shop at the corner of clinton and washington (at 16, loved the arcade games there), the old railroad tracks on East Washington and East Oakland you used to have to drive under, how BEAUTIFUL downtown bloomington was at Christmas time, Montgomery Wards when it was downtown before it was at the old College Hills Mall, the A & W rootbeer stand on south main in bloomington (I think it was main and lincoln??). Wow, thinking about it all reminds me how those REALLY were the good old days! "

Publius wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:19 PM:

" OK, I guess I gotta get in on this. For all you drinkers and exdrinkers - The Alley Club, The Library Club, the Black & White, Ben's Den, The Red Lion and Shakey's Pizza ( both downtown and out by Circle Lanes) when it was a very hot band scene. God, I'm old, but it beats some of the alternatives. "

longtimetownie wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:02 PM:

" Banner Bread on the corner of Linden and Beaufort made all of "Downtown" Normal smell like a loaf of bread, John Bull Roast Beef Restaurant, Spudnut Doughnut Shop, Taco Gringo, AJ Sound Shop, Sandy's, Towanda Plaza Liquor instead of "Cheeks", Driscoll Shell, "Teen Time" at Velvet Freeze, Randall's, IGA across from Metcalf, Janet Hayslip Dance Studio, KayLynn's Restaurant, The "Bermuda Triangle" on Front St., Shakey's Pizza, Bob's Drive In Diner, That little grocery store on State Street next to Washington Elementary, I believe it was "Hanners", there's more that I can't think of right now, but I'm sure someone will think of them. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 5:27 PM:

" To: Country Boy and 420man. Stop It, the jabs and insults and Quit ruining the mood of this for everyone else. "

it's me wrote on Mar 10, 2008 5:02 PM:

" To: 420 man: I liked it. If you didn't, don't read the column anymore. Simple. "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:49 PM:

" Didn't there used to be an S & H green stamp redemption center on N Main St? "

Lawndale Reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:49 PM:

" Oh wow... O & W. I remember spending the night with my Grandma and walking to O & W to get the little jugs full of rootbeer. Diana Foods was across the street and she used to send me over to pick up a few things for her. I remember when NCHS had open lunch and we'd go get Garcia's pizza by the slice or a loaf of bread and sauce from Avanti's for $1.10. I also remember seeing "ET and Star Wars" at Eastland Mall when they had a theater. Anyone remember Cheetah's, the under 21 club that didn't last long? I think it might have been the White Horse Inn at one time. What a great article, brings back great memories of living and growing up in B/N. "

Chelly wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:33 PM:

" 5 yr transplant here and agree Beningo's is way better than Olive Garden any day. Also CJ's is a classic. Another good one is mention Denny's and most transplants think the chain vs the Doughnut shop. "

Country Boy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:21 PM:

" ouch, that really hurt 420 man. I bet you graduated from HIGH school. keep on toking dude because you are way to cool! Do not let the name deceive you, which it has, far from a hick and lets compare paychecks sometime since I have the feeling you work at cleaning your stash all day and thats about it...
"

michelle24 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:39 PM:

" Bill Flick, you rock! :) keep your articles comming! "

420 man wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:29 PM:

" country boy go milk your cows. my opinion is his columns are terrible and waste a salary and space. i am shocked you know how to read hick boy "

hillbilly wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:22 PM:

" irvin theater..kresges..castle theater...woolwothworhs..gulp...5 and dime..lol ALL downtown
"

hillbilly wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:18 PM:

" hey bill. dont forget places like sinorak smorgasbord,the "gag",a&w on main and the driving range amusement park on south main........sigh "

Country Boy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:50 PM:

" Glad to see 420 put in his pennys worth, if its worth that. Why dont you get back to the hooka and waste your own time and not ours. Obviously you seem to like your time wasted...
There are some people on here that appreciate a story like this... "

Country Boy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:30 PM:

" garcias over by the old NCHS. There was a great sandwich shop down the block called Subconcious. How many people remember what Avantis USED to look like? Do you remember when Grady's Pizza used to deliver beer along with their great pizza's? How about the drive in theatre on south main and also Pee Wee golf used to take up half of where State Farm park sits now. It had carnival rides, a cool minature locomotive that wound around the rides and back into the woods, batting cages, a game room, go-carts, minature golf and much more...ah, such great memories... "

cubbies wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:29 PM:

" I didn't see O&W in the blogs. Awesome coney dogs! Remember when Jewel/Osco was on the corner of Veterans and Oakland...sort of...and that family buffet was inbetween it and SF Corporate. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:19 PM:

" To: Ziggy. Are ya thinkin bout the Skatin Place out on S. Morris that was owned by Gene Cunningham? That place went downhill quick I heard, lots of teenage bad behavior( drugs, drinkin, fightin) Nice idea but not well supervised. "

rbll wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:11 PM:

" to Oldtimer: It was the Velvet Freeze & the "Normal Coffee Club" met there 6 mornings a week & spun quarters promptly @ 9:15am to see who bought the coffee.
& Conterino's Jewelry across the street.
& the huge chicken on top of the Bob Johnson's restaurant @ Belt Line & 150, w/the cop directing @ 1am on fri./sat. nights after the bars closed when everyone went for breakfast. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:10 PM:

" Here I go again. Does anyone recall when Chaunce Conklin( Barn 2 in Goodfield, Ill. now) dinner theater was playing at The Illinois House or the Lafayette Club? Or his childrens plays at the 'Consistory' back in the 60's and 70's? I sure know I do. I enjoyed them all thoroughly. "

pweb wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:49 AM:

" rememeber when you could go to the 1$ theater (now make a mess) and see the movies like right before htey came to VHS. saw some of the best movies ever theere and it was cheap. ahh the good ol days. oh and when state farm used to be just that...a farm!!!! "

ziggy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I forgot about skate america! And there used to be another skating rink on the other side of town. I can't remember the name of it.
And way out on south main there used to be a amusment park type area - we used to ride go carts there. And the white elephant? I think it used to be a bar/dance club?
Someone refresh my memory? "

mixdown wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:04 AM:

" The Irascible Fachna hit the nail right on the head. I'm one of the ones who complains about what it's not yet. I grew up in Detroit (although I've lived here for 11 years now). And I pushed hard for the arena, because nowhere is anything without hockey. And yes, I'm a Bloomington resident and don't really care how it's paid for, as long as it exists. Before I moved down here, I had never seen a farm and actually thought that food originated at the grocery store (I had heard rumors otherwise, but was never sure). And at least this place HAD a Little Caesar's Pizza, but then it shut down, which sucked. Yep, that's me. Don't get me wrong, I love this city. But it still has a long way to go. I always get a thrill heading into the downtown of bigger markets (even Peoria) and I just don't get that feeling of awe in downtown Bloomington. At least Normal is building something. That's always good to see. "

The Peanut Gallery wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:12 AM:

" I know I'm a Townie because I can remember when "Schooner's" was "Eddie-Pat's".

TPG "

loveleelady75 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:07 AM:

" To 420 man and who cares!
Go back home!! "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:06 AM:

" WOW! I never realized how true these things are. It's a shame that all of our family owned shop's (Gene's, Denny's doughnuts, etc...) are being replaced by corporations. To those who own business' in town keep it up, there are those of us who appreciate you. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:53 AM:

" to: jipsi. I recall my mom mentioning Boylan's Ice Cream On W. Market. She told me her grandmother lived in the house across the street. And does anyone recall Elmers garage on Douglas and Prairie. He owned it for 50 yrs. It was my grandfathers garage before that. I am told he built it in the 20's and my grandmother sold it in 1946, after he passed. Now thats some ancient history there. "

Pioneer4650 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Ah, what memories. A challenge for really, really oldtimers. Remember Wilson's Ice Cream shop on Main Street across from Casey's, and the Maid Rite Hamburger place at the corner of Main and Division? Also the drive-up Dairy Queen on Main in Normal, only open in summer,the first soft icecream place in town? "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:13 AM:

" Well I can't get back to the furure. Does anyone recall Bob Johnson's Brandtville restaurant. My parents bought his house on E. Grove St. and thats where I was raised. Yep I am good old B'town people. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:07 AM:

" Hey folks, I got a couple more for ya. Does anyone know that Schooners used to be called The Wishing Well or that Killarneys used to be called The Hi-De-Ho. I recall my parents saying they were going there. Anyone recall Rudy's( next to Central Station) or Shanigans on Front and East( when it was in B'town). Or when Nybakke vacuum was on Front St.? "

Oldtimer wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:49 AM:

" Ice cream places. Anyone remember the ice cream place in Normal close to the Normal theater. I think it was the Wonder freeze or something like that. The Normal Library was just to the right of the ice cream place. Also, Coen's Drug Store was on the corner of North and Broadway. "

B/N reader wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:46 AM:

" Hi . I got another for ya'll. Remember Paul Anderson( I think it's the Bistro now or next to it), a very high end ladies fashion shop. My grandmother bought stuff there and it was good quality stuff too. And Montgomery Sewing shop and Miller Music on Main St. I recall the HVAC floor vent at the entance to Livingstons too. Does anyone recall the Turn of the Century club on main or Mosey's( great live music there- now its Daddios) and Suzies Cafe( now Rhinos). My uncle had a dance studio right across the street where the parking lot is back in the 60's. And who can forget the old Metropole or the Twenty Grand Tap( now Rosies). My brother used to go there for 25c drafts nite. Thank god Lucca's has survived. Ya can't walk past that place in the summer without getting hungry( the aroma in the air). Wow -old B'town, what a trip into the past this has been. "

Oldtimer wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:45 AM:

" To Old Fart, are you thinking of Laesch's Dairy. And while we're at it, how about Prairie Farms Dairy, and the Normal Sanitary Dairy. I remember the milkman delivering milk in glass botttles. For some stronger stuff, what about the Polar Lounge on North Main south of the Consistory. Restaurants...how about the Village Inn where you had to go down a flight of stairs to get to the restaurant. And Auth's... And Streids out on the ole Beltline. "

loveleelady75 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:54 AM:

" OK so how about a story of all that was and was great How bout it Mr Flick!! I wanna Help!!! And Iam I the only one who misses the Real Red Fox Grocery and the Grocery store Devarey's on Market st and i used to live in those apartments when i was a baby. I also walked to park store every day before going to Linclon Elm now Linclon Leasere center. And who could Forget Mr Quicks !! After School!!! "

Freedm Aint Free wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:31 AM:

" It wasn't too long ago ~ walking home from Central Catholic (on Center), walking through Franklin Park and getting my favorite bakery treat and a chocolate milk from Mike's Market. They truly were the best. "

Freedm Aint Free wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:28 AM:

" Don't forget about Carl's Ice Cream. I also remember when the Shell on Main and Raab still had garage bays. "

who cares wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:41 AM:

" what about pats pool hall on w.market where the new church is.mandingos head shop the red lion and garcias pizza in normal. "

Old Fart wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:16 AM:

" Does anyone remember a place called the Milk House that I believe was on Linden Street just off of Empire? Or did I imagine it? "

loveleelady75 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:53 AM:

" Hello I love this artical !!!ANd I rember all of it I been here all my life!! It is great to see others Love it too!! I will be at Geans every week till the End of the season and carls has a 4 season shop so thats whear I get my winter ice cream Fix!!I have never been to Cold stone and do not plan on it any time soon!!! Ps I rember the Sub Shop that was on the corner of W Oakland and Morris ave!! Any bodyelse!! "

seamus wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:29 AM:

" How about these: remember Phone-a-Feast? Or Famous Recipie Chicken? I think Skate America was where U-haul now is on Main st. It's also a crime to close the old Steak n' Shake restaurants. Just plain wrong!!! "

jipsi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:07 AM:

" and, last but not least, to Ziggy: I do remember Burger Chef, and STILL miss its "Super Chef" and the "Fixin's" bar to this day (blame Hardee's for THAT tragic loss)... in the same north Main St. vicinity, one of the two Brown's Chicken restaurants in town (the other on South Main, past Eisner's and Pizza World) where I enjoyed working for several years in my youth (remember Gizzards Day? LOL)... "

jipsi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:52 AM:

" I remember another hotel in the downtown Bloomington area, but can't put my finger (or noodle) on the NAME... It was already in a state of decline, so to speak, in the late 70's or so, on Front Street, I believe, behind the old bank on Washington, between Prairie and Gridley, I think. It was a scary place to walk or ride your bike by, what with there always being some people hanging around outside, drinking or whatever. Some favorite old nightspots I 'member well: the Lazy J Saloon (Market Street, across from Holton Homes), the Red Lion, Front Row Club, Scotty's, Mosey's (and the Metropole beside it), the Sundown Lounge, the Dustcutter... And even tho' it's not that long ago, I'll add another,