Remember the after school specials? School house rock? Good wholesome TV I tell ya back then...

he was dressed as one of the lab rats,nerdy type,goofy guy! I saw that episode! Wonder Woman was my hero as a kid! Even had the Under roos!

And don't forget the Banana Splits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6I5DzMYq...

HR PufnStuf and witchy Poo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-yLYz6ej...

How about Sigmund and the Sea monsters? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3U9BuOMk...

Did you know Land of the Lost used UCLA basketball players as Sleestaks? Bill Lambeir was one. I forgot how hokey the earthquake scene and the raft was in the intro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MRU1f2S...

how about HR Puff n Stuff

Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.
-Will Rogers

Okay, all of you local historians, I need your help. I worked at the Libby's packing plant in Janesville my first summer in college (1977). I cannot remember where it was located, but I know several of us carpooled from Beloit and usually came up on Prairie Avenue/Beloit Avenue. I am referring to the old plant that, I believe, was shut down later that year when the newer facility was opened. I think that newer facility later became a Seneca (spelling?) plant. One more clue is all that I have to provide. There was a bar right across the street from the plant and we college kids would stare in amazement as our older co-workers literally ran to that bar every night for lunch. Please tell me where this Libby's facility was located?

My strangest memory of the Mall was 14 yrs ago. I was Shopping after xmas with my younger brother and I was 9 months pregnant.Spent all day trying to figure out why I felt so horrible.Sat down at Diamond Daves to rest and guess what? I was in labor.Funny,I had my first date with my sons dad at that place then almost gave birth there too! Ok, kind of a personal memory,but wanted to share anyway!

Hannah, "Land of the Lost" ROCKS!!! Marshall, Will, Holley, Chocka, the Sleestacks.

factcheck: was that their names? Sure. Let's go with that.

hannah...

...I think that the name of the bakery near the Chevy dealer was Colvin Bakery.

Could be wrong, tho...it's happened before.

In the balcony, Stattler and Waldorf?

So the travel agency is gone....did they reopen somewhere else outside of the mall?

Is that when you sat next to that crazy lady?

I had a talking Garfield once....he said something about lasagna. And, a really obnoxious alarm clock. Even lazy me couldn't ignore that thing when it went off!

I second the drive-in movie!

the store with the stairs and socks was Ameila Russo's. It wasn't by Saxers though. It was on the corner where Diamond Center is now.

Yes. K-Swiss. They still make them. Leather only though. I don't think they make the canvas ones. They are still making Tretorns. I saw them somewhere recently. Or maybe it was a magazine. They are out there though.

Remember when the Muppets had an actual SHOW...maybe even on primetime TV. I loved the guys who sat up in the balcony.

What about the brand Vuarnet France?

Anyone remember Jem and the Heartbreakers?

Heck...here's one for the archives.... anyone remember when Barbie and Ken were still an item and not broken up!? Tragedy I tell you. Heartbreaking.

hannah -your posts are exactly what I'm remembering about my youth! I probably had 3 pair of Tretorns (royal blue, yellow, and red plaid)wished however for a pair of Eastlands, but too expensive! I settled for an offbrand my mom bought me and never wore them! What about that store that I think was by Saxers, very dark inside with steps and sold Guess jeans and had a large wall with socks, I bought my ESPRIT bag there (very cool) to hold my books in at school. Bishops Buffett- I forgot about that place! Loved the Muppet show "PIGS IN SPACE..." and watching Looney Tunes for 1 1/2 hours Sat am either before or after the Smurfs. Begged for the Cabbage patch doll for Easter (Ginny was her name), and remembered when the ATARI came out and was oh so expensive at $99. Thank you all for the memories!

ihavealife...by his daughter Britten? I had not heard this. I'm calling her right now! Love that girl!

The Wheatberry!

Does anybody remember getting home from school and watching Cowboy Eddy? I think the sidekicks name was Howie Olson

ihavealife, I think that old coot who used to host the Three Stooges would help himself to Ray Rayner's flask. Come to think of it, they may have been the same guy. Or was he Bozo too? Maybe all three. No wonder the flask!!!

Ray Rayner had notes pinned to his cloths. Some of them reminded him where his flask was.

Sorry, my concern was for Mr. Rodgers. Seemed to be a strange roll model for kids, especially boys.

Captain Kangaroo creeped someone out on here....

I LOVED Mr. Roger's Neighborhood! "Won't you be, won't you be, won't you be my neighbor?"

Ah, yes, Eastlands. Remember when we wouldn't tie them but do that fancy loopy side knot thing on each side? I still remember how to do it. Useless skill, really. LOL

Ray Rayner and the guy who played Captain Kangaroo were involved in the D-Day invasion.

I had Tretorns is practically every color. I just saw them again at a store. Can't think of where.

Does anyone else remember when caller-id first came out? Nike Air? Snap bracelets? Jelly shoes? Jelly bracelets? Rainbow Brite? Strawberry Shortcake? Holly Hobby? The Apple IIe computer that you HAAAAD to ground yourself on by rubbing underneath that monster of a keyboard/processor.

Remember when Bill Cosby did Jell-O commercials? I loved the pudding popsicle thingies. Man those were good!

Mr. Clean was a real guy in the commercials and not an animated cartoon guy??

Wait...best one...hyper-color shirts??

What about...ready? SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS!!

A drive-in theater would be AWSOME!!

spunk...I would give almost anything to bring the good times back !! Want help with that one ?

I'm just curious - Would y'all be interested in a drive-in movie theater opening up here in Janesville?

No need to be sorry ! IT's all fun talk anyway !

You`re right, sorry!

Hey Mikey was Life cereal,I think and Tretorns? OMG! I think that was the most comfortable pair of shoes I ever had! I worn them til they disappeared from my feet !(just one more thing I made my mom buy once hoping name brand would make me popular)

Hey Mikey! He likes it! Malt-O Meal

Do they still have those cheesey Country Crock commericals with just the hands?

Or the Palmolive commercials? I loved it when Doris Roberts did them a few years back.

Calgon...take me away.... You say that now and the kids are like what the bleep are you talking about!?

what about the Folger's commercial (I think) where everyone is asleep, Bobby comes home from college, starts a pot of coffee, everyone is woken from their sleep by the aroma, runs downstairs, a little girl gives Bobby a big hug and so does mom....Bobby's home! They use to play that commercial for years and years. I haven't seen it in a few though.

I STILL remember the name of my first My Little Pony. Applejack. And remember when Cabbage Patch Dolls were ALL the rage. My first was a black one. I had an in at a local retailer and the store manager wouldn't put it out on his shelf because she was black. So, I got it. Wilhemenia.

Any one remember Tretorns?? (shoes)

Or what about when Wendy's on Milton Ave had a salad bar? And a baked potato bar and their tables were "old" newspapers...kinda.

I also remember a kiosk at the mall--it was made out of white grids--and guess what they sold there?? CHARMS and CHARM BRACELETS. HA! Beat that one :)

Space Invaders !! whoo hoo !!

Parkaayyy !( it's hard to spell it how it sounds)

"You can't fool mother nature!"

Oh wow ! I just googled 80's commercials cuz I could not remember them all and I came up with Pitfall and Rainbow Bright ! Back in the day I would have died if I didnt have a Rainbow Bright doll !!!!!

"butter"

Where's the beef??

OOps ! I meant to say,song stuck in your HEAD ! Im a dork!

Ok monkey,I see where you're going with this....I dont wanna grow up,Im a toys r us kid!!! Take THAT !(just so you know ,im being funny,not rude)

be happy... libby's libby's libby's on the label... now you have another jingle stuck in your head???
Here goes another twist on "reminisce Janesville"...........

Franklin lanes! Oh yes! That was where we had HS bowling! Too Much Fun! I remember one year I got an "incomplete" in phy ed... had to do the summer school thing to make it up. What a blast!! Had bowling, bike riding, camping (cooking over a bonfire at school!!). Waaaaayyyy better than "regular" phy ed!!

slinky,slinky, everyone loves a slinky ! ( song stuck in your now?)LOL

Bishops Buffet in the mall ! I have been trying forever to remember the name,my mom just told me. Every time my grandparents would come for a visit,that's where we would go. That and the Red Apple !! Ahhh, memories! I remember getting mad at Red apple cuz my mom wouldnt buy me a stuffed animal !

I also remember that commercial. And at Christmas time everything was made ....By Ronco! Don't even start me on commercials! I loved the old Toys-R-Us ones,slinky too!

Does anyone remember the Ray Raynor show? With Clutch Cargo and Paddlefoot cartoon? It was so funny to watch him try to make craft items! They always fell apart and his hands would be full of glue. What about Franklin lanes when the balls came back along the floor on a track.

momof5 OMG !!!! I cant believe you remember that commercial !! " time to make the donuts" poor guy ! At THAT hour ? Good God! I keep retelling that one and no one remembers!

**sorry** my other post should read "go make them" NOT "go back them"

be_happy: crikeys! you did that too! I can't wait to tell my husband I'm not the only freak out there! lol... Do you remember Cuddly Duddly? He kinda creeped me out. So did Whizzo. I told my husband I want to recreat the Bozo show and bring it back. he told me no one would care enough. Jerk. LOL

be_happy: I don't live in Janesville or Rock County even. But, we don't have a donut shop period up here...no Dunkin', no Krispy Kreme....no momof5's Donut World...nothing (of course there are bakeries and groceries). I use to go every Sunday when I lived in "The Ville." I'd take my cat with me (he is part dog and other part human...he LOVES car rides) and get a dozen donuts and a pack of Munchkins...and eat Dunkin' Donuts while reading the Sunday Gazette (I'd first scour it for any Dunkin' coupons). Back then, the owner was not caucasian (or how ever the heck it's spelled...I'm tired already today) BUT the service staff all was and he spoke VERY clearly. Then, it was sold to a white couple for a while and if I'm not mistaken, the old owner took over...but now it's a new group. I felt like I was in India when I was in there. And, yes, they were dry.

Do you remember the commercials back in the day for Dunkin? The big rolley polley guy who got up at 5 am every morning to back them and the commercial showed him driving in to work in the darkness?

I actually love Kwik Trip's mini donuts. I get the ones in the tub...cinnamon sugar. YUM. My cat likes them too.

Oh yes ! Bozo ! As kids we use to set up 10 buckets and pretend to be on the show. Kinda weird to win your own toys !! LOL

momof5, yes I do remember that ! Wow how times have changed!! I was just there over the weekend to order a dozen donuts and the guy behind the counter asked me what I wanted. He had to ask a few times cuz I couldnt understand him.Their donuts seem to have become more dry or harder over the years.My kids prefer sentry donuts.So sad to continually lose great things before our kids get to experience them.

be_happy: remember when Dunkin Donuts had the little window where you could watch the donuts being made? The last time I was there (Dunkin) I didn't have a great experience for the reason you mentioned. Frustrating! Try visiting Miami once though....HA!

westside: yes, or atleast that is the guy I am thinking of. I worked with his (wife) years ago.

MissMO: I remember Hot Rod Harry's. The place int he mall that sold Umbro's was called Saxer's. I still remember all the shoe laces they had behind the counter in every school color. Were we dorks or what? LOL

Janesville would never be able to keep a Banana. MAYBE a Limited or Express, but that's pushing it. The Janesville market is driven by price and those stores don't have a low enough price point (or clearance section) to appeal to the masses. Plus, they (the company) looks at market saturation and brand prestige. If they start plunking down Banana's, Limited's or J. Crew's every 25-45 miles, they would no longer be a destination store. The way Janesville gets a lot of their A or B stores is via regional deals. Like Coach. They are opening in Summer 2009 at West Towne in Madison. CBL COULD HAVE (but did NOT, just to make that clear) said you want to be in West Towne (which is bordering on an A mall status), then you also need to open a store in Wasau and Janesville by 2011.

The guy who everyone is getting all up in arms about: is this the guy who walked on Milton Avenue for years and years and talked to himself? I believe he had a nervous breakdown and was once married with children. (Ha! I LOVED that show!)...oh gee....don't get me started on old shows too! I ALWAYS wanted to be on the Bozo Show....in fact, I was late to school numerous times because I HAD to see (say it with me boys and girls) THE GRAND PRIZE GAME. I wish they'd bring that show back! (and Alf....I cried during the episode where he was suppose to go back to Melmac)!Anyhow....

Does anyone remember when "The Cave" was a cool place to hang? I liked sitting on top of it and watching the fish jump ! Good place to chill out and be quiet after a bad day !

That's ok. I just know who your talking about, I didn't know him personally. It's ihavealife that got all bent out of shape!

upnorth..sorry about that. The guy you described from the 70's sounded a lot like the guy Im thinking of. Didnt mean to get it wrong.

Wasnt that mr schaller? i used to see him downtown all the time.

havealife...I didnt say anything bad about this guy.Gesh! All I did was describe his attire and what he said to me. I was very young at the time and he scared me a little.

ihavealife, why do I need to grow up? I didn't say anything wrong! Besides, I know who you are talking about and that is NOT the man I was referring to! If you read correctly, I said in the 70's. This guy always had people around him because he was entertaining and it wasn't "as common" for men to crossdress.
Happy, I understand what you mean. He was scary if you didn't know him. I think he suffered from schizophranea, ask havealife, I'm sure she knows!

upnorth, I remember that guy !! He confronted me one day at super america dressed in daisy dukes and a pink,mesh halter top.He asked if he looked ok.I just paid for my stuff and RAN ! That was in the 90's.

This has been cool. BUT, does anyone remember the guy that hung out downtown that had long curly blonde hair, dressed as a woman and wore that purple cape? Back then, he was the talk of the town! Early 70's.

Hey,anyone remember when Dunkin' Donuts was ACTUALLY good (back when the workers spoke English?) Im not against other races,just please English when running the cash register!!!! But , really,Dunkin' Donuts used to be so much better and fresher !

I only shop at the Mall nowadays if I have a gift cert. I cant afford to buy things at their prices when I can go to Goodwill or Wal-mart and get the same thing much cheaper.Roller skating? I WISH! I have taken my kids skating a few times until it closed.Now they can only skate if they visit our relatives in Illinois.( and,yes,I hated Skating place growing up).I agree with angelwings !

Ah, Thrift Drug. I remember buying Aquanet there! Remember when you could smoke in the mall? What an insane idea. Does anyone remember Hot Rod Harry's? Where the obscene yellow loan place on Milton Ave is? What was that place where the Gap is now that used to sell Umbros? I remember the outdoor movie theater and seeing the Jungle Book. I was saddened reading people talking about the Skatin Place...I had the best times there. All-night skates! I wanted to take my kids there : ( Or atleast have bday parties there. I really wish someone would utilize the movie theater downtown again. How awesome would it be if it turned into a budget theater? That place had character!
As far as the real topic here, I'm glad that the really only good stores are expanding and atleast staying here! The Buckle has awesome jeans and if you look online they carry a lot more brands than what is offered in our mall. I think the mall needs to get some better clothing stores because there really aren't any offered. I wish we had a Banana Republic, Express, and by the way, what happened to Boston store? They USED to have a better junior clothing line. If I am going to shop I skip Janesville and just go to Rockford or Madison.

Kmart was on Center Ave where Job Center is now. It was Larry's Foods or something cheesey like that.

Yep, ihavealife is right. The octagon car dealership was called American Car Company. I didn't know it was a Fagan subsidiary until I bought a vehicle there almost 7 years ago. Look at the logos: they are very similar.

I was in the "Ville" last night. There are fewer open spaces there than the malls in Madison and Milwaukee.

When did the pretzel place close? Janesville needs an Auntie Anne's pretzel place!

Hannah...

...the "ok" sign was Chevrolet's "call sign" or trademark for used cars...other car companies had them,I just don't recall any offhand right now.

And both locations were owned by the same dealer...harrison, then fenzel then fagan. I think it was 80 or 81 that the shop at wright rd. and milwaukee was built...and I think it was Fenzel that did that, but that was the time I was off sailing around the world with the Navy, so I could be off on that.

Does anyone know where all of the morning coffee shoppers that used to be in the Oasis Restaurant went when they closed? Do most of them still meet?

ihavealife...

...that was Harrison Chevrolet on Milwaukee st. and Center Ave. out where Pick n Save is now. Then in the mid to late '70's it became Art Fenzel...THEN Fagen.

I was the lotboy at the used car lot the summer of '79...all day long, washing cars. My god...thirty years ago.

"If I knew that I'd live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself"

Wish I could remember who said that...was it W.C. Fields?

actually, there were 3 Rexall's. There was a 3rd By Larry's Grocery Store on State Street. It was in a little white building on the corner. It's a Montessori school now, I think.

hannah: I remember that car dealership. And Car City. But the one with the Octagon building had the HIDEOUSLY painted Cavalier I wanted soooo bad. It was like red, neon pink, neon yellow, and new blue. It was the bodystyle after the really squared one...the last bodystyle to be made in Janesvegas actually.

Anyone else remember that car? If you saw it, you'd remember it that's for sure!

Hannah, there were two Rexalls in town, one at Sunny Side Shopping center and the one at Creston Park. The one at Creston Park was appoximately where Office Max is now. After the fire in 1988 Rexall/Snyder/now Osco is where Grants was.

hannah...I know...I just have a way with words, what can I say? LOL (But I'd needs depends for the "other" kind of incontinence...having kids is tough on the bladder!)

So was Beefaroo before or after "Sub Junction" where Slantrax is?

I forgot all about Thrift Drug! We used to go there to buy Necco wafers to sneak into the movie theater...maybe that's why the movie theater went out of business? Sorry, UA cinemas, I don't sneak candy in anymore if you want to come back.

Hannah
That is funny. I never did drugs either but my mom found the baggy of sawdust from the poppers in my dresser when I was about 13 and she called my dad home to talk to us because she thought we were doing drugs

Thrift Drug...that's it!

Jello Pit? Where was that store? At the mall? lol

Rexall was in Creston Park

Momof5, the drug store was Thrift Drug, it's location was where the Gap is now.

weren't you the only daughter? Or were Jennifer and Jody really that naughty?

I think the drugstore was a Rexall....wasn't it?

I remember that drugstore! What was the name of it? I remember my mom using her JCPenney's card there...I then thought for the longest time that you could use any credit card anywhere.

No one would know it was a diaper bag...just big and roomy. You have to be a certain age to need depends? Huh. They may have came in handy behind oh crap, what was that bar? Weir's? Bear Chest? Tracks? So many.... lol

ihavealife, what was the big deal for your dad? Did he prefer Zig-Zags?

C'mon, greengina, don't go. Joking just goes with the territory. Lighten up.

;~)

Wow. You are rude and hurtful. I am done here, and I'm sure it will make your day. I'm glad I have other things to do. I'm fairly certain you must be unhappy if all you can do is bash me for my opinion. I still will not shop at the mall.

All my clothes are made from baby seal skin.

Yes, hannah, Tanglefoot. Brian lives with his brother Gerry on the same street where Tanglefoot was.

Re: Day outing Devil's Staircase. What about my precious anonymity? What about assassins?

If thekid's big day ever comes, he can open the first head shop downtown.

Yes, the drug store was down by where JC Pennys is I do believe.

I remember a candy store somewhere in Janesville, I used to go with my dad when he would go get his cut at a barber shop and it was a little pink building (if I remember right) and man you could load up a dollar. Remember the little boxes of Lemon Heads and those little jaw breakers. Jolly Ranchers as flat like things, and DOTS, they were gross but always fun to eat.

Didnt there used to be a drug store in the mall

winer: lmao!

I can't up the trade....I'd be wiping my stash clean. Oh wait. I have a blue and white Coach diaper bag. I have a really cool BIG pink Coach bag--plenty big enough for a trip. Where?

greengina: what a ray of sunshine you are! you might consider renting yourself out for parties.

hannah: aren't most US "made" cars really only assembled here on US soil. From what I remember reading on UAW's website, most UAW vehicles have like 90% North American manufactured parts. But, hardly any of the Big 2.8 plants actually manufacture vehicles there--they are all shipped in components that are then assembled on site.

I remember where there was a Perle Vision at the Janesville Mall. It was down the Sears Wing...and Commercial Bank too.

Speaking of old times....not related to Janesville...but has anyone been to Grand Avenue in Milwaukee lately?

I don't wash the inside of it with just anything...I leave that up to the kids with their soda and juice. Leaves a really pretty pink and brown hued combo behind. One of a kind!

greengina: Do you also get your news 2nd hand? GM IS open for business. Just not, right now, here in Janesvegas. What does THAT have to do with this article anywho?

I do drive a H3 and buy my clothes at the mall (or where ever) and have been known to frequent the likes of Wal-Mart and Target. However, I recycle, get my kids' newsletters online vs in paper, unplug all appliances when they are not being used, etc.., So, just because someone does shop at the mall and/or drives a Hummer, does not make them environmentally unfriendly nor does someone who shops at Goodwill or consignment shops automatically get the "Greengina of 2009" award!

I don't drive a humvee, and I buy my clothes second hand, if I can afford them. I can't buy new clothes for myself, but I do try for my kids, but I try to think of the human cost when I make my purchases. Being "green" is obviously not popular, and I'm not trying to fit in with the rest of you. I just don't think the mall is the best thing that ever happened to this city. Most people I know can't afford the high prices there. And I don't shop at Wal-Mart either. And if GM would have been building more fuel efficient cars instead of scrapping them, they might still be open for business!

I loved the bottled water/Hummer comment.

We also had hot dog hot lunch day...we got rootbeer too. I think it had some meaning behind it though.

A dog at a Louie? WTH! She couldn't eat moon boots instead? Trade ya 3 Dooney's and 4 Coach's for one.....

LeRoy, the owner of Tanglefoot (the skating rink by Riverside Park, hannah) had a son with Down's. What was his name? What happened to him?

I haven't been inside Old Towne Mall in eons. What's in there? Other than the much publicized Post Office.

There is a penny candy store in a western suburb of Chicago right next to an open, old pre-cineplex movie theater.

Two major projects by the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation in 2007 has made the Devil's Staircase hikeable again.

Retaining walls and stairways made from huge rocks and the natural terrain make it a spectacular place to hike and have picnics. Give it a try again.

Ihavealife, I do remember Hot Dog Days! We only had a few kids at my school that stayed, most of us went home for lunch.

Do you remember when Fairview was located in the former Sentry parking lot and they had beads in the doorways? Then they built Fairview mall and there was a yarn shop and a china store and the Green Dragon restaurant was in the middle of the basement?

Does anyone remember the neighborhood parks in Janesville in the winter had ice skating rinks? I remember after getting my skates on and walking the block and a half to the park to skate.

In the summer the parks had activity directors and we would play games and have a lot of fun.

Is talking in code allowed here?!

;~)

greengina: Good Lord honey. People on here are talking about stores for eons ago. Pretty sure no one is bragging that they are outfitted in sweatshop clothes or walking on shoes made by a 5 year old child. Step away from the soap box....

BTW--off topic, but since greengina brought it up, did anyone know that topaz (for a while) was banned here in the US. Same premise as a blood diamond. This was sometime last spring or so. I *had* to get tanzanite in my mother's ring. Oh darn. Sigh....

You won't even get rid of an LV to me??? And why didn't some "kids" get to go to Skate City? From the description angelwings gave, that's probably why. I was a snobby prep. Live and learn, live and learn.

We need a fudge shop downtown!!!

I heard that the Scotch Boutique is closing.

greengina is out back washing her Humvee with bottled water.

Don't hold back now, Greengina...let us know how you REALLY feel.

I am amazed at the amount of people in this county who can still afford over-priced, sweat-shop made clothing. How can any of you afford to support these higher end companies? The human cost of the clothes on your backs is too high. Shame on all you mall rats.

The Sky-Vu opens May 20th.

Any skaters from Tanglefoot out there?

Sky-Vu website:

http://www.goetzskyvu.com/GOETZ_SKY-VU/M...

ihavealife, I still have my headband. I'm thinking of giving it to thekid.

This site indicates the Sky-Vu outdoor theater in Monroe is still open, unless the site is outdated.

http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/witskyv...

PollyAnna, thanks.

Gazettefan, the last ourdoor around here is near Jefferson.

"Remember when you could go to Penney's to get electronics, sporting goods, toys, etc..."

Yes, I do. In fact, I still have the MCS stereo receiver I bought there with Christmas money in 1979.

How about when Black Bridge Road ended at Milton Avenue where McDonald's is? I remember McDonald's before it had seating, when it was just a counter. Right next door was the Frostop Drive-in (before it was moved from where Big Lots is now over to Kennedy Road). Frostop had trees around it and behind that and McDonald's was a corn field.

Isn't there a drive-in theater near Monroe?

ihavealive, do you still have those go-go boots?

tater:

The mother's name was Opal (I never met her). She died when the kids were young. Leroy died within the last ten years, can't remember when -it was in the Gazette.
Brian has Downs Syndrome and lives with Gerry in the first house south from where the rink was, same side of the street. Val lives in Seattle, Ron and Glen in the Milwaukee area, and Warren in California.

Gerry has a 57 Nomad station wagon now and likes to enter it in car shows and being driven around in it when the weather's good. You probably know that he was made paraplegic from a car crash near the Elks Club when he was 16 or 17 -Thanksgiving Day 1966.

LeRoy sold the rink to help pay for the sewer and water assessments when that neighborhood came into the city around 89 or 90. The buyer used it for storage and allowed it to be run down to the point when it got condemned about eight years ago. Instead of tearing it down he sold it to someone else who saved money on the demolition by having the fire department do a training burn -that was in the Gazette too.

I only know of the circuit from stories told by Gerry and others.

Beef-a-roo on Centerway! I knew we used to have one in town. I just couldn't remember where.

I remember when the mall had the sunk in seating areas. It was fun for us kids to go hopping around them. We were pretty upset when they disappeared.

It's almost 1 in the morning, I'm really tired, and it's all your faults! That was fun reading everyone's posts. Too bad you don't all have pictures - we could post them somewhere and enjoy them as well.

I have a couple: We moved to Janesville back in the early 80's and always bought our Levi's at a store on Milwaukee and Academy (I think). They had shelves and shelves of jeans, but I can't remember the store's name.

I also remember bringing empty bottles back to for the deposit and using that money to rent Beta, and later VHS, movies at Woodmans when they were in the now post office building.

And, although it was torn down before we moved here, I was told that there used to be a skating rink right next to Riverside Park on the park side of the tunnel. A few years ago I could still see the foundation there.

Lastly, a now passed-away neighbor once described a gas station on Center Avenue (right across the street from the gas station that's now on the old Geri's lot) where you would drive in and a turn-table would turn your car around so that you could exit again onto Center Avenue! That sounds cool!

Good night!

Jack's Drive-in on Racine Street, next to where Schneider Funeral Home is.

Simone's at Centerway and Kellogg, a part of the building Jumbo's occupies these days.

Beef-a-Roo on Centerway.

Chinese Restaurant near Geri's Drive-in and Centerway Bridge. The name escapes me.

Remember when Ace High Roller Rink sat on Court Street in a somewhat woodsy area?

"Why is it that all drive-ins have disappeared?"

Home video.

Mikki, my guess is alot of them shut down because their operating costs were gettting out of hand. For the amount of land they can take up, you could have 3-4 indoor screens each with 75 people. Plus the speakers you have to use werent exactly great. Also weather could shut them down for the night. I do miss going to them though.

Theres still one operating near Cambridge by Jeffereson Speedway area.

I do miss them though.

This may be a bit off-topic, but I saw a post about a drive-in theater.
Why is it that all drive-ins have disappeared? I remember when I was young, that was a fun night out.

skimming through here, I didn't see anyone mention the Jupiter store downtwon, or Jack's Shoe Rack...

As Bob Hope used to sing "Thanks for the Memories!"

I believe a few years back, the Gazette did put out a book of old pictures of Janesville now we need to get one out that is updated. That would be cool. I bet if we start looking in those places we've haven't looked at in years, many of us would find old pictures, souviners, of what Janesville was really like all those years ago. Might even be interesting if a place was set up downtown for people to go to (sort of a history of the area museum). We might find out a lot more about Janesville and give the new arrivals a sense of where our city came from.
We can't let the memories die. They are too much fun.

I think the tiny grocery store behind St. Pats was call "Park Avenue Grocery" Remember "Barrys" on the west end of Milwaukee St and "Terrace Pharmacy" across from the old Mercy Hospital and lastly "Bugs Grocery" on Rockport rd?

Besides the bar Campbells on Milton Ave. there was the Campbell's where the Ace Hardware is on E. Milw. If I remember, they eventually sold it or were bought by Ace Hardware.

I had thought it was Dog N Suds where the eastside Sentry is, but everyone kept telling me it wasn't. I also went to Monroe School in the late 60s & 70s, so I have lots of memories of that area.

I also had my senior picture taken at Helgesons, no change of clothes, real cheap!

Art's Randall was mentioned earlier, but I LOVED that store as a kid. We'd go swimming at Craig in the summer and then stop by Art's.

hannah, were there any problems on the circuit? That's supposedly why it got outlawed. Maybe a controlled circuit could be allowed -once a month for two hours.

So great to remember all these!! Dog n Suds in Milton too, on 26 by the tracks I think (affectionately called arf n barf)??... Back in the "days", when Jville to Fort was quite a long ride!!
How bout roller skating and bowling as HS phy ed classes?? At ACE High, and Franklin lanes??? Too Great, to go skating or bowling for GRADES!!!

I remember the Myers Theater on East Milwaukee St, on the hill. Upstairs we used to go to wedding receptions. I think it was the Elks Club.

There were 2 drive-in theaters in Janesville.. the one on Highway 26 which was way out in the country to the north, & the other one way out in the country to the south, past the airport on Highway 51, Mid-City. When our kids were little, we couldn't afford to pay for movie tickets & a baby sitter, so we went to the drive-in to see the movies so the kids could go with us. Then they would fall asleep in the back seat.

Talking about locally owned businesses, there was a very nice couple that had a family jewelry store downtown. Remember Bob & Sima Wexler that owned J.J. Smith Jewelry Store on W. Milwaukee?

ihavealife, the mother's name was Opal (I never met her). She died when the kids were young. Leroy died within the last ten years, can't remember when -it was in the Gazette.

Maybe you're thinking of Brian or Glen (not Alan). Brian has Downs Syndrome and lives with Gerry in the first house south from where the rink was, same side of the street. Val lives in Seattle, Ron and Glen in the Milwaukee area, and Warren in California.

Gerry has a 57 Nomad station wagon now and likes to enter it in car shows and being driven around in it when the weather's good. You probably know that he was made paraplegic from a car crash near the Elks Club when he was 16 or 17 -Thanksgiving Day 1966.

LeRoy sold the rink to help pay for the sewer and water assessments when that neighborhood came into the city around 89 or 90. The buyer used it for storage and allowed it to be run down to the point when it got condemned about eight years ago. Instead of tearing it down he sold it to someone else who saved money on the demolition by having the fire department do a training burn -that was in the Gazette too.

I only know of the circuit from stories told by Gerry and others.

If you feel like dropping in on Gerry I'm sure he'd like it: 1914 Charles.

hannah -- Rocky's was where Culver's is now. Godfather's was where Peking is currently located. You mentioned Skatin' Place. Doug still has a collage for me to pick up (3 years later). I wish it was still around for my kids to enjoy. I remember the sock hops on Friday night as a Jr. High kid and scoping out the girls!

jtmek -- Campbell's was where Blackhawk is now. I recall it as a Kmart/Farm and Fleet small scale store. As a kid from the 80's we'd head over to Adventureland Video on E. Milwaukee St. to see the new beta tapes.

In general thanks to EVERYONE who posted their memories! This is great...especially the mall stories...when it was THE place to go.

Who else skated at Tanglefoot?

Let's hear from you. Tell some stories about LeRoy and Gerry et al.

Re: The Manor. Wasn't there a place called The Manor in Beloit? hannah, where was the one you're talking about?

If it was still there and the smoking ban passed, I guess thekid would think it didn't apply to the reefer sticks the bartender was token.

Who remembers remembers Hwy 26 and Mid City Outdoors? My first outdoor movie was Airport, I thought it was pretty neat to sit in a car and watch a movie.

I love all these posts...It makes me very home sick but it brings back a lot of memories for me.
I hung out a lot downtown because my dad's business was down there by Jeffries theatre before it burned. My dad used to send us all over the place, Gigi's catering, Haase's grocery store, the drug store, Walworth's. I remember shopping at the Jupiter store with my mom and the shoe store, think it was called Jack's shoes.
Funny how back then downtown had a few adult bookstores and that weird Little People's shop but even with all the weird people coming in and out of those stores I still felt safe running all over the place.

jtmek...

...I thought Dog 'n Suds was out on Center Ave where Subway is now. But there may have been another.

And wasn't there a Hollywood drivein where Tremors is?

I do remember Animal Hour, but Attitude Adjustment was before that, like maybe '73 or '75? Iwas too young to go but my parents would go and we would also go there for Sunday Brunch (what a spread) I also remember the Gyro Lounge when they had $10 all you could drink all night. Of course, the drinks were so weak you had to really drink alot of them!
And back when the Athletic Club was the "Supreme Court" my girlfriends & I would go there and drink wine in the sauna-- real safe, I know--looking back I probably needed a 12 step program!!!
who says you cant have fun in Janesville?

I remember most of the places commented on here,but not enough to make my own comment,except for skate city.I use to skate there all the time and had a blast. I went to skatin' place a few times but it was full of "preps".I never fit in because I wasnt popular or rich,so I stuck with "my own kind" at skid city,as it was nicknamed.(something I never understood).I was very young at the time and, looking back,I think I made the right choice !

I remember dog n suds being in the parking lot of what is now the east side Sentry and/or Ace Hardware next door. And the "Left Guard" (now the Best Western) had ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT HOUR after work on Thursday nights, sometimes even a live band.
Tab rocked, by the way.
As far as photographers go, when I was in high school EVERYONE went to Helgesens...you rode your bike there in July before your senior year in shorts and a sweater for a couple of shots...unlike my daughter who took five outfts to Crave and spent two hours posing to the tune of $1400! (worth every penny BTW)

Madman: the little store behind St Pats had the best candy & HUMUNGOUS snicker bars for LIKE 5 cents (CIRCA 1968) but I cannot for the life of me remember the name (something to do with a triangle??)

jtmek...all I remember on the corner of E Milwaukee and Pontiac is CORNFIELD. I went to Monroe school and trust me there was nothing but cornfield (and rats) for the longest time, everything behind the Masonic Temple (now Sauk Ct) was corn. We used to cut through that field on our way to school and stop at Stop n Go for cinnamon flavored toothpicks and little wax bottles of sugar water!
And I totaly forgot about the bungalows behind Campbells...I'll think about that the next i'm at the Athletic Club.

My husband says that Knipps was on River St. (near Racine ) in the parking lot near the American Family building.

More memories

Anyone remember the old bungalows behind Campbell's bar?

How about the old Sears building downtown? We'd go to Sears and then cross the street to eat at Woolworths.

The drinks at the BackStage were soooooooo strong!

How about the Milk Jug Dairy which was near Milt's Randall Ave Soda shop (or something like that?) which was across the street from Sandys (where Italian House is now).

How about Dog N Suds? Where was that one? Was that in the parking lot of Big Lots? Wasn't there something like that where the Sentry on E. Milw is now?

One more, that I need help on. My husband said that Blackhawk Credit Union on Milw & Pontiac was some other business at one time, what was it?

I'm old but not THAT old...I was 6 or 7 when they opened Parker.

Exactly where was Knipps?

And YES...It was Rock Hill...stopped there on sometimes when I walked to Edison. That was kind of a long walk, too...from near the 5 points to Edison. And then sometimes to Parker. I'm not sure I'd survive either of those walks today.

I think the photo studio on Milton Ave. was Wright's Studio. I can't believe no one has mentioned going to Knipp's Pizza on River Street after the Janesville High School football games. That was the BEST pizza ever!!

Center and State, Rock Hill Grocery

I sure hope that someone at the Gazette is taking notes on this stuff...this is some great research we are doing for the next "remember when..." article.

I never actually went back to wongs after I quit...and that was before they moved...you don't wanna know why I quit (shudder)(gag)

Tanglefoot is the one that I went to most of the time...Ace High out on Court St. was easier for me to get to, tho.

Come to think of it, I didn't really do all that much skating, but I had fun with it. Never did like Skatin' Place too much...always made me and my friends feel out of place and that we were trying to have too much fun. Or the wrong kind of fun.

And what was the name of the grocery store at the corner of Center and State? Had LOTS of great penney candy. And there was another one on High st. behind St. Pat's school, too.

Speaking of old shoe stores. Remember when they had the x-ray machines out front that you could see how your feet fit in the shoes? It was soooo much fun to see the bones in your feet move when you wiggled your toes!

Momof5 - Pleaser's also tried the bring the fast food to you. I hated it because they closed Burger Chef for Pleaser's! Rax was another joint that tried to be high class fast food.

madman: I was talking about the food quality at Wong's when he moved to the old IHOP. Atleast towards the end...not so good.

And what was the name of the photographer on Milton Avenue? It was near the corner of Milton and Hawthorne. It was a brown house and had their name on the garage door. KA Piehl??

I don't remember the bear. I'm sure it was a fit though! But, I remember place mats that were bought at a little crafty type store on the corner of Main Street. Same side of the block as Legends....across from Janesville Sport Shop. What was that called?

Jessica's didn't have just Italian food though, hannah. Atleast not the one I'm thinking of.

I remember Godfather's Pizza. I tried the soda "Tab" there for the first time. YUCK!

Anyone else remember when Burger King did a pilot where they BROUGHT your food out to you? (like Culver's). And, you got a little bag of popcorn to snack on while you waited. At this same time, they were piloting steaks (YES, steaks), shrimp, baked potatoes.... My husband thinks I sniffed the glue too much when I talk about that. It's ok. I know I'm right!

Anyone remember Tanglefoot skating rink? I think it was closed by the time I was old enough to skate. I always went to Skatin' Place anyhow. I was never allowed to go to Skate City. Never understood why....

Anyone on the southside...remember the neighborhood "grocery store" called Mamie's? It was on the corner of S. State (or maybe it was Willard)? I got in trouble everytime I snuck down there too.

Hannah...the chinese joint was Wong's...that's the one that momof5 and I were talking about.

I also remember the Orleans Room...my first wife and I lived in the apartment building right behind the hotel. Went there several times when I was in high school...had a great buffet. After I was married and had to pay my own way in a restaurant, didn't get to go as often.

If I remember correctly, the Orleans Room was started by one of the partners in the old El-Gar Supper club...they had a falling out of some kind I think...can't remember which one it was, tho.

I remember the food at Wong's as being pretty good because I was eating it fresh outta the wok in the kitchen...might have had something to do with it.

And I think that before TAASBAG and Jessica's, that place was called Rax. I think I only ate there once or twice so I don't really remember much about the place. Other than being a little on the "spendy" side.

madman: Wong's lasted a decent amount of time there, I think. I don't remember the food being as good though. But before he went there, that building also housed "Hot Rod Harry's". Anyone else remember that place? I don't think it was open long.

And how about when TAASBAG was THEEEE place to go back when it was on the corner of Milton Ave and Blackbridge Dr....where Walgreens is. And their current location was a restaurant called "Jessica's."

madman...yes! that's it! Wong's Garden. I loved the little umbrellas in my kiddie cocktails.

Wasn't there also a Haack's on Milton Avenue...across from the post office by Ponderosa?

Was it Michael's who sold Swatch watches? Remember those? And the little rubber bandy type face guards for them.

The (former) owner of Skatin' Place was in my business not too long ago. Looked a little different, but as soon as he spoke, I knew who it was. He remembered me too...one of the rink rats....not sure if that is good or bad! LOL

I don't recall any fits at Down on the Farm. Although I do remember standing in horrificly long lines for Beanie Babies there. I do, however, remember fits at Hang Up Place, Wisie's (over a photo insert for a wallet), Walgreen's (over a GRAPE Brach's hard candy ball) and Santa's (over hideous blue, red and grey moon boots....making kids wear those has got be some form of child abuse). LOL

No wonder "people" drank their dinners at JR Wheelers with all of these fits and french fries around!

What was the name of the store in the mall--near the area of Bath & Body Works--they had "climbing" toys for kids. I'm not certain they were meant for that purpose but that's what I used them for :) I want to say it was a shoe store?? I originally thought Bostwicks but that was doen more where Hallmark and stuff is, right??

Last one for the day so I don't anger Zoom... remember when play areas were OUTSIDE! I can still remember the bobbling Grimace with "jail bars" that kids would stand in and shake. Boy did all that shaking make someone nervous.

Just one more today... Fireworks at Monterey Park!!!

Anyone remember all the little neighborhood grocery stores? Before it was Basics on Memorial, I think it was Webb's...? Simonsen grocery on the corner of Glen st and Caroline? Always sent down there by mom to get a lb of big bologna, and they always knew just how mom wanted it sliced too! Would go in there with 50 cents, and get a month's worth of penny candy!! When mom sent us down, I think she called first, cause they always put "her stuff" "on the bill"!!
Sorry if posting too much and dating myself besides!! Those were the days!

momof5...

...The chinese place was called Wong's Garden.

Pretty decent food, as I recall. Yet another place that I worked for a while...as a dishwasher. After the hotel closed, Wong moved down to the old IHOP building...not sure how long he lasted there, tho.

hannah-wasnt' the nut store at the mall called Buddy Squirrel (is that right?) Anyway, I've had lots of fun reading your (and everyone else's) comments here. Boy, has it brought back some memories and things I haven't thought about in a long time!

momof5... Larry n Phil's is gone, but the army/navy store is still alive n kickin, recently moved to the corner of parker dr and glen st (a block away from traxler). I believe Larry n Phil's family still operates this, along with the Hobby shop (trains are the best!!). My teens love to stop in whenever we pass by!!

For all you "first bicycle" memories... The store on randolph rd was Haacks bicycles. Michaels started out on rockport rd and hwy 51, across from Geri's hamburgers (now a gas station) before Michaels, the building was Motorless Motion (bicycles) an offshoot from the momo in madison, late 70's.

Memories are great. Do you remember the Beverly Theater, the Myers and Jeffries? How about Larry's resturant and the Homestead. How many ate at the Orleans Room at the Monteray Hotel? How many remember what the Corn Exchange looked like before all the changes? It's fun to remember the old days. Downtown was always busy, store window displays, customer service. We can't bring back yesterday but it is wonderful so many people remember the excitement, the fun of what it was like so many years ago.

And, in an effort to get scolded like hannah did for showing our age, does anyone remember the name of the SUPER COOL toy type store that was upstairs at Olde Towne Mall?

Larry and Phil's for ice cream...crap! I forgot about that place! There was an Army/Navy surplus shop next door. I loved getting blue moon or bubblegum ice cream there. Mother's Ice Cream too!

What was the name of the Chinese place where Toys R Us is now. I remember the swimming pool and hotel. Was it China Palace? I remember the big elephants too.

How about RJ Wheelers. I was there once and someone let the kid throw french fries all around the table. What a mess! LMAO!

And to whoever asked about Coach...I think winer did.... It is a regular Coach. But Johnson Creek is getting an outlet in April. My husband isn't happy about their growth and planning in this area. LOL

OK hannah, you're old. We get it. Maybe you should start your own blog.

The bike store on Randolph was a Schwinn store, not a Michaels.

I never was a fan of Buddy Squirrel's Nut Shop but I did love getting a cookie from the Cookie Factory in the mall, and going to movies there as well.

I know Boston Store used to be called Weise's because my mom still calls it that. She doesn't cope with change very well lol.

I remember the ice cream store, too. Mint chocolate chip cones...I had to have one every time. No wonder my parents never took us to the mall!

Musicland had those awesome yellow bricks in the front door.

Remember when you could go to Penney's to get electronics, sporting goods, toys, etc...

Zeros in the mall had the iron bars when you entered...went there with my parents. I can still taste the hot dog. It had a different flavor. I also like going into the bakery (where carlton cards is). They always had cool frosted cookies. Last ones -- Aladdin's Castle and and the Bath shop next to it. Go play track and field then wander in to the soap shop to help the teen stink.

Quality over quantity should be the key here. I went in the mall when I was visiting for Xmas and I didn't recognize 65% of the stores. Not that Madison is much better. Thank God I live in a city where I can get middle and high-end merchandise at almost any mall.

Does anyone know when the old train locomotive was removed from the front of the Beloit Mall?

And any idea where it went?

Oh wow this is fun! I remember getting my first 10 speed from Michael's Cycles...across the street from Geri's.

The Frostie Freeze where the Stop n Go is now on Racine Street.

The Stop N Go on Milwaukee Street. You know the one that was in the building where Panda Garden is now. It wasn't a gas station, just a store. And it had the big red, yellow, and green lights on the sign.

ihavealife no offence taken, the store with the merry go round was Bewers Shoe store, it was on Main st now part of Johnson's Bank parking lot

Sylvia liked hanging up the clothes...she probably folds sweaters in her sleep to this day!

Also I havealife, I was taught manners and always returned the clothes to the rack as I found them, never on the floor or dump in the dressing room.

Sorry Ihavealife, winer posted she bought her clothes at Brooks, my Mom was more of a Weise's fan, or Marshall Fields or Gimballs and Boston store once a season.

Does any one remember taking a Sunday afternoon drive to S. Beloit to buy Oleo?

The El-Gar supper club on Hwy 14 towards Evansville, now a wreck of a looking building or the Cordova, then Diana's then a Mexican place now the M&I Bank at Hwy 26 and John Paul Rd

OMG..I forgot about Nino's (Bruisers) before Walgreens took over the city and Pizza Villa WAS the best. I bought ALL my clothes at Brooks, but my Mom shopped at Elliot's or Lisa's Style Shop at Creston Park. Dont even get me started on Sporty's downtown (best jukebox anywhere)
Pollyanna: I couldnt think of the name of that shoe store, but we used to get Buster Brown Shoes there, and your right, ride on the merry go round while mom shopped...and it was such a big deal they'd give you a shoehorn FOR FREE!
then we'd go to Jupiters and play hide & seek in between all the junk, there was enough of it.
The Stop n Go on the corner of Pontiac and E MIlwaukee St was THE OUTSKIRTS of town, it was a really big deal when they started building houses out past the interstate.
And what about the Toot n Tell??

Guztman's Supper Club on Hwy 14, best potato pancakes in the world, still wish I knew how they were made. We went every summer for fish there when the Elk's club would shut down for the summer, and that was when it was over the Meyer's theater on E Milwaukee.

The Cliff Lodge in Indainford
The Hut for Breakface/lunch Indianford

The Manor in Beloit
The Wagon Wheel in Rockton

And before that the Firehouse

Bewers Shoe store on Main St (burnt down) always got those new patent shoes for Christmas and Easter, and while Mom tried on shoes we would ride the maerry go round in the back of the store.

Okay what about Cuninham's bakery on Main st. every Sat we had 4 brownies for dessert.

Burger Chef on E Milwaukee now Park City.

Dixie Cream Doughnut ( Crispey Cream not even close) now the Janesville Vet Clinic on E Milwaukee.

Red School house, now I believe empty on Milton Ave. most recently a used car dealership.

Brown's Toy Shop on Court St.

The Brat and Braugh downstairs in the Helgesen building.

Hey GAZETTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! R U LISTENING!! Let's reminisce!

GERI'S Hamburgers! What a treat!! After a Sunday drive... it was either to Larry n Phil's for ice cream, or GERI's for the only fries still made from scratch!! Those were the days!!

ihavealife. remember shamrock, not the office... also remember a really great one down by the tracks, old warehouse, near where the cleaners were on Centerway/Hwy 51. That was beautiful, but didn't last long- tied into jvl's railroad heritage really great too!! Wish it were still there.

Remember Terraca Pizza? They used to have a buy one pizza get the second for a penny. Mom used to buy 5 get 5 for a penny uncooked all cheese and then put them in the freezer so we could add whatever we wanted

ihavealife... Yup! That one too, that was more into the teen years though, and not yet affordable for a whole meal!! Candy, music, and comics were better!
I forgot Music Mart!! Great store, loved it in the "band" days, and loved it even more in the "gotta play guitar" days!

How about THESE places...

Star News on main st.

Nino's Steak House across from the taco bell on milton ave.

There was a bakery just up Milwaukee st. from the gazette building...Colvin?...that ALL the paperboys in the early seventies went to to get donuts on Staurday morning when we turned in our collection money from the paper routes.

(I told you I was old)

I worked at the Backstage as a cook for a while in 1981...at Aladdin' Castle for a while after that.

Worked at the Holiday Inn where Tor 'r Us is now in high school. And at the car wash where Lyons is now on milton ave.

Godfathers Pizza.

And yes...Mario's Pizza had the best stuffed crust pizza. But Pizza Villa had better "pizza in a bag".

Oh, god, I'm getting older by the minute

OMG! My brother was a little creep, too. If he ever got his hands on them he'd break their little tusks off! No place ever had great kiddy cocktails like that, not even the Kings Pub!

A day downtown for usually under $5!!
Can't do that now!

OH YES! Another vote for a Gazette article "reminiscing" the old favorites! Dorthys's record, card, & candle shop- star billiards-
Fannie Mae downtown. A walking trip to the library ALWAYS included a "short cut" thru the parking ramp, into the Helgesen building to ride the elevator down, then on to the library, fannie may, dorothy's to buy a 45 and get the card punched for that free one after you bought so many, then maybe a stop at Woolworths for fries n a black cow, or a stop at Star billiards. Oh... those were the days!

Winer, Tibbies burnt down mid December about 27 years ago, loved the deep fryed veggie platter!

You mean the wolly mammoths??!!?? I collected them! I loved that place, best chicken ever!

anyone else remember going out for fish on friday nights to Tibbies in Indianford? I'm pretty sure it burned down, but starting to think I imagined it since I am the only person in Janesville that remembers it! I had forgotten about the Right Price and the big warehouse foods store on 14. My mom used to work at Bostwicks in the mall, but I much prefered the big store downtown!

momof5-nice call on Bishops, i kept reading waiting to see it but ya beat me to the punch.

Wasnt the pizza shop around where American Eagle is called Piece of the Pie? And the fountain, ah yes.....

oooooooh...Coach Outlet or Regular Coach?

Those who like to shop at Lane Bryant or have giftcards to there....I'd get your shopping done sometime in the first quarter of 2009. Atleast in Madison. Same with Wet Seal. But, on a happier note, the location that currently houses Wet Seal at the West Towne Mall in Madison will be the new home to Coach in early summer 2009.

I forgot about Donutland!

Anyone remember Mario's Pizza down on Jackson Street (I think...or was it Franklin?) They had awesome subs!...before Subway took over.

And Geri's.... Lord. You'd ingest 64oz of grease and hundreds of grams of trans fat eating there but there was nothing else in town like it! I'm hungry, can anyone tell?

What about when Carlton Cards was called "The Card Cage" and was a kiosk in the center of the mall? Diamond Dave's was center court and there was a flower shop next door...still remember the pastelly mint green walls.

PLEEEEASE, Gazette. Can you do an article like this? With pictures?

omg the backstage! Oscars and Blue Angels and no one ever checked your ID. I used to work at Musicland in high school (old you say?) and we'd go down to to the backstage on our breaks. Bought all our jeans at the store directly across from there (the name escapes me) and everything else at Brooks or Wisie's (before it was Bergners, Boston Store, etc.)Remember the Jupiter store on the corner of W. Milwaukee and River St, with tables and tables full of junk and the shoe store down the street(I'm talking 1969 or so)Buster Browns! And if you bought anything at The Young Folks Shop in Creston Park you'd get to bring it home in a silver bag with lavendar balloons. Heck, I'm so old I can remember Grant's at Creston Park --they used to sell baby chicks at Easter time-- back before Logli's was Schmidt's.

Or Donutland? Better than Dunkin Donuts!

What about Art's Randall Ave. grocery store? It's where the Den barber is now (I think it's still there). I grew up on Racine St. and thought it was cool riding my bike to Dell Farm grocery store (in the building across from Davis Wrecker Service). An article about past businesses would be cool, it's fun to remember the past!

Just so everyone knows I am white, have a white husband and white children. I just don't want my children to be a part of racism it is discusting and needs to end on both sides. If someone acts like a jrk then we don't have to like them but don't judge a whole race by what some do. We also have jrk's in our race this site proves that.

Yes, Beloit does have a Barnes & Noble I shop there often as I am a student in Beloit. It sickens me that in this day and age we still are a racist society. There are bad neighborhoods in Beloit nobody can deny that. But you can't tell me that J-ville or any other town does not have them also. I like to read blogs in different papers because it gives insight on how people think about certian issues and hey I may just learn something from them. But some (not all so those who are not I am sorry) lilly white, hateful people from this site can't help but to spew racism and negativity around. Can't we move past that once and for all it will not benefit anyone. As once said a person should be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Those I believe are good words to live by. By the way I also love the farmers market shop there every Saturday weather permitting of course.

YES!! my son loves Zumiez now I don't have to drive to Rockford.

How about Bishop's at the mall....in the Sears "wing". And, remember when Boston Store had a salon---it was called Glemby International. All my friends and I use to get perms there...surprisingly, they were cheaper than anywhere else.
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I remember Copp's. Not Schmidt's though. Remember when "Castaways" on Milton Ave was a Stop-n-Go. I thought I was top dog because I could ride my bike there (it was a lavender and mauvey color with a lavender banana seat...LOL), get my mom cigarettes (I don't even think I needed a note...but maybe) and me a JUMBO Mr. Freezie. Oh, and bazooka bubble gum for 5cents.
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And Dave's Frost Top on Milton Ave where AutoZone is? The big mug of rootbeer ont he root always boggled my mind as a kid. LOL
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Hey Gazette Staff....Could you do an article or editor's blog on all the stores/businesses from years ago?? This is kind of fun :)

Bellagio, nope, The Galley was in Boston Store. Used to eat salad bar there often! My friend worked in the eatery in Montgomery Wards. I can't remember the name of the Penny's one, but it's where the curtains are now and it had a bunch of windows to look out of.

momof5... speaking of being old...remember where logli is was Copps and before that Schmidts? Now that's old!!!! Not to mention HWY 26 drive in.

Does anybody remember the restaurant that was in the back of JC Penny's? It had a nautical theme, but I can't remember the name. I think it was called "The Galley" or something like that.

Hang Up Place, which was next to Regis (was a University Bookstore location once too) sold Guess, Esprit and maybe a few other brands. They may have only sold kids' sizes. My memory isn't THAT good. LOL. Trust me...it was Hang Up Place....many a temper tantrums were thrown at that store.
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Not at the mall, but anyoen remember "The Right Price" (in the strip mall across the street from the mall), SAR-MAR (there were 2...one in Creston Park and one in the strip mall that is now Mercy Health Mall.
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Speaking of being old....remember when Creston Park was an enclosed mall and Alpine Restaurant was there. Oh geez.

hannah: didn't you know it's better to do that when you're drunk? as your online friend...lol! There was another place, I think. YEARS ago.... There was Filigree Tree and something else....I thought they did piercings. Idk, I've had mine since I was 6 weeks old :)
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Did you hear Things Remembered in the Janesville Mall is no more? Yep yep.

Just Jeans....yep, you're right, hannah! And, Amelia Russo's....forgot about that place! It was so cool with the upstairs. I forgot Hal's...remember the VERY plush lime green carpeting and the awesome arched doorway (where Shoe Dept. is now). I don't think J. Rundell's was owned by the same husband/wife team as That Botique. The owner's of That Botique had a Jaguar with Illinois plates and I know the owner of J. Rundell's (who was notorious for closing early!!) was a Janesville-dweller. (I'm not a stalker, really, I'm not....I just remember that Jag because when I was a kid, there weren't many of them around Janesville. Had one...they're a p.o.$.)
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Hannah: when did you work at the mall?
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I know Syd was approached about opening KarmelKorn (or KornKrib after he let the franchise name go) at a different location. I don't think he was interested, but I could be wrong. That stuff was addicting!
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And....remember when the pretzel place was called "Hot Sam."
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God we're old! lol

mom..I think that store was actually called Just Jeans. The Back Stage was just a bar/restaraunt, not a place that families went to, to the best of my knowledge. The other "fancy" store was Ameilia Russo's (sp?), they had odd/expensive clothes there. Orange Bowl was nothing like Orange Julious, they were mainly a pizza joint.

hannah: Guess store= "Hang Up Place" and fancy women's clothing store= "That Botique." There was Merry Go Round, County Seat, Id, Brooks, Kinney Shoes, Saxer's, JoAnn Fabrics, Filigree Tree, but the one I can't think of the name was the jean store...it was floor to ceiling with jeans. Anyone?

Evilhousewife-I thought you moved out of state last spring?

Yes, they are tearing down Cabrini to put up luxury townhomes. (I don't know where all the people will end up).
Last time I was near there was about three years ago. When I go downtown, we drive down ourselves, and take the side streets past all the "old stompin' grounds".

And please excuse the horrendous typos, as I am quite ill.

OH YES.... don't go into Milwaukee bookstore unless you have an afternoon. That plase is truly a treasure trove.... they have the hardest to find, most beautiful books. I could ruin my savings there. It has the coolest old children's books too...

there is also valerieslivingbooks.com, a totally family run business.... last time I checked they had a FIRST EDITION set of Les Miserables... They are in Clinton so even though they sell over the net, you can pick up there. They THE premium local place to go for educational/historical books.

"Do we have a used book store too to see?"

YES! Milwauke Street Used Books, downtown. They have somewhat limited hours, but it's worth a trip on a Saturday afternoon (assuming they are open this winter).
http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/cover-cov...

OMG--Orangebowl had the best pizza! And remember Zero's? It was, I think, down where Mastercuts is now. Cinnabon too. And the fountains. I can remember when you could smoke in the mall. How about Montgomery Wards? Ok, time to stop showing our age folks.
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BTW--Mikki...you are one tough sister. I consider myself to be pretty fiesty, but there is NO way I would be confident ANY WHERE near Cabrini Green. Heck, my husband and I were headed to Midway Airport and were lost. I was driving and freaking out. He told me to pull over and he'd drive. I was like "Hell no. We are white and driving a Hummer. I am not pulling over anywhere." I guess I'm a wimp....I take my 9 year old dog out with me to take the garbage out...and I live in a "bedroom community" where the biggest crime in recent years has been a "swing" gone bad. Wimp, yep, that's me. LOL

I remember the fountain! That was a LONG time ago. I think they are trying to build nicer neighborhood where Cabrini Green was, I thought that's what I read quite a while ago. I loved Karmelkorn too. Remember the Orangebowl when you could buy a huge slice of pizza for around a buck and then hit the theatre for $1 on Monday nights? Wow, takes me back...

upnorthwi, sorry, but you saying that as "a female" you don't feel safe in "certain" areas of "any" town.
That's a curious statement.
I am a female, too. About 5'5", 135 pounds. And frankly, I could care less WHERE I end up. Why? I am confident. I don't walk around all scared. That makes me a target. It also makes me weak.
So what, I am a 'girl' so I can't 'go certain places and take care of myself'?
Jeez..better I get back in the kitchen, get barefoot and pregnant and get back where I belong?
And I am curious what these "certain" areas you talk about, are.
Please enlighten me.

Yes, the only people that think Janesville has a "hood" are those that have never lived anywhere else.

lilbobby, I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. So when I moved here and people started saying "stay out of the hood", I was a little shocked. Hmmmm really? Let me see your "hood."
Okay, there is nothing here that even COMPARES to what people REALLY mean by "hood". I remember getting lost and ending up by Cabrini Green back in the day. Pulled over by the cops because I was white!

LOMO!! You people are too much!!! If you lived in a REAL urban city you all would know the term 'hood' is short for neigborhood. Gang members use the phrase 'hood' to refer to their territory. It has nothing to do with black, white, latino, asian, rich or poor. It's nice that you all try to 'appear' to be hip and use urban terms even though you live in a small farming town, LOL LOL LOL!!!

upnorthwi: lmao!
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jvltrnsplnt: Because anchor stores, generally, do not lease space form the mall. Typically, the own the land and the building. Anchor stores "pay" in the form of percentage sales. Ever wonder why the mall is open until 11 pm or opnes at 5am? Thank the anchor stores. Just like in inclement weather: mall management doesn't make any effort ot close the mall until atleast 2 anchors do. They are anchors--not tenants.

If we can get back to the topic at hand (i.e. stores in the mall) for a moment. If the stores have to keep updated and fresh-looking, why does JCPenney still have ORANGE ratty looking carpeting from the 70's?

What's wrong with admitting my gender? I"m not a "women's liber" and I am in the workforce. So big deal. Women are't built equally as men, they are the stronger sex, not necessarily the most intelligent though :)

angelwings: I agree, to an extent. Except, price can often times dictate value as well. Case in point: Steve & Barry's. Sure, you could buy a "winter coat" there for under $10 BUT the darn thing wouldn't be worth a nickle at the end of the season. I have a Columbia coat, bought for my oldest daughter, that my youngest will wear next year. There isn't a SINGLE thing wrong with it and my kids are tougher than tough on their stuff. Duration that initial investment of $100? 10 years and 3 other kids. Shoes are often the same. I don't see what all the fuss is about Victoria's Secret though. That to me is not worth the price.

Wow. Using that logic I would be surprised you're even in the workforce.
"Fairer sex" indeed.

Joker.. fyi I'm a female, THAT is why I don't feel safe in certain areas of ANY town!!

Warm..dating yourself is a term someone uses to show their age. Arlands was in business YEARS ago!!

I cant even remember the last time I bought something at the mall.The prices are outrageous ! I used to have to walk through Boston store for my Gazette route and almost choked one time seeing a coat that was $160 !!!!! I can get the same thing at Walmart for a fraction of Boston store price. It amazes me that people ACTUALLY shop there and at the same time,these same people cant figure out why they are broke!!!!! I even saw a set of bra and undies that were cute,but,guess what...for THAT price....I could get a months worth of groceries !

Momo, sorry but you are wrong. He was the one that tied together the word "hood" and black people and said he would not go there because he does not feel safe. I did not say it, he did.

His ignorant mind can stay far away from Rock County as far as I am concerned.

Mikki: lmao!
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Joker: I went back and REALLY tried to find where upnorthwi was being racist and ranting. Best I can tell, you are the only one ranting. Saying the Eclipse Center is too close to the hood MIGHT be ignorant at best but not racist.

sorry Joker, I don't think you read my post correctly. I said there are more than just black people that live in the area. I'm far from being a racist. I have 3 nephews that are 1/2 black and love them the same as my other relatives. There are bad white, yellow and red people also. I DIDN"T say anything about color in my first post, YOU ASSUMED that yourself. So, who is the one who is stereotyping now?? I take my daughter there because her dr. is a ppo under both of our insurance and it has saved me A LOT of money. It is very inconvenient because I drive 4 hours to get there, otherwise I could go to Greenbay.
As far as Aldi goes, that's a different division so that's where the difference would come in. That's the Batavia division, I'm only familiar with Oak Creek. I stand corrected on that issue :)

Redder, huh?? Translation, please! I would also suggest spell and grammar check before you post. I am not PC but I also cannot stand racist rants like UpNorth.

If your kids call the area they live in the "hood", then I feel sorry for them. They have no pride where they live or any respect for themselves.

That's good. We wouldn't want to lower the IQ of Beloit with you around.

You people ae really sensitive to the "hood" hell my kids and thier friends all call our nieborhood the "hood" and they are little kids. We certainly don't live in a bad part of anything. MAYBE just MAYBE if you idiots would quit with the double standard and quit with the diversity crap and just accept people for people bi=oth GOOD and BAD you might see its not a problem with anyone. You who use the race card at YOUR discresion are the ones who create more problem trying to be politically correct. Jerks are Jerks soit goes black white yellow green pink whatever the color a horses A*& is still a horses A#$. Oh and by the way I never go to Beloit its to dumpy

Local boy, as usual you do not understand. UpNorth assumes that black people live in the hood and make the city unsafe. He is also the one who used the word hood which portrays a negative image of black people.

TheJoker - "the hood" is slang that was created by the black people, so how come when a white person uses the term, it is racist? I really am sick of people using the racist card when it is convenient to them. It is such a weak buzz word.

So Upnorth, according to your logic, if black people live in the neighborhood, then it is in the "hood" and not safe. That is very racist. You assume for sure that black people equal crime.

Have you ever gone to any stores, shops or restaurants in Beloit? I doubt it.

You are ignorant and racist. Remember that at your next cross burning ceremony.

I really don't think there's a "hood" in Beloit. There is diversity everywhere in the city, and problems everywhere in the city.
I, too, enjoy living AND shopping in Beloit.

Joker..you are too funny for your own good! I'm not a racist, my (deceased) uncle's wife still lives in their home they bought years ago on Nelson Ave. so I know what goes on down in that area. I don't feel safe down there. Did I say black neighborhood? NO, I said hood. There are more than blacks that live there. I go to Beloit every 6 weeks for my daughter's ortho appt. and that's all I care to go for. There are areas in Janesville I wouldn't walk at night either, I'm not saying Beloit specifically. By the way, I don't live in Janesville anymore, hence the username upnorth.

Too close to the "hood?" Give me a break.

It's no longer called the Beloit Mall. It is the Eclipse Center and it contains a lot of different social agencies, Beloit Memorial High School's auto mechanics classes, the incoming new Beloit Public Library, etc. I also do the majority of my shopping in Beloit but live in Janesville. Why? It is more convenient and the customer service is better ... at least in my opinion.

Up north, your racist side is coming through in your posts. Please take your KKK beliefs elsewhere. I agree with the posts about Beloit. Elder-Beerman is a great store, Beloit's Farmers Market is best around and there is more variety of stores and restaurants in Beloit than Janesville.

Take your hood off, UpNorth and come South to see all the good things in Beloit. Oh, and I also live in Janesville.

stomskid: Panda might get fined more because they are habitual offenders. Just like the lotion idiots...the ones who always go "ma'am can I ask you a question"...they get fined too! Everytime they have a customer complain, cha ching--fined!

WHEN the Beloit mall was open is the operative word. We used to go there often too, along with Arlands across the stree. I'm dating myself :)

What Mexican foods are you talking about? Just curious. I've worked at 3 different Aldi's and filled in at a couple others. The only difference I saw was the alcohol.

local, so what's your point? I'm just stating a fact. Go to Aldi.com if you have any questions. Are you saying we shouldn't shop at Aldi because it isn't locally owned? I shop where I can save $$$.

upnorthwi: interesting comment about corporate. I stumbled across this: http://www.spend-local.com/blog

All Aldi stores have the same merchandise, it's corporate. The only thing that is different is some sell alcohol, which Beloit does and Jville doesn't. I wouldn't shop at "the Mall" in Beloit, it died several years ago. I don't even like going in that area, it's way too close to the hood for me.

Funny how two of the most over-priced stores (one of which has some of the most unfriendly employees) are expanding...yippee! Actually, on a positive note for VS, the Victoria's Secret makeup is really good...they plan to carry it in the new store! ;-)

Stomskid, your information proves my point. Another example of a long list of stores leaving. Can we say Beloit Mall?

BTW the Pretzel Place has been gone since Oct/Nov 07 and Mc D's since the Day after xmas in 07. I guess its been that long since you have been at the Mall...

Don't forget "Bread, Water, and Beyond", "Ye Olde Soup Line", and "Rags 'R Us".

joker-at what point did I say stores not leaving the mall is a big deal? Please listen to what I"M saying now. I stated that stores have come and gone from the mall since it's existence. If you've lived here your whole life like I have, you've seen it constantly happen. If you've lived here your whole life and haven't seen it, than you haven't been paying attention at all. You are using this as news to discuss the poor economy. Similar to how you questioned how I knew rent for the mall was outrageous and that's why stores have problems staying there, you don't know it all. That is a fact. What I am telling you is this has happened before. So wake up yourself my friend. Others are also trying to education you on some things.

I stand corrected on the B&N store in Beloit. I actually got excited for a moment because I love B&N, so I searched their website to find out if maybe they built one that I never heard about, but their website showed the closest locations to Beloit were in Rockford and Madison. Now that you mention it, I remember hearing that the Beloit College bookstore was managed by B&N. I'll have to check it out...never been there.

also by working in the mall we get inside scoop... Buckle is expanding into carlton cards so there space is going to be bigger not just moving there. Mc D's was on a 5 yr lease and corp made choice to pull and try them out in the gas stations. And the fines for opening late are a lot more then 100.00 just ask Panda Express they open late several times a week.
It's just sad that stores keep closing and the ones that come in make ppl wonder why are they bringing that kind of store to this area? I do have to say this personally i wish we had more places to eat.

ok crazcass i agree maybe its because we work there.. and we are the cheapest place in the mall to eat...

Orange Julius has really good food!

Walden Books is owned by Boarders buddy.

NO.C. Pennies

And the apple and pencil kiosk.

Don't forget "Bread, Water, and Beyond", "Ye Olde Soup Line", and "Rags 'R Us".

oops, I forgot Creek, lol.
It's a nice little store and if the store doesn't have what you're looking for it can be ordered just like at any other B&N store.

Beloit College's Turtle Creek Bookstore (444 East Grand Avenue) is managed by Barnes and Noble. It's not huge, but it's very nice inside.

Yes, Beloit does have a Barnes & Noble. It's called Turtle Bookstore downtown and it's a B&N store.

Thanks momof5 and ihavealife. I like the 'inside baseball' stuff.

"The Buckle is likely moving to a temp spot so the mall can get it cleaned and painted...
That wing of the mall in my opinion is/has always been dead space..."

That makes sense I guess. That might also explain why Buckle is moving around the corner (off the wing), even though the Carlton location doesn't seem much bigger to me.

"Zoom: What does the new LensCrafters look like?"

I haven't taken notice since they finished, but last I saw, they covered most of the lab windows, so you can't see inside it anymore. They might have changed the inside of the lab too, but of course, it isn't visible. I don't remember the new color scheme, but it did change. The store hasn't been reduced in size, and still seems pretty large.

Ihavealife...where in Beloit is a Barnes & Noble bookstore? Beloit does not have one.

Browneyes, I too would like to see a Barnes & Noble or Borders here. But we do not have the demographics for that. Meaning college graduates, average salary,etc. Beloit would be a better draw due to their number of graduates, white collar jobs and being so close to Rockton and Roscoe.

Well, at least they are changing some things up in that mall....I'm sorry, it may have improved somewhat over the years (I remember the 80s/early 90s) but it's still not the best mall in the world, it's just the only one nearby and it does have it's good parts. I think they could change up that "food court-" it's so in the way and smelling Chinese/Japanese food while turning the corner so then you can smell the nail salon...not very appetizing. I also think that Waldenbooks store has seen it's day, except it's the only bookstore around. I was in there the other day and it was so messy and limited in supply and then it was crowded. This town could use a Barnes and Noble or a Borders, not a gazillion food places (because we need a Buffalo Wings place here?)

Joker, how dare you make fun of something as serious as a heart attack! Your act is getting old.

Well, I see tj has joined the attacks against me. No Spark, I am not smoking anything. For you to say stores leaving the Mall are no big deal is scary. You better wake up. It is a big deal and you need to start paying attention to what I am saying.

What is wrong with hating ignorance? Can you answer that?

Tj, you have a lot of nerve making fun of mental illness. Shame on you. Oh, and I am as serious as a heart attack!

TheJoker is obviously not serious about what he is saying, he is just trying to get a rise out of people. That or he is schizophrenic.

Joker-are you smoking something? How am I attacking anyone? You just stated below that you HATE people that YOU think are ignorant. I added something to the mall a long time ago. Stores come and go and have for years. Are you in your own denial of that? You stated there's no real growth and stores are being move around. Where have you been over the years? This has happened at the mall for as long as it's been around.

Spark, once again you go to the attack mode. Please add something to the topic of the Mall or go find somewhere else to spread your "glee".

I am confident because I am good and I know what I am talking about.

Joker-many could consider you being ignorant for acting like a know it all, when if fact, you don't know it all. Many could also consider you ignorant for thinking you need to show people the truth when we're all educated and don't need someone telling us things we may already know. Especially when some of what we're being told by you is merely your assumption. All that being said, you must hate yourself because you sound extremely ignorant and fit into the category of what you've classified as ignorant. By the way, hate is strong word. I don't hate anyone on these posts. Just don't necessarily agree with some of them.

shame on CBL brass for not getting the Carlton location leased. I knew 2 years ago they were closing--or not renewing their lease. When one mall in a management group snubs a store, that store's corporate doesn't forget. Ie--Cinnabon. "They" bumped Cinnabon out for a Chinese place in one mall. Oops. Renewal time for Cinnabon came along at another mall and Cinnabon said "sorry Charlie" and opted to not renew. That space has been vacant for nearly 2 years now, minus a short term leasee.
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If a store opens late or closes early, generally without care to the reason why, they are fined $100 by mall security. And, I use the word security very loosely. LOL
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The way I take it is Buckle is moving to the Carlton location only until their Sears wing location has been redone.
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Oddly enough, the remodel and expanded product line at Vicky's will have a larger impact on the mall's grade than having a smaller Vicky's AND Gymbo. The more A, B, C stores a mall has, the higher the grade they get (like a gpa). The higher the grade of mall, the higher rent they can command. And, generally, it is totally unfounded and meaningless in terms of the amount of volume a store will do in a given mall--especially given the rent to sales ratio.

joker: can you not keep all of your lies cataloged? You said that a major retailer was closing in 2009 and that by the end of 2009 or 2010, the mall would be empty. I heard that there is a pretty good sale on wife beaters at the mall though. Better hurry and get yourself some!
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Zoom: What does the new LensCrafters look like? The new floor plan is probably 2,000 sq ft or less and is long and narrow. Their red, white and yellow has been replaced with white, black and charcoal. It's the same amount of retail space but the lab is more condensed.
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I hear the art store in the mall is going bankrupt too.
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Has anyone shopped at Justice? Do you like it?

When did McDonald's close? Is the pretzel place still there?

why cant we get some decent food in the mall. chinese, japanese why did mcdonalds close?

maybe they think that since everyone will be out of a job in this area they will just be laying around in bed all day.so they will need more lingerie

Frusion, no I do not hate the world. I just hate ignorant people and ignorant ideas. I like it when people are employed and are not being lied to my city and business leaders.

I also like to show people the truth and have them face reality.

Joker... no offense but just wondering, is there anything that makes you happy or do you just hate the world in general?

Momo, what am I wrong about?

This article proves that there is no real growth but simply moving stores around. What a shame.

The article says The Buckle is renovating AND expanding. Is the Carlton Cards store really that much bigger? They can't combine the two locations, because they aren't next to each other, right? Since The Buckle is moving to a temporary space during renovation, that implies either that they will move back to the same, renovated location, or someone else is moving into The Bucckle's store. If The Buckle is simply moving into the Carlton Cards location, why do they need to be in a temporary location? Confusing.

Didn't LensCrafters just remodel a year ago?

janesvillean: Mall leases give the mall MANY exit points but the retailer nearly ZERO! Even anchors (most own the land and building in which they are housed and pay the mall percentage "rent"). It's a bidding war and a battle of egos when it comes time to renew leases. You are kidding yourself if you honestly believe "they" cannot force a retailer to expand/remodel/relocate. Maybe not in the Janesville Mall office they can't. But, you had better believe that down in Tennessee and Ohio (corporate offices) they do! If another retailer wants your space, and the mall believes it is a higher grade of retailer, out you go. Disney Store was a victim to this so Pottery Barn could open. Disney and Eddie Bauer both lost their spots (weren't renewed) because Vicky's was remodeling to it's new look with an expanded product line...why? Because Hollister wanted their location. Maurices was forced to COMPLETELY rennovate a space because Wet Seal wanted their space. Payless, Suncoast and Nedrebo's were all "homeless" because H&M took an entire wing. A friend owns a business at Brookfield Square. Tell him that he wasn't FORCED to remodel his store no, after the fact. He has a 100k construction bill.
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Example: If a department store greater than 10,000 sq ft comes in, a tenant's rent goes up a percentage. However, I doubt rents are going down where Steve and Barry's just closed their 30,000+ sq ft stores. Mall leases are solely one sided!
Oh, and if the mall redoes the tiling or carpeting or what not infront of your store...guess who that sqaure footage gets billed to? Not CBL corporate, that's for sure!
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The size of your sign and letters and approved fonts and colors are ALL in a lease! Don't kid yourself into believing a landlord can't force a tenant to do something. It's called "we won't be renewing your contract then."

joker: looks like you were wrong....again!
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A store HAS to remodel atleast every 10 years per their lease. Most leases allow for a minor remodel (carpet, paint, lights) at the 5 year mark and then a major remodel at the 10 or 15 year mark. Vicky's and the Buckle have been there atleast 10 years in their current decor, so they were probably told remodel or get out. It's hardly a sign that they are doing well or attempting to bring in more sales by creating a fresh new look.
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Gymbo closing isn't really a shock. Other stores in the district would send their clearance to Janesville to sell.
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I would say that Lenscrafters and Finish Line will be the next to undergo a face lift: which will create an empty space or two. Finsih Line is mainstreaming their stores a little bit more which makes them ending up to be about 1/2 the size (same with LensCrafters).
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Zumiez isn't REALLY a shock that they are coming in either. Their parent company bought PacSun. Like many other PacSun's across the country, I'd look for them to close by 2nd or 3rd quarter 2009. Zumiez and PacSun are pretty much duplicates--of course there are a few exceptions.
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Retailers are given the option to have rents go up during Nov and Dec when space is a premium OR tack that extra on to the other 10 months. Most opt for higher rent in Nov and Dec. AND.... they ("the mall") gets a percentage (usually 15%) of all sales over a projected goal amount per month for EVERY tenant.

Nationally, there is still an expectation that there will be a large wave of retailer bankruptcies and/or individual store closures throughout 2009. Companies may have cash on hand, but that can only last so long, and credit remains extremely tight. That doesn't mean that every single store or mall is at risk of becoming a ghost town. Usually malls are most severely affected by the loss of more than one anchor tenant, which has not happened in Janesville. When smaller stores close there may well be other retailers who are anxious to get into the mall, where foot traffic is higher, even though rent is higher too.
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With retail leases, by the way, there isn't one standard way they're done. Big chains are capable of getting better deals, there are numerous considerations including percentage of sales deals, and leases tend to have multiple exit points for both parties. But the mall can't FORCE a retailer to expand. If they're doing this it's because they want to. It's also a bit like doing maintenance on your car. You have to change the oil regularly. Even if money is tight you budget for that.
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Wisconsin's economy is still in relatively good shape, and Madison and Milwaukee were just named top job growth cities by Forbes. Even without GM Janesville remains a regional retail hub. So this is unexpected good news but not especially surprising.

Too bad Gymboree is closing! I can only afford to buy stuff on sale but I do shop there some.

If stores close, and the remaining stores expand, isn't that a wash? Wait, the sky is falling, run for cover. Really, I mean it this time.

How could the mall force a business to expand?

This article reminds me of the phrase "Rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic"!