My mother infused the mall rat DNA in my bloodstream. She took my sister and I on many shopping excursions. While I didn’t relish the thought of standing in a completely boring store like Palais Royal, I knew there where other things awaiting in this magical land. Welcome to my mall kid memories.
Hot Shirts and Pancakes
Stopping by the “Top Scene” T-shirt stand was a must. By modern standards. the burnt orange hue of the stand is rather garish, but in that era, it was just another paint job. There were images lining the top of the pagoda and books loaded with even more iron on designs. Some of the shirts I received from this place included Kiss, Star Wars, Buck Rogers, Farrah Fawcett, and Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini.
As a child, I wondered if the t-shirt people ever tried to make pancakes. The heat press at Top Scene reminded me of the big dry-cleaning press that Moe used as a pancake cooker in the Three Stooges episode, “Sing a Song of Six Pants“.
Three Stooges image courtesy of GIFER
Puffy felt letters were a common addition to the back of the Top Scene shirts. I’m not sure why people were obsessed with getting their names on stuff. Shirts, ID bracelets, western belts, and other items all sported our monikers. Either we were all afraid we’d get lost or we were worried about amnesia. Thank goodness for the lost and found.
Smorgasbord
Mall trips with Mom often included a lunch. One of the top spots was The Terrace. This restaurant was inside Foley’s department store. The patty melts were excellent. The taco salad was the premier thing to get here. It was the first time I saw the shell shaped bowl that everyone takes for granted now. I mean this was serious culinary innovation. Other favorites for my mom were the quiche and the soup and salad.
Cafeterias were also favorite spots. Whether we went to Piccadilly or Luby’s depended on which mall we were visiting. Piccadilly was inside my neighborhood mall. Luby’s was at the mall that was about 20 minutes away.
My favorite entrees were liver and onions and chopped steak. The chopped steak was covered in cheddar cheese with little bacon bits on top. I usually asked for an extra scoop of the beefy salty meat juice.
Liver and onions is something my mom and I love. I’m sure I was the only child in the entire universe who ordered liver and onions. Sometimes the hair netted ladies would remind me it was liver and onions. My reply would be a courteous, “I know.” All the while I was hoping for one more heaping scoop of onions. The cafeteria version of this dish wasn’t quite as good as Mom’s, but is was delicious all the same.
Mac n Cheese was always a side. Luby’s mac had an awesome creaminess. That texture is something that has influenced my own mac n cheese recipe. Piccadilly’s mac was a baked variety. I had to hope for a scoop with a hunk of the melted cheese topping.
Fluffy dinner rolls, a couple pats of butter and strawberry shortcake rounded out my usual meal at both establishments.
The Saltillo Dinner was my standard order at El Chico Mexican restaurant. This was one of the top places we went for fancy family dining. Some nights they had a marimba band. I enjoyed watching the musicians play. I was fascinated by the various sounds that came from the instruments.
One of our most legendary family stories occurred when an El Chico waiter walked by us with an overloaded tray. He was carrying it really high. The tray started to slide, and all of the contents showered over my dad’s head. After the first plate made contact with the back of my dad’s head, the rest appeared to fall in slow motion just like a Looney Tunes cartoon : Crash, boom, bang ! Rice and beans slid behind Pops back as the rest of the items crashed to the floor.
.The waiter was horrified. Fortunately, Pops wasn’t hurt. He is also a great sport. He didn’t give the guy a hard time. The waiter was obviously shaking and fearing for his job and wellbeing.
Maringo Me Please
Next door to El Chico there was this little place called, “The Oriental Café”. It was only there for a few years. It was owned and operated by an Asian couple. This is how I discovered my love for Chinese inspired cuisine. The café was a small place with a few dining tables. It was mostly a takeout joint. Everything was served in Styrofoam containers. Pops and I used to go there with Pops regularly for a family take out order
After trying a few different dishes, I found my all-time favorite. There was an amazing dish called “Chicken Maringo. I haven’t seen this dish anywhere but this place. The fried rice and egg rolls were the absolute best. Fortune cookies added a dash of whimsy.
Patty Melts and Rabbits’ Feet
Woolworth’s was a combination diner and discount variety store. Our lunch excursions frequently included a rotating cast of loved ones including my grandmothers, cousins, and my mom’s dear friend Pat.
The Patty Melt, and a strawberry malt was my order. Every time, all the time, without exception, that was the magic formula. The Patty Melt is still my favorite sandwich. Those Woolworth’s ones were outta this world. More onions please.
After a great lunch break it was back to shopping. That’s when we’d usually head over to Woolworth’s neighboring variety store. That was my source for rabbits’ feet. There were feet of all colors and sizes in a waist high fixture that had dividers. The dividers separated the coin purses, feet and other miscellaneous items into organized rows.
In the 70s and early 80s collecting rabbits’ feet was very common. I wore my whole collection on my belt loop. In hindsight, perhaps it wasn’t the best thing to collect, but, just like my other Woolworth’s treat, candy cigarettes, perhaps it hasn’t aged well, but it’s still my history and an integral part of my mall memories.
Woolworth’s had a clucking chicken prize machine at the front entrance by the gumball machines. You popped some change in the machines to get the little plastic prize filled egg. The fake chicken squawked and clucked loudly as it sent the egg down the chute towards the flippy door.
My Woolworth’s record acquisitions included Alice Cooper “Lace and Whiskey”, Grand Funk Railroad “Good Singin’ Good Playin'” and Nazereth “The Fool Circle”.
Music Over My Head
A nostalgic mental mall tour must include the record store. Disc Records was my first record store experience. Nothing can beat the vibe of a 70’s record shop. It was by far the grooviest of times. I got my Kiss Army sticker at Disc Records. The life-sized promotional displays and were breathtaking. The poster racks were loaded with all of the hottest bands and superstars.
There was a big wall where the 8-track tapes were merchandised. The tapes were accessible through holes in the plexiglass. The tapes could be pulled out of their slot, but the tape didn’t fit through the hole. That was a cool loss prevention measure.
I perused many tapes through that plexiglass. My face moved closer the shield while I read the information on each label. All the while my breath was throwing germs upon the transparent barrier. It was a big ol’ Petri dish full of rock n roll infections.
Disc Records became Hastings around 1982. It remained in the same location, so it didn’t really affect the shopping experience. I remember walking in and seeing this big display for Lita Ford’s “Out for Blood”. I purchased many Kiss albums at Disc and Hastings. I’d immediately walk from the record store to rest benches to stare at the album and read all the information. Sometimes I even opened the record to read the liner notes.
.
If I didn’t have enough money to buy an LP, I’d opt for a 45 single. When my older sister went to the mall without me, sometimes I gave her a little cash I scraped up so she could get me a 45. That’s how I acquired Blondie’s “Tide is High”.
I’d rather forget those weird days of the “cassingle” (the infamous cassette single) or those crazy mini-CD singles. The mini-CD required an adapter that was the size of a regular CD. Even I knew that little audiophile innovation was doomed.
Foley’s department store had a record section upstairs. It was sterile with plain white walls. I did buy a few things from there including Alice Cooper’s “DaDa” cassette. I didn’t really go the Foley’s music area for vibe. It was simply a welcome reprieve from waiting in the bed and bath section while Mom spent hours looking for perfectly fibered towels, toilet covers or some other decidedly uncool household item. I often get a chuckle out of how picky my mom is when she’s buying stuff, but the lady knows the difference between quality and junk.
H&H Music was another mall hot spot. That’s where my first two guitars were purchased. My first guitar was a red Peavy Patriot. There are two amplifiers that were usually the official starter amplifier of the 80s; the Peavy Audition 20 and the Peavy Bandit. I brought home the Audition 20. I started taking weekly lessons. I eventually added the very pointy, black Peavy Mystic guitar to my young axe arsenal. The Mystic was eventually upgraded with a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup. I bought several guitar effects pedals with my meticulously saved lunch money. That’s when I began developing the musician ethos of “cool gear over food”. 
Spencer Gifts was great in the 70s/early 80s. They had an abundance of flashing/flickering lights and fiber optic delights. There were lights of every conceivable form and function. The black light posters were a fanciful journey into dayglo décor. I loved those 7UP “Uncola” glasses. Spencer Gifts was a different place back in those days. It had a few bawdier things, but they were easily avoidable.
Cigarettes and Sundaes
Down on one of the far outer rings of the mall is where Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor was located. When I was in elementary school, I attended a couple of birthday parties of some school acquaintances. That’s where I learned the trick of making the “Clown Sundae”. A pointy ice cream cone is placed , upside down on top of a bowled scoop of ice cream. The whole thing is then decorated with sprinkles, candies, and whatever else you need to make it look like a clown.
Farrell’s is also the place where teen age me pumped money into the front lobby cigarette machine. My rebel heart snagged hassle free Marlboro reds. Smoking was permitted in the mall at the time so there was a little added strut of “yeah I’m a bad dude”. I don’t how much of a bad a%$ I really was. It was a little dubious for me to act tough when I was constantly concerned about my mom walking into the mall and seeing me in my smoke cloud.
About the only time I didn’t worry about a parental bust was if Mom’s hair was in curlers when she dropped me off. The curlers minimized, but didn’t eliminate, that odds of paternal engagement. But hey, the teachers who saw me couldn’t do anything about my cigarette. I wasn’t in school or on school property. I was a “bad dude”.
I don’t condone the teen smoking. That’s just the way it was. This is my story. I must tell it like it was. Even the stupid parts. I’m not glamorizing. I’m just sharing. The smoking thing was a relatively short period in time in my teen years. I made up for those couple of years later in my adult life. Boy, did I make up for it.
We’re Halfway There
Other great mall memories include buying concert tickets. There was a Ticketmaster window where I bought Kiss tickets a few times. Later the ticket office was moved to Foley’s at my neighborhood mall. The wife of my old T-Ball coached worked at the Foley’s ticket window many years, even into my adulthood.
The other mall ran their ticket purchases through Joske’s. I went there to get Bon Jovi tickets. I knew there going to be people camping out overnight. We got there right before they opened the store. Once the doors were unlocked, people started jogging briskly towards the escalator. I power walked. I didn’t run, but I passed up some campers. Once I got those tickets in hand, I felt like Charlie headed toward Wonka land.
Stroller Derby at the Fountain
There was fountain in the center of the mall was underneath a big, trellised pavilion. There was a little step-down section that led to the sunken floor under the pavilion where the fountain was located. In my younger days I thought that fountain was gigantic.
The rest area inside the main fountain area frequently resembled a baby stroller demolition derby. Kids were everywhere. The outer the pavilion was also lined with benches. These were the most coveted hang out spots for mall kids. They were the best places to see and be seen.
Hello Ladies
There was a very strong possibility I would find a new “most beautiful girl in the world” with each mall visit. Without question the best shop to gaze upon the beauty of the female persuasion was “The Go Round”. They sold all the latest hip looks including ladies’ shirts that featured the bullseye and Japanese style prints that were made fashionable by Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo.
My sister had a friend that worked at a store called 5-7-9. Her name was Kristin. I had the biggest crush on her. I’ll touch on my Kristin crush on a later entry. So clearly 5-7-9 was a good hot spot for a daily beauty contest. It was located right next to the record store. Casual Corner, The Limited, Visible Changes and the food court were also great places to search for America’s next top model.
Nuthin’ but a Hound Dog
Docktor pet store was in one of the mall side wings. What better way to pass the day than to look at cute animals? One day my mom and I went into the pet store pass some time. The young lady working there honed in on our sightline and she went into the pet room behind the glass. She brought out the little basset hound that caught or attention. That girl knew what she was doing. Once mom and I held that little fella we were hooked. Pops had the pleasure of being surprised by another mouth to feed when he got home 😊. I love you Pops!
We named our new family member Elvis. He had papers showing his breeding heritage. His parents were Brutus and Beau, so his official name was now Elvis Brutus Beau. The name would prove to be the only fancy thing about our new puppy. 
Wicks N Sticks was a stunning shop full of wonderous candle creations. They had large, multicolored, shiny candles of dragons, wizards, and other fantasy forms. I was fascinated. The apple shaped candles looked like real sparkling apples. I couldn’t even fathom someone would burning these wonderous creations. They were works of art.
Dig Them Po Boys
No mall recollection would be complete without mentioning a locally owned delicatessen. Samperi’s was a fascinating market. They had the most incredible Po-Boys I have ever tasted. I remember peering over the bins where the wrapped sandwiches were displayed. There were all sorts of imported cured meats, cheeses and other epicurean treats. I was still young when Samperi’s left the mall, but I will never forget this wonderful deli.
Wild West
I was too young to go into “The Saloon”. It was a little bar right next to El Chico. I stared at those swinging doors that lead into the dark hallway of the establishment. My little child eyes could only imagine the dastardly outlaws that must’ve been in there.
I never saw the inside of it. I’m happy I didn’t. Hopefully I will never run across photos of the interior. I do not want to ruin my childhood images of Butch Cavendish and Ned Pepper forming an unholy alliance right in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, I didn’t see John Wayne, The Lone Ranger or Marshall Dillon.
After their dastardly plans were hatched, I assumed those outlaws would proceed to walk down to the other side of the mall and start getting rowdy as the passed the Kawliga in the front entrance of the Pipe Pub as they stocked up on loose leaf and pipe fillings.
The Saloon closed when I was still young. The Oriental Café eventually took over the Saloon space.
Led Denim
Although The Gap was the place where I got my denim jackets. Those jackets would soon be the canvases for a myriad of assorted rock n roll patches. I want to step back a little further in time though. I was sitting on the floor of the Gap waiting for my mom and sister to hurry up and get done with their dressing room fashion show. The overhead speakers were broadcasting a local radio station. That’s when I heard a news break mentioned that Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham had died.
Toys, Toys, Toys
Playhouse Toys was a great little bit of fun. They had Clash of the Titans action figures hanging on a rack in the middle of the store. I guess they were moved to the front for clearance. I wanted them all. They had a great deal of Micronauts toys and giant Shogun Warriors.
Oddly enough I don’t remember near as much about Playhouse toys as I do Kaybee which took over the same spot. Kaybee had a bigger impact me in my adult life. That’s most likely do to the me blowing tons of paychecks on toys. I will cover this in a future “Grown Up Mall Kid” piece.
One of my biggest accomplishments will always be managing to escape the deadly grip of the escalator. It was the undertow of the shopping mall. My mom put a healthy fear of tangled shoe strings and mangled body parts in my mind. Even if the ride was done, there was one last death trap awaiting me. The razor sharp teeth at the edge of the final step where the final death trap. Surely I was going to be picked off at the last moment. I eventually started leaping across that threshold of doom. I still was still fearful that my back foot would get snatched.
Back to Foley’s and Toilet Seats
Foley’s had a pirate ship mounted on the wall in the shoe department. Kids could play inside of it. Shoe shopping a total blast. Even as adults, most of the neighborhood kids still talk about that pirate ship. It is an indelible memory
We usually came in the mall through Foley’s, so we had to exit through Foley’s. It was a double stop. At the front entrance/exit there was the rack of old school credit card applications. They had a thin sheet of purple carbon paper between the two application forms. It allowed the items written on the top form to be filled out simultaneously on the secondary form.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that carbon paper would be fantastic for art projects, tracing things and general crafts. Rest assured, upon every exit, some of these forms were coming home with me. When my cousin, Betsy, visited there’d be a few more credit application souvenirs heading out to door.
One of my greatest feats of public stupidity occurred in Foley’s. This would be in my teen years. We were, once again, in the bed and bath section while Mom looked for the perfect washroom accents. The toilet seat covers were stretched flat over rigid cardboard. They reminded me of a duck’s bill. So naturally placing two of them in front of my face and quacking loudly was the natural thing to do. That was one of my earliest attempts at performance art. I should have brought a tip jar.
That Toddlin’ Town
The mall was a whole city unto itself. It had music, food, girls, books, toys, clothes and a bunch of weird stuff. Almost everything in the little temporary stands was weird. Fake weather and flashing lights added to the city vibe. Sunshine radiated from windowed ceiling arches. All of the yucky heat and other elemental nonsense was eliminated.
The were so many sights, sounds and scents; fresh popcorn, corndogs, the gentle fragrance of freshly applied Kissing Potion lip gloss mixed with perfume, all of my senses were reeling.
It was a great place for young people to develop socialization skills and independent interaction abilities. It was separate from school, yet still a somewhat controlled environment to see your schoolmates. There so many things to learn, observe, and experience.
Still the, the very best memories of the mall world are the bonds I formed with my mom. Shopping kept us from just sitting in the house all day when I was younger. It was our thing.
Mom didn’t always buy a bunch of stuff. When she did, she frequently bought items for other people. Waiting for her to finish browsing at the boring stores isn’t a bad memory. I appreciate it more now. Maybe it helped me learn patience. I know it taught me the difference between a hideous blouse and an elegant blouse. That’s a skill though definitely came in handy later in life when clothes shopping for the ladies in my life. Thanks Mom !
Pops and I will always have our signature mall moments. He has the great Tex-Mex food assault at El Chico. I have duck billed toilet seat face. Bravo to both of us.
GDJ/Pixabay
Denouement
With the exception of the Luby’s and Joske’s anecdotes, the experiences I discussed in this piece occurred at my neighborhood mall. The landscape changed over the years. Sam Goody opened a store. It eventually choked Hastings out of business. El Chico became Marco’s. New stores opened. Old favorites closed or relocated. Some of those changes will be reflected in my adult mall experience piece. There’s still more mall talk coming your way.
For more information on the history of the mall of my formative years, visit southbelthouston.blogspot.com
Be First to Comment