I remember when...

[Drumbones]

Re: posting #1585
There was also a House of Tools in that shopping mall. I used to go there to buy and browse their excellent choice of tools. They had another Store at Mayfield Common but both closed down over the years.

Me too.

[bornandraised]

According to my memory and a 1995 article from the Edmonton Journal on the occasion of IKEA's grand opening at the Whitemud Drive location:

- Opened in Edmonton in 1978 -- 50th Street & Sherwood Park Freeway location
- Moved to West Edmonton Mall -- likely in 1985 when Phase 3 opened
- Moved to Calgary Trail & Whitemud Drive (old Eagle Hardware location, more recently Finesse Furniture) in 1995
- Moved to present South Edm Common location in 2003

[overoceans]

I didn't listen to CHQT much in the early 80s, but my parents did. I remember on the morning show, every Friday they would have a guy singing this country-westernish song about "the last seven days", recapping the events of the previous week.

[North Guy66]

I didn't listen to CHQT much in the early 80s, but my parents did. I remember on the morning show, every Friday they would have a guy singing this country-westernish song about "the last seven days", recapping the events of the previous week.

Bob Bradburn.

My mom listened to CHQT too. I think the song started with the lyric, "This week had seven days....".

[overoceans]

I didn't listen to CHQT much in the early 80s, but my parents did. I remember on the morning show, every Friday they would have a guy singing this country-westernish song about "the last seven days", recapping the events of the previous week.

Bob Bradburn.

My mom listened to CHQT too. I think the song started with the lyric, "This week had seven days....".

That's right. I think I read somewhere that it was originally used on the 1960s CBC show This Hour Has Seven Days, for their weekly wrap-ups, and the basic format was written by Mavor Moore.

[overoceans]

Wow. AADAC has at least one archived copy of Zoot Capri magazine from the early 80s. Click on the magnifying-glass to browse inside.

http://tinyurl.com/j56awr4

Like most Alberta youth my age, I got unsolicited deliveries of that magazine for a few years.

Looking back, I wonder how effective it really was at keeping kids away from substance abuse. It seems to me it might have been simultaneously too square and too cool. Too square, because most of my peers seemed to view it as just some goofy educational thing that adults want you to read for your own good. And too hip, because it had articles on things like "Best Places To See A Rock Concert In Edmonton", whereas, if we're being totally honest, a kid's chances of smoking a joint likely increase if he goes to a rock concert.

So, the cool kids would have thought it was too square, and the square kids would have been encouraged to do the kind of things that increase their exposure to recerational substances. That said, I will admit that I was a (pretty square) fan of Zoot, and I wasn't inspired to go to rock concerts and take drugs.

[KC]

Wow. AADAC has at least one archived copy of Zoot Capri magazine from the early 80s. Click on the magnifying-glass to browse inside.

http://tinyurl.com/j56awr4

Like most Alberta youth my age, I got unsolicited deliveries of that magazine for a few years.

Looking back, I wonder how effective it really was at keeping kids away from substance abuse. It seems to me it might have been simultaneously too square and too cool. Too square, because most of my peers seemed to view it as just some goofy educational thing that adults want you to read for your own good. And too hip, because it had articles on things like "Best Places To See A Rock Concert In Edmonton", whereas, if we're being totally honest, a kid's chances of smoking a joint likely increase if he goes to a rock concert.

So, the cool kids would have thought it was too square, and the square kids would have been encouraged to do the kind of things that increase their exposure to recerational substances. That said, I will admit that I was a (pretty square) fan of Zoot, and I wasn't inspired to go to rock concerts and take drugs.

I know someone that was involved in media similar to that back then(except his work focused on STDs, etc.) Any great, smart, witty or hard hitting messages were always shot down by "the establishment". Only dull, boring and uninteresting ever went forward.

[Scona Brat]

I stumbled across this thread when I was searching for other information. I thought it deserved to be BTT. This “I Remember When” really got me going. I basically grew up in Old Strathcona. Reading this thread had brought forth so many memories - I remember them too!

I was born in 1964 at the General Hospital on 111 St & Jasper Ave. Mom said we lived in an apartment above Strathcona Furniture. I remember living in suites in houses on 99 St-83 Ave. Then an apartment on 102 St-83 Ave by the train tracks. I remember my parents’ friends staying overnight and saying the next day “the train woke me up” and we would say “what train” cause we were so use to it we never heard them. Then we moved to an apartment that was built on the site of the houses we had lived in on 99 St. I know/knew the area very well.

Changes to Whyte Avenue between Bonnie Doon Mall and 112 Street since about 1970, I remember many of them. Changes to BD Mall - I remember. Same with the downtown core - I remember. Mill Creek area around 82 Avenue, I remember. So many places - I remember. Many of the major news events, local celebrities, tv shows - I remember. Many of the old posts - I could bump so many of them - I remember.

Oh, how I remember!

[Top_Dawg]

Another Garlic City classic.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...tion-1.4361352

' Emmonites ' !



Top_Dawg loves it.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

^ This was probably brought up from the archives because Mike Tyson's Undisputed Truth is at the River Cree on Nov 25. I think this is a speaking engagement with him lisping away about his life.

[Spill]

An inglorious event.

Don King, in all his flamboyant reverence, referred to locals as Edmonites. Mike Tyson stated, "Most cities I've fought in were, like, cities." In reality it was cancelled due to Tyson's condition of poor ticket sales.

[overoceans]

I remember a shop on Whyte Avenue in the 80s/90s that sold all variety of cigarettes, and there was a counter where people would sit around and smoke and chat, like a bar. It was one of the places where you were able to buy single cigarettes.

Can't recall the name, but it was in Old Strathcona somewhere, probably towards 109th on the north side of the street.

[Gemini]

Does anyone remember a instrumental from the late 50's or early 60's (I think) and it had a title that was something to do with space (space race etc).
I remember a family member playing it from a C D. I can remember the tune but that's about it and it's driving me a bit crazy as I knew the name of it but just cant think of it right now.

[howie]

^ Telstar by The Tornados, maybe?

[Spudly]

I remember a shop on Whyte Avenue in the 80s/90s that sold all variety of cigarettes, and there was a counter where people would sit around and smoke and chat, like a bar. It was one of the places where you were able to buy single cigarettes.

Can't recall the name, but it was in Old Strathcona somewhere, probably towards 109th on the north side of the street.

Burlington's Tobacco? It's still there, next to When Pigs Fly.

[overoceans]

I remember a shop on Whyte Avenue in the 80s/90s that sold all variety of cigarettes, and there was a counter where people would sit around and smoke and chat, like a bar. It was one of the places where you were able to buy single cigarettes.

Can't recall the name, but it was in Old Strathcona somewhere, probably towards 109th on the north side of the street.

Burlington's Tobacco? It's still there, next to When Pigs Fly.

Yeah, that might be it. I can't believe it's still there. I was sure that they would have somehow been in violation of the new tobacco-sale laws.

You used to be able to go into a back room, and they had all the packages on display, sort of like a museum. But now I'm assuming they'd all have to be behind the counter and covered up.

[overoceans]

^ At the very least, I doubt it's a smoking-bar anymore, since you can't smoke inside businesses.

[Top_Dawg]

Plus all the modern technology.

To Top_Dawg's recollection, all the cigars and tobacco at Burlington's are now stored in humidors.

[Gemini]

^ Telstar by The Tornados, maybe?

Bingo Howie that's the one. I was watching Mad Men and it game on and I had heard the tune before but did not know what it was called.
It's an awesome instrumental. Thnx.

[howie]

^ Cool. Glad to be of assistance.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Any old timers know more about this? Where was this?

https://twitter.com/si_vault/status/937725086399975425

SI Vault‏ @si_vault

Fun Fact: Warren Moon operated a chocolate chip cookie store in Edmonton while playing in the CFL

[McBoo]

Not sure where, but that apparent baker is Warren Moon - and a pretty young one too.So I'm guessing early eighties - latter half of the Eskies five-Grey-Cups in-a-row dynasty.

[Spudly]

According to comments on https://twitter.com/wmoon1/status/83...816064?lang=en it was in WEM.

[Drumbones]

Yes WEM. Seems to me it was on the south side of the ice palace

[overoceans]

There used to be a movie theatre just south of Jasper Avenue, a Cineplex Odeon I believe, a bit east of the High Level Bridge.

Was this called Park Plaza? And if so, did it stand where that big read building called Park Plaza is now?

[envaneo]

^ Was this theatre near the Chateau Lacombe?

[overoceans]

^ Was this theatre near the Chateau Lacombe?

Quite possibly. I was originally thinking that's where it was, but that would put it somewhat east of the building called Park Plaza.

Crossing the street east from the downtown Mason's Hall, is that a vacant lot? Maybe that's where the theatre was.

I also vaguely remember that it was near a building called the Weinlos building.

[envaneo]

^ Actually that lot across the street from Chateau Lacombe has been vacant (if memory serves) since ~ 1985 and maybe even earlier. I remember being in the Chateau Lacombe's Blackbeard restaurant 1978 but I don't have a recollection of the area.

[wayneskichuck]

There used to be a movie theatre just south of Jasper Avenue, a Cineplex Odeon I believe, a bit east of the High Level Bridge.

Was this called Park Plaza? And if so, did it stand where that big read building called Park Plaza is now?

The Odeon was on Jasper Ave just east of 101 street. The Capitol Square Cinemas was right next to the Odeon. Up 101 Street was the Rialto. The City Centre 9 Cinemas (Eaton Centre Cinemas) were close to the Chateau Lacombe on 102 Street 102 Ave.

[envaneo]

The Strand was also around in 1978, the Rialto was just off Jasper Ave. I saw Battlestar Galactica the movie before BG became a TV series.

About the vacant lot though across the street from the CL i don't think it was ever developed.

[wayneskichuck]

The Strand was also around in 1978, the Rialto was just off Jasper Ave. I saw Battlestar Galactica the movie before BG became a TV series.

About the vacant lot though across the street from the CL i don't think it was ever developed.

Ha, I knew I'd saw BSG at the Rialto.

[envaneo]

^ And I saw The Titanic that same year.

[wayneskichuck]

^ And I saw The Titanic that same year.

You mean, Raise the Titanic?

[envaneo]

^ That's the one. I recall the Rialto had stadium seating.

[overoceans]

The City Centre 9 Cinemas (Eaton Centre Cinemas) were close to the Chateau Lacombe on 102 Street 102 Ave.

Thanks. I think it was the CC9 cinemas I remember, because I think it was a multiplex.

But wouldn't 102nd Ave. be NORTH of Jasper, not south, as it would have to be if it was close to the Chateau.

[envaneo]

^ What years?

[wayneskichuck]

^ What years?

Raise the Titanic came out in 1980.

[envaneo]

^ I know, I was asking overoceans

[overoceans]

^ I know, I was asking overoceans

I think I went to movies there in the mid 1980s. I know I saw The Gods Must Be Crazy there, some time around 1983 or so.

[wayneskichuck]

The City Centre 9 Cinemas (Eaton Centre Cinemas) were close to the Chateau Lacombe on 102 Street 102 Ave.

Thanks. I think it was the CC9 cimemas I remember, because I think it was a multiplex.

But wouldn't 102nd Ave. be NORTH of Jasper, not south, as it would have to be if it was close to the Chateau.

Yes, I guess it is. Well, then the Odeon and the Capitol Square would have been closer to the CL on Jasper Ave

[wayneskichuck]

^ I know, I was asking overoceans

Oh sorry.

[envaneo]

^^ I don't know of any stand alone movie theater around the CL area

[overoceans]

^^ I don't know of any stand alone movie theater around the CL area

I think the Cinema Centre 9 might have been on the other side of the street(ie. the north side) of the street from the CL, and about one or two blocks west. Maybe not 102nd Street, but 103rd.

[wayneskichuck]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

[envaneo]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

You mean right behind Freemasons Hall where the parkade is?

[wayneskichuck]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

You mean right behind Freemasons Hall where the parkade is?

Yup. That was the closet theater to CL. Is that the one you're thinking of?

[howie]

Never been much of a moviegoer, but remember going to a couple of drive-ins, one on 50 St. just north of the Whitemud and another in St. Albert.

[wayneskichuck]

Yeah, I was always into movies. My favourite hang outs were the Paramount, Odeon, Rialto, Capitol Square, Londonderry, Westmount and the Plaza. Went to a few drive-ins at the beginning, like the Twin Drive In.

[envaneo]

Never been much of a moviegoer, but remember going to a couple of drive-ins, one on 50 St. just north of the Whitemud and another in St. Albert.

I went to movies a lot in my younger years. Not so much anymore, what with Netflix etc. When we have enough Scene points loaded up the wife and i go to the theatre once or twice a year.

[overoceans]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

Bingo. I'm pretty sure that was the one. But was it the same as the Cinema Centre 9 someone else mentioned earlier?

And was it the one that officially became the Eaton Centre theatres after it moved?

[wayneskichuck]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

Bingo. I'm pretty sure that was the one. But was it the same as the Cinema Centre 9 someone else mentioned earlier?

And was it the one that officially became the Eaton Centre theatres after it moved?

The Cinema Centre 9 is north of Jasper Ave and it appeared it was called the Eaton Centre theaters.

[overoceans]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

Bingo. I'm pretty sure that was the one. But was it the same as the Cinema Centre 9 someone else mentioned earlier?

And was it the one that officially became the Eaton Centre theatres after it moved?

The Cinema Centre 9 is north of Jasper Ave and it appeared it was called the Eaton Centre theaters.

So Cinema Centre 9 and Eaton Centre Cinemas have always been the same theatre, in the same location?

I had the idea that when the Principal Plaza closed down, Eaton Centre was Cineplex Odeon's replacement for it. I guess because both were multiplexes.

[wayneskichuck]

How about the Principal Plaza Theatre on 10032 103rd Street? It was operating between 1982-1989.

Bingo. I'm pretty sure that was the one. But was it the same as the Cinema Centre 9 someone else mentioned earlier?

And was it the one that officially became the Eaton Centre theatres after it moved?

The Cinema Centre 9 is north of Jasper Ave and it appeared it was called the Eaton Centre theaters.

So Cinema Centre 9 and Eaton Centre Cinemas have always been the same theatre, in the same location?

I had the idea that when the Principal Plaza closed down, Eaton Centre was Cineplex Odeon's replacement for it. I guess because both were multiplexes.

Yes, Cinema Center and Eaton Center Cinemas were the same. I believe it's now run by the Landmark chain. And still in the same location.

It's quite possible the equipment from the Principal Plaza was relocated to Cinema Center after they closed. The timeline fits alright.

[overoceans]

Thanks for all the help everyone, especially skichuk.

So, going by what I found on google, I guess the Principal Plaza was right across the street from All Saints Cathederal?

[kkozoriz]

Yup. And the theatres there were tiny. But it was the first multiplex. There were a couple of twin theatres but this is the first one with 8, if I recall correctly.

[envaneo]

Imagine having a movie theatre beside a morgue, uggh.

[overoceans]

Imagine having a movie theatre beside a morgue, uggh.

Well, not as bad as the Masons having to endure the rumours about how that's where they dispose of all the bodies from their human sacrifices.

(Joke! But I'd bet dollars to donuts that someone somewhere has said that about that pair of buildings.)

[overoceans]

I guess that funeral home is now closed? Not sure if I was aware of that.

https://tinyurl.com/y8uxkhj9

[overoceans]

Depressing post-Xmas memory...

I remember when the Christmas lights on Whyte Avenue consisted of a bunch of single-wires, each strung from one side of the street to the other, with lights on them. This would have been the late 70s or so. It really drove home just how much of a pathetic, has-been of a street Whyte was in those days.

[KC]

Late 70s. Hmm. I can’t recall much from then but I do know that within a couple years Whyte was full of great little shops and restaurants that lasted for a number of years and I spent a lot of time there with various people. That was before all the bars took over where I’d say it entered its depressing phase.

[overoceans]

Late 70s. Hmm. I can’t recall much from then but I do know that within a couple years Whyte was full of great little shops and restaurants that lasted for a number of years and I spent a lot of time there with various people. That was before all the bars took over where I’d say it entered its depressing phase.

I don't mean to be overly negative, but let's put it this way. There was a time when Whyte Avenue hosted two porn theatres, the Princess and Studio 82, within a few minutes walk of one another. Nothing against porn, but two theatres of that nature is usually not considered a sign of cultural or economic vitality.

And yes, it was the early 80s when things took off for the better. By the time I became aware of the Princess around '82 or so, it was showing art films and classics, and I think Studio 82 closed down shortly afterwards.

The bar-strip era has indeed been a downer, though for somewhat different reasons than the 70s dead-zone was. And personally, if I had to choose, I'd take the 70s over now for Whyte Avenue culture. I still prefer the area east of the tracks, where some of that old culture still remains, than the area between the Strath and 109th.

[Drumbones]

I lived there then. 103, 9725-82 ave. it was called Marplex Manor in those days. A different name now. Frequented the Strath, Commercial, the Park, the Inn on Whyte was new then. Shopped at Safeway across the bridge, now a thrift or goodwill store. Went to Fullers restaurant everyday for years, now Humptys. Went to Studio 82 now and then. The Gainers plant was still there then on Mill Creek ravine and the tracks still made their way there, now a trail. Amazing how the meat packing plants, which employed thousands, all left town. The Gendalls trailer factory was on 99st and I worked there. There was the Bruin Inn across from 99st News, later Owl drugs. Used to hang out in the Bruin Inn and play the Juke Box a lot. Walked the ravine a lot. Hung out with Richie people. Had a lot of fun in those days. Lots more stuff but that's 40 and more years ago now. Time flies.

[Spill]

Depressing post-Xmas memory...

I remember when the Christmas lights on Whyte Avenue consisted of a bunch of single-wires, each strung from one side of the street to the other, with lights on them. ...

And the lights, multi-coloured and uncoordinated as they were, looked like they were picked from the spare parts bin; leftovers from the Jasper Avenue displays. "Maybe they'll replace the burned-out bulbs next year." SAD!

[KC]

Princess Theatre played porn? News to me. I seem to recall restoration work and then lots of interesting old movies. Moreover I think that I was going there before I had two long term girlfriends (at two diffferent times) living just off Whyte, so that’s why I spent more time on Whyte in the ‘80s.


1978
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prin...tre_(Edmonton)

[overoceans]

Princess Theatre played porn?

Yep. I swear to God, I didn't make that edit on wikipedia!

Though I didn't realize they had ended their involvement with the genre as long ago as 1976. I'm now wondering if they were showing it at the same time as Studio 82, or if Studio picked up the slack after the Princess switched to Rep.

Thanks for the memories, Drumbone. Was the Marplex located in the same row of buildings as the Red Lantern etc? I had numerous friends who lived in various buildings in that stretch over the years, most notably the Tessier.

[envaneo]

I guess that funeral home is now closed? Not sure if I was aware of that.

https://tinyurl.com/y8uxkhj9

Sorry I missed this but its been closed for quite awhile now. I am Mason (15 years) and go into the Mason Hall a couple times/year.

[envaneo]

I used to live on 81st Ave behind the car dealership with my first wife 1981, and I don't recall the Christmas lights on Whyte at the time.

[Drumbones]

Princess Theatre played porn?

Yep. I swear to God, I didn't make that edit on wikipedia!

Though I didn't realize they had ended their involvement with the genre as long ago as 1976. I'm now wondering if they were showing it at the same time as Studio 82, or if Studio picked up the slack after the Princess switched to Rep.

Thanks for the memories, Drumbone. Was the Marplex located in the same row of buildings as the Red Lantern etc? I had numerous friends who lived in various buildings in that stretch over the years, most notably the Tessier.

Yup. Another block east of the Red Lion. Next building to Sherwood Manor, east side.

[Drumbones]

I used to live on 81st Ave behind the car dealership with my first wife 1981, and I don't recall the Christmas lights on Whyte at the time.

Oh ya they always had those strung across for years. All through the seventies for sure. Eighties, maybe nineties. I thought they still had them. Lol

[overoceans]

Thanks Spill and Drumbones for confiring that I didn't just hallucinate those drab Xmas lights.

I thought they still had them. Lol

A google on "Whyte Avenue Christmas lights" turned up this image. Tastefully modest, without a sign of the single-stringers anywhere.

Back to the cinematic culture, someone from Ritchie once told me that Studio 82 used to show kids films on Saturday afternoon, during the same era when they were mostly showing nudies. I'm guesing that would cause a bit more of an outcry if someone tried it today; probably a few lawsuits after some parents found out where their kids had gone to see Pete's Dragon.

[KC]

Princess Theatre played porn?

Yep. I swear to God, I didn't make that edit on wikipedia!

Though I didn't realize they had ended their involvement with the genre as long ago as 1976. I'm now wondering if they were showing it at the same time as Studio 82, or if Studio picked up the slack after the Princess switched to Rep.

Thanks for the memories, Drumbone. Was the Marplex located in the same row of buildings as the Red Lantern etc? I had numerous friends who lived in various buildings in that stretch over the years, most notably the Tessier.

Other trivia: The provincial museum used to play old British comedies.

[overoceans]

Princess Theatre played porn?

Yep. I swear to God, I didn't make that edit on wikipedia!

Though I didn't realize they had ended their involvement with the genre as long ago as 1976. I'm now wondering if they were showing it at the same time as Studio 82, or if Studio picked up the slack after the Princess switched to Rep.

Thanks for the memories, Drumbone. Was the Marplex located in the same row of buildings as the Red Lantern etc? I had numerous friends who lived in various buildings in that stretch over the years, most notably the Tessier.

Other trivia: The provincial museum used to play old British comedies.

Do you mean under the auspices of the Edmonton Film Society? The Society was still using that venue as of December 2015.


https://tinyurl.com/y8t6ko6q

[North Guy66]

Story about Taras Ostashewsky, former manager of SU Records in Hub Mall. He passed away on June 13.

Brings back memories of one of Edmonton's best records store:

I’ve been told by more than person that when they saw the movie High Fidelity starring John Cusack it reminded them of SU: the record store as bohemian clubhouse, and the queasy feeling, as a customer, that you might be snickered at if you inquired about a record deemed insufficiently hip.

But I like to think we were a little more elevated than that. For one thing, we had our classical room, overseen by Stewart Lemoine, whose career as Edmonton’s much-loved playwright began while he was still at the store. More to the point though, we were all music fanatics in our various ways, and we truly wanted you to be like us. If I was rude to anyone, please allow me this opportunity, better late than never, to say I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.

A big part of the store’s mystique was its role as importer of records from the U.K. and Europe, things you could not access any other way pre-internet.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/insi...ns-music-scene

[Top_Dawg]

" Entering my first year at the University of Alberta with little to nothing in the way of interpersonal skills, I was suddenly placed at the social and cultural nerve centre of campus life. "




To Top_Dawg's recollection it was more like cornholio ground zero of campus.

[envaneo]

Does anyone remember a buisness, probably around 1981 called Commonwealth Posters? I used to work there for about a week.

[overoceans]

Does anyone remember a buisness, probably around 1981 called Commonwealth Posters?

Can't say that I do. Was it located near Commonwealth Stadium?

[envaneo]

^ No, it was located between Gateway blvd and 99th street bordering Whyte before the Strathcona railway yards. The business as far as I knew had nothing to do with Commonwealth Stadium.

Thanks for the reply