My Christmas shopping as a young boy was done at Kresge’s in the early 50s. Will always remember the special smells of popcorn and new merchandise (what can I say? … everything looked and smelled good to a boy of 5 or 6 years old at Christmas in this wonderland of a store. Downtown Springfield was a bustling retail center. Today it seems so empty and dead. A little bit of me died when they took down the Orpheum theater… and then the Senate.
You’re right Robert. Downtown is pretty lifeless. It is no longer the heartbeat of the city, and hasn’t been for quite some time. You mentioned the Orpheum Theatre. I have been in many restored movie palaces in various cities and although most of them look great and still have that “wow” factor, it’s not the same as when they were showing movies and had large numbers of people coming and going all the time. They’re missing the energy they once had. Still, it would be great to have the Orpheum back.
I miss those delicious hot dogs and the ice cold root beer! Then around the corner was a lady’s hat shop.
Nancy Flint | May 1, 2010 | Reply
My Christmas shopping as a young boy was done at Kresge’s in the early 50s. Will always remember the special smells of popcorn and new merchandise (what can I say? … everything looked and smelled good to a boy of 5 or 6 years old at Christmas in this wonderland of a store. Downtown Springfield was a bustling retail center. Today it seems so empty and dead. A little bit of me died when they took down the Orpheum theater… and then the Senate.
Robert Stowe | May 1, 2010 | Reply
You’re right Robert. Downtown is pretty lifeless. It is no longer the heartbeat of the city, and hasn’t been for quite some time. You mentioned the Orpheum Theatre. I have been in many restored movie palaces in various cities and although most of them look great and still have that “wow” factor, it’s not the same as when they were showing movies and had large numbers of people coming and going all the time. They’re missing the energy they once had. Still, it would be great to have the Orpheum back.
Scott | May 4, 2010 | Reply