I can’t believe how old I feel. It’s almost as if my memories are filling in areas of my subconscious with images of the past. And even if I look at some locale for a while, I’m still struck by the fact that what is currently at that location is not the building or business of my past.
Cases in point.
You know the Subway shop at the intersection of Washington and Lark Streets? I remember it as a cafeteria and convenience store in the 1970’s. And somewhere in the 1990’s, it became an art supply store. Then it became a Chinese restaurant. And now it’s a Subway. The fact that I remember all four of those businesses as the tenants of a single corner building… damn, I’m old.
I could drive up Central Avenue, going all the way to State Street in Schenectady – from the Armory to Proctor’s – and the memories would flood back. The record store at the corner of Central and North Lake. The Woolworth’s on Central, near Lexington Avenue, across the street from Blue Note Record Shop.
711 Central Avenue, where Shop Rite is? That went through several permutations, it was the OTB Tele-Theater, it was King’s Department Store, it was an Albany Public Market. Westgate Shopping Center had a Duane’s Toyland outlet in an area that’s now home to a fitness center.
Keep driving, Chuck. Under the underpass. Carroll’s Hamburgers near Nothway Mall. Northway Mall, the home of Montgomery Ward and Alperts and the Cine 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10…
Still driving forward. I see Truman’s Restaurant, it used to be called DeVito’s. I see the Kohl’s Department Store plaza, before that it had a Builder’s Square home improvement store – and prior to that, people snuggled in their cars as they watched double features at the Mohawk Drive-In.
Continuing forward. All the businesses and stores in Colonie. The Adirondack Tire outlet that once was a Milbrook Bread store. And there’s the other Duane’s Toyland store, now the home of an antiques gallery.
I’ve passed Mohawk Commons, which was once the site of Mohawk Mall, the home of 4% sales tax shopping. Damn, I feel old. I keep driving up Route 5. There’s a lot of used car dealerships in the area. That dealership took over an adult movie store. This dealership took over a gas station.
Down the hill, towards Proctor’s in Schenectady. The Bombers restaurant where my old radio station 3WD was located. The Subway restaurant that took over a location previously occupied by a Strawberries record store. Carl’s Department Store. It’s gone. Wallace Armer Hardware. Olender Furniture. They’re gone.
Our historical ties and connections to the past. More than just government buildings and historic markers. These were where we shopped, where we dined, and where we saw the motion pictures of the day.
And I’m on the half-side of 49 right now. Wistful memories.
Sorry, readers. I’m just feeling a bit pensive and contemplative today. As 2012 begins to drift into 2013… I’m just remembering things from 2011 and 2001 and 1991 and as far back as my mind will travel.
Chuck The Writer 
Year endings have a way of doing that! It might feel less painful to substitute the word “seasoned” for “old”. 🙂
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the movie theater in back of Northway Mall only had 4 screens when it first opened up…
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It started out with four screens, then it moved up to six screens, then to eight, then to ten. And every time they added new screens, they changed the theater name to reflect the count.
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As Jeff Foxworthy has said – “you know you’re old when someone breaks into your car and doesn’t steal your cds”
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You were old ten years ago. 🙂
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If you move often, that won’t happen! 🙂
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I’m old,too,because I remember most of those stores and places. In fact,my Dad went up to Duane’s Toyland (not sure which one) for a special toy for one of my sisters — in a snow storm — so it would be there for Christmas. That was in the early 60s. Didn’t we have more snow then?
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your memories are strongly tied to real estate? lol
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Getting old is better than the alternative.
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This brought back so many memories. I have not lived in the area since 1980 so I tend to think they’re all still there! Old is just a number.
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Eh, what’s that? Could you speak louder?
Due to health reasons, getting through this year is actually a good milestone for me. If it weren’t for my hero on S. Manning Boulevard, I might not be here.
I used to feel old when I heard current music, but now I just think current music sucks lemons.
Truly, at the moment, I believe we’re only as young as we feel…sort of.
Happy New Year to all. 🙂
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Nice article Chuck…
Remember MIKES/NEBA on seemingly every corner?
The ALMART department store where TAFT is now.
The WPTR studio on Central just east of 155.
The pedestrian tunnels under Central near the schools.
CARLS ,BARNEYS and WALLACES in downtown Schenectady,
along with the Junior Bootery.
3WD was a good radio station. How many AM top 40’s
played Bob Marley in the 70s?
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Johnny – Not only do I remember ALMART, I also remember Albert’s Drug Store at the corner of Central and Lisha Kill Road. I also remember Lobell’s confectionery distributors down the street from Albert’s, across the street from Fine’s Mobile Home and Trailer Park. And yes, 3WD was a great radio station. Just ask my friend Richie Norris, who worked at 3WD and now works at WROW.
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Oh, no now I’m officially old as I remember many of those places too. Remember Kings Department Store, Schaefer’s Uniform store and houses where the Senior Center is …. all on Central Avenue across from Blessed Sacrament Church?
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Thanks for the memories! I feel the same way you do, having grown up here myself. I thank the gods for some familiar places, like Bob and Ron’s (which used to be Art and Ron’s) where I used to go as a child. And at least the beautiful Palace theatre is still standing and re-purposed. But most of those places are gone, gone gone. So I really relate to your reflections, places and spaces do the same thing for me too! I say, just share the richness of the past with your kids (if they’re not listening to their i-pods!) so some of the past will live on…
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I haven’t traveled that route in quite awhile, but I remember just about all the places you mentioned. Also, Mikes / Neba on Central and Colvin (what was in where Hannaford is now? that I don’t remember), Albany Public in the Northway Mall, Veeder’s Restaurant and I bought a boat at Towne Marine in the very early 1970s. Also, Kaye’s Imported Auto dealership in the vicinity of where the car wash is. They were a Jaguar dealership. Drome Sound in two different locations going out Central to State (near Mohawk Mall, which I also remember when it was NEW!), WPTRs station and the towers, Sounds Great (where I bought my first fancy component stereo system), King Cadillac Oldsmobile on State. Carroll’s where Grandma’s Pie Shop is, Colonie Service Pharmacy where Grandma’s Gift Shop is (is that still there?) and Burger Chef near Central and Fuller (I think where Wendy’s is (or was?) Those were different times.
I guess I’m old too. But I remember 49 like it was 15 years ago! Wait!!! IT WAS!!!
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Thanks for the ride, Chuck.
When I was a kid, there was a dry cleaner’s billboard atop a building at Washington and Northern Blvd., I believe, visible from Central,
that showed a lepoard cub looking up at it’s mommy saying, “Look, Mom, no spots”.
49? You’re still a young whippersnapper.
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When I went to buy movie tickets today, I was asked if it was for seniors. I was ready to hit the kid. He kind of ruined my day – well not really – the Junior Mints helped pick me up.
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Can’t remember where I found this, but as I get older it seems appropriate at times.
As we look back, was it really so special
or is it just a trick our minds play on us
with the passing of time. It seems at the time,
much is taken for granted, as if nothing will
ever change. Our lasting memories can comfort us
like a warm blanket or torment us without remorse.
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