The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 205

HACINE JOURNAL-TIMES SUNDAY BULLETIN, OCTOBER 0, 1066 going Places business 'Togetherness' Keynotes Shopping in Suburbia A 1 'I 9 y. Jt- '-ir community events and sometimes a carnival, plus a ride on a plastic horse or rocket. Antibiotics to Wigs The center, or caters to the whlmi as well as the well-being of Its customers. A wig or an afternoon of bowling, a life-saving antibiotic pill or a stereo If you don't find them at one of the "centers," you will at another, Variety stores, drug stores, shoe stores, liquor stores, beauty shops, launderettes, dry cleaners, recreation centers, high fashion clothes and discount appliances but mainly food supermarkets Invite leisure-hour shop-. ping excursions.

The busiest evenings, probably because of Racine's long-time shopping habits, are Fridays. The "plazas" draw many out-of-town-ers boys with "Waterford," "Union Grove," T-shirts are in some of the family groups. Illinois cars are numerous on the parking lots. Judging by the crowded parking lots of "sale" days and before holidays and school openings, the "family" idea of shopping has helped to keep those checkoutjines moving and the cash registers clicking. It'i Sunday.

The family Is all set to go. To a picnic? A movie? The zoo? A ball-game? Not this time. Johnny needs a new suit, so Jather, mother and the kids pile in the car and away they go to the shopping center. Outside Attractions The new concept of retailing, where clusters of businesses take care of everything from" your laundry to your lunch hour, began to take root in Racine about 10 years ago. From Natchez to L.A., from Dallas to Cape Cod, the suburbs of most cities are spangled with "family centers." Racine has a growing share there are six and more in the offing where the family excursion Is becoming routine.

The managers are well aware of the "togetherness" Idea of the family's shopping. It's a a-year business here. With an eye on the youngsters as well as mom and dad, attractions include yuletide Santas, a beauty a new model car, antique cars, sidewalk sales, promotion of 4 1956 4rL -at Elmwood Plaza was the first of the Racine area's shopping centers to open its numerous doors to the buying public. Ten years ago tomorrow, to be exact the snip of a giant ribbon in the presence of civic and business leaders officially opened the plaza, with Goldblatt's as the occupant of the wedge-shaped center of the "flying wing" building. At the time of opening, 17 stores occupied the 23-acre site.

The J. C. Penney Co. department store formally opened July 31, 1938, and on June 21, 1965, opened an extensive hard lines department and an auto service and supply center, seen at the rear of building's right wing. Extension of the suburban shopping center Idea west of the plaza can be seen at top of photo, where Terry's Discount Store, and the "garden wing" and a Plggly-Wiggly Super Market outline the big parking area, facing Durand Ave.

A newer arrival to the first Kohl supermarket in Racine, which opened In September, 1964, at the corner of Durand and Lathrop between Elmwood Plaza and Terry's. I i iiiiii miHM li I I I II JI bzirSZ "--rn Tfr 1960 ll JWMM Shorecrest Shopping Center at Erie St. and 3 Mile Road popped up on the north end of Racine in the midst of a suburban home and apartment building boom. Built to include 10 stores, the $1 million shopping center had footings for the foundation Installed in May 29, 1960, and the 20,000 square-foot largest sector had a Krambo store as its first tenant opening Wednesday, April 26, lir TheKrambo supermarkeT was the second opened by the firm in Racine (the other Is at Elmwood Plaza) and In addition to regular supermarket facilities, the store offered a delicatessen department, garden department, drugs and beauty, aids departments. Shorecrest's businesses, in line with other plazas, include a variety store (Woolworth at Shorecrest, Kresge at Elmwood, Grant at Rapids) pharmacy, liquor store and bowling lanes.

The center, along with 10 four-family apartment buildings, were developed by Commercial Enterprises, headed by August Urbanek, a Milwaukee real estate developer, who also constructed shopping centers at Hales Corners, Greendaie, Menomonee Falls, South Milwaukee and Milwaukee. ii ii i i jiii. ixi. mi ii. ii i i i 1 1 1 ji i iii, i iiiiii wmm 1962 Turn-Style Family Center opened Its 110,000 square-foot retail, largely self-service venture first for the Jewel Tea on March 28, 1962.

The structure at 4901 Washington which also houses other businesses, including a beauty salon, launderette, and auto supply stores, along with Its parking lot, spreads over a full block area between Ohio St. and Perry Ave. The Westgate Outdoor Theater, which was once in the "wide open spaces" still operates at the south end of the block back of the Turnstyle building. Among the "something new" In shopping surprises greeting customers was an air cushion "door" leading Into the main lobby of the store, Insulating the interior from outdoor heat and cold; a canopied snack bar on i dais, and the new concept in retailing Items, for the family, home or auto available under one roof and operated by one company. Jewel's first Turn-Style Family Center pushed the mama, papa, and all the kids shopping together Idea by catering to their needs, from glass-enclosed, attended parcel pickup station, to an open seven-day-a-week schedule, -It to 10 except Sundays, noon to I p.m.

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