A few more Lakewood comments:
Most area residents would consider the northern boundary of Lakewood at no further than Oaklawn Cemetery. North of there to Emerson would be mostly Miramar. Where the Gate Station is near Emerson used to be called Flamingo. This was because there was a 2 story building covering the entire site and painted flamingo pink. The ground floor was a Coley-Walker (sp?) drug store and lunch counter. Next to it was Levy's Garden Center.
Here is a little trivia: the old city limits stopped at Emerson. Evidence to this day still exists. Next time you drive down Hendricks Ave. you will notice street lights on BOTH sides from San Marco to Emerson. Southward, the lights are only on ONE side. That is the way the old county lit roads and its never been updated in 40 years!
The Miramar shopping center used to house a Winn Dixie, Norman's Drug Store, and Goodyear Tire store. The Music Bar was where the convenience store is now. Matt Carlucci's dad, Joe, used to have his State Farm office there also.
The Lakewood subdivision and shopping area was developed by Walter Crabtree. See Crabtree Park next to the shopping center on the southern side of University Blvd. Rosenblums was originally American Federal Savings and Loan which originally was sited where Starbucks is today. Next to it was a Dobb's House restaurant. A gas station faced the intersection. Rosenblums and, I think, French Novelty, were originally along the strip extending eastward from Winn Dixie as was a Walgreens. At the end of said strip was a McCrory's 5 & 10. A&P Grocery was originally where the Atlanta Bread is now. At one time, this was also a second location for Worman's Bakery downtown. Lakewood Pharmacy and snack bar were originally on the curved section at the corner of this side of the shopping area. Along the strip eastward from there was Toy Parade's store. The seafood restaurant used to be a Banner Grocery. The whole shopping center used to be a classic 1950s era light colored brick before a remake a number of years ago. It was before my time, but University Blvd. is a meshing of several previous roads and had a different name in Lakewood.
The closed Roe store, formerly Albertsons' store, used to be a dairy farm and a Times Square hardware store was on the corner in front. The store is now owned by Publix and is scheduled to be converted sometime in the future according to my sources.
I hear the bell tower building was built to be bank branch but they are holding back opening it due to the economy.
The Old San Jose condo project appears to be stalemated for now as well. This was River Reach apartments before the developer tore them down for this project. Before that, I think it was the Ripley property. If memory serves me right, he had a brick company in San Marco. I think the Old San Jose developer also bought the Lakewood Apts. pictured for eventual demolition and replacement with more condos. Another project shelved.
I think Maddie Clifton's family lived in the Lakewood subdivision on the south side of University closer to St. Augustine Road.
