From the archives…
December 27th, 2007This isn’t too exciting but I’m working on a another post and in the meantime I thought I’d post this. While going through slides (I did get a projector, thank you Patsy!) I found one of my sister and I in what is the route 30 mall/Filene’s Basement parking lot now. I have no idea what it was in 1975-76 (when this picture was probably taken).
 
In the background is the route 30 post office and a sign for Caldor and a place called “Steak & Brew”. I’m guessing that would be where Bugaboo Creek is now, although I don’t know if Victoria Station was already occupying that space. I wish the Caldor sign had the “rainbow” since that’s what made it so recognizable to me as a kid but maybe this was even before they had that logo? Anyway, it’s kind of funny that the post office looks the same.
notice there isn’t a street light at the intersection
Comment by sull — December 27, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Looks like the Caldor sign is point back towards what is now Wal-Mart?
Comment by Chad — December 27, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
I think that Child World was there, which is now Filenes basement. I believe Steak and Brew is where Papa Ginos was if I remember correctly
Comment by AnnMarie — December 27, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
I miss CW - Toys R Us was never as good for me. The sign was a giant world (kinda squished down) with kids sticking out from behind it - isn’t that right?
So sad when they were closing down!
Comment by Laura — December 27, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
I am guessing here, but before Child World, before Channel Home Center, there was a supermarket here, and the cart and brown paper bag kind of confirm that. I cannot think of the brand, too long ago I guess.
I think Victoria Station cleared the land that is now Bugaboo, and the Steak and Brew was in the old Meadows restaurant, it beacame “Beefsteak Charlie’s” before it was torn down. The light post on the right side was/is McDonald’s, that building is just out of the frame. The link I am adding is some postcards of the old restaurant on the former Bennigan’s/Meadows office building land.
Cute outfits , 1976 was not a handsome year for clothing, I would dread to see a picture of myself from then.
http://www.vaughnmonroesociety.org/resume/Omeadows.htm
Comment by JSM — December 27, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
I think the supmarket was Big Buy…..right?
Comment by Diane — December 28, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
My recollection was (working backwards):
Filene’s Basement
Frugal Fannie’s
Office Depot
Computer City
Chanel Home Center
Big Buy
Finast
Comment by ben — December 28, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
We have a winner
Comment by Tim — December 28, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
http://www.framinghamnatickretail.com/rte30mall/
Comment by Tim — December 28, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
You and your sister were so cute in the cart together!
Comment by Gruppie Girl — December 30, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
This is such a sad little “mall” if you can even call it that. I remember when I used to go there for great stores like Child World and Newbury Comics. I still LOVE going there for Tennesee’s BBQ, but it’s pretty much all restaurants in there these days and none of the stores/restaurants really open into the interior of the mall. I don’t know why they don’t close up that area and just make it more retail space. I remember when Newbury Comics was there you the main entrance was on the interior hallway.
Comment by Michael — January 2, 2008 @ 1:38 am
Cute pic of us
I remember the Caldor there, but I don’t remember the “Steak & Brew”. The blog looks great!
Comment by Elaine — January 5, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
My babies do look adorabe. I definitely remember the outfits they are wearing and Caldors in the background; but cannot remember the grocery store. I do remember the Stop and Shop at the old Shoppers world though.
Comment by Mom — January 6, 2008 @ 2:38 am
I remember the grocery store was called Big Buy, and I recall it also being Computer City and Child World (didn’t Child World originally start in Sherwood Plaza East, next to the Tire Service center and behind the IHOP?). As far as the Steak and Brew goes, I don’t believe it was the Bugaboo spot because I’m pretty sure it was Victoria Station. In the area where Bennigan’s was for a couple decades used to be a place called the Meadows, a steak house/cocktail lounge/entertainment venue. Perhaps after the Meadows closed there moved in a place called Steak & Brew? I was only 9-10 at the time this adorable photo was taken, so my memory of it isn’t too precise.
Comment by Nostalgio — April 22, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
I remember Steak and Brew–was jsut talking about it to a colleague. so I googled to see if anything came up.
Image this now—–if you bought a prime rib dinner, you got ALL the beer or sangria you could drink. Big pitchers of beer and wine, and a lot of drunk people, but boy did we have fun. Very Scary to look back on.
Comment by claire — August 22, 2008 @ 2:15 pm