Friday ...more clues about the giveaway

Ok, I  have revealed the three Ballerina pix, but today I will add some other items..granted, this is kind of a Girly giveaway, but there will be many more to come. Soooo....please, tell one and all to tune in to Zootsuitmama blog tonight for a full picture of the give a way items. It will be a huge amount of goodies! Here's another shot of what will be given away....A Gold metal hairspray cover (who wants to see the ugly can??) and a matching lipstick holder for your dressing table!

Retro Independence Bowling alleys

Strike n Spare, Sterling Lanes and the Diamond Bowl are all a part of my childhood. The signs are the same but not the interiors, alas, they are very different. Some things, however, remain, the lockers, the Verona Room bar sign, and the cigarette and candy machines.

The Diamond Bowl was refurbished into a retro dream! I remember going there with my parents when I was very young, and even the first location that was later torn down. There was a movie theater, The Granada. that has also been torn down. My sister, cousins and I would see movies such as the Three Stooges, "Around the World in a Daze".  The new location has an awesome bar and snack bar, leather pastel couches and pictures of Harry Truman bowling on the walls. Glad the McClain family has moved in to make the Independence square a cool and "shoppable" place again!

Give a way

Hey all! I want to start my first give a way! Tell all your friends that when Zootsuitmama gets to 20 followers, there will be a fabulouso give a way! More tonight! Zootsuitmama
PS The ballarina pix are only a small part of the pkg!

Queen City and Great Western Motels

The Queen City Motel is all about the sign! It looks so awesome at night as youre driving down 24 highway! The Crown blinks -I mean what more can ya ask for? It's ok inside, too, but not what you'd call vintage styled. It's clean and cheap!

The Great Western is also on 24 highway, only East.
24 was probably very busy as a highway during the forties and fifties, and the motels were jumpin'-

Hey kids, let's play mini golf!

Cool Crest is named for both the era of "coolness" and the fact that it is located on a hill, which enabled the pre-airconditioned world to catch a breeze! So retro and fun, it still has mini golf, go karts, pizza, availablity for birthday parties, and of course, now, video games. Another popular date spot, "for those who think young".

More Independence Missouri grooviness

This is the original pizza and pub in my home town. Lots of birthday parties were held here. I went to the location closer to my house, but this one still stands and operates today. I can't say the interior decor is my favorite, it's dark early 70's wood, but I love their pizza and there are so many memories here... The big plus was that it was by Cool Crest Mini Golf and pool. They are still around, too, and that will be my next post! Stay tuned.

18 and counting Thanks, all you followers!

The Katz Drug Store on the square in Independence was exactly like this one. I wish Katz, Woolworths and Kresge's were still around. Alas, none are. However, there is a soda fountain and lunch counter in the old drugstore there that Harry Truman worked in that serves the old time favs. This building is now Ophelia's a high end restaraunt.

I'll gladly pay you Tues. for a Hamblogger today?

HiBoys opened in the 50's, as did Big Boy. They are similar in taste, and some rumor has it they are owned by the same family. The double cheeseburgers are hugemongus...and the fries are best when dipped in my chocolate shake. The location above hasn't changed at all since day one. It's on BlueRidge Cutoff, and it's my favorite.

Sunday feature: Cool Independence Missouri Retro!

Today I woke up and thought it was Monday! Thank God I was wrong. So -Now I can slow down (yeah, right!) a little, and piddle around. But first, I must unveil the next locations of businesses in my hometown that are still sporting vintage signage or even better, still operating!! This particular movie theater is on the "square", or downtown business district of Independence. It was a theater, then a dollar movie, and became kinda run down and stinky. Your feet would stick as you walked down the aisle stinky! I remember on the 4th of July in the '70's seeing "Funny Lady" with Barbara Streisand. (Am I dating myself? Well no one else will!) Art Deco Heaven, that movie!  Enjoy! A local family bought the place and restored it, inside and out. The marquee on the front and back door are awesome, especially at night.  Zootsuitmama

Cool signs

Some of the businesses are gone, but the signs are still there! I always want to find out how to persuade them to sell the sign to me. (Maybe for a headboard??) There is a Gas Station that is still around, and a little store called the Milk Jug, that is closed but the storefront, etc..is still up. It was a precursor to Quik Trip and 7-11. I love the signs, though! ZSM

Order up! Time for some Saturday biscuits and gravy at the Engelwood Cafe!

The Engelwood is a down home cafe in the Engelwood district. Winner Road and Sterling Ave. became the "upper class" area in Independence and if you turn back toward the square there are houses that were considered "the better homes" for doctors, etc...at one time. But please, don't forget to turn the other way (West) and check out this little jewel of a restaraunt. My favorite is the omelets, but everything is great. They still have their specials and waitresses with lots of character, and the food is great to boot. While there, check out the back of the menu for some history of the original owners. This is the place where families could eat and were made to feel right at home!

Englewood Theater

This is the other theater we went to all my life. It's supposed to reopen soon. The interior was remodeled and patterned after the Radio City Music Hall, and it has a 50 ft. screen. The popcorn machine from the Ben Franklin is used here now. The Ben Franklin was next door..They were showing vintage movies, then new..I cannot wait til they reopen! The lamps in the lobby are all Moss. They are totally to die for!

Next groovy Independence spot

This is the famous Twin Drive In. It gets it's name for obvious reasons...Two screens one at each end. This is the place I saw Hard Day's Night, Help, Magical Mystery Tour, and Yellow Submarine all in one night. My poor parents took me, although they were bored..and my Mom was laying in the back seat sick. All the people I knew grew up watching movies, etc..at this place. The cool thing is, it pretty much looks the same. I am still wondering, though, why, when my date took me to see "Closed for Winter"...we never did see the movie??

Land of Zootsuitmama, Harry Truman and...Ben Franklin?

Ben Franklin was a dime store that closed about five years ago. I cried! First they took out the candy counter, with the hot popcorn, roasted cashews and glass cases full of all kinds of candy delights. Then, slowly, the WalMarts and the other discount conglomerates took all -almost all- of their business...the sad day came when they completely closed. It was the last of it's kind in Independence - the last of locals being able to walk over and pick up some bobby pins, Blue Waltz perfume in the original bottles, or face powder in a box.They always had ladies hankies, rain bonnets, paper shelf paper, (the kind that folded down on the edge) and just about anything else you could need or want. It was in the Engelwood district, and I will be showing the theater and restaraunt that still stand. The theater has shown vintage movies and newer since I was  a kid, and will reopen soon. The restaraunt it exactly the same, with the best food in town. There is also a coffee house, a cool shop called Changing Seasons, and a dry cleaners with the original signage, etc. Luckily, a "dime store" of sorts bought the building and they kept the original sign. Siggghhhhh... More to come, stay tuned. Same Bat time, Same Bat channel...

Serving dish , praise the Lord and pass the piggies in the blanket

Tonight I stopped in Veterans Thrift and spotted this serving dish. I love the black and turquoise. A girl just can't have too many serving dishes...ya know.

New thrift store finds...

I found these at the Salvation Army. They were with all the others that someone donated, a whole collection. I almost went crazy wanting them all, but luckily these and a few others were still there last night, so I indulged.

It's Showtime

Another day another dollar. Off to work and dragging my feet. Why is it that we create such awesome cozy places to live, yet get so little time to be there? I guess for the pleasure of returning home to our retreat. I am going to feature some Independence Missouri, yes Harry Truman's home town, retro locations tonight. There are some great retro signs and locations still in business! Zootsuitmama

Comedy and Tragedy

These are very strange little Chinese men...they are curious indeed. Sort of like the comedy and tragedy masks from theater. I love my Opium den living room...now shoooo showww.

Friends...and our "stuff"

Over the last 20 years, my friend and partner in thrifting has been my best friend who now lives at the Lake of the Ozarks. This opens up a whole new world of thrifting. Yesterday, she called and made my day, just by leaving a message on my phone at work saying, "I got you an Oriental picture!" It meant so much more than just a picture (but that's nice, too!) I wonder if any of you have such a friend? Let's write about that.....and post pix of what they have traded, bought etc for you over the years. I ran into another old friend last night at the Thrift store, you know, some people have to wait for a funeral to get back together, so it could be worse! Anyway, He shares in my obsession for vintage and it was fun to look around and oggle things together. I broke down and bought a couple of Oriental statues, and I can't believe they have been there all weekend!
Zootsuitmama

Angel

Here's Angel resting her chin.