This week on the local Facebooks, all the olds were losing their shiz over this picture, unearthed by Tracy Parker, of the old UA Cinemas sign at Northgate Shopping Center.
Well, I guess I am an oldass Fresnan because I remember this sign too and the UA theater it belongs to.
The first memory that jumps out at me is being embarrassingly ‘carded’ trying to buy tickets to the Stalone flick, Cliffhanger. That’s right. I jumped through hoops to see CLIFFHANGER.
My favorite store in Northgate Shopping Center was Arthur’s Toys. There was a time it would have been Tower Records for sure (dammit I miss that Tower Records), but with some perspective now, Arthur’s Toys.
Looking for new cars that I could afford for my electric race track, for me that was my number one thing to do.
I may or may not have been old enough to remember some blue light specials at K-Mart, later turning into Circuit City.
There were quite a few meals at DiCicco’s (still there, I know, just saying). The only Italian place that mattered at the time. OKIE Frijole was good too.
THE THEME HERE BEING
Northgate was the go-to shopping center of the 1970s and early 80s. Like, how now you might find yourself at wherever the hell center your Target is at, Northgate was that. Pretty much for everybody in town too. Barstow & Blackstone was the Blackstone & Nees of its day.
It was even the premium spot to park your car, close to Blackstone, on “cruising nights” to hang out and be seen.
In honor of the old Blackstone UA, here is a Cliffhanger to cheese up your day, no ID required:
I love the ‘Okie Frijole’ sign!
Ahh, and just north and across the street…Zody’s department store.
DiCicco’s, it was on the picture for you so you could spell it right. FAIL!
DiCicco’s! The sign was there in the picture! Proofread much? I remember that shopping center well.
Spent many a Sunday there with my family. Pick-n-Save and K-Mart were where I’d get most of my toys. GI Joe and Transformers from K-Mart and knockoffs of both at Pick-n-Save.
Oh my 1980 to 1982 cruise nights with Fresno high peeps on black stone