Discuss Detroit: Redford, Old Redford, Redford Theatre, and Detroit

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Archive through June 23, 2007	Danny	30	1	06-23-07 4:05 pm
Archive through August 14, 2007	Jrvass	30	1	08-14-07 6:35 pm
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56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1628
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 9:19 pm:

motel Mt. Vernon, across from Grandlawn, and the motel Winston, west of telegraph on the south side. You will see rental units trolling there occasionally (shudder!)

Dinnc
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Username: Dinnc

Post Number: 5
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 10:25 pm:

The was also the Grand Motel on the South side of Grandriver between Telegraph and Lahser. Across the street from the golf course/Berg rd.

When I used to live there, that place was busted for drugs or prostitution a few times a year. What a waste.

To piss off the hookers we would yell 5 dolla sucky sucky!!

Mt. Vernon was another crap hole. White painted brick? I havn't been back there in a while but I am assuming all that stands still?

I just remembered! The grand motel put up a big fence around the property so no one could see what was going on.

Anyone posting still live in the area? Any neighborhood organizations trying to do anything about this?

Barnesfoto
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Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 3950
Registered: 10-2003

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:46 am:

don't forget the McNichols Riviera, across from RHS and the former 16th/8th precinct. The place was a crack strip mall in the 80's, I doubt that it has gotten any better.

Waxx
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Username: Waxx

Post Number: 245
Registered: 09-2006

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:04 am:

Quozl
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Username: Quozl

Post Number: 1179
Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:09 am:

Waxx:

Nice photos. When did they build this Millenium HS?

Why did they need two HS in that area?

Thanks

Vetalalumni
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Username: Vetalalumni

Post Number: 527
Registered: 05-2007

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:02 am:

Barnesfoto:
Yes, Riviera is the name of the hotel/motel which I had forgotten. Some of the HS kids would go there, but it was not really a problem during the mid 70's. Smoking "reefer" on campus was commonplace.

During the 70's, what was the name of the large bank branch located just across West McNichols (6 Mile Road) from the 16th/8th precinct? It was at the NE corner of West McNichols and Bentler Street.

Regarding Millenium HS, I too am confused about the need for another HS right next to Redford High School (RHS). In the 70's when I attended RHS, there was almost 4,000 students in attendance. It was so crowded that we even had to go in shifts (by grade) one year. I read somewhere that in recent years all the classrooms at RHS were not being utilized and that part of the interior was closed or blocked off with chain-link fences! Smells of mismanagement.

Waxx
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Username: Waxx

Post Number: 247
Registered: 09-2006

Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 1:35 pm:

Someone on flickr had made a very similar observation about what you'd just mentioned about Millenium HS. I don't know when it was built, but I do believe that it was the TAPEC for that part of the westside. Why did the Board of Ed. build it between the African Cultural Center and Redford HS, I couldn't even tell ya, but it's ALL mismanagement and it's catching up with those who are in charge and are squandering school funds.

I forgot what TAPEC stood for, but it involves teenage mothers in HS. It's been awhile since I last worked @ a DPS TAPEC building.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 1:56 am:

i never lived there, but my uncle owned ruth auto parts on graydale in the 70,s. my grandparents lived at 7/evergreen till 87. i always liked old redford. i remember when kelel? dodge moved to the graph became bruce campbell dodge, worked at plymouth&farmington when olson olds moved there. g&r bike shop,vennette,s pizza box & the rexxall @ the corner were the places i knew.

Vetalalumni
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Username: Vetalalumni

Post Number: 548
Registered: 05-2007

Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 2:20 am:

G&R Bike Shop advertisement in the 1975 Redford High School yearbook (The Blazer).

Barnesfoto
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Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 3973
Registered: 10-2003

Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 3:40 am:

"when I attended RHS, there was almost 4,000 students in attendance..."
The population was just over 4000 when I graduated in 1980. Starting around 1977, DPS bought an adjoining block of homes from Chapel to Burgess (behind the old library) with plans to build another wing there.
AFTER they tore down the homes, they figured out that it would be too expensive to build across Chapel, and a new wing was plunked down in front of the oldest wing...meanwhile, there was a significant population drop after 1980,(caused partly by white {and black} flight).
Mismanagement? That's a VERY polite term for it.
During these years, DPS board members had limousines to shuttle them to and from board meetings, and Alonzo Bates was flying first class to educational "conferences" in distant places.
At the same time, RHS had no graphic arts classes in the "Graphic Arts Wing" constructed in the early 70's, no wood shop, no performing arts classes...but oddly enough, there was money for limousines and Lonnie Bates' first class airfare and hotel lodgings.
I learned a lot about questioning who was running things in my final four years as a DPS student; I'm convinced that it was the most valuable lesson that I ever learned in the Detroit Public Schools.

Vetalalumni
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Username: Vetalalumni

Post Number: 549
Registered: 05-2007

Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 1:34 pm:

Well the Redford High School in the 1970's thread has been moved as part of the archival process. Therefore, the internal links in my above post dated Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 1:26 am no longer work. Rather than bother Lowell with mundane requests to edit old posts (i.e. those greater than 1440 minutes old), I'll just make this additional post with the corrected internal links (see below).

It is clear that many choose not to follow the internal links, but I find them a useful alternative to the DYes search feature. If I knew how, I'd make internal links referential and virtual. Maintenance then would not be required after threads are archived.

****************

There were 9 full page advertisements (pages 204 to 212) placed in the 1975 Redford High School yearbook, The Blazer.

Here is a link directly to the post which has the 9 full page advertisements (dated Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 1:15 am).

And here is a link to the Redford High School in the 1970's thread.

(Message edited by vetalalumni on August 18, 2007)

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 3
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 3:15 am:

i now remember the big bike at g&r, god after many concusions,dying once and getting older i can remember a lot of things in old redford. the lawsons store on lasher, playing softball at thepark on ridge against redford lutheran, angelos? coney island, the 16 pct horn. i think for living in garden city at the time, later westland, i can say old redford was ok, while the grandparents lived by henry ford hs,ispent more time @ gr/lasher. but then again 7mile had edgewater park, pizza hut & later blondies. being there in the 80,s made me not so scared of gunshots, borded up houses & stuff.

Vitalis
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Username: Vitalis

Post Number: 4
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 5:51 pm:

I have supported the Rosedale Community Players and their location on the northeast corner of Grand River and Lahser for many, many years. Sad to report that they are moving out of their second floor theater as soon as possible. It seems it is another in a long series of stories about landlords not willing to keep up their buildings. Even when a tenant like the RCP is willing to pass the hat and put on a new roof themselves, as they did several years ago. Grand River and Lasher was a pretty active corner when there was a film at the Redford Theater and a play at the RCP's loft. Rent was very reasonable for these thespians, but the lack of even minimum maintenance was deplorable, and, well, now a challenge for these tenants that will soon be in their collective past.

Terryh
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Username: Terryh

Post Number: 494
Registered: 11-2006

Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 1:33 pm:

I liked the area when I hung out with my ex who stayed in a nice apartment home on Lahser back in 99. There used to be a bakery that specialized in Sweet potatoes. I recently noticed a spot in the are called Big Als burgers on Grand River. On a recent photo outing I bought a glass of lemonade and two bags of chips from an adorable young lady who has a stand on Lahser just south of 7 mile. She sells bags of chips along with freshly squeezed cups of lemonade. She offers a scoop of strawberries to go with the drink. She was out there on Sunday two weeks ago, stop by and check it out if youre in the area.

Mzliz
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Username: Mzliz

Post Number: 1
Registered: 09-2007

Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 3:41 pm:

Michigan National Bank was built on that spot after it moved from down the street(that building became a flower shop). It replaced a donut shop that had been there many years. As for the Grand Motel it has renamed to The Palace with a bright purple and gold sign that you can see a mile away.
The RCP will now be temporarially at Bushnell Congergational Church, 15007 Southfield Service Dr, Detroit. Their first show will be "Epic Proportions" November 2,3,9,10.matinee 11,16, 17. For reservations call Margaret Bross 313-532-4010. Great shows and a great time.
I still live in the neighborhood (grew up in the same house) because we love our parish and friends. Fortunately we have wonderful neighbors and we all look out for one another.

Eric_w
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Username: Eric_w

Post Number: 325
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 6:07 pm:

I used to have accounts at that Michigan National Bank Branch. Along Grand River between there were stores that offered shopping-Hinkles Dry Goods,Miller Bros. Feed & Hobby shop and there was a Good Housekeeping Shop too.
I believe The G & R Bike Shop was located first on Grand River and Blackstone then they moved out on Grand River by Lahser. A Guy named Renee owned it first then a young guy named Paul Duquenel ( I probably spelled his last name wrong. ) During my time at RHS I sometimes " skipped out " on some classes and went to P.D.Q for a pizza slice or up to Lahser and Real Home Bakery by Christos and bought donuts.
Further up Grand River There was Peter Angell's Bar on the SE corner of Telegragh. I went there many times in the late 70's & 80's . A good old Honky Tonk Country Bar. The Old guy Pete that owned it would play fiddle with the band. " Deep South ". Had a lot of fun there. Later ole Pete retired with his wife and sold it. It was re-named Sonny's. Still a good place. Another band that played there was Marty Montez & Fame-Marty was a Mexican guy that was pretty good as front man for his band. Ah the good old days-smokey bars, no cover charge,cheap booze & cheaper women!
Other watering holes: The Medium Lounge,The old Timers ( Lahser Between 6 & Gr River ) & another place kiddie corner from Peter Angell-first I think it was the Candle Glo then it became a Irish bar & Janet Tank's but it was closer to Evergreen.
One more place-The Outpost Record Store. Located a short time on Gr. River by Westbrook. My neighbor across the street owned it and my sister was his very first customer-she bought an Album by Donovan. Later they relocated to 7 Mile & Evergreen

Paulmcall
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Username: Paulmcall

Post Number: 391
Registered: 05-2004

Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 7:07 pm:

I used to have my dentist Sydney Siegan at Lahser and Grand River. It was right across the street from Cunninghams.
There was also a bakery on Lahser south of Grand River.

Gazhekwe
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Username: Gazhekwe

Post Number: 350
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 9:26 pm:

Yes, the bakery! They made the world's best cookies for movie nights at the main library. What was the name of the bakery?

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1711
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 4:19 am:

Iverson's Danish bakery, south of Grand River, east side of Lahser.

Parkguy
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Username: Parkguy

Post Number: 115
Registered: 04-2007

Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 2:03 pm:

Iverson's used to have three locations. One in Farmington closed, but the one on Outer Drive near Carlysle in Dearborn is still open. My daughter recently asked about the "bakery where they would always give me a cookie." That was Iverson's.

Oldredfordette
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Username: Oldredfordette

Post Number: 2571
Registered: 02-2004

Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 2:11 pm:

I met my husband at the Medium Lounge.

Eric_w
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Username: Eric_w

Post Number: 330
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 12:12 pm:

The Medium-a guy that once managed it used to be a bouncer at Uncle Sams's Nightclub.
Another spot in Old Redford- there was some greasy spoon diner on Lahser between 6 & Gr River . That was owned by the parents on Compuware's CEO Peter Karmanos. His mother made soups for his concession stand at his old ice Rink in Oak Park when I worked there in the mid 80's

Gazhekwe
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Username: Gazhekwe

Post Number: 384
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 12:32 pm:

That's it, Iverson's, thanks for the memory jog!

There used to be a nice used furniture store on that block, too. The people moved to somewhere in Ohio, Red Lion maybe.

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 364
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 11:15 am:

Anyone remember the Shoe Tree? Mr. Miller and his foot-pump for balloons? I gotta get shoes for my little girl this weekend & we'll probably spin by Target... not at all the same.

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1744
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 11:35 am:

I grew up in the old Redford neighborhood and we drove all the out to Wonderland to go to the shoe tree store there, back when Wonderland was still an outdoor mall (remember those?)

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 82
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 2:19 am:

got me thinking bout old redford again. i picked up an Emmert chevy yardstick in dearborn 2 weeks ago. went on a tour of grand river from wyoming to lasher. found out about the model railroad deal at the redford theater. have to find out more. back to the wonderland shoe tree don,t remember that cept i always liked that mall before and after it changed,

Ggores
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Username: Ggores

Post Number: 10
Registered: 10-2007

Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 8:36 am:

i and everyone else i know have always known, and referred to, lah-ser as lasher. either way it doesn't amount to a hill of beans, BUT, the stretch of road between south of schoolcraft and the railroad tracks there is at least one street sign which reads "lasher". it would make a good pic.

(Message edited by ggores on November 18, 2007)

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1903
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 2:09 pm:

Reddog289--http://redfordtheatre.com/rail road/

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 469
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 9:16 pm:

Redd0g289 - you mentioned playing softball at Ridge against Redford Lutheran. When was that, and for whom were you playing? We might have crossed paths.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 83
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 12:34 am:

Craig- i played softball for st matthews in westland. that was in 1983. but we played you alot when i played mel ott baseball [79-83]. i belive we played redford at greer park in dearborn. played soccer at o,hair park against redford luth. my grandparents went to redford.

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 472
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 6:56 am:

Reddog - we crossed swords! Small world. Redford Lutheran School (aka Zurstadt) is no more, though.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 87
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 2:24 am:

craig, thats too bad about zurstadt, did you play mel ott ball? we used to play in detroit alot, [ o,shea vs greenfield peace, stoepel#1 vs evergreen, and that lousy field at lutheran west, i think that was hosanna tabors home field] i don,t remember any of the fields being too bad ,maybe overgrown, but luth west was worse than playing in the street, learned you didnt slide there. getting long winded but somehow my buddy would allways get us riled up playing redford/zurstadt. i cant remember why. i never went into redford luth even when i stayed at my grandparents, they would go but leave me with my uncles.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 88
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 2:33 am:

oh yeah by the way thanks 56 packman for the info. gotta check that out. by the way i get to see a packard almost every day, it,s across the street from the school i work at. in the next yard there is a 52 ford for sale kinda a time warp.

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 481
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 7:53 am:

I played Mel Ott, but it was my younger brothers who played at the Lutheran West field. I used to practice for Mel Ott at Ridge, and we played all games at St. Paul's at 8 & Middlebelt or Stoepel (sp?) at Evergreen.

Zurstadt closed for the same reason that closed most of the other parochial schools in the City: changing demographics. Also, the lifting of the residency requirement for City employees allowed a lot of good people to finally go.

Kirby
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Username: Kirby

Post Number: 25
Registered: 11-2007

Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 12:12 am:

A walk down memory lane for me...

I rented a tux near corner of Gr River and Lasher for 1965 Henry Ford prom for 10 bucks...
anyone remember the name of that place?

I took Jill Hotchkiss to the prom, she went to Redford class of 66

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1906
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 12:22 am:

There was a tux place (Mario's?) on the SW corner of Lahser/GR for decades, and another place on the north side of GR in the same building as the "Old Mexico" restaurant, in the 70s. The Packman bought a horrific used tux from them as a socially handicapped teenager.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 91
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 1:56 am:

now that it has been mentioned,i think i remember the tux shop. when i make it to the redford to see the trains i have to take pix of my uncles old auto parts store, send them to fla. being a kid you don,t think of the distance between detroit and the burbs. glad i got memories of a few neighborhoods.

Parkguy
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Username: Parkguy

Post Number: 153
Registered: 04-2007

Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 8:35 am:

There was a thread a year ago about the fire that destroyed the building at the corner of Grand River and Lahser. There was quite a bit of discussion about the tux shop.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 99
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 1:30 am:

craig, just thought about stoepel#1 spent alot of time watching the DPD chopper, when i should have watched the game. do you remember the pizza box next to the redford theater?

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 512
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 6:50 am:

RD - never ate at the pizza box, but most of my friends did. I did pound a lot of day-old donuts from Iverson's though - for 50 cents they would fill a bag, and to a kid there was no difference between yesterday's & today's quality!

Stopel was a neighborhood treasure waaaay back then: the wading pool, big slides, and jungle-like trail really captured my imagination as a little kid. Even if armed I would stay out today.

Other cool things in the O.R. area: little camera shop on Grand River (south side) that also so sold gags/novelties; used book store by the China Clipper; Grand Lawn cemetary, which was a neat place to roam; West Point hobby (a bike trip from O.R.). The best parts, though, were that the area was relatively safe and relatively presentable even as areas to the east were hollowed out. Today though...

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1909
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 7:28 am:

The Pizza box was operated by the same family that operated Christo's Coney island, further south on Lahser on that same side of the street.

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 513
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 7:50 am:

Pizza Box = Pete Gursky?

Paintnprint
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Post Number: 19
Registered: 04-2007

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 8:23 am:

China Clipper.
Koko

Paintnprint
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Username: Paintnprint

Post Number: 20
Registered: 04-2007

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 8:27 am:

Great neon sign.
Koko

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 101
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:20 am:

christo,s not angelos which was on 8mi & telegraph. christo,s had good coneys they got an award as best coney in the 80,s from john kelly&marilyn turners show. west point hobby on 7mi. there used to be a frozen custard shop west of lasher on 7mi, my mom loved that place

56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 1911
Registered: 12-2005

Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 6:49 am:

This is going back into the mid-60s, but my brother and I used to go to Henry's hamburgers on seven mile just west of Lahser and get burgers with the money we made delivering the shopping news (it took a LOT of deliveries to earn two hamburgers!).
They were good, a small chain in the Detroit area. I was told that they patented the moving link hamburger grilling machine that Burger King still uses today. BK's bought the patent rights and Henry's didn't have to bother with running the restaurants any more.

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 108
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 1:13 am:

packman, i think i remember that building [mid 70,s till late 80,s] i,m pushing 40. CRS is starting, yet what was the burger joint at 7mi&pierson?. not old redford yet close.

Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 520
Registered: 02-2007

Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 2:26 pm:

Red - Coney on the east side of Lahser, north of GR was "Christos" in the 80s. My brother worked there for Pete Gursky. "Voted best Coney by Goodafternoon Detroit" hung outside and over the door for years. Maybe they moved out to 8 & 'graph later?

Reddog289
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Username: Reddog289

Post Number: 123
Registered: 08-2007

Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 2:42 am:

craig, your right angelos was at 8&graph. remember that sign. goodafternoon detroit the late version of kelly &co, corner looks empty with the sw buildings gone.

Oldredfordette
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Username: Oldredfordette

Post Number: 3391
Registered: 02-2004

Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 8:39 am:

They moved to 8 and Telegraph later, and soon went out of business.

My sister used to send me to Henry's on my bike to get her and her girlfriends bags of burgers, waaaaay back in the mid 60's. I blame her current intestinal issues on those burgers (and Albert's).

Redford79
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Username: Redford79

Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2008

Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 3:16 pm:

Hey Vetalalumni...I see that you are a Redford Alum from class of '79. Same here. I moved out of Detroit in 83 and have been in Atlanta ever since. My Dad was a cop in Detroit for 31 years...from before the riots till the early 90's. I do have the Blazer for 79.

Great to hear the memories from the past. Brings up many memories of my own. Hung in Rosedale but lived in Copper Canyon since 71...between 5 and 6 and Bramell before that.

Vetalalumni
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Username: Vetalalumni

Post Number: 1040
Registered: 05-2007

Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 4:47 pm:

Very cool Redford79! And welcome to DYes.