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Hills & Dale Shopping Center
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skm225
1 post
Oct 19, 2007
12:39 PM
I shopped at the old Hills & Dale's Shopping Center at the Corner of Dorothy Lane & S Dixie in the 1970's. There were two food stores, one was Liberal and can someone tell me what the other was? Also does anyone remember what all the stores in the shopping center were around the 1970's.

Thanks

Last Edited by on Oct 19, 2007 12:40 PM
ken032
1 post
Nov 13, 2007
9:48 PM
Liberal's was on one end and Kroger was on the other. Later a night club replaced the Krogers and a couple of different groceries replace Liberals. Both Murphy's and Kresge were in the center at one time. Kresge closed when the K-Mart opened in Moraine on Kettering Blvd. That space often was used as a Christmas Store during the holidays. Murphy's became a Goldman's and later the store became a flea market type operation. There was a Hills and Dales Florist, Hardware Store and Locksmith Shop. There was Singer Sewing Machine Store, a neighboor bar and a Bank. Downstairs at one time or another was a library and later NCR had offices down there. Hills and Dales Shopping Center lay empty for several years before being bought by the City of Kettering. They spearheaded the development into what you see today.
colleen8
3 posts
Nov 18, 2007
7:48 PM
I remember going to Hills and Dales shoppping center after swimming practice at the Christopher Club.

Was there a library in the center? I think it was downstairs.
Mike C
10 posts
Dec 24, 2007
9:26 AM
I remember the bar at the side of the shopping center close to the Christopher Club. It was called Sweetwater. That was back in the early 80's perhaps.
historymom
6 posts
Mar 26, 2008
5:01 PM
There was a library there. It was an interesting shopping center. I remember Murphy's being on one side and another store being on the other and you would walk through a little courtyard to get from one to the other.
There was a Ponderosa there for many years. It's original interior had big western murals painted on the walls. The employees used to wear cowboy hats and say "howdy partner" when you walked in.

Shopper's Fair wasn't there though. It was in Kettering on Woodman Drive. The people who lived around it used to call it "Shoplifter's Fair" because they were getting ripped off so often. It was very close to the Parkmoor on Woodman.

Sadly, Hills and Dales Shopping Center became a hang out for trouble makers and then it just became mostly abandoned. What Kettering has done with the area is really extraordinary, but sometimes I miss the way the old shopping center used to be.
Cathy
3 posts
Mar 27, 2008
11:05 AM
I have a framed, signed picture of Don Mendenhall's Colony Club in my living room. It is numbered and signed by ? Rupp. I remember my parents going there in the 1970s. When did it open and when did it close? Also, does anyone out there know anything more about my picture? It is a neat painting with lots of colors. Thanks! Cathy cwells2005@yahoo.com
Toby
3 posts
Aug 01, 2008
7:44 PM
Stumps was one of the groceries that replaced the Liberal; Kroger's became Sweetwater in the late 70s--one of Dayton's first and finest discos during that era. A really beautiful nightclub. Later, it then became 1470 West which was a gay nightclub. They even had Divine (of John Water's films "Pink Flamingos", "Female Trouble", "Polyester") perform there twice.
barefoot
2 posts
Aug 17, 2008
8:32 PM
Just my 2 cents.

My first memory of Hills and Dales Shopping center is probably around 1986. It was of my mom and I shopping at Stumps, which was on the north end, facing Dorothy Lane. I remember that when you were finished with your shopping they would put your groceries into a plastic tub and send it on a conveyor belt that would take your groceries outside. Then you could pull up and someone would load your groceries in the car.

There was a Gem City Savings bank across the hall from the Stumps (if I am remembering correctly). They had a drive thru type operation, but it was different because it was across from the teller window so that you would be looking directly forward at the teller and you were separated by two lanes of traffic in the shopping center.

I remember skateboarding in the shopping center around 1989 and I think Stumps had closed and was replaced by Fooddeals or something like that. There was a Radio Shack there, a sewing store, a few bars and I cant remember what else, but the place was probably 60% full, but no one seemed to be shopping there.

Then in 1996, when I got my first apartment across from the Community Golf Course I went to Hills and Dales, I remember going to a furniture store that was on the west side of the center. The store was full of furniture, but the roof was actively leaking, and I remember that there were buckets everywhere. I remember some of the windows were broken and boarded too.

I might have some old photos somewhere to share. I'll look for them and see if I can post them.
shmacky78
1 post
Sep 02, 2008
3:54 PM
im pretty sure me and my buddies have some pics of the place .. i grew up hanging out here and skateboarding..im only 30 years old, but i have a ton of memories and funny stories from this place over the years . actually, stumps was replaced by shears around 1991 ?? all the stores i remember from the late 80s to the early 90s were .. shears/stumps/food deals/ whatever else it was called? lol national city bank/gem city.. 1470 west, boot legger bar.. pappa joes bar .. grey drugs witch was bought out by right aid.. throckmorton's hardware, whipp and sipp ice cream..a few flea markets over the years, the auto parts store on the corner by the christopher club that changed names a few times i remember it being called auto something?? ernoe's books and mags (that guy was wierd) ..top run video.. a few different metaphysical craft stores?? a dayton daily news branch..a weird picture place that no one ever went to or was ever open? debbies barber shop . bennet's auction.. oooh heck i could go on forever but these are the places i remember growing up , but it was a dump for as long as i can remember i have many many funny stories from that place!! like getting up on the roof and looking into 1470 west from the vents, and laughing!! to getting yelled at by all the store owners for skate boarding and being loud.. stealing ciggarettes from stumps and being a hoodlum! .. yes it was a hangout for the hoodlums in my day, but hey i guess i was one of those hoods just being a young teenager raising hell...oh the memories...not the momories that most of you may have? but hey i have my own from my day ..lol :-)
KentuckyGeek
3 posts
Dec 18, 2008
11:57 AM
I was one of the cooks at Ponderosa from 1977 to 1981. Anyone remember when you ordered your meal by number? Number 2 was the ribeye and 4 was the chopped steak. This was of course pre-dinner buffet and you had to pay for each pat of butter!

Great times were had there!
Josie
4 posts
Feb 27, 2009
7:53 AM
Yes, Kroger at one end and Liberal at the other. I remember the stores from the 60's. There was a Dunhills mens clothing store, a state liquor store, Hickory Farms, Millers, Murphys, the Hills & Dales Hardware store, a Grey's Drug store, a barber, a Singer Sewing Store, a bank, Hills & Dales Florist, and I forgot about the Bootlegger Bar. The library was downstairs with other offices. There was a back door on the south side that I would take to get to the library 'cause it was fun! Whipp and Sipp came later. My friend Suzy Howard's mom ran or maybe owned the Florist. The Colony club was where Los Three Amigos is now.
terryn
2 posts
Mar 13, 2009
4:36 PM
As a child I enjoyed the snack bar inside Murphy's. As I got older the locksmith in back and Hills & Dales Hardware became common stops. I also remember when Throckmorton's (original store torn down so Woody's could gain more parking space) moved into the old Murphy's space.

I would be interested in copies of any photos anyone might wish to share. thanks! terryn.ohio@gmail.com
JR
2 posts
Apr 07, 2009
2:30 PM
I remember I bought a really cool, at least I thought so, brown shark skin suit there in 1966. I don't remember the name of the men's store but it was a national chain.
Heather
1 post
May 12, 2009
2:21 PM
Does anyone have photos of when 1470 West was located in the Hills and Dales Shopping Center? I'd love to add some to the 1470 Facebook Group.
rubi
1 post
Jun 21, 2009
10:28 AM
I was vey often at Hills and Dales shopping center back in 1973. I remeber at the east side of H&D a very nice Country- Music bar. Its name was "The Music man". They had live country music every night. Further I remeber a radio shack store and key store as well. Both of them where at the east side of the mall. I remeber the key store because I locked in the car key in my good old Pontiac Catalina. The clerc in this store made me a new key in two minutes without having its original. How? Miracle, I think.
NCR had a technical trainingcenter downstairs. The moved out, i gess in 1969 un build ist education center im Miamisburg at springvalley road
Dwaine
1 post
Oct 10, 2009
4:46 PM
I have a long history with Hills & Dale.. About 1963 as I remember, my grandmother would take me shopping. Most I like Murphy's Five & Dime. The reason I can recall so well is they had a large display of "Beatles" shoes. Boy did I want those. Food was good too. It smelled so clean in that place.
I also work at Hills and Dale. At Sweetwater for a bit as DJ and also at 1470 from 1982 until the city kicked us out as house DJ.
If you want 1470 images search YouTube. I have a few posted. If you have any videos or pictures let me know.
With-in the next few months I will have the 1470West.com (.org, .net, .ect...)website up. I will have many pictures and links to videos, plus 1470 reunions, shows and other 1470 info.
See ya on the dance floor!

Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2009 4:49 PM
Bigmo
21 posts
Oct 12, 2009
11:24 AM
Top Value stamps also had a redemption center at Hills and Dales. I helped close the store in 1974.
Diana
1 post
Mar 29, 2010
3:04 PM
Hills and Dales Florist is the only remaining retail shop left from the Hills and Dales Shopping Centers beginning.The florist was established by Hugh Howard in 1960 and later purshased by Diana Roberts in 1977.
Diana moved the florist across the street on Kettering Blvd. in 1985 after Columbia Building Group (Dick Knowlton) quit offering leases to all the tenants and put everyone on month to month.That was the downfall of the shopping center. Diana and the staff will be celebrating the shops 50th anniversary this year.
The years created a long list of tenants:
Krogers,Liberals,DLM (for a short time),Murphys,Music Man,Dunhills,NCR, Hills and Dales Liquor,Hills and Dales Florist, Hills and Dales Hardware Store,Grey Drug Store,Singer Sewing,Gem City Bank,Bootlegger Bar,Hickory Farms,Branch Library, Redmans TV Repair,Sweetwater, Radio Shack and other offices in the lower level.
delcodude
16 posts
Jul 13, 2010
11:06 AM
Sledding on "suicide hill" behind Hills and Dales still brings back painful memories. Also at DP&L park on Woodman, behind the golf course. And Hodapp hill from Wyoming to St Charles was pure insanity, especially watching out for cars! Ouch!
Monicat71
10 posts
Jul 20, 2010
7:27 PM
We moved over by Hills & Dales Shopping Center in 1969
What a booming Center. I remember my boyfriend at the time we used to walk around Hills & Dales like it was a mall. I remember a Cassano's being there I worked there for awhile. There was a bar next door called the Music Man, and they would put orders through a little window. Later they put a whip &* sip in one of the vacant buildings an ice cream parlor where my sister worked for awhile. I remember the library being down in the basement. Wow how things are changed. Alot of new stores and resturants now. I loved the old Hills & Dales.
cilla46
22 posts
Feb 04, 2011
4:02 PM
I spent many,many,many nights in the Music Man at Hills and Dales Shopping Center.I started going there when Herbie Smith owned it and then my brother-in-law Vondal Moore bought it.His house band was Country Earth and they did play every night but Monday.Every Thursday was theme night and they rotated Beatles,Tom Jones,Elvis and a couple more that escape me right now.
I remember that when they were getting Sweetwater ready to open we all got to go in for a trial run .It had the lowest,loudest bass speakers I have ever heard....about knocked you out of your chair!My sister worked there for a while before it changed to 1470.We still went in about once a week or so because they had the most amazing dance floor and sound system.Went to several drag shows there and it was fun.
Good times!
maxed out
225 posts
Feb 05, 2011
3:28 AM
...cilla4.... Wasn't Vondal the lead singer for Pictorian Skiffulls at one time? They were a great Rolling Stone tribute band if I recall.
luv my dayton
99 posts
Jul 30, 2012
6:28 AM
I lived in Kettering for years before heading back to Dayton. Many outings were spent here as it was just a stones throw away from home. To us as children we thought this area was a major big shopping trip and back in 50's it probably was. Go by there often and its been done up beautifully with all the offices. Still saddens me though Thank god for old pics if you can get them and your own memories.
copson
108 posts
Sep 05, 2013
1:35 PM
Don't forget (SWEETWATER DISCO CLUB )big disco spot in the hills&dales shopping center.. Late 70's to early eighties.. It was a great place.. PARTY PARTY PARTY all night long.. It then became Celebrities, before they moved to downtown Dayton....

Last Edited by copson on Sep 05, 2013 1:36 PM
joey m
95 posts
Sep 06, 2013
9:32 AM
copson I had the restaurant that ajoined the club. It was hard to find because its only access was from the long hallway that you walked down before entering the club. It was the most beautiful club to ever come to dayton!
Springfielder
20 posts
Sep 06, 2013
5:55 PM
Hmmm....
I never get to that area of Dayton; so stupid question - is the shopping center still standing. Sounds interesting.
supersix
143 posts
Sep 06, 2013
6:29 PM
No, it's gone.
Tadman1
11 posts
Sep 12, 2013
11:58 AM
Lived on Robin Road, which dead ended into Dorothy Lane from 1966 to 1970. Used to shop at Liberal and as I recall, the Metropolitan had a store there for a while. While in High School went to the ice cream parlor in the late 50's and they had a huge dish of ice cream and toppings made for many people called "The Kitchen Sink". Everyone at the talble got a spoon and we all dug in.
cosmocat908
1 post
Jan 01, 2014
5:38 PM
I want to mention Michael's Supper Club around '81. Not sure if it was adjacent to Sweetwater/1470 W, as I was only 11-12. It was a short-lived venture of which my dad (Michael) was part owner.
joey m
206 posts
May 22, 2014
11:21 AM
Drug store was called Grays. I dated a couple of girls who worked there.
Rodney REDMAN
1 post
Sep 01, 2014
9:15 AM
The name of the auto parts store on the same side as the Christopher Club was called Fleenors Auto Parts, and then it was some other auto parts store. Right next to Fleenors was Redman's TV Sales and Service owned by James Redman Sr.,then the Boot Legger ownend by Joe Eiller, next to that was the breezeway entrance, then Millers, followed by Hickory Farms, after another delivery annex into Goldman's.On the other side of goldman's was Singer sewing machine store, and a Radio Shack, and then Stumps which was Krogers before it was Stumps. On the other side of the shopping center was was Whip and Sipp, then an entrance breezeway with a locksmith and a hair salon. After the breezeway was Greys Drugs and the G.C.Murphy's followed by the Music Man which was called Herbie Smiths before owned by Herbie Smith and later by Vondal Moore.when it became the Music Man, another breezeway and then the flourist. On the Christopher Club/The Racquet Club side was Liberal Market aka sweetwater aka 1470 west. Downstairs was the Library and some NCR offices along with Commercial Data owned by Bob Klann, and the Bujinkan Dojo owned by Stephan K. Hayes and the Shadows of Iga society. In the interior or courtyard side was a coin and stamp hobby shop, An insurrance agency. I vaquely remember the bank that was there in the beginning but there was one. When the Christopher Club was the Racquet club there were some really big names that played there. My mom worked there and she has autographed photoes to her from Phylis diller, George Carlin, The Crosby kids, Jonathan winters etc. My mom could probably help Cathy with her framed picture identification. Places changed names regularly and places came and went. There was even a radio station broadcasting from there for a short while. I think it was WDAO but I am not sure. The Bootlegger was called The OIffice I beleive for a while before it was the bootlegger. Throckmortens was there. Many Many changes over the years. I have tons of memories from those days. Larry from Fleeners gave me my first set of Chevy double hump heads. They went on a camaro that ran like a sculded dog. The Ponderosa was originally a bank teller area and on the Whip and Sipp side was a gas station called Union"76" owned by a guy named Damon and a freind named Rob. My dad owned Redman's TV shop which was located behind the Golden Nugget Pancake House from 1948 until 1973ish, and then moved to Hills and Dales until 1993. After my dad passed away the Redman's TV shop became Joe's Radio Shop I think. Which reminds me that the Boot Legger was called "Joe's Place" and then changed to "My Place" before it became the Boot Legger. That is about it for me I guess. Good luck on the research.
Kyttengyrl
25 posts
Sep 11, 2014
3:52 PM
Do you remember a house next to the Golden Nugget? My mother met my father when he lived in the basement of that house. He was working at WDAO back then. Must of been 1973-76.
blue J
133 posts
Sep 12, 2014
11:47 AM
Kyttengyrl-

I don't know for sure, but I would bet that any house next to the Golden Nugget is probably still there. I don't think the homes there have been altered at all since then.

I was only born in 1973, so I could be wrong- but that neighborhood has looked the same ever since I can remember.
Edwina
3 posts
Jan 25, 2015
7:11 PM
I worked as a cashier at Liberal Market (Hills & Dales Shopping Center ) 1969 till it closed in the early 80"s.
olds88
322 posts
Jan 30, 2015
5:22 PM
I used to get my hair cut at Hills and dale Russ Harvell ran a shop there.Frank Sacadas wife and daughter [Dawn]ran a orientel gift shop near the barber shop.Frank was still part owner of DLM.
joey m
316 posts
Feb 02, 2015
10:34 AM
olds88 Small world. Russ Harville was a good friend of mine. Iknew him and another barber there. My future wife worked at the Greys Drug Stor right across the hall from the barber shop. I'll bet our paths have crossed in the past.
olds88
325 posts
Feb 02, 2015
3:14 PM
Dale was one and I believe there were two brothers also.Remember the boat fire that involved russ?Have not seen him for a few years.Hope he is alright.
luv my dayton
836 posts
Feb 02, 2015
6:03 PM
Knew Russ,his wife was a hairdresser named Bonnie? and believe I also knew Dale. Have no idea what happened to any of them as were talking many moons ago. Nice people none the less and all would have to be retired by now.
joey m
318 posts
Feb 03, 2015
8:14 AM
olds88& LMD Jim McCoy was the other barber. And I ran into Russ and his current wife the other day and he is doing fine since he retired as City Manager of Moraine City. Good people great friends!


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