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Retro Raleigh

Posted: Aug 28, 2008

What do you miss about the "Raleigh of old" that you would like to see again today? Carolina Conversations blogger Allison Taylor posed that question in a recent email. Here was her message:

"I grew up in Cary, moved to Raleigh, then all around NC, then to England for five years. I love being back home, but it has really changed.

Hey, why don't you have a blog about natives to the area? People BORN here, things that happened way back, events, shows, the underground in Cameron Village, all kinds of things, famous bands, the Fabulous Knobs, the VillaCapri restaurant at Ridgewood, politicians, people at WRAL, Bob Debardelaben (I went to school with his son.), the tremendous growth in the area. And remember off New Bern Avenue, years ago, the person who had that HUGE Christmas scene in the front yard? What happened to that? We natives couldhave our own blog site.

I wonder how many natives are still here or who have returned to the area tosettle down after many years away. I think that might make a good blog."

I think you're right, Allison. Let’s talk about that today.

What do I miss about my young days in Raleigh? Well, several restaurants for sure. I miss Neptune's Galley on Western Boulevard. No offense to the new Red, Hot & Blue on Hillsborough Street at Oberlin Road but I miss the Darryl's Restaurant there at that intersection. I also miss the Big 85 - WKIX Radio where I worked for several years with greats such as Rick Dees, Steve Roddy, Pat Patterson, Jack Kane, Charlie Brown, Tommy Walker, Dale Van Horn, John Tesh, Doug Limerick, Scott White, Steve Shumake and Steve Reid. I miss Joel Chaney’s great sports columns in The Raleigh Times. I miss hearing Bob Farrington ad lib an entire 30 minute newscast complete with soundbites on WPTF Radio.  I miss Uncle Paul on Channel 5. I miss colorful politicians like Thad Eure and Jim Graham. And I also miss Uncle Don’s soda shop on Western Boulevard where the Bojangle’s sits today. That’s where I met my wife Cindy. And I miss seeing David Thompson flying through the air and wreaking havoc on the basketball competition at Reynolds Coliseum

What about you? What do you miss about the Raleigh area?

Copyright 2008 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Wow, this brings back memories.. I lived in raleigh 7 years and I loved the Villacapri restaurant. Also loved to go dancing in high school at the Cat's Eye. Even then we had to be back home by 11:00pm. also loved a chinese resaturanr across from the cadilac dealership off wake forest road, but I cannot recall the name of it. Does anyone know? I miss Darrylls and those great homemade pitas!!Accorfing to my daughter who lives in Raleigh Nelsons is the place to go now!! Also we used to go to the buffett at plantation inn..
Click to view my profile tennispro
GOLO member since September 18, 2007
August 28, 2008 1:03 p.m.
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In addition to lots of things already mentioned, I miss Devereaux Meadow at the corner of Capital Blvd (formerly Downtown Boulevard) and Peace Street where Raleigh's minor league baseball teams used to play, the Cougar on top of Leith Lincoln-Mercury on "Downtown" Boulevard, Roy Rogers hamburgers on Hillsborough St., the hill at "Carter" Stadium, Cheviot Hills and Eagle Crest golf courses, and Two Flags over Fuquay (thanks to Pat Patterson).
melledge
August 28, 2008 1:04 p.m.
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Oh, Nelsons is now Fosters at Cameron Village sorry!!
Click to view my profile tennispro
GOLO member since September 18, 2007
August 28, 2008 1:22 p.m.
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Does anyone remember Sams steak house on wake forest Road? I used to love having my date take me there because they always brought the meat to your table and you got to tell them how much you wanted!!
Click to view my profile tennispro
GOLO member since September 18, 2007
August 28, 2008 1:24 p.m.
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This is bringing back so many good memories! Great topic.
Click to view my profile Riverracer8
GOLO member since February 4, 2008
August 28, 2008 1:48 p.m.
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Darryl's and Neptunes rocked !

I miss the original Hamburger Hut on Hillsborough St., and Amadeo's at North Hills (when the cinema was next door).

There was also the Ambassadour, State theatres downtown, the Varsity on Hillsborough St., and the old Forest Drive-In on Capital /401.
davidgnews
August 28, 2008 1:51 p.m.
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I agree with missing Neptunes Galley with the fountain out front.. I remember my folks driving all the way from Durham when I was a child. I remember Robbins Nest in cameron village underground..
Click to view my profile NCTrue
GOLO member since April 19, 2008
August 28, 2008 1:52 p.m.
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I played many a gig at the old Cafe Deja Vu in the late 70s /early 80s, as well as the Pier.
davidgnews
August 28, 2008 1:53 p.m.
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I remember Barney's Army cartoons in the afternoons... What happened to Barney?
Click to view my profile NCTrue
GOLO member since April 19, 2008
August 28, 2008 1:53 p.m.
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I miss the old State Fair midway and dirt track...
Click to view my profile NCTrue
GOLO member since April 19, 2008
August 28, 2008 1:56 p.m.
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To answer Allison's question of what happened to the Christmas Decorations off New Bern. The person that did that added one new scene/ornament a year until it ran nearly all the way down the dead end road. People came from everywhere to see it. As you drove down one side of the road, if you rolled your window down you could hear the music that played. Upon making the turn at the top you came back down and were able to see and hear it all. However over the years people began getting out of their cars and walking around the scenes. Some of the scenes/ornaments were damaged by being trampled over. Kids begin to steal some of the ornaments overnight. The owner (who was aging and in poor health) decided it was time to throw in the towel. I am not sure exactly what year was the last but seems that it was around early 80s.
Click to view my profile 3headedmonster
GOLO member since February 29, 2008
August 28, 2008 2:06 p.m.
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i don't know how people can say they miss darryl's. if you people knew the nasty conditions in that kitchen...

i want to vomit just thinking about it.
Click to view my profile m0nky
GOLO member since September 23, 2008
August 28, 2008 2:13 p.m.
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Tennispro, I think the restaurant you were referring to was the Hangchow...one of my favorites. Also loved the Canton Cafe, my friend's parents were the owners, so we were always treated well! Also remember watching Sunrise Theatre(old horror flicks) with my siblings on Saturday morning before my parents got up!
schpenguin
August 28, 2008 2:17 p.m.
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NCTrue - Barney's Army is remembered at http://www.barneysarmy.com/

I miss Darryl's too, but the old Darryl's before it turned into an ApplebeeFridayOCharleyChilis clone. Remember those pizza crack ers they used to serve as an appetizer?

But most of all I miss Scotty's. Yeah, the food wasn't really all that great, but it was the kind of place my granddad would take me on a Saturday afternoon. The new North Hills is so trendy people like me aren't even allowed on the property :-)
Chuck U Farley
August 28, 2008 2:24 p.m.
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Bill, I miss the Crabtree Valley Mall Belk's cafeteria, Uncle Paul and lots of other things mentioned here. I want to know, back in the 80's did you also work on WRAL radio? I remember Bob Inskeep, but I seem to remember you being there as well.
Click to view my profile mcmags
GOLO member since August 10, 2007
August 28, 2008 2:25 p.m.
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I miss Scotty's hot dogs at the old North Hills Mall. I haven't found a hot dog as good as their's since.
Click to view my profile mammothman53
GOLO member since December 19, 2007
August 28, 2008 2:30 p.m.
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Yes schpenguin, it was Hanchows!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it and went there at least once a week while I taught school in Raleigh for seven years. Thanks for the name of it!! I must be a slipping!! Charlies in chapel hill was almost as good run my charlie twoshoes. He was a marine who just got his US citizenship in 2000 at our own Southport. He does not have the restaurant any longer!
Click to view my profile tennispro
GOLO member since September 18, 2007
August 28, 2008 2:33 p.m.
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I am native to Raleigh and I was born at the old Rex Hospital on St Mary's Street. I have seen many changes in my beloved hometown. The one I miss the most is the Christmas parade that was always at night and ended at the end of Fayetteville Street. I can still remember as a child & even a teenager the excitement of the cold night air, the Christmas lights, hanging out with friends and to look around everyone toward the capital for the parade to turn the corner. I wish my grandchildren could experience that kind of excitement today.

I have lived in a foreign country and other states but am grateful to be back home even with all the changes. There is no place like home & family.
queenofmydw
August 28, 2008 2:36 p.m.
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King of The Sea on North Blvd (Capital Blvd) Remember the big statue of the stallion in the parking lot right by it? The Switch off Old Wake Forest Road, The Bears Den in Cameron Underground, The Pier (saw Jimmy Buffett there UP CLOSE and VERY personal), Sam's Steakhouse, gosh I could fill up this blog fast!
DarnYou
August 28, 2008 2:56 p.m.
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I miss the drive-in theaters, the big caterpillar, or whatever the equipment was, that sat on top of the North Carolina Equipment Co. building on Hillsborough Street. Roy's Drive In, Piggy Park, the old ice plant on Hillsborough Street, where I would ride with my dad to get ice in a tall lined paper bag, to get home and make ice cream in the hand crank freezer. I miss my homeplace, which is now home to Rex Hospital. Lord, I'm giving away my age!
Click to view my profile camphost
GOLO member since August 23, 2007
August 28, 2008 2:56 p.m.
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Oh wow! I miss Uncle Paul (I cheer LOUDLY every year when Ira David Wood mentions marching like Uncle Paul taught us during A Christmas Carol!) and Barney's Army and Bob Debardelaben (no offense to the current weather folk!)! My first restaurant outing, as a newborn, was to the Amedeo's at North Hills. I miss Mr. Cross' Christmas display, and the Capital Room at the Crabtree Belk. I miss Mayberry's at Holly Park. They had the best chocolate peanut butter ice cream (I think it was called Charlie Brown). I know it was probably gross, but I loved the pool at Pullen Park, when it actually was IN the park! Something about riding the carousel with wet hair and still wearing my bathing suit... Now I feel old!
tripletmommy
August 28, 2008 3:06 p.m.
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How about the Pier underground at Cameron Village. What a cool place that was - Anyone ever go to the Showcase? Wow... all these great memories. Wish I could bottle them up.
moonchild
August 28, 2008 3:17 p.m.
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Yes, I did work with FBI, Famous Bob Inskeep, back at Mix 101.5
Click to view my profile bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
August 28, 2008 3:18 p.m.
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Crazy Zacks, The Pier, The Frog and Nightgown. Two Flags over Fuquay. Johnny Dollar. Johnson's Bar B Que in Cary. Center Drive-In off 70 heading toward Garner. The old airport at 70 and Tryon Road. Pine State home delivery.

Wow.
Click to view my profile HockeyRules
GOLO member since May 8, 2008
August 28, 2008 3:24 p.m.
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Dialing for Dollars on WRAL with Bob DeBardelaben, before he was the biggest name in weather.

Bill, do you remember the Putt Putt course that use to be next to WRAL, on the corner of Western and Avent Ferry? And Ric Flair wrestling at the Channel Five Studios?
Click to view my profile HockeyRules
GOLO member since May 8, 2008
August 28, 2008 3:30 p.m.
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Does anyone remember the Hayse Barton pool? Townhomes sit upon the site now. Uncle Paul, Swain's Steakhouse on New Bern Ave was the "la-tee-da" place to eat if you were not going to the Angus Barn. I miss walking out on the tarmac to meet a relative flying in at RDU which was Raleigh Durham Airport. Remember when there was Wake County schools and Raleigh City Schools. I miss hearing the lunch menu on the radio each morning. The mailbox being right outside the door and the garbage being picked up from the back yard.
RUsleeping
August 28, 2008 3:55 p.m.
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Dr. Bugg on Jones Street!!! Yikes!! It seemed that anytime I went to see him I left getting a shot in my rear. Dr. Sanders was my reg doc, but Bugg would fill in for him. Dr. Horowitz was my dentist and now he is my kids dentist (I thoguht he was ancient then, but he ages well )
RUsleeping
August 28, 2008 4:03 p.m.
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Yes, I remember Hayes Barton Pool! And the Blue Tower diner on Hillsborough St. around midnight, the Capital Room, Villa Capri, the Underground at Cameron Village, downtown Raleigh movie theatres then going to the Players Retreat for a beer and burger, the OLD 42nd Street Oyster Bar on Friday nights. When you ate at the old 42nd St. Oyster Bar for lunch during the week, your fish was served on a separate platter - huge founder! When I moved here North Hills had not been built. Kidd Brewer's house at Crabtree was the setting for the spring Interfraternity Council party. The entire hill was covered with people and the bands were at the bottom.
Click to view my profile maddie
GOLO member since March 12, 2008
August 28, 2008 4:26 p.m.
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I miss the Record Bar (I believe that was the name) in North Hills Mall, the gracious man who sold peanuts to humans and fed them to pigeons on Capitol Square and the peanut man on Highway 70 waving to me as I came home from the beach on Sunday afternoons.
Oh2BBackInNC
August 28, 2008 6:00 p.m.
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Wow, I love this blog. Been in Raleigh all of my 45 years and remember everything people have mentioned. I was just talking about the smell of Wonderbread on Hillsborough Street mixed with KFC nearby. Darryls after Broughton football games -- which by the way we had to play at Sanderson because we didn't have a stadium. I remember when Mini City area was OUT OF TOWN, like a day's drive! We loved taking the bus to feed the pigeons downtown and lunch in the basement of Belks. Most of all I remember NO TRAFFIC! Thanks for all the great memories!
Click to view my profile thewomacks
GOLO member since September 5, 2007
August 28, 2008 6:27 p.m.
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This is a great blog. Even though I'm not a native, I moved here in the mid-60's when I was 21, so have basically spent most of my adult yrs here since then & I feel like a native.

When we first visited here in Sept 65, my ex-husband had a job interview with IBM in downtown Raleigh. While he interviewed, I took the car & our 2 kids (2 yrs & 6 mos old) for a ride to ck out Raleigh. How lucky of us to find Pullen Park; we spent most of the day there & my 2 yr old son loved the merry-go-round & the train. Been going there periodically ever since.

How about Jim Thornton's club on S Saunders St? No one's mentioned that. I never went there but rode by hundreds of times. My husband did & he talks about Sat night dances there as a teenager; they were a big deal for a country boy from 1010! Speaking of 1010, he remembers when it was a dirt road & only a couple of cars passed by there daily; his mother's house still stands next to the road today.
Animal Lover
August 29, 2008 7:16 a.m.
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So many good examples of Raleigh's past on this blog. I've been trying to remember some new ones, but others have mentioned: the old airport on 401 S where my ex took flying lessons; Center Drive In on 70 to Garner; the old North-South small store on 401 S where I heard you could buy beer & other sources of bootleg booze even if underage - this was BEFORE the huge shopping centers there now; Toot-n-Tell it in Garner which is still there, but without the curb service; Shoney's Big Boy on S Saunders.

We, too, used to go see Mr Cross's Christmas display; it was a tradition. The Underground at Cameron Village was so unique at the time. How about the very small & crowded restaurant (can't remember the name) on Wake Forest Rd near the now-volkswagen place, where everyone went for breakfast after a night of dancing, unless we went to the Blue Tower or My House restaurants? Took my kids to both Pullen Park & Hayes Barton pools.

We also loved the library when it was downtown.
Animal Lover
August 29, 2008 7:33 a.m.
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I miss the State Soda Shop on Salisbury Street, and it only closed a month ago - now there is nowhere to get a milshake downtown. I miss being able to drive Hillborough Street without having all the trim on my car fall off from the potholes (circa 1994-1998).
pleshy
August 29, 2008 8:44 a.m.
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Having lived my entire 43 years in the Raleigh area, these are my fondest memories of "Retro Raleigh"...

- Cross Family Christmas decorations on New Bern Ave. - Mechanical Santa window display at King's dept. store on Wilmington St. - Colorful Christmas lights at the old Cameron Village & visiting Santa in his glass house in-front of Penny's - Pine State eggnog - Downtown Christmas decorations & the evening Christmas parade - Marching w/ Uncle Paul & meeting Crawford the Lion - Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Tues. nights at Dorton Arena - Wed. night wrestling tapings at WRAL studios w/ Bob Caudle (aired on Sat. nights at 11:30) - Mr. Peanut waving in-front of candy store on Wilmington St. - Best Products on Western Blvd. - WRAL's "Chiller Theater" & "Spook Spectacular" - "Scream in the Dark" - Cardinal Theater at North Hills - Center Drive-in - Warner Bros. Store at Crabtree - Magic Corner on Hillsborough - Record Bar - WKIX - R.B.s Chicken & Pine Drug Store on S. Saunders
J.J.3
August 29, 2008 11:32 a.m.
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I think the name of the late night breakfast restaurant on Wake Forest Road was the Ham and Egger.  I miss the beautiful free gift wrapping at Boylan Pearce. I miss reading the Raleigh Times afternoon paper. I miss the truly kind sales ladies who worked at Hudson Belks and Ivey Taylors who really acted like they wanted to help you. I loved eating at the Capitol Room at Belks. I also miss Wyatt Quarles seed company right behind Belks. If you would still like to see a night-time Christmas parade, come to Apex. It really is pretty.
btwill40
September 1, 2008 8:26 a.m.
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