Editor, The Commercial:
Is there anyone besides me that remembers (Pine Bluff) Main Street before parking meters killed it?
You could park, shop, stop for coffee or food at Pines Hotel coffee shop, the Coffee Cup, Jennie’s Cafe or a couple other places — with parking meters Mr. Parsley went up and down Main every 15 minutes placing tickets on windshields. I’m sure the city was happy for a few months till Jefferson Square came and there was no more Main Street.
Remember Henry Marx, Wm Morris, Leas Men Store, Penny’s, Kress, Woolworth, Newberrys, Mangels, Baims, Fox Bros., Frumans, Frougs, Rosensweigs, Longs Book Store, Reed Drugs, abstract office, McNew Ins., Selma Schloss, Kahn’s, Levines, Goldwebber, Tony’s Shoe repair, Central Pharmacy, Malco Theater, Fashion, MaRu, Jenkins Business College, Higginson Cafe, National Bank of Commerce, Simmons Bank, Morning Graphic, Harts Men, Moses Music, auto supply, Family Shoes, Sherman Williams, R.J. Miller, Firestone, Shrine Temple…
Main Street also had several beautiful homes, one was that of E.W. Freeman (Commercial) and there were several people who called the Pines Hotel home. Another lost treasure was the Giant Shrine Temple at the corner of Pine and Martin avenue.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Is there anyone who played at the piano recital Marcelline did on the giant stage with 12 pianos — 2 students to each piano — speak up!!! Who moved and tuned the pianos? Maybe if enough people remember, the local government may try to rebuild and not have to go out of town to shop. Walmart doesn’t have everything.
Helen Majewski
Pine Bluff