On April 30, 1959, a warm 82-degree day, the St. Andrew’s Center opened to shoppers with a formal ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people, “young old – those of all ages of both sexes turned out.” Fred Woloshyn, President of St. Andrew’s Center Merchants Association presented a key to the Center to Miss Linda Riddle, the 1959 Miss Charleston. She encouraged everyone to have fun shopping in the new 27 stores of the Center with its more than 1,000 parking spaces!
The 131,000 square feet of floor space was occupied by: W. T. Grant, Co, Winn-Dixie, Colonial Stores, Edwards’ Five Cent, Ten Cent, and One Dollar Store, Felder-Cotton Drug Store, Nicoll’s Hardware, Hamilton Jewelers, Parmac Electric, United Laundry and Dry Cleaners, Confidential Finance Corp., Eleanor Shops, Telepchak Photographer, The Cloth Shop, Hi-Fi Records, Clelia’s Hat and Dress Shop, Carroll’s Seafood, Brandon’s Hairstylist, Bullwinkel’s Bakery, Rake n’ Hoe Garden Center, Parish Realty Corp, G.R. Kinney, Inc, Phillip’s Shoes, Maguire’s Brothers’ Service Station, The Hook, Line and Sinker Shop, Holcombe and Pinckney, Inc, Hudson’s Barber Shop, Louis O’Tuel Men’s and Boy’s Wear, W. P. Allen & Son’s Realty and two doctor’s offices: John Manos, MD and Abram Berry, MD.
Just two short years later, in 1961 St Andrews Center published “Famous Charleston Recipes from St. Andrew’s Center.” On the first page it was stated that this book was “A Gift” and not for sale. Not only no charge but no obligation to purchase. “We hope you will use it to your advantage and in so doing find that you like our Center.” In addition to the recipes in the book there were coupons to the various stores in the Center. You had to “register” your book in order to use the coupons and after visiting the various stores leave your “Registration Certificate” at the store named in your book. Each month there was a drawing. First prize was $12.50; second prize was $7.50; third prize was $5.00. Only fifty books were distributed each month so odds were in your favor for winning a cash prize.
Fun shopping stories? Contact Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com
