lookout page 14 for 10-14-13

Oct. 14-27, 2013www.lcc.edu/lookout

OPINION14

“The lights are much brighter there. We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares.” — Lyrics from the 1964 hit song “Downtown” by Petula Clark

I’ve always loved Downtown Lansing, and a recent trip there to help sell ads for The Lookout stirred up some wonderful memories of the historic district.

I grew up in North Lansing (now known as Old Town). When I was a small boy, my Mother used to take me to Downtown Lansing to check out all the bright lights and bustling stores.

My Mom had worked at Kresge’s, a dime store in the district, prior to my birth in 1961. Therefore, she still had a lot of friends down there who she liked to visit.

Downtown was a wonderful destination in the 1960s. Kresge’s had an old-fashioned

soda fountain where I could get a chocolate ice cream soda for less than 50 cents.

Downtown had the huge Michigan Theater, where I remember seeing classic Disney movies such as Mary Poppins and The Love Bug as a child.

And downtown had the Peanut Shop, complete with freshly roasted peanuts and a candy counter that would make any child’s eyes as big as saucers.

Each year around Christmas time, my Mother would take me to the glitzy Knapp’s Department Store, where I would get my

picture taken with Santa Claus in the toy department.

Downtown Lansing will always hold special memories for me. And with the passing of Mother this past summer at the age of 81, Downtown Lansing takes on an even deeper meaning for me.

I will never forget those childhood day trips with Mom, when life was breezy and there didn’t seem to be a care in the world.

As recently as two years ago, my Mother and I enjoyed lunch together at Jalepeno’s in Downtown Lansing.

During that outing, we looked out the window at the old Knapp’s building and recalled those holiday visits with Santa Claus.

After lunch we went down the street and visited the Peanut Shop at 117 S. Washington Square – yes, the same Peanut Shop we used

to go to when I was a little boy. That place has been in business since 1937!

Mom got maple nut goodies, just like she did 45 years ago. Meanwhile my eyes got wide as I pored over the huge selection of treats and nuts in the old-fashioned candy counter.

Our visit there made me feel like a kid again. It was another downtown memory with my Mother that will be forever etched in my mind.

Downtown Lansing has been a big part of my life, and I am thrilled to see it is thriving again today after a generation of deterioration and abandonment.

It’s great to be able to go downtown and relive some childhood memories. Although most of the storefronts have changed, the recollections remain intact.

Go downtown and make some memories of your own. It’s just three blocks south of LCC. It’s lots of fun and there’s plenty of good food.

“So maybe I’ll see you there. We can forget all our trouble, forget all our cares.” — More lyrics from “Downtown” by Petula Clark

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Trip downtown stirs childhood memories

The Peanut Shop in downtown Lansing has been in business since 1937 and offers plenty of yummy treats.

Photo by Larry Hook

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