When I was a student at Washington Irving Junior High (now "Middle School" -- yecch!) from 1968-1971 (and even long after), the Rustic Hills Shopping Center was one of my favorite haunts. And although I can remember its layout and decor -- and even, it seems to me, the smell of the place (Furr's Cafeteria?) -- I can't remember too many specifics. I'm hoping someone with a better memory can help me out. Let's see, starting on the east side there was a nifty general merchandise store where I always perused the latest albums. I remember coming across the Monkees, Rod Stewart, Jethro Tull, the Beatles, of course, and McCartney's early solo efforts and clearly recall buying two albums in particular there: Uriah Heep's "Wizards and Demons" and Peter Nero's "Summer of '42." (What can I say? I was a teeny-bopper.) A little farther west, past Furr's, was a very cool little independent bookshop where I practically lived. I was really into the '30-'40s pulp hero Doc Savage (still am, I guess) and they had row upon row of cool Doc paperbacks displayed there. This was also where I got the very first hardback book I ever bought with my own money, Hal Borland's "Country Editor's Boy" (soon followed by the second hardback I ever bought, James Clavell's "Shogun"). These two shops, along with the Duckwall's(?), the 7-Eleven and the small but lovely Rustic Hills Theater, made up my universe in that corner of town. But I don't remember the names of the places. Does anyone else remember?
The name rings a bell but I don't recall the location.
My mall's of memory were the Citadel, of course, and Mall Of The Bluffs when it actually thrived and did a good business anchored by ALCO and King Soopers. All the shops were full and my second favorite hobby shop, Miniature World, was there. Colpar hobbies in Denver was (is) still my favorite.
Regarding Rustic Hills, I remember the book store & theater, The rest is fuzzy though. Seems like there was a sporting goods store there too, Blick's maybe?
Wasn't RuJan hobbies there too?
Phil (Login Phil958) ***Moderator*** 72.174.135.48
Corner of Galley and Circle Dr.
October 1 2006, 9:48 AM
it has been torn down and a new up dated strip type mall is there...safeway, cheers liquor, ace hardware, etc. When the citadel opened, CE mall DIED....it never really succeeded.
Wasn't that at the corner of Circle and Galley, sort of kitty corner across Circle from Mount Calvary Lutheran Church? When I was a kid, there was a "groovy" record store at its south end -- you know, incense, black-light posters, love beads ... oh, and records, of course. That was during my Cat Stevens-Bread-Gilbert O'Sullivan phase. Or am I thinking of some other mall?
When I was a student at Washington Irving Junior High (now "Middle School" -- yecch!) from 1968-1971
Hey, I was a Washington Irving graduate too. 1967-1970. Graduated Wasson in 1973. Hmmm, where are my school year books?
(and even long after), the Rustic Hills Shopping Center was one of my favorite haunts. And although I can remember its layout and decor -- and even, it seems to me, the smell of the place (Furr's Cafeteria?) -- I can't remember too many specifics. I'm hoping someone with a better memory can help me out. Let's see, starting on the east side there was a nifty general merchandise store
That was Gibson's Discount Store. The music center was in the way back of the store. Only a couple of rows and back then you could almost name all music artists.
where I always perused the latest albums. I remember coming across the Monkees, Rod Stewart, Jethro Tull, the Beatles, of course, and McCartney's early solo efforts and clearly recall buying two albums in particular there: Uriah Heep's "Wizards and Demons" and Peter Nero's "Summer of '42." (What can I say? I was a teeny-bopper.) A little farther west, past Furr's, was a very cool little independent bookshop where I practically lived. I was really into the '30-'40s pulp hero Doc Savage (still am, I guess) and they had row upon row of cool Doc paperbacks displayed there. This was also where I got the very first hardback book I ever bought with my own money, Hal Borland's "Country Editor's Boy" (soon followed by the second hardback I ever bought, James Clavell's "Shogun").
Gosh, I don't remember the bookshop.
These two shops, along with the Duckwall's(?),
I do remember the Duckwalls. There was also a Halmark shop. My fist experience in witnessing someone shoplifting. Not only an item, but a dozen or so small type items. I was so shocked, I went home and immediately told my mom! Oh, and there was a coin shop, and a Hardware store (Ace?, a shoe repair shop that eventually moved to the westside strip where there was a Radio Shack that just closed, there was a worman's formal shop, a little consession place to buy drinks, sno-cones, cotton candy, icecream, and a place that sold incense, candles, jewelry. I can't remember the names of these places either. Ugh! I think I'm getting older.
the 7-Eleven and the small but lovely Rustic Hills Theater, made up my universe in that corner of town. But I don't remember the names of the places. Does anyone else remember?
I do recall the two-screen theatre around the corner from Safeway food store, and recall the following films on the marquee: All the President's Men, American Grafitti, Poseidon Adventure.
I was just in the Springs, from Kansas City, for a quick Memorial Day trip, with my aging father, fearing it may be the last time he sees our home town, or at least is mentally able to appreciate it.
Dad worked at Southgate Sears, and we lived at 2043 S. Corona, in Stratton Meadows. Later, lived at 35 S. Claremont, and finally built a home in Rustic Hills, 1530 Sanderson Ave, off Palmer Park. Built house in late '68, occupying in early 1969. Built it for $19,000.00! I was in Kindergarten. Sold it in about 1978 for sixty or seventy thousand.
We shopped at the Rustic Hills center all the time. Was the discount store a Gibson's store? Dad considered buying a pickup from the owner of the gas station that was directly in front of that store.
At the mall entrance just west of that store, was Guadalupe Hildalgo's (hope that name is right) I believe it was a gift shop. Or is that the name of a Catholic church in town? (I'm old and confused) There was also Radio Shack, "A Tandy Company," remember?
Furrs Cafeteria had a live pianist playing sometimes. It was at Furr's that I was taught manners, by my Grandma.
The mall had rough-hewn wood pillars and beams, and a sort of rustic southwestern clay tile floor. At the other end was Safeway grocery store, which had the sweeping, laminated wood beams that all Safeway stores did, for many years.
My God, just once I'd like to Christmas Shop at Rustic Hills center just once more, and see my parents young again, as I remember them.
Hi... I found this forum while looking for info on the Manitou Incline hike. I saw the "Rustic Hills Mall" thread and couldn't pass up the opportunity to respond.
I was born in the Springs in 72 and have lived here my entire life with the exception of three years in Ft. Collins during college.
My family lived near Academy/Constitution and the Rustic Hills Mall was our stomping grounds. Whenever my grandparents (from Ordway, CO) would come up to visit for the day, without fail, they would take us to Furrs for dinner before they headed back home. Good times!
Here's what I remember about Rustic Hills from my experiences there in the 70s and 80s:
From the North entrance, there was what I think was a lingerie store on the left. On the right was some sort of clothing store, I believe. If you walked straight ahead you'd enter Furrs. I do remember a Hallmark store there on the east wing, which was a good place to buy Smurf figurines, which my brother and I collected at one point. I can't remember the name of the store on the far east end, but it was some sort of variety store for a time. On the west end there was a Tru-Value hardware store, and this place also appealed to my brother and I because they carried toys during the Christmas season, including the ever-popular Star Wars stuff. Then on the far west end there was Sound Warehouse, a record store that would become my favorite haunt once I transitioned from the elementary to junior high years. Sound Warehouse later moved a little further north on Academy to that strip of stores that lies between the north and southbound lanes. I think now this space is occupied by a Hollywood video.
We also spent a lot of time at the "Rustic Hills North" location that included the Albertsons and the drug store (my first memories of this store were when it was called SKAGGS, the sign being comprised of huge yellow letters). It later turned into an Osco Drug and finally Long's Drugs.
Does anyone remember THE SODA STRAW on the far north end of the Rustic Hills North complex, near Academy? It was sort of an old-timey ice cream shop and I seem to remember everyone wearing bright white and red striped shirts.
Does anyone remember THE SODA STRAW on the far north end of the Rustic Hills North complex, near Academy? It was sort of an old-timey ice cream shop and I seem to remember everyone wearing bright white and red striped shirts.
Yes! Fun place to go for sweet treats! I think this was the very first place I experienced the staff sining very loudly to those that had a birthday. They were crazy people. lol And they did wear red and white stripe shirts, well the guys did. I think the gals wore white shirts, with puffy/ruffly short sleeves.
Oh my gosh, was I ever young (25) and full of hopes and dreams. We would go to church on Sunday and after church we would either eat lunch at Sambo's, later after it wasn't nice to refer to that name, it was sold and became a Village Inn, then a tacqueria, now it is closed and up for sale, or we would eat at the Soda Straw. Remember how if you order a gallon soda they would sound a fire siren to alert everyone in the room you were a "pig"! Oh what fun, and the decor was so "gawdy"! Pink and Red.
Back in those days, every Friday or Saturday, I don't remember now in the summertime we would go to Pikes Peak Speedway and watch the stock car races! In the early 70's they even had a streaker that came running out of the pits and ran across the field. She was immediately chased down and reckoned with!
Then in the winter months on Friday nights we would go to Shakey's on Fountain and Circle, drink dark beer, eat pizza and listen to a live piano player there!
This has really brought some wonderful memories back to me. Even though I grew up in Limon, I spent a lot of time in Colorado Springs, and later moved here and have no desire to ever live any place else!
When my family first moved to the springs in 1967, we lived in the Brookwood Subdivision. The only thing I can remember between hour home and Rustic Hills was a small area where the road divided (two lanes each way) for a short while in front of Vista Grande.
It seemed like forever to drive from our home to Rustic Hills. We had to get gas from the Phillips 66 station on the corner.
Academy National Bank was there and a few other tings like the McDonald's in which I worked for many years starting in 1969 at 90 cents an hour. Rustic Hills did not have the side completed that had Furrs in it yet. I remember Dipper Dan Ice Cream, The Lions Den bar, Radio shack and 7-11 at the end by San Miguel.
I went to school at Air Acedemy High School and it was a long way in the other direction for school. Later I went to Mitchell and graduated from Mitchell in 1969.
It was the place to be on that end of time.
My goal is to return to retire in the springs in the next ten years.
