I can still remember the very first time I walked into the magical place called The White Lakes Mall.
You see, I was a kid who grew up in some of the smallest towns western Kansas had to offer where the most exciting shopping experience was probably a trip to the local hardware store.
It was in the early 70's when we moved to Topeka and one of the first shopping trip my mom took us on was to Wild Willies and then across the street to White Lakes for new shoes and lunch.
To say it was a magical place in a young western Kansas kid's mind is an understatement.
The place had everything.
As the years went by it became our go to place.
It was where we all met up with our friends.
It was where we went to the movies.
It was just literally the place to be.
Then along came the Wanamaker corridor and it all changed.
One store after another bailed and eventually it became ghost town.
Then an eye sore.
Time has a way of doing that.
And this morning, it burned to the ground.
Rest in peace old friend.
And thank you for the memories...
Kevin McGinty
Good Grief is that true? If so I missed it...
ReplyDeleteIt's true Sarge. I doubt it actually burned to the ground but there was a hell of a fire...
ReplyDeleteIt's been home to a bunch of homeless drug addicts. Fires tend to follow where they go, so I'm not too surprised. But I have fond memories of the place as well. I remember it being built. Passed a few hours there. The Windjammer Inn was home away from home. Played pool, drank beer, listened to music. Great place.
ReplyDeleteI always loved going to the Blind Tiger because I spent many hours at Grandmothers when it was a great venue. Saw Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes there.
Topeka memories. I have a few.
It always amazes me how fast these places go down and why. I remember going to T town to see grandma and some times we got to stop at White Lakes. It was quite the place for a farm boy who had never been in thing bigger than a dime store or a A&P market. Use to be a big mall in Olathe Great plains mall and it is now a flat spot no plains left. Like ole malls in KC but they were taken down by the surroundings. And some were just behind the times. I guess its all about time moves on and the future, but it was fun times and the future seemed a lot brighter then, than it is now.
ReplyDeleteMalls are pretty much dead. And the chinese flu will probably be the last straw. Lawrence built a really nice mall on the river, now it's government offices. West Ridge mall is pretty dead. Went there a few Christmases ago and you could swing a cat by the tail and not hit anybody. More empty stores than full.
ReplyDeleteOak Park in KC is still going strong, because the shopper base is loaded with money. But KC is more outdoor malls than indoor now.
Just another change.
Yep, the "mall era" is much like down town... a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteI remember the River Front Mall too - it could have been quite the place if Lawrence had just tried a little harder to keep it.
White Lakes was awesome in its hay day. Topeka should have kept it going but the city council at the time didn't care just as they don't care about Westridge. Typical.
There's too much online shopping now which is the major factor in the demise of shopping malls.
On the KSNT website:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ksnt.com/news/national/3-year-old-boy-and-his-dog-abandoned-in-ohio-cemetery/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR2vQV4xs1FjbMKOvBC-Ldq-ttnU9lcpWJ9suXG2HN7ql8KMQBDEqddkozY
3-year-old boy and his dog abandoned in Ohio cemetery
by: Nexstar Media Wire and Jack Shea, WJW
Posted: Dec 29, 2020 / 09:42 AM CST / Updated: Dec 29, 2020 / 09:42 AM CST
HINCKLEY, Ohio (WJW) — Authorities in Ohio are investigating after a 3-year-old boy and his dog were abandoned at a cemetery two days before Christmas.
A witness reported seeing a car driving away from Hope Memorial Gardens cemetery in Hinckley on Wednesday and a little boy and a dog running after the vehicle.
The witness called 911 and protected the boy until Hinckley police arrived. The child told officers his name was Tony, but he only knew the first names of his parents. As police tried to identify the parents, Tony was temporarily placed in a foster home.
The story resonated with Jeremy Lowe of Wadsworth. As a child, he had been placed in a foster home just before the holidays.
“A little boy and his dog, Christmas time. You know, as heartless as it gets, really,” Lowe said.
Lowe used a Facebook forum to ask for donations and purchased toys to brighten Tony’s Christmas. Clothes and gifts poured in from across Medina County and Northeast Ohio, filling the lobby at the Hinckley Police Department.
“So that was the whole thought, you know, just take his mind off of the previous bad experience from a day or two before,” Lowe said.
After Hinckley police asked media outlets to post Tony’s photo, a relative saw the photo and contacted Tony’s father. He immediately called the police and indicated that Tony had been in the custody of his mother when he and his dog were abandoned.
“You know, I hope that the reasoning was that, you know, maybe somebody else can do better for Tony than that person could,” Lowe said.
Police said the boy’s father has been “very cooperative” in the investigation. Late Wednesday, he met police officers at the cemetery and they were able to catch Tony’s dog after finding him still running around the property.
Hinckley police said Tony is now in the care of his aunt and uncle.
“You know, I hope he’s young enough that he doesn’t carry this for the rest of his life,” Lowe said of the little boy with the big smile.
Hinckley Police Chief David Centner said Monday afternoon that no criminal charges have been filed and that detectives and caseworkers are continuing their joint investigation.
Just makes you want to choke the bastards that left him there!
DeleteThe Nashville, TN RV bombing is filling the news. Some guy in his 60s decided to commit suicide. So he fills his RV with explosives and drives to downtown Nashville to blow himself up. They found tissue at the site and it matches DNA evidence from a hat left in his previously owned car. Authorities have no idea what the motive was. Just some old guy wanting to kill himself.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I'm not buying it. If he wanted to kill himself, he would have done it in his home. Sure, I have seen the stories going around Facebook that it was tied to the AT&T building and the Dominion servers. I have seen nothing to corroborate these stories. But it wouldn't surprise me.
Our government is great at hiding things from us. Giving us something else to look at. All to keep our minds off of wanting the truth. President John F. Kennedy was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald on 22 Nov 1963. It was a clear open and shut case. They had the rifle and the assassin. Oswald said he was a patsy. Then he was killed before any trial or testimony. The Warren Commission investigated the incident. Yet the results were sealed. And still are to this day. If it was Oswald, why are they hiding the truth from us?
In 2017, Stephen Paddock, another man in his 60s, decides to go to Vegas and shoot people. Injuring 411 people and killing another 60 people. Strangely, he kills himself or is killed by the police before he is able to go to trial and make any statements. Not to mention he broke out a window in a hotel. Windows damn near impossible to break. Or the fact that he supposedly shot so many people with a bump stock. If you are a shooter, you know how inaccurate they are. Witnesses and videos show another shooter from the building. At least the muzzle flashes. The government tells us there was only one shooter and no motive. Case closed. Again, we all accept the story and go on with our lives.
We all know who Jeffrey Epstein is. We know of his sex island and his aircraft the "Lolita Express." We know how he could sink many important people. People like: Prince Andrew, Governor Bill Richardson, hairstylist Frederic Fekkai, actor Kevin Spacey, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and former President Bill Clinton just to name a few. He is arrested and put in jail. Given suicide proof clothing and bedding. He was positive and upbeat when he talked to his lawyer. Then he suddenly hangs himself in jail. The video cameras watching him just happen to quit working when he hung himself. A medical examiner said he had injuries consistent with murder by strangulation. But the government investigates. Rules it as a suicide. All the people who could have been implicated go free. And America forgets about it.
I know, these are just conspiracy theories. And I need to be in my room with a tinfoil hat on my head. But before you go down that road. Look at these "Conspiracy Theories" that turned out to be true. The CIA developed a heart attack gun. The CIA spied on, and controlled, the American media. The U.S. government stole dead bodies for radioactive testing. The Dalai Lama was a CIA agent. Area 51. FBI spied on John Lennon. Tuskegee syphilis experiment. And let's not forget the more recent case of Hunter Biden's laptop.
These things that need to be addressed to the American people keep getting swept under the rug and forgotten. They are normally proceeded with another event to divert your attention. Personally, I think there is some serious stuff going on within the government. The swamp has been exposed like never before in the last few years. Now they are fighting back hot and heavy. Maybe I do need to be wearing a tinfoil hat. But I really don't think so.
Well you all seem to be talking it up tonight so I will back out and not interfere....
ReplyDeleteCan't talk now Sarge, Gunsmoke is on...😎😎😎
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you!!!!
Delete2 Kansas congressmen vote against $2K stimulus checks Fourth District Rep. Ron Estes and 1st District Rep. Roger Marshall voted no to the Democratic-led effort that passed 275-134 for the additional assistance.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember White Lakes Mall. Topeka Blvd would be packed all the way to 21st street during the Christmas rush to buy presents. The parking lot would be packed and you had to drive around in circles just to find a parking spot. I remember the little bridge in front of Sears and the little store called The Hat Box. Robinson Shoes and Leeds were the two stores to buy shoes. Walgreens and Pizza Hut were good places to stop for lunch. I still remember the smell of pizza cooking at the White Lakes Pizza Hut. There were two ladies stores, one called Butries (sp) and The Red Door. I think Windjammer moved into where The Red Door used to be located. Penney's was at at the south end of the Mall and Sears was on the north end. Shakeys Pizza was across the street to the south. King's Hamburgers was off to the west. King's had a great deep fried cheese sandwich called a cheese frenchie and they also had a tuna frenchie. I loved shopping at White Lakes Mall and after shopping we would catch a movie at Foxx across the street or grab Mexican food at Casa Del Sol. I worked a few days at the grand opening of Wild Willies. My job was to stand in the entryway, blow up helium balloons and pass the balloons out to the kids as they left the store. Great memories. I am sad to hear White Lakes caught on fire. From what I hear the same thing happened to Casa Del Sol.
ReplyDeleteHope y'all are okay. Looks like snow and ice is headed your way. Please be safe.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I believe that the current owners of the White Lakes property were not too sorry to see it go!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. There may be more to this story, but I am sure we will never know the true story. Just my opinion.
DeleteThe owner of the mall is that no good piece of shit named Lindemuth. He's a crook and owns some of the nastiest properties in town.
ReplyDeleteHe's been mixed up in all kinds of shady as well as criminal dealings including being involved in a murder.
I wouldn't put anything past him...
Like I said, I am sure we will never know the full story. How do people like this continue to get away with breaking the law? People should be outraged the sack of s--- is still allowed to walk the streets.
DeleteThat explains a lot. He tried to build some kind of a Mimi Mall down here. It never got off the ground. Seems that the mini mall didn't have a road into it.
DeleteGuy was able to purchase over 100 firearms to hide money from bankruptcy, then liquidate afterwards, too.
DeleteAnd a judge let him get away with it.
Not sure how he got his settlement from Goodyear, or how he got more money from them screwing up again is beyond me.
Not sure why lenders in this community let people like this buy stuff up and let it rot. Slummy slimey Slum lord.
Then again, this community repeatedly votes to tax itself to let builders build shopping "TIF districts" risk free, and continues paying taxes for fixes on roads that never get fixed.
Pardon my French, but that's retarded. Talking about a city that up until four five years ago had a hard time making it illegal to be nude in a public park!!??
Retarded.
Sorry. Rant over.
We are at War in our own Country, Trust me on that. Good Night.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say you were wrong, Sarge.
DeleteI wish you could too...
DeleteI have read quite a bit about Lindermuth. He sounds like the prime example of a "slum lord"! But boy, they must have just kept loaning him money to buy them, then he didn't make any payments. Who are the dumb shits in all of this??
DeleteWell, it is finally the last day of this Frickin' year! Thank God! Not that anything is going to be any different or better, by any means, but that's the way it goes!
ReplyDeleteThey keep sounding like there is still some hope that Trump and Co. could pull off something to change things up but I have to be highly skeptical! If the idiots in Georgia don't vote the two commies in, there might be some hope still to get this thing righted! Only time will tell, I guess. Wishing all of you a very Happy and Safe New Year, 2021! Meanwhile, Donald Trump, keep on kickin'[ass and taken' names!
looks like they got them. Sure was fast?
ReplyDeleteOne adult and two juveniles were arrested in connection to the fire.
https://www.wibw.com/2020/12/31/topeka-fire-now-says-white-lakes-mall-fire-was-purposely-set/?fbclid=IwAR1tye1RchW71DOyOMSgU3AwmAoEBPbhVrFlzib_gDWmob5F3SQIbu2eLas
Looks like the Republicans are going to get rolled again, this time with help from their own party. This $2,000 stimulus payment is going to hurt them. If they stop it, there goes Georgia. The dems set this up and it worked like a perfect plan.
ReplyDeleteJust do it. Send the checks. It's worth it to win Georgia. Losing Georgia is losing the country, probably forever. Don't tie it to anything. Just do it. Then take all the credit for it. President Trump teed it up for them, now do it.
Minnesota cops attacked by BLM (Burn, Loot and Murder) terrorists after shooting an armed criminal who was shooting at them.
ReplyDeleteThis is the natural evolution of the anti-cop radical left commie rat bastard takeover of the media and the democrat/communist party. This is what they want, and they're getting it. Destroying our law enforcement system is going to destroy our country, which is exactly what the goal is.
The politics of fear have done their job and frightened Americans on a level almost no one alive has seen.
ReplyDeleteThe lapdog media are doing their job, too... every advertisement is a Kumbaya message of "sacrifice everything you have for the 'public good.'"
Yes, room 235... you are not imagining things. They do want you to give over your life to the very government that caused the economic mess we're in.
Shakespeare couldn't have written such a farce!
There are, however, a select few folks who have avoided the circus and escaped to reality.
They were forewarned of impending dangers that could have impacted their wealth.
They've been afforded opportunities to better their lives.
They've been thoroughly advised on how to protect their health through natural remedies they would rarely if ever heard about from a standard doctor.
Who are these lucky folks???? It Isn't us!
GARY, I am sorry to hear about your grandson having COVID. I pray you and other members of your family are COVID free. Please take care of yourself. You might want to think about taking a dose of zinc supplements and loading up on vitamin C.
ReplyDeleteI just read that someone was arrested for starting the fire.
ReplyDeleteDear Friends and Family: I would highly recommend that on January 6th and several days thereafter, you and your family should plan to stay and work from home! Moreover, if you are low on your meds or food staples get them now. The proverbial crap is about to hit the fan. Depending upon where you live, certain areas could be riot zones and declared Marshall Law Zones. Trump has got the goods on lots of people who will go to jail. You can expect Biden will not be elected on January 20th. It’s all coming out. These people and their supporters will not be going willingly without a fight. Protect yourself. Trump said he’d drain the swamp. He has the plug in his hand!
ReplyDeletePlease listen to the following!
https://rumble.com/vc9sxd-ep.-2365b-what-is-about-to-unfold-will-be-earth-shattering-birth-of-a-new-n.html
Here's a drone shot of White lakes. may be on another site also?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/WIBWRickFelsburg/videos/1119034548557344
Anyone working today???
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, Happy New Year room 235...
ReplyDeleteNope Pretty quite here. If its going to snow 6 in here it better get in gear. So far its just a smidgen of snow as ole Obamma would say.
ReplyDeleteWell look at this we have a Racist New Years day.... Change that you commie Bastards...
ReplyDeleteWonder what caused both Trump and Pence to cancel their New Years plans and rush to the Whitehouse for a meeting?
ReplyDeleteHappy 2021
ReplyDeleteHmmm Notice anything strange
ReplyDeleteHere’s a list of House Republicans planning to contest the Electoral College results for President of the United States on January 6th.
U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX)
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R- AZ)
U.S. Rep.-elect Lauren Boebert (R-CO)
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC)
U.S. Rep.-elect Jerry Carl (R-AL)
U.S. Rep.-elect Madison Cawthorn (R-NC)
U.S. Rep.-elect Andrew Clyde (R-GA)
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC)
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
U.S. Rep.-elect Bob Good (R-VA)
U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX)
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ)
U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN)
U.S. Rep.-elect Yvette Herrell (R-NM)
U.S. Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA)
U.S. Rep.-elect Ronny Jackson (R-TX)
U.S. Rep.-elect Barry Moore (R-AL)
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC)
U.S. Rep.-elect Burgess Owens (R-UT)
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)
U.S. Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)
U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX)
New blog up...
ReplyDelete