Heavy equipment is finishing up the demolition work at an historic West 3rd Street shopping center, across from the Farmer’s Furniture building. Many regarded it as an eyesore, while others reminisced and shared memories of the good old days.
While the place had been abandoned for years and had become a dangerous nuisance, even before a recent fire broke out, the memories of time spent there in a long line of locally-owned businesses made their way around social media.
It’s gone by several names over the decades – Shephard Shopping Center, The Block. There were so many businesses that called it home over time – Dud’s Snack Bar, Hale’s Barber Shop, Theodore’s Laundromat, Ridgeway’s Kitchen, several beauty salons, and many more businesses. One of the community favorites was Hobo’s Restaurant, where the food was so good and the kitchen so small, if you didn’t get there close to noon, you missed your chance for lunch that day.