Lorainites living on the rapidly growing west side in the 1950s and early 1960s had an incredible selection of convenient shopping choices. Besides the the O'Neil - Sheffield Center (which opened in 1954) and Lorain Plaza (which opened in 1960), there was Westgate Shopping Center.
As noted back on this post, the Grand Opening for the shopping center at W. 21st and Leavitt Road was held in April 1958. Above is the full-page autumn-themed ad for Westgate that ran in the Journal back on October 1, 1959.
Although the ad for Marshall's Drug Store (another forgotten Cleveland chain) dominates the page, it's the little ad for Nobil's Shoes that caught my attention.
My family bought a lot of shoes at Nobil's over the years (at the various locations). We did go to Januzzi's occasionally, as well as Pic-Way in South Lorain.
But when we wanted full-service, it was usually Nobil's that we went to. Who can forget the days when a salesman approached you shortly after you entered the store and, after you were seated, measured your foot with one of these? Does any store still do that?
(This 2010 post contains my reminiscing about having to endure buying shoes as a kid.)
It's hard to believe that Nobil's was 'merged out of existence' in the early 2000s.
The Westgate ad also devotes some space to W. T. Grant Co. I remember going to the outlet at Lorain Plaza, as opposed to the one at Westgate. It was fun to check out the baby turtles sold in the pet department! I had one for a pet eventually, but I don't remember him living long enough to even get a name.
Anyway, the remodeling and renovations continue at the former Westgate Shopping Center today.
