Gulfgate Shopping Center opened to fanfare in 1956.
This Houston Chronicle story ran on Sept. 20, 1956. The words and headline are reprinted.
A giant key turned in a giant lock, a brass band blared a fanfare, a flight of homing pigeons fluttered from their cages and Gulfgate Shopping City, largest in the South, opened Thursday.
After more than two years of planning, and two more years of construction, the $20,000,000 merchandising center containing some 65 stores became a reality.
Crowds Gather
Crowds of shoppers and sightseers from the Gulf Coast area that were expected to total more than 50,000 by the end of opening day, thronged through Gulfgate Mall for the entertainment that went with the opening.
The stage for the grand opening was set Wednesday night at the Shamrock Hilton when more than 1,000 persons, guests of Gulfgate’s, developer Theodore W. Berenson of Boston, kicked off the festivities in a way that might put Texas bragging to shame.
Most of the space in the hotel was literally taken over by the hundreds of out-of-town guests who were brought to Houston by Berenson.
Businessmen, magazine and news writers, government officials and friends and families of Gulfgate officials from all over the nation jammed the Emerald and Shamrock rooms.
Berenson´s extravaganza that cost more than $100,000 had even the Texans in the crowd quiet. He chartered air liners to bring the guests to Houston. Rooms were hired for all the guests. Buses and limousines were chartered to give them transportation. Many of the guests were even supplied with tuxedos for the dinner.
The champagne flowed like water and money as the celebrants picked at smoked salmon flown in from Boston, and cornish hen and wild rice.
After dinner some of the guests at the head table, including Gov. Allan Shivers, Mayor Oscar Holcombe and many of the nation’s merchandising and financial wizards, paid tribute to Berenson and Gulfgate.
“Houston Is Proud”
“All of Houston is proud of Gulfgate,” Holcombe told the cheering crowd. “It is one of the greatest things to come to Houston in many a year.”
Shivers called Gulfgate a “new economic star in the firmament of Texas.”
Max Rabb, Secretary to the United States Cabinet and a close personal friend of Berenson, said that Gulfgate “symbolizes American preeminence in satisfying the human needs, well being and comfort of its
citizens.
More Than One
B. Earl Puckett, chairman of the board of Allied Stores, Inc., pointed out that Houston “is one of the few cities in this country that could support more than one shopping center the size of Gulfgate.”
He predicted that they would be built in the near future.
About 100 members of the press from Houston and out of town were guests of Allied Stores, Inc. at a breakfast Thursday morning in the Bamboo Room of Joske’s.
BBB
As part of its Gulfgate coverage, the Chronicle ran a special section on Sept. 19, 1956. The section included stories as well as a list of stores, which follows.
For the convenience of the shopper and sightseer at Gulfgate Shopping City, here is a list of the 67 businesses in the center:
ABC Model Supplies, Ace Secretarial Service, Ace Secretarial Service, Adrien’s— Womens Wear 400, Baker’s Shoes, Bond Clothes, Carroll Camera—Gulfgate Studio, Carroll Florist, Chandler’s Shoes, Craig’s.
David’s Hardware, De Stames—Corsets, Lingerie, European Import Co., Flagg Shoes, Gay Togs, Gordon’s Quality Jewelers, W.T. Grant Co., Gulfgate Beauty Salon.
Gulfgate Bowling, Gulfgate Grill, Gulfgate State Bank of Houston, F.J. Harris Co.— Gifts and Linens, Holland Music Shop, Houston Shoe Hospital, Humble Service Station.
Itasca Drapery Shop, Jean’s Hostery Shop, John’s Party Shop. Photo Finishing.
Joske’s of Houston, Kathy James—Gifts, Kiddieland Rides Kenney’s Shoe Stores, Lerner Shops, F.S. Levy & Co— Apparel, Lewis Barber Shop, Lofgren’s Books and Office Supplies, Lydia’s Dress Shop.
Mark-Victor’s—Foods, McFarland’s Decorative Gifts, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, Mize’s Bakery and Coffee Bar, Mode O´Day, National Key Co., National Shirt Shops, J.J. Newberry Co., Paris Hats, Phoenix Furniture Co., Piccadilly Cafeteria, Playhouse Toys and Gifts, Poll Parrot Shoe Stores, Post Office.
Rex Tailors, Sakowitz— Gulfgate, Sinclair Service Station, Sienderella International Salons, Russell Stover Candies, Texas Carpet Co. No. 6, Texas State Optical.
The Kids Shop, Thom McAn Shoe Store, Vogue Shoes, Walgreen’s, Weingarten’s, Weingarten’s Nursery Western Auto, L.B. White Co., Inc., White Sewing Machines, Wonder Fabric Center.