On the north side of the 500 block of Crockett Street near the old SporTran terminal sits a small building in a sea of concrete. It is the sole survivor in the block, first because of ownership by the Communications Workers of America Local 3411 and then, because of the efforts of local businessman Ronnie Remedies and his mom, Patty. Ronnie isn’t the only person who wanted to buy 512-514 Crockett from the CWA. Others did, too, to raze the building for a few more parking spaces.
That would have been the final indignity to a block that was once thriving with activity. The parking lot that is now to the west of the building was once home to the Don Theater. Though constructed in 1947, it had a uniquely modern look courtesy of architect Ed Neild. The 1300- seat picture palace lived on until 1987, when it appeared the era of downtown theaters had ended and downtown itself was on life support.
When the Don came down, it ended – for a time- an amazing era of downtown movie houses that included the Majestic, the Joy, and the Strand.
508 Crockett, lost to demolition.
508 Crockett, the small building to the east of Remedies’ 512-514 Crockett, lost the battle to parking, too. That left 512/514 as the only structure on the entire block, a sad sentinel to what had been.
Remedies wanted 512-514 Crockett – he had several uses in mind- but he also wanted to protect it, and another iteration of life was just what the little building needed. Over the years, 512 and 514 Crockett had seen (and been) a lot:
1920s- Claude Saunders Grocery- 512 & 514 Crockett
early 1930s- Auto-Lec (auto & electrical supply)- 512 Crockett
1939- Binswanger Glass- 512 Crockett
1951- Helen Terrell women’s shop- 512 Crockett
1951- The Nitecap (lounge)- 514 Crockett
1957- Progressive Finance- 514 Crockett
1963- Seven Arts Cafe- 512 Crockett
1967 Shreveport Billiard Supply- 514 Crockett
1984- Newt’s PoBoy-514 Crockett
1990s- Daytime Donuts- 514 Crockett
We think that Ronnie and mom Patty are owed some thanks. They have taken the spaces on Crockett and given them a new future. 514 is now home to ShreveTowne Barber. 512 is home to Goosehead Insurance Co. and has space for rent. See the Times’ Story and Video Here.
Funky old sheet rock and filthy paneling has been yanked down or cleaned and painted, new roofing, windows, systems, floors and ceilings have been installed. Life is good for the building now and we couldn’t be happier. We wish Patty and her stylists many happy haircuts and would encourage you to give them a try! Find out more about ShreveTowne Barber Shop here.
