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Southern Plaza: One of my favorite Christmas memories
As I grow older, I find myself grabbing hold of Christmas memories much more frequently than I used to.
I’m sure this is normal behavior. We all become more melancholy as we get older, right?
Let’s see, my son wants a football jersey and some mini football helmets. Imagine that. In our technology-crazed society, a 9-year-old boy wants a football jersey and mini football helmets.
My oldest daughter hasn’t come up with one thing to my knowledge, but my 6-year-old is a little more descript, saying she wants anything “anything K-State” — that’s Kansas State, for you Big 10 fans.
My list, though, was a mile long, and I probably drove my parents crazy.
I just couldn’t wait to share my Christmas-wish list with Santa Claus — and for me, Santa lived at Southern Plaza. For that reason alone, Southern Plaza is one of my favorite Christmas memories.
Southern Plaza was the place for my family to shop — and we weren’t even Southsiders! We lived near Haughville on the west side — but it was never too far away. I used to love walking around from store to store — finally seeing the little house that was home to Santa. And, of course, I would beg my parents to let me see him. I now know that that was a big reason we would make the trip. What a thrill — the Southern Plaza Santa was THE REAL SANTA — all of the others were imposters!
In many respects, Southern Plaza has stood the test of time. It is still as bustling today as it was back in early 1960s and ‘70s. Yes, some of the businesses are no longer there, but for many of us the memories still are — in fact, my 6-year old is afraid of Santa. She just needs to meet him at Southern Plaza.
Have yourself a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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