Wachovia Lakewood is shaping up

I just drove by the Belmont/Abrams intersection that will soon host Dallas' 500th Wachovia bank (just kidding on the number, but it does seem like they're everywhere); the construction trailer is sitting on the site and the bulldozer is pushing dirt around. Looks like they're getting serious about getting going. As Kris Scott pointed out here several months ago, the "historic" gas station that we rallied around to save when Wachovia bought the land looks pretty lame just sitting out there by itself. If Wachovia can build a modern banking facility around that building and still make the station somehow seem even more historic than it actually is, more power to them. I would guess that, with dirt being pushed around now, the bank would probably be opening in 120-150 days. By the way, does anyone know the history of the gas station?

Comments

[Norman Alston]

Quit picking on the gas station. It will be fine.

As an aside, I was lamenting the lack of activity at Minyards/Whole Foods. It's the end of June, so open by first of the year does not look realistic to me. Lo and behold yesterday, on the parking lot, there was a large gathering of late model, clean pickup trucks and guys in polo shirts holding notepads (pickups, polos and pads). That looks for all the world like a pre-bid conference! Progress?

[Larry Gott]

Yes, I remember the gas station back when it really was a gas station, and they worked on cars. It backed up to Charlie's Lakewood Automotive, which then became four successive restaurants, the last of which was Cafe Brazil. I moved within 5 houses from the gas station in 1967 (40 years ago?!?!?) and watched the business go downhill, until it eventually closed -- perhaps about 1977-1982 (anybody have a better year?). Since then it's been a variety of things and nothings.

Regarding the Minyard site, Whole Foods will not be moving in anywhere near early 2008, as last I heard, they are going to tear down the Minyard structure and built from scratch. September 2008, maybe...