1950's - Shell's Super Store on N. W. 7th Avenue in Edison Center, Miami photo

Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area GROCERY STORES and Food Markets Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1950's - Shell's Super Store on N. W. 7th Avenue in Edison Center, Miami

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1950's	Courtesy of George Bluhm

1950's - Shell's Super Store on N. W. 7th Avenue in Edison Center, Miami

5800-5999 NW 7th Avenue, Edison Center, Miami, Florida view map

A big thank you to George Bluhm for contributing this great old image, one that I've wanted to see since I started this section of my site. George says the back of the postcard says "Photograph showing part of the parking lot of the world's largest grocery Shell's Super Store 5800-5999 N. W. 7th Ave. Miami Fla." The postage for the card is one cent. George says he spent many an hour there. So did I, against my will because I hated being dragged along to grocery shop when I was a kid.

Shell's Super Store was one block away from the Center Theatre which was located at 6050 NW 7th Avenue, Edison Center.

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Unless otherwise noted under the right bottom of the photo, all images are copyrighted by Don Boyd

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Claudia Moris		16-Jan-2024 02:25
My dad worked at Shell City in the 1960s. His name was Gus Moris. I think he was a bag boy. He also attended Edison High School.

Jim Grasty		31-Dec-2023 03:19
My uncle took me to Shell City on Friday nights for supper because my aunt worked till 9 pm at Grant’s on Flagler. We always had the T-Bone steak! Shell’s was as big as an airport terminal! Huge!!! One Friday night after we’d eaten we headed downtown to pick up my aunt. This was probably 1962 and we passed some building with a bus parked outside. On the side of the bus was the name “Cassius Clay”!!! Only an old timer will know who that was! I loved Shell City! Jim

Guest		28-Oct-2023 12:18
I worked at Shell's City during the 1960s at the Bakery Section of this great department store. However, I can't claim it was the best place to work. Why? They would cheat us sales cashier by having us punch the time clock out to wash the large trays and then punch back and then punch out before we left. No breaks but cheated us of our hard earned money which we loss by punching the time clock. It was my first job but hated that they cheated all of us of our hard earned payments which was $42.00 per week. This is no lie but the truth. Manager at that time was Mr. Young.

Melody Britt		18-Dec-2022 03:28
Melody Britt 11-Jun-2008 01:50 My father worked at this store in the early 6o's. He made 65 cents per hour in the produce dept with a mgr named Toby Haytock., and a Howard Pinder. Dam I was about 6 years old at that time. I rememeber how big of a grocery store it was. Wow, how it has SO Changed!! Melody Britt (Bradley Britt was my father 1929-1997) miss him....

Sandy H		07-Aug-2022 13:53
Hi. I was told there was a restaurant/ diner located at the Edison Center in Miami FL. My Great Grandmother owned operated it. I have no idea, was the "Edison Center " like a mall? Or ?? I don't know name of the restaurant/ diner. She moved to Miami sometime after 1940s and noted she lived in Miami by 1950. Can anyone give me info on what was Edison Center, any names of restaurants/ diners come to mind, I can look up? Thanks . Love seeing the old photos of a time gone by.

Sandy H		07-Aug-2022 13:53
Hi. I was told there was a restaurant/ diner located at the Edison Center in Miami FL. My Great Grandmother owned operated it. I have no idea, was the "Edison Center " like a mall? Or ?? I don't know name of the restaurant/ diner. She moved to Miami sometime after 1940s and noted she lived in Miami by 1950. Can anyone give me info on what was Edison Center, any names of restaurants/ diners come to mind, I can look up? Thanks . Love seeing the old photos of a time gone by.

Guest		28-May-2022 20:23
How many of you went to Edison High? My Mom was Edison ‘48…she was a cadet. My deceased uncle and namesake, Julian Daniels, was a star athlete in Edison ‘50…but he died just after Christmas his senior year in Madison, Fl. Just wondered if any of you knew my mom/uncle.

Guest		19-Mar-2022 17:22
I remember going here in the late 5o’s. Wasn’t Jumbos’s shrimp restaurant close by???

Guest		12-Feb-2022 01:05
I WORKED AS A BAGBOY in 1966 SUPERVISOR WAS MR SLOCUM. I REMEMBER JOSE, MARCELO AND GOOD LOOKING CASHIER MARIA,SOFIA AND ALICIA. I WAS 16 attending MIAMI EDISON JUNIOR HIGH I REMEMBER BUYING AND LP OF RICKY NELSON WICH I STILL OWN

Guest		10-Feb-2022 00:02
my uncle was manager george mckelvy and i was a bagboy for 8yrs

Guest		10-Feb-2022 00:02
my uncle was manager george mckelvy and i was a bagboy for 8yrs

Tom Gutierrez		05-Nov-2021 14:20
My god I just ran across this - I worked there as a "bag boy" : - ) in 1966 thru 1968. Save money and helped me pay for college. I am still in touch with several alumni

albert harris		15-Jul-2021 04:50
My dad worked at Shell City. The store was just down the road from my Grandpa.As a kid I was amased at the size of the store and all the things they had.This was in the mid 50's

Jackie Johnson Cook		10-Oct-2020 05:05
I read all these comments about Shells over & over bringing back all my great memories about working there. so many wonderful people although I can't remember there names (my brain is too old). I do know that all the cashiers thought Landon Lewis was the cutest male around, Mary Lou the best boss, Gus made great, fattening sandwiches and sides, we were all a little afraid of the McKelvies (?), Mike and his group made us feel safe, (does anyone know what happened to them), the bakery people had the best donuts and other baked goods, the biggest and best meat and produce departments, I could go on and on. Really great people doing great jobs and I don't remember much complaining from anyone there. Even most of the customers were nice because I think they enjoyed shopping there. This was all in the early 60s while life when life was more laid back and happy.

Jim Summers		04-Sep-2020 10:59
My father and mother, J D and Lottie Summers, were very close friends with N T and Frances Shell in mid '40s. The Shells had a summer home in Hendersonville, NC, where we lived at the time and my guess is that is where the two couples met. Around 1947 or '48, our family would visit and stay with the Shells at their home in Miami during some of the winter months. My dad also worked in the produce section of Shell's Super Store. I have an old 8x10 photo of N T Shell, a photo of the produce section, and a photo of the world's tallest man cutting the world's largest cake at the store. I can scan in the photos and share if you would like. I also recall that the Shells and Summers had their own quarter and sang gospel songs at the store's radio station.

Carlos Bermudez		01-Jan-2019 23:09
Worked between 66-67 on special sales which consisted of building pyramids in the center of the store and maintained it as customers were buying the merchandise. Coworkers that I could remember under Marcos and Willy were Efrain, Armando and another one, all under Landon Lewis a great person.

Guest		26-Nov-2018 22:21
We lived in SW area in the 50s. My parents shopped at Shell City often. I renember "Cracker Jim" hosted a radio show from a mezzanine inside the store. One day my brother climbed up to the mezzanine and asked Cracker Jim uf he could sing a song.. Cracker Jim let him sing on air. Our parents let us roam freely.

edward nelson		25-Oct-2018 02:55
I wonder if Sam Walton got his idea of a store from Shells. I loved going there with my parents in the 40's and 50's

Morayma Rodriguez		11-Jun-2018 17:18
I remember shopping there in 1970. My family loves the place.

Jackie		15-Nov-2017 05:54
I worked in Shells for several years- in fact I named my daughter Shelley because I worked until just a few weeks until I had her. My son had his first haircut there. A lot of really nice people worked there including Mary Lou head cashier-Gus in the deli-I can't remember more names(I'm 75 & my mind is going) . My Grandmother used to take my brother and me there when we were young so it was fun working there when I was older. So many different departments so always something to see. I think about the time I spent there a lot.

Guest		25-May-2017 08:11
Landon Lewis was the Produce Manager at Shell City in 67-68

Guest		25-May-2017 08:10
I worked at Shell City (67-69) as a Cashier and later upstairs at the Switch Board. while attending Miami Edison Sr. High School. I made lots of friends there and was able to save money for college (UF)...Does anyone remember Julie Rivera, Efrain Ibarra, Vickie Rich, Susan Hannah, Tom Gutierrez? These people were great fun to work with!!

Guest		09-May-2017 14:55
Worked at Shell City around 1966-1967, stock in sales events. Our group had to build piramids of cans, etc. of the weekly sale in the middle of the store/

Joe Papierz Jr		23-Apr-2017 01:06
I grew up living at 130 NW 69th Street, the middle of the block. Mom did most of the grocery shopping at Shell's and my sister, brother and I would have to come along. We had fun wandering around the store while mom shopped and sometimes ended up at the news stand that was located under the Shell's Super Store sign in the picture until mom came out with a basket full of groceries and told us to help her put them in the car. The vendor never chased us away from using his newsstand like a library. Mom also liked Fredericks on N.W. 62nd Street, too. Same deal for us kids there, too.

Guest		12-Mar-2016 20:37
In the 1950's I used to visit my grandfather who lived at 4501 NW 3rd Ave at the corner of 45th street. This was one of my favorite stores to shop for toys. I remember roller skating there from my grandfather's house and buying a model wooden boat just like the one in the movie On Golden Pond. It had a little blue electric outboard motor powered by a C battery inside the middle of the boat. The little steering wheel worked the rudder and a little throttle was the on/off switch. Now isn't it amazing now that I am 68 years old how well I remember those times 60 years later? Wow, this brings back memories.

Debbie		29-Feb-2016 02:12
My family moved to Hialeah in 52-53 we lived on 9th Lane. Who still remembers the flamingo shopping plaza with the big clock? I moved from there when I was sixteen I still miss the weather there and pretty flowers.

Debbie		29-Feb-2016 02:06
My sister, Glenda Lott worked there in the 60s. I was born in 53 but she told me all about Her working there. She was also going to Miami Edison. She was in a special dental program there. She became a dental hygienist. A friend Dot Leig (sp?)worked there also. Glenda would tell me how big the store was an all about the big lunches of bananas that hung everywhere!! And about the big hunks of smelly cheese she checked through her line! Ha ha

ron		08-Oct-2015 21:44
Ah, now you're talking! That would be the original Miami Edison high. I attended there from 1972-1974. In 1975 I made it to the senior high (or across the street, as they called it back then). They demolished that building which had a basement (I had classes there). I wish someone would come forward because it had one of the most memorable ma In entrances with its arches and all...

Guest		03-Sep-2015 23:41
Does anyone have a picture of the school which was across the street from Edison Sr High School?

Don Boyd		25-Feb-2015 21:59
Thank you Tom, Mark and Don for your comments and memories. Tom, I believe the segregated water fountains started to disappear in the early 1960's. I remember them at Shell's City in the mid-1950's up until 1957 when we moved to a new home in Hialeah and stopped going to Shell's City. I also remember them at the brand new Neisner's and G. C. Murphy's five and dime stores in the Palm Springs Village Shopping Center in Hialeah when it opened in 1960 and they were there for a year or two as I recall. I drank out of them too just to see if the water was different and of course it wasn't. Don .

Tom Witherspoon		23-Feb-2015 22:57
I remember this store too. I don't remember the separate water fountains though, thank God. Maybe it had been remodeled by the mid to late sixties. What I do remember is that you could buy clothing and groceries at the same location. I wonder if Wal-mart, Target and K-Mart realize they were not the innovators of the one stop shop or everything under one roof concept. I used to frequent that location with an aunt who lived close by to shop. Oh the fond memories of her and the location.

Mark Weiser		27-Jul-2014 06:07
My dad would push the grocery basket with all three of us kids hanging on the sides! We always drank at the "colored" water fountain, if the "white" one had a line. I got my haircut at the barber while sitting on a booster seat on the regular chair. We bought Saving Stamps for pennies & put them in savings books to make Savings Bonds. My mother bought a sewing machine on lay-away upstairs where my dad cashed his paycheck. Got a Comic Book a visit when I got old enuf. Can't remember anything about all the food we bought there tho!

Don Groff		12-Mar-2014 19:53
I remember in the middle to late sixties,they would open a large toy store in the east parking lot during the Christmas season.They also had a "bank" area upstairs where you could cash paychecks & pay utility bills.Best memories was the donut shop & the .12 comics at the newsstand.I also remember they had an opticians office there also.

Don Boyd		05-Feb-2014 06:01
Thank you to everyone who posts with their comments and memories. It surely makes the site more interesting and the information you provide helps to fill the rest of us in with more details. Thank you Suzy for your comments. It is a labor of love for the great area that we grew up in and trying to preserve our special history of a special place. Don .

Suzy		05-Feb-2014 05:18
This must be the place I was trying to remember. This would be a family outing day on a Sunday and my mom would buy things in bulk or pwrhaps because of the prices, more than on a normal Pantry Pride , Grand Union or A&P shop. We would come over from Miami Beach maybe once a month or so to do that "special shopping". Such great memories. Thank you for all you do as well as the others that contribute to your efforts. Quite a labor of love.

Joanne Wade Brooks		30-Jan-2014 21:59
I also remember when the store was closing, I spent many hours in the stock room doing inventory. That was really a very sad time all of us. Does anyone know what happened to Landon Lewis, I spoke to him when the store was closing, he said he was moving to North Carolina. At the time I was working I believe one of the head cashiers name was Kathy. The two people working in the pharmacy were a married couple.

Joanne Wade Brooks		30-Jan-2014 21:27
I worked at the Shell City Store as the manager of the drug and cosmetic department in 1970 when I was in my early 20's. Mr. Landon Lewis was the general manager. I also remember when the riots broke out I was walked to my car each day by the great security department. I will always remember working there and also the people I worked with.

larry		15-Jan-2014 01:16
I remember going there with my mom from Miami Beach. She like to get the corn fed beef.

Don Boyd		24-Aug-2013 01:17
I believe the guest who commented on 12-AUG was referrring to the original Frederichs in Edison Center just north of Shell's Super Store in the photo. It is the "next" photo if you click "next" or the URL is: http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/151534710 The store in Norland was built years afterwards as I recall. Regardless, if you can send me scans of the Norland Frederich's I would love to add them to the site. My dad worked for Miami Beach Federal Savings & Loan Asssociation at their main office at Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue and when they finally got permission to build on the mainland at Norland he put in for it and got a transfer there. He loved the shorter non-traffic commute every day and a different clientele from Miami Beach. Their temporary banking office was next to Frederich's on the south side until they built their own building on the south side of NW 183rd Street and just east of 7th Avenue. Please send your scans to: OldMiamiMemories@gmail.com Thanks! Don .

Mike B.		23-Aug-2013 18:51
Are you talking about the Fredericks in the Norland area where I grew up? I might have some old pictures from there. Anyway, I remember going to Shell's City with my Grandparents, there good friend owned the little key shop there, I have a picture of it. My grandparents first came to Miami in 1926, went through the 26 hurricane. Miami back then was a GREAT place to grow up. Makes me sad sometimes to see it now. I feel like an outsider in my own town.

Guest		12-Aug-2013 15:07
I remember going there in the 50's,60's, but our family made Friday night grocery shopping at Fredericks( does anyone have a photo of Fredericks). The store had an upstairs area with vending machines where my sisters and brother would hang out while our parents shopped. There also was a newspaper stand outside that sold comic books too.good memories.

Don Boyd		26-Jul-2013 06:52
Bill Sullivan, thanks for your comments, especially about dining out being on a budget for most folks at the time and the fact that most women stayed home to take care of the kids while the dad worked to pay the rent or mortgage and to put food on the table. Joseph Papierz Jr, thank you for your great comments too. I lived pretty darn close to you in 1956 and the first half of 1957 when we moved to a new home in west Hialeah. My dad and I rented a house behind a house at 70 NE 70th Street, a block north and less than two block east of you. Were you on 69th Street then? I'm sorry to hear that the palms and plants are gone but that happens a lot. The house we rented used to have a vacant lot next to the main home and it was chock full of mature grapefruit and mango trees and we could take all we wanted. It also had a two or three foot beautiful coral rock wall around both lots. I went back a few years ago to see what it looked like and of course the lot with trees now has a house on it built to within a foot or two of the property lines and the coral rock wall is gone. : ( Do you remember when Frederick's opened by any chance? I just came across a postcard image of Frederick's on their opening day but there is no date on the back, only that it was on their opening day. I'll post it on the site in a day or so. Thanks gents! Don .

Joseph Papierz Jr		25-Jul-2013 07:56
Like Bill Sullivan, I too was in tow while mom did the shopping. Sometimes I was allowed to wait for her at the newsstand which was located on the corner of the store shown in the picture, on the outside of the building. The man who operated the newsstand was a very patient man as I spent a lot of time "looking" but didn't do much buying. I really liked that store. Probably better than Fredricks which also had a newsstand outside. Fredricks on 62n Street just East of 7th Ave. and the barber shop across he street was where my dad and I got our hair cuts. Bill, I remember the Center Theater very well, too. My family often went on Friday nights. Oh, the memories. I almost want to cry. We lived at 130 NW 69th Street for almost twenty years. I drove by my old house a few months ago and did cry as memories flooded back. I'm so disappointed in what happened to my old neighborhood. My old home is the only one I recognized on the block and it was in such terrible disrepair I was shocked. My mother grew had flower beds in the front yard and now it looks like a desert, just sand and sidewalk. The orchid and palm tree I remember are gone as are the night blooming jasmine you could smell from the corner of the block when in bloom.

Bill Sullivan		24-Mar-2013 19:39
Shell's City was a few blocks from our family home at 575 NW 60th St back in the early 50's. Many years of growing up memories involving that grocery store (can U imagine!) My Dad was hard working, but the only breadwinner (that's the way it was back then - women stayed home with the kids). Thus, "Out to Eat" was on a budget, and there were no better deals than the Shell's City in-store restaurant. My Fave? Gotta be the "Fried Chicken Basket w/fries & slaw" for 99 cents! Perfectly done Southern style chicken. Yeah, thats a Blast from the Past, allright.

lisawharry		16-Feb-2013 21:54
PS, Jen. would love to help you with parents gift. ggli2001@yahoo.com

lisawharry		16-Feb-2013 21:30
I just happened upon this site and words cannot express how touched I am to see somany people who remember Shell's Super Store/ Shell's City/ Shell Lumber Company. N.T. Shell was my grandfather, February 7, 2013 would have been his 123rd birthday. I lost my mother just before Christmas and going through the family relics Grand Dady's been on my mind quite a bit lately. I had really come to think that I was probably the only person left who remembered his legacy. Thank you all for your kind memories.

Jen		12-Feb-2013 01:55
my parents met in Shell's when my mother was a lead cashier. They are having their 50th wedding anniv. Can I get a copy of this picture?

Tim Flaherty		21-Dec-2012 01:25
I grew up in miami beach from 1952 to 1965.That was my Familys friday night grocery shopping store.It was the biggest store I ever saw a child.Loved the little news and comic book store at the corner of the store.Spent lots of dimes in there.That was the good ole days.

Maria		31-Aug-2012 03:54
Oh my God how much I could say...my father Tomas started working there in 1959 till they closed as a baker. My Quinceniera (15) cake was made there my Wedding cake was made there, I remember one of his coworker name was Bill...My mother got herself a 12 piece China service with the serving pieces that I now have. I remember going to dinner there on Sundays my parents my brother and I. My brother first job was as a bag boy there...close my eyes and I remember it like yesterday.

Guest		22-May-2012 15:44
What happened to Shell's City - was it demolished/when?

wendymac		19-May-2012 22:11
Remember going with my Grandma for the peanut butter in the sand buckets. I was always afraid to let her or my mom out of my sight for fear I'd get lost in that colossal store.

Don Boyd		17-Apr-2012 14:59
Charlie, thank you for posting your memories! Your dad certainly had guts to open a grocery across the street from Shell's and I hope it was successful. Don

Guest		17-Apr-2012 11:27
What great memories. My Dad opened a grocery store in 1960 right across the street from Shells it was called El Librio. I remember going as a kid to the lucheon that they had like an old drugstore counter with the stools. I would get a kaiser roll which they would open in half and smother it with butter and place it on the griddle . I can still taste that butter 50 years later!. My dad would buy toys and the tree for xmas there. Its great to read the comments and to see this picture. It was really a giant place for its time. Charlie Vazquez

Don Boyd		08-Apr-2012 02:00
Thank you for posting, Jim. You were there in the same years that I was there. As a kid I thought the place was downright humongous and it was compared to regular grocery stores at the time. Don

Jim Bradford		07-Apr-2012 22:34
I remember visiting Shells back in the early and mid fifty's. Started going there with mother and dad and was amazed at what you could fing. Things like quail eggs, chocolate covered ants and fried grasshoppers. In High School I worked as an usher at the Center theater. Great memories. Thank you for this site.

Don Boyd		22-Aug-2011 04:50
And thank all of you for posting your great comments and memories. The more information and anecdotes about these old Miami places the better! I strongly encourage everyone to take the time and post your comments and memories under any photo on the site that is appropriate. Don

RDComfort		22-Aug-2011 04:38
My father, M. D. Comfort, was a commercial refrigeration and AC contractor and Shell's City was his biggest regular customer. Shell's City was an amazing place, probably 10 times bigger than the biggest Publix you've ever seen. I went with my Dad on lots of his service calls there & would go out to his truck to bring him tools. Shell's City had a huge AC system and massive dairy and meat cases. My Dad would frequently get called in the middle of the night if a meat locker wasn't cooling or some other refrigeration equipment wasn't working. He'd hop out of bed and rush to Shell's City like a doctor on an emergency house call. I worked as a bag boy there while at Edison Sr. High School. I too remember the donut machine, the full service barber shop with several barber chairs, and maybe 10-15 check out lines EACH on the East, South AND West sides of the store. I remember being there at closing and being amazed by the huge sums of money we would collect from all the registers. Also recall the "White" and "Colored" water fountains and the fact that the black customers were consistently the best tippers to the bag boys. Thanks for reviving very fond memories!

Mary T		16-Aug-2011 19:19
I worked at Shell City ( while I was in High School (Edison Senior High Class of 68.)) I started as a cashier and was promoted to "The Switchboard," and later when the management changed...I was asked to move into a secretarial position....I gave that opportunity up to go away to colllege. (UF) I remember working extra hours during the Christmas holidays wrapping gifts.....especially for the manager's family. Working there was such a hoot and I made so many good friends. Does anyone remember Julie Rivera, Efrain Ibarra, Vicki Rich, Tony Rodriguez, Tom Gutierrez, etc ........or the Produce Manager, Landon Lewis.??

John T.		01-Aug-2011 01:31
I forgot to mention that the Black customers quite often tipped better than Whites.

John T.		01-Aug-2011 01:18
Well this brings back a lot of good memories. I bagged groceries at Shell City in 1952 it was one of my first jobs.I got fired for talking to the girls at the Donut counter to much. I shopped there,got my haircuts,ate there,cashed my checks until 1957 when I left for the Airforce.

Guest		31-Jan-2011 16:05
My family would go there on Friday nites. We used to get a T-bone steak with baked potatoes. While my mom shopped my brother and I would pick out something at the Hobby shop - usually a magic trick of some sort. It was so much fun.

WILLIE		13-Nov-2010 07:12
I remember going to Shell's as a child in the 1950's. At Christmas time, Shell's had a HUGE toy display. My parents would leave me to play with the toys while they shopped. I was fascinated by the donut making machine...and also I remember watching "Cracker Jim" broadcast his radio show live at Shell's. His broadcast booth was suspended about fifteen feet above the main floor. I would wave to him., but he never waved back. My parents wouldn't let me drink from the segregated water fountains. We were black. I never got to eat any of the freshly made donuts cuz blacks weren't allowed to sit at the counter and eat. I vaguely remember a sign saying that it was considered a no-no to dunk donuts in your coffee.

Joyce Hargrove		17-Oct-2010 21:12
What wonderful memories that photo evokes! I was born right up the street from there and lived in the same house until about the age of 16yrs. My weakness was the pies...they had 12" pies, pumpkin, custard, pecan...I could eat a whole one!! I remember also the demonstration ladies, sometimes dressed like Aunt Jemima, cooking and served little pancakes. There was always something going on in that store that was fun. Now they had a rival store up on 62nd St. I think it was called Fredricks and they also made the big pies. They put in the first "soda" machines where the cup dropped down and, if you were lucky, the soda filled up the cup. I saw so many mishaps around that machine! My brother worked at the Center Theater and did a lot of standing in front of the theater dressed in whatever represented the current movie...ie A rabbits costume when they showed the movie Harvery. I loved growing up in Edison Center!

Sharee		09-Oct-2010 17:07
Shell's had a bakery and they made fresh donuts. You could watch the match squirt out the circles of batter and they were dropped into a vat of shortening. An employee scooped them out and put them on a conveyor belt and you could get one so hot it burned your hand! But melted in your mouth. You could sprinkle powered sugar or have them dip it in chocolate. My grandfather and I would spend our time sitting at the counter eating those while mom and grandma shopped! It is still such a vivid memory.

Andrew Mossberg		29-Aug-2010 02:00
I got my first haircut here around 1965-66. Somewhere I have a super8 of it. At christmas we usually got our tree here.

Guest		28-Aug-2010 14:55
I came from Cuba in 1955, my parents bought me my fisrt bike at Shell's City. What a great memory!!! I too remember the fountains and bathrooms. Thank God those are now a memory of one of our not best periods.

Don Boyd		27-Aug-2010 15:28
I received this great e-mail from Jackie Johnson Cook regarding Shell's City that she granted permission to repost here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi - I found a photo of Shells City & Tropical Hobbyland in your photos - I've been reading the posts about Shells City - I worked there way back in 1960. I was a cashier there for a couple of years - I named my Daughter Shelley - I worked while I was expecting her & customers would ask if they were going to give me a break when I went into labor! It was an interesting place to work - I have good memories. My son got his first haircut at the barber shop there. I was there when a hurricane knocked out the electric and we hand cranked the registers so we could stay open so people could get supplies. I also worked there when the Federal Wage Laws went into effect- I was making about .80 an hour and got a raise to $1.05. It is good to remember those days! Thanks for the memories! Jackie Johnson Cook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And thank you Jackie for sharing those memories and giving us further insight into Shell's City! Don

Gus		03-Aug-2010 03:25
Just wanted to correct the years I worked at Shell's City. It was from 1965 to 1970.

Dave D.		03-Aug-2010 02:15
moved to Miami in 1956 from Ma. and Shells was like going to an amusement park .they had everything , extra tent in parking lot for toys at Xmas. also first place I saw separete water fountains and restrooms for colored and white. both older bros worked there while attending Edison

Gus		03-Aug-2010 02:13
I worked at Shell's City from 1954 to 1970. It was my first job ever. I was sixteen and attending Miami Edison at the time. After all these years I still visit Shell's City in my memories and dreams. It made a huge impact on my life. People like Julie Easton, Gus Christensen (he was the best deli - man ever, God rest his soul ), Mr. Slocum, Guido Carvajal, Toby in Produce, Elaine the cashier and so many others that I will never forget. I'd like to get some feedback if possible.

dominick oquendo		09-Apr-2010 22:15
When we first moved to Miami from New York in 1960 Shell's City is where we use to frequent. I remember getting a Kusan Atomic electric train from there on Christmas of 1961. They sure had a huge toy department, as well as other stores. It was like the Walmart of that period, but better. Dominick

dominick oquendo		09-Apr-2010 22:13
When we first moved to Miami from New York in 1960 Shell's City is where use to frequent. I remember getting a Kusan Atomic electric train from there on Christmas of 1961. They sure had a huge toy department, as well as other stores. It was like the Walmart of that period, but better. Dominick

Lyle Digby		29-Mar-2010 04:29
Looking at the picture, it is a view of the south entrance. Shell's had 3 entrances, North South and West. I worked at Shell's as a buggy boy at 15 yrs old for 60 cents per hour during the summers(had to have a work permit) At 16 I became a bagboy and made 30 cents an hour I worked my way thru Edison high and Miami Dade Jr. College. As you entered the East side there was a barber shop on the right. The news stand was on the South side. While bagging groceries, I had a lot of "regular" customers that would wait for me to bag there groceries. I was known as "Double Bag Digby" because I always double baged my regular customeries groceries. Made a 25 cent tip with these customers. This was 1960-64. Marylou was the head cashier. As was said before, Shell's was the early super Wallmart. Lyle Digby

bruce		17-Mar-2010 21:39
My Dad used to take me for the best hot corned beef and pastrami sandwiches that I ever ate.We would go there at least once a week.I remember that they came with a pickle wrapped in white paper and I believe they cost a whopping 50 cents!

Guest		10-Feb-2010 16:56
I worked at Shell City in 1956 while attending Embry-Riddle School of Aviation Toby Haytock was the manager back then also.

Guest		15-Jan-2010 20:15
Shell City on Sunday for "family" time. I too remember those horrid fountains and rest rooms. I am forever grateful that I had a Brooklyn daddy to tell me how ignorant it was.

Don Boyd		25-Nov-2009 04:04
Jeanne, thank you very much for posting your memories and for reminding us of the Edison Center name which I've put on the photo. Please write more if you remember more tidbits like you've written. Thanks! Don

jeanne ledbetter		25-Nov-2009 01:54
I have a memory to beat all! I met my first love in Shells and i remember all the thing's that you speak of.Howard Pinder,Mary Jo Swan,His girlfriend and big Myrtle in charge of cashiers, Mervin Simons,Dewey McDonald, the Mckelveys.I grew up just west of Shells on 59st and 7 pl,married jimmy Ballew that worked there and across the street at Mobleys gas station,I also worked there as cashier I checked out all the yacht order. My cousin Colleen married one of the owners son name was Nelson McGahey.Which did not last!I will never forget one day I went strutin thru Shells in my short shorts with a nice tan and playboy bunny figure and down at the south end a Guy was building a huge lux bath soap dislay ,I came prancin by and he took my picture in front of the display. I kept that picture for a long time,maybe sold a bar or two of soap! Oh so many memories there and by the way the community was called Edison Center not Liberty City.That was done after we all left. Does anyone remember the Center theatre? and the puritan Ice Cream Parlor, my aunt worked there and she fixed the best hot fudge sunday to be had.

Bob Anderson		24-Aug-2009 16:14
I remember going into Shells with my parents - I loved to watch the donut machine cook up those old fashioned donuts. My older brother worked there also. believe down the street was Fredricks another similar but smaller version of Shells

Bill Sullivan		19-Jul-2009 21:22
Shell's City was a big part of my childhood life. I recall a local "country" station used to team up with Dixie Lilly Hominy Grits (mfg in Hialeah) to sponsor square dancing inside the store - I think on Friday evenings. Little known by those not raised there - Miami at the time was a Deep South town - Florida Cracker's were still a majority. Many residents spoke with thick Southern accents, incl ALL of my grade school teachers at Shadowlawn. Shell's had everything - even a display of exotic snacks (?) that incl chocolate covered ants, canned eels, candied grasshoppers, etc. The restaurant there was great - best burgers & fried chicken baskets in Miami! My only negative memory of that store - the cold water fountains on either side of the same column, marked "White Only" and "Colored".

Guest		02-Jun-2009 14:57
First off Don thank you for posting all the Pictures I sent you. I worked at Shells in 1950 as a bag boy, the normal tip was .05 -.10cents, if we got .25 you were in heaven, one time I got a $1.00 at Christmas. None of the other post have mentioned "Cracker Jim" that brocasted his Country Music Station from there. Leon Estes

Guest		12-Mar-2009 16:39
So good to see this picture of Shells. My dad was a baker there and we went on Saturdays to get groceries. While my parents shopped my sister and I would spend our $1 allowance at the comic stand. My wedding cake was made there at the bakery.

hernels		27-Dec-2008 21:59
This is really cool, We came to Miami in 1953 my grand father I got our first jobs there,he made 60 cents an hour and I made thirty cents an hour plus tips and at the end of the week I brought home more money than him.These are were wonderful times in Miami. Thank s for the memories,

Guest		27-Dec-2008 15:35
What fun and memories I have looking at Shell's Super Store. My father James Parlegreco ran the meat department for many years--until the end. We used to go there at least once a week to pick up our groceries and to visit my dad. He used to take me in the back and show me what it was like to work there. Who knew that then that the area was called Liberty City?? It was a one-of-a-kind of store and everyone in Miami, at one time or another shopped there. Judy

Pat		21-Oct-2008 04:24
I worked at Shell's super store in 1947, at 15 yrs old and my mother had to get me a work permit, I bagged groceries and I think I was paid .30 cents an hour plus tips. I stayed there and rode out a hurricane there, they had a huge aux generator so we had lights and food, we moved all of the checkout stands out of the doors and the bosses drove their cars inside to protect them, we had quite a good time that night.

Randy		12-Oct-2008 07:08
As another poster called it and we did too, Shell's City. I remember going here in the 50s and 60s. I think it ended life as a Gold Triangle. As you went in the store to the right of the doors in this picture was an open air news stand. I spent a lot of time there reading comics. Funny thing, I remember the first issue of Fantastic Four on the racks there. If one had bought that comic and not opened it and just stored it safely, at one time that 10 cent comic was worth close to 1/2 to 1 million dollars to collectors. Strange how I think of that occaisonally over the years.

ileana		04-Sep-2008 20:27
I was just talking to a friend and told her about this store and I called my mom and she didn't even remember!! Very cool memories.

Bob Anderson		26-Aug-2008 21:07
I used to go there with my parents to shop. I loved to go and watch the donuts being made using the automated machine that flips them over.

Don Boyd		17-Jul-2008 17:03
Thank you everyone for posting your memories of Shell's - we all appreciate it and of course welcome new comments and memories. Don

Guest		17-Jul-2008 14:48
Ouida I walked to Shells with my Dad to buy groceries back in the '40's, before it was a Super Store. In the 50's, after I graduated from Miami Edison, I could buy a side of beef there for 79 cents a lb. I cut it into many different pieces of meet and it would last for six months! Shells was a forrunner to Walmart !! What great memories.

Louis		22-Jun-2008 19:20
Boy, this is a great picture! I remember the fishing section that led to the back of the store. At Christmas they would put up a tent back there full of toys. I LOVED going to Shell's City as a kid. Granted I started going there in 61 or 62, those are my first memories.

Lee Martines		19-Jun-2008 03:19
One of the great reasons for a kid to visit Shell's was the booth where a donut machine was operating all day long so that you could buy a bag of fresh, hot donuts at any time of the day. Wonderful memories!

Melody Britt		11-Jun-2008 01:50
My father worked at this store in the early 6o's. He made 65 cents per hour in the produce dept with a mgr named Toby Haytock. I was about 6 years old at that time. I rememeber how big of a grocery store it was. Wow, how it has SO Changed!! Melody Britt (Bradley Britt was my father 1929-1997) miss him....

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