Tower Food Mart/Shopping Center
11th Ave. at Montana Ave.

 

Formerly Lundy's Market, the Tower Food Mart was so named for its close proximity to the KXLJ radio broadcasting studio and tower at 1306 11th Avenue. Unclear in the ad above are the names Jay and Clara Thrailkill.

On Ocober 25, 1950, a grand opening was held for the expanded Tower Shopping Center, which included a variety store, and frozen food locker plant. In 1956, more shops were constructed on the north side of the lot.

Postcard view of the Tower Shopping Center
Following the 1956 Expansion

COURTESY OF D. R. STINSON • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW

This view shows the row of shops added in 1956. Judging from the angle of the sun and how empty the parking lot is, this photo was probably taken on a Sunday afternoon.

The back of the postcard reads...

TOWER SHOPPING CENTER Highway 10 & 91 Groceries, Meats, Lockers, Variety, Fishing Supplies, Laundromat, Barber Shop, Rug Cleaning, Etc. TOURIST INFORMATION 1220 11th Ave., Helena, Montana Phone H 2-6770 W. L. (Bill) Higgins, Owner

 

July 11, 1956 Grand Opening Newspaper Ad

The center operated until about 1962, when a new Safeway market and other shops were constructed on the site. The original Tower Food Mart building still stands, connected to the east side of the CVS drugstore (thanks to Craig Kirwin for the heads-up)...

Go back to STORES, OFFICES, ETC.