Hugh MacRae II recalls that Azalea Plaza originally housed Winn-Dixie and J.M. Fields. The Oleander Company, now owned by MacRae, purchased the property from the original developer, Hargrove Bellamy. MacRae went on to say that the property was a drive-in movie theater before Bellamy purchased and redeveloped it.
Azalea Plaza shopping center is on Oleander Drive at Floral Parkway, next to Hanover Shopping Center, which opened in 1956.
Here are some interesting links:
The New Hanover County commissioners meeting minutes for Feb. 20, 1961, show that the Azalea Plaza shopping center was under construction at that time.
An ad in the Star-News on Oct. 21, 1961 (click here and turn to Page 12) for J.M. Fields advertises a sale on refrigerators and televisions.
From Scott Nunn’s Back Then column: “Oct. 26, 1961: J.M. Fields opens at Azalea Plaza”
1962 Fledgling Ad shows Kresge at Azalea Plaza.
NOTE: Stephanie Parker contributed to this answer.
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Date posted: September 24, 2012
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