Ah, the 1970s and 1980s. In the span of 20 years we went from bellbottoms to the Bee Gees to big hair. If you were a kid or teen in Nassau County during those decades, what special places do you remember visiting? Take a trip back to the days of banana seats and banana clips and see if you can recall some of these memorable, yet long gone stores and attractions from that time.
Roosevelt Raceway Flea Market
The Roosevelt Raceway Flea Market was the mammoth of LI’s outdoor flea markets. Families would flock to it and it was a social gathering place for teens. It's where you could spend a day in the hot sun (or the freezing cold) buying everything from striped tube socks to designer jeans to costume jewelry. If it was trendy, chances are you'd find it for sale here.
Titus Oaks
Back when the vinyl record ruled, so did this store on Old Country Rd. in Hicksville. You could easily spot this music lover’s landmark since it was housed in a former Wetson’s restaurant.
The Nassau Farmers Market
This indoor market in Bethpage was the place to go to on weekends. It had hundreds of stalls selling farm standards like fruits and vegetables as well as a variety of other items ranging from miniature ceramic animals to rain lamps to novelty items. There was even a magic shop. Getting a giant dill pickle and taking a ride on the merry-go-round were always big treats.
Jolly Roger/Happyland
This small amusement park on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage had several names throughout the years – Jolly Roger, Nunley’s Happyland and Smiley’s. But no matter what it was called, it was the place you begged your parents to bring you to. Six Flags Great Adventure it was not – this was geared more toward little kids. And oh how we loved it. With a carousel, small roller coaster, carnival games, pinball machines and a fast food restaurant, this family-friendly attraction was where fond childhood memories were made.
Levittown Roller Rink
Where did all the cool kids of the ‘70s and ‘80s hang out on a Friday or Saturday night? At one of Long Island’s roller rinks of course. It didn’t matter if you liked disco, metal, classic rock or new wave, the roller rinks brought everyone together. One of the most popular rinks of that era was the Levittown Roller Rink on Hempstead Turnpike. The Pine Hollow Roller Rink in Oyster Bay and the recently closed Hot Skates in Lynbrook were also big hits with the teen crowd.
If you were a '70s or '80s Nassau County kid, what places do you remember?
