RIP Uncle Carl

"Carl Lindner waves, to a passing float as Reds President Marge Schott looks on

from the reviewing stand at the Norwood "Summer Daze" parade in Norwood.

Lindner was grand marshal" (1987).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Carl Lindner Jr.: Intrepid capitalist, generous benefactor, and local icon. A true Cincinnatian that arguably built our city into what it is today.

As you can read on just about every local and national news site, Lindner swam through many different shark-infested waters successfully throughout his life - purchasing assets, rebuilding them, then eventually selling them for gain... and mostly for Cincinnati's gain. 

As Tom McKee (WCPO) noted, "During his decades as a Cincinnati businessman, Lindner built United Dairy Farmers, owned and moved Chiquita, Penn Central and Great American Insurance to Cincinnati and once owned the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Enquirer, Provident Bank and Kings Island." (Source).  See photos of these holdings.

In addition, his more charitable efforts helped further support the region. Immense gifts to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Lindner Center of HOPE, University of Cincinnati's College of Business, UC's Varsity Village complex, Western & Southern Open, Cincinnati Museum Center, and 3CDC (in addition to many other local educational, religious, and political donations), just to name a few.  More of his contributions in pictures.

Richard Farmer (Cintas) said it best (source):

"He's got to be one of the most generous guys in Cincinnati. I don't know of any positive thing that's happened in Cincinnati that Carl has not been a part of." 

Carl Lindner, Jr. started with nothing, then turned aspirations of an up-and-coming dairy store into an American Financial institution, and Cincinnati was fortunate enough to come along for the ride.  As Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis said (source),

"He loved this city. Everything he did was for the benefit of the city..."

• • • • • • • • • •

As a child of the 70s-80s in Cincinnati - boom time for Carl's group and the city at large - it's hard to recall a time in my life when one of Lindners' holdings wasn't a part of it.  So, here's a quick retrospective of his work according to how it played a role in my early years:

I grew up in Anderson, and as a young kid spent a good deal of time trying to get to the mall - the thing to do in the 80s - which Carl Lindner helped to popularize in our area. He established and sold not only Surrey Square (in his home neighborhood of Norwood) and Kenwood Mall (now Kenwood Towne Center), but also my home-away-from-home, Beechmont Mall (now Anderson Towne Center).

Beechmont Mall (1977).

Source: Cincinnati Magazine.

Beechmont Mall (undated).

Source: Abandoned.

The whole Beechmont Mall area became a central hub of commerce for Anderson Township, with several of Lindner's own properties holding leases, such as Thriftway and Hunter Savings.

American Financial's initial bank, Hunter Savings & Loan, was located at the head of Beechmont Mall, and thus became the holder of my first bank account. Though, for a young kid trying to save, the branch was not ideally located - an Aladdin's Castle beckoned right down the hall.

"In 1959, Lindner acquired what is now Hunter Savings & Loan.
American Financial acquired United Liberty Life Insurance in 1963" (1977).
Source: Cincinnati Magazine. 

Part of the Beechmont Mall complex, Thriftway Food & Drug was the stalwart grocery in our household.  Even though the more popular Kroger was right up the road, it was a hair closer, tucked behind the mall on Five Mile Road.

Thriftway, Anderson (199x).

Source. 

After the closing of Thriftway in Anderson, Lindner's United Dairy Farmers became a surrogate grocery when Kroger was out of reach (which still continues to this day).

United Dairy Farmers first store, Norwood (1940).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

I'm a big fan of walkable communities, and with the convenient stores able to fit in the heart of tight communities, UDF has become a necessary supplier of the staples during my stints in Clifton, Mt. Lookout, and in Mariemont today.

While in Mt. Lookout, I really dug the neighborhood mom-and-pop grocers such as Bracke's, and although they are increasingly shuttered, UDF is small enough to slide into any neighborhood and still maintain somewhat of a community feel.  Now, if all the UDF's just looked like the one in Clifton...

United Dairy Farmers, Clifton (2009).

Source: Steve Hagy. 

Also, needless to say, during those 1980s heydays I spent many a summer at Kings Island - part of a bundle deal when Lindner acquired Taft Broadcasting in 1987.

Hanna-Barbera Land, Kings Island (1973).

A conglomeration of brands owned by Lindner. Actually, it probably

looked a bit more like this when Lindner owned it.

Source.

A little later, I resided for a short while at this condo complex in Anderson:

The Commons of Anderson entrance sign (2011).

Guess who built it?

"Carl H. Lindner, right, and Robert D. Lindner inspect development plans for
The Commons of Anderson, a luxury condominium home development
in Anderson Township" (1973).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

These were the years that I was really pouring time into extracurriculars, and luckily, there was a tennis court at The Commons - I recall many nights of my trainer ruthlessly making me run the lines after a full lesson. And as the seasons wore on, an increasing hold on the sport brought me many times to the Lindner courts big and small.
 

Lindner Family Tennis Center, Cincinnati (the early years).

Most people will remember Lindner for gaining ownership of the Reds from Marge Schott (and protecting it from potential non-local entities' control), and bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back home.  A few more actions that speak to his dedication to and love of Cincinnati.

But personally, I'll remember him more for his contributions to the Western & Southern Open, in addition to smaller community-oriented tennis facilities of which I played numerous times throughout the years.  Primarily, Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Carl and Edyth Lindner Family Tennis Center at Lunken, and the Carl Lindner Family Tennis Pavilion at Sawyer Point.

The Lindner family has sponsored the international tennis mega-tourney in Mason for decades, Western & Southern Masters, culminating with the recent huge gift that further expanded its facilities, continued its lure of big name players, and turned it into a men's and women's combine. Like the Reds nameplate, Cincinnati tennis continues to maintain national recognition and prominence through the support of the Lindner family.

"Carl Lindner, center, and his brother Richard Lindner, right, chat with

tennis great Rod Laver at the Jack Nicklaus Sports Center" (1997).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

And how did I ease the cramping from all those years of extended court play?

"Reds CEO Carl Lindner displays a Chiquita banana from the Reds

training table at the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla." (2000).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Chiquita is obviously a big name in Cincinnati, which again was of Carl's making - he brought it to town, and hopefully it will stay.  Fortunately, I was able to experience the company and its many amenities because a member of my family worked directly for the head(s) of the company for many years.  This not only allowed me access to the top chef cooking in the company cafeteria, but access to the creme de la creme of all company holiday parties...

"Carl H. Lindner and his wife Edyth, left, greet guests at the annual Christmas party

at Music Hall that Lindner gave for employees and friends. The party featured

national entertainers. On this occasion, it was Sammy Davis Jr." (1972).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

I never personally worked for any of the Lindner companies, but was fortunate enough to attend a couple of the storied annual Christmas events through approximation.  Some of the more notable years showcased Bill Cosby and Frank Sinatra.  They all were great, but witnessing Sinatra sing New York, New York, followed by a high profile ballroom shindig and free UDF ice cream certificates upon exit, was definitely the highlight of my stints at the annual employee party as a non-employee.

So that's about it.

Of course, there are other times where I've run into pretty much all of his other businesses at least once (including many Reds games during the Lindner era), and stories here that could be expounded upon with posts of their own, but these were the highlights. While they were seemingly fleeting and transitory, they helped form the basis of my youth, and in a roundabout way have aided in development of my continued interests.

For that alone, thanks Carl.

• • • • • • • • • • 

• Here's what happened to the businesses: 

Beechmont Mall was eventually sold to Prudential, then reached the fate of most enclosed malls in the US - slow deterioration, partial demolition, then restructuring as an outdoor "lifestyle center" (in this case, by Victory Investments).
Related: Nostalgia for the old Beechmont Mall. 

 Anderson Towne Center by Victory Investments.

Hunter Savings & Loan bought Home State Savings Bank after it collapsed in the S&L crisis, then sold off it's branches. Hunter was later bought by Provident Financial Group (Provident Bancorp, in which Lindner had a minority stake), which was then bought by National City in the early 2000s, and National City by PNC in 2008.

"A crowd lines up to get into Home State Savings Bank

at Fifth and Race streets downtown" (1985). 

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.  

Thriftway was sold to Winn-Dixie in 1996, then all stores closed in 2004 (Source). The new Anderson Towne Center renovations have turned this particular lot into office buildings (specifically, GHA Anderson).

Thriftway Anderson shuttered (pre-redevelopment).

Image source.

UDF continues its viability and expansion. 

The Commons of Anderson is still neatly habitable.

The Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason recently expanded (again), aiding in a huge new duel mens and womens event (the Western & Southern Masters and Women's Open) along with amazing new world-class facilities. Read about the history of the tourney and Western & Southern Open's response to Carl Lindner's passing.
Related: The grounds prior to renovations.

 Lindner Family Tennis Center master plan expansion, Mason (2011).

See more concept art of the new grounds & West Grandstand concept art here.

Taft Broadcasting has its own storied history, which you can read here (and it's relationship with Lindner's Great American). But notably, it sold off Hanna-Barbera Productions (to Turner/Time Warner) and Kings Island (to Paramount, then Cedar Fair), then Clear Channel bought and eradicated the name in 1999. More about the Kings Island side of the history here.
Related: Hanna Barbera's ode to the Cincinnati Union Terminal. 

References

•The majority of imagery / content listed in this post came from:
Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati.com)
Cincinnati Business Courier
Cincinnati Magazine (February 1977)
Cincinnati Magazine (October 1986) 
• Local articles:
WLWT NBC 5 Cincinnati
WCPO ABC 9 Cincinnati
WKRC CBS 12 Cincinnati
WXIX FOX 19 Cincinnati (AP) + Public Memorial Parade route 
• National articles:
ABC (AP)
CBS (AP) 
"Only in America" Celebration Tour & Rememberances (CBS Business Library)
MSNBC (AP) 
FOX Sports (AP)
New York Times (AP)
Washington Post (Bloomberg News)
USA Today (AP)
Twenty Billionaires That Started With Nothing (Bloomberg Businessweek)
TCPalm (AP)
• General info about Lindner and AFG:
Personal bio (Wikipedia)
Personal bio (American Financial Group)
American Financial Group/Lindner info & assets (Wikipedia)
American Financial Corporation history

The Reds Land Clooney

My wife is a big fan of The Ellen DeGeneres' Show, and I've been notified of Ellen's recent unsuccessful attempts to lure George Clooney as a guest. After several tries, she finally called on some old Reds legends to drag him to the set. My wife thought Skyline would've done the trick nicely, but as things stand now, it'll just be Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan. Info here on the festivities, Monday, January 16th.

Speaking of Bench...
I recently ran across an excellent site on the glory days of malls past: Malls of America. Here you can find great coverage of the great suburban behemoths nationwide, including Cincinnati's, such as: Antiquated layouts of Tri-County Mall, several Jim Borgman mall commentaries, and - here's the tie-in - Johnny Bench's Home Plate Restaurant at Northgate Mall. What a find.

Image Source: Cincinnati Views.

• Remember, you can catch the Big Red Machiners on Ellen, 11/16, 10am on ABC  9. 

• Additionally, feel free to meander through an old related post on nostalgia for my local mall.

Aladdin's Castle

 Main Atrium Fountain, Beechmont Mall (January 2003).
An oasis in the great 1980s covered-mall desert.

Here's my recollection of the goliath that once stood near my home...

Main Atrium, Beechmont Mall (January 2003).

The mall was constructed as a cross-pattern - four arms extending out from a center atrium, with major retail anchors at each end. The photo above is looking north from the main entrance corridor, with what was once Shillito's/Lazarus/Macy's to the left, Elder Beerman/Parisian to the right, and KMart/Food Court straight ahead. Directly behind that guy in the picture was a 'jewelry' store that my sister would frequent as a kid.  You know, lots of bright-pastel plastic bracelets, cheap perfume, puffy ankle warmers and hair scrunchies. Cheap, synthetic, mass-produced 80s garb.

Elder Beerman/Parisian Corridor, Beechmont Mall (January 2003).

Once notable stores from the picture above: On the right, Waldenbooks (spent hours there), Paperphernalia (various stuff, but lots o' toys), and The Bombay Co. (interesting store with expensive furniture). On the left, Victoria's Secret (eyeballed the hell out of that place... slyly), Suncoast Video (Hollywood-themed toys and a large selection of overpriced videos), and Bizarre Bazaar (narrow walkways with tons of wicker, feathered stuff, and Papa San chairs piled to the ceiling - the store owners didn't like kids meandering through here). At the end of the corridor there were payphones which my friends and I would always check for quarters (to use at the arcade), prank call random people or girls we liked, and eventually use to call for a ride home.

KMart/Food Court Corridor, Beechmont Mall (January 2003).

Once notable stores from the picture above: On the left, B. Dalton Booksellers (spent a lot of time in this bookstore too), Brendamour's Sporting Goods (very popular for my multi-sport habits), Things Engraved (popular back when..?). On the right, Bankhardt's (cool gifts and gadgets), Lenscrafters (when they first opened back in the day, I thought it was so cool that you could see them make the lenses through those huge windows), and of course, Aladdin's Castle (where I'd sweat like hell going through rolls of quarters). At the end of the hall was the Food Court, where we spent periods of time resting from Aladdin's, chowing down on Gold Star Chili, and scoping out chicks - it was def a hangout for us kids in the 80s.

Arcade, Tron (1982). 
This shot from the opening sequence of the film is representative of the arcade glory that was big part of my youth, though the arcades that I frequented were always much smaller, tighter, and darker: Aladdin's Castle (in Beechmont Mall), PFennies (on Beechmont Avenue, near Eight Mile - dirty as hell, but good games), and Doc Holliday's (on the west side).

The other corridor, anchored by Shilito's/Lazarus/Macy's [not pictured], was also regularly frequented by me and my friends. Notable stores included: The Hobby Store (great for models - miniature trains, car kits, and remote-controlled planes), Musicland (decent store with CDs/tapes, and where my wife worked for a short period of time when younger), and much earlier, Orange Julius (great, great haunt for Orange shakes and monster hotdogs). Actually, that Orange Julius was in an odd location at the end of that corridor, far from any other eateries. It also reminds me of Rem Koolhaas' recent design of the Prada flagship store (in SoHo, NYC) - a lot of curving wood (the counter, the seating, etc.) though, much, much darker inside.

Rem Koolhaas' Prada flagship store, SoHo, NYC (2001). 
Again, the Orange Julius' wood was much darker, which they lacquered the hell out of. Went well with the orange tabletops and metal-canister, dark-yellow lights. Although it really makes me think it was a reflection of early underground skate boarding.

 Other remembrances include Shilito's/Lazarus/Macy's (which everyone in school seemed to shop at, because people would occasionally be seen with identical clothing on), UNO's Pizzeria (great for the Wednesday night special with my dad - medium 2-top pizza & two salads or soups for $14.95), Super X Pharmacy (for various things, but mostly Brach's Pick-A-Mix self-serve candy station as a kid), and the barbershop that was near the front entrance ('Roy' cut my hair from early childhood until HS).
Wow, when you really look back on it, malls were a heck of a destination spot for consumers and loiterers alike (many films have captured this, but none more than Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

In a further effort to induce nostalgia in any Andersonians that may be reading, the following post by bartenational sums up the Beechmont Mall experience well:

Beechmont Mall Memories (12/13/07)

I grew up in Anderson near Beechmont mall. It was designed in the 70's so it was the height of style for that era. The roof was brown, the walls were tan cement. When I dream I go back there and buy ice cream at the United Dairy Farmers that was located at the entrance. It had sticky cafe tables set up and always smelled of sherbert. I first tasted orange sherbert there. I remember my sister saying. "Let's get some sherbert." "What is that?" I said, "You'll love it." The old logo had colors of sherbert ice cream in it, and the stores had those colors all around. It was like a shrine to sherbert.

I used to hang out at the mall while my parents went shopping at Thriftway across the parking lot. They had a hobby store with models in it. And an Aladdin's Castle arcade. It was like a local hang out where kids could congregate. You would go in there and one of your school mates would be in there playin' Pacman. Even if you didn't hang out at school, it was cool to watch them play a game or two. Or even play against each other. It was truly awesome.

They had a Woolworths where I bought a Chia pet for someone for Christmas one year. I don't know what ever happened to that. The Woolworths had a lunch counter in it. It had dark wood panel booths with old men sitting in them drinking coffee, while their wives looked endlessly at Leggs (they came in a plastic chrome egg) nude pantyhose. You could still smoke in those days, so the place reeked. I never ate there. I am sure it was good at the beginning, but any restaurant inside a poorly ventilated mall will eventually become coated with a fine layer of grease from the fryer, then dirt will lodge itself in the sticky top layer of every thing. What is commonly known as grime. Most people today have no tolerance for grime these days. Things are destroyed as soon as they are out of fashion, so they never have time to accumulate the fine layers of crud like they used to.

But I knew every inch of the mall in detail. I walked it every week on Friday for an hour or two, 52 times a year. Then we piled in the van, drove the groceries home, and ate a frozen pizza and drank pop (once a week).

When I graduated from high school they remodeled it [see photos] and tried to update it, but the whole mall concept had gone out of fashion, and in this infinitely wealthy society we can afford to destroy it.
But alas, it was just a building.

NOTE: All pictures shown are of Beechmont Mall in its final, glorious, pastel aesthetic (the last of several remodels over its lifespan). This was not one that I particularly liked when I was a kid - it was much darker and warmer before the change. Also, the photos are directly prior to it's transition from an enclosed mall to an outdoor, 'open-air' mall, renamed Anderson Towne Center. It's a pretty happenin' spot now, with a soon-to-be movie theater, a range of eateries, dedicated bus terminal, township goverment building, etc... A transformation-deluxe from my years.

• All Beechmont Mall interior photos (and some related comments) from Alpha @ Dead Malls.com.