The Carl Storey Co., which deals with commercial and industrial real estate, bought 10 acres of the Boynton Merrill Old Orchard property on U.S. 41 at the Highway 60 / 41 cloverleaf for $200,000 and announced in December 1970 plans to build a shopping center. The center was to be adjacent to the Jerry’s Restaurant and the Holiday Inn already constructed on Highway 41N.
After a delay due to concerns about traffic on highway 41, the Henderson planning commission granted final plat approval Sept. 7, 1971. Site preparation and construction started May 12, 1972.
Old Orchard Shopping Center opened with a Big K Department Store on February 15, 1973. Winn-Dixie Supermarket and Save-Right Drugs followed.
In June 1975, Ohio Valley National Bank opened a location in the complex.
On August 12, 1977, Mike Enlow opened Old Orchard Twin Cinemas in the complex.
August 15, 1979, Wesselman’s Grocery opened in the former Winn-Dixie Supermarket. It closed July 18, 1981. On July 27, 1981, Warehouse Foods USA took over the location and on November 4 opened a Big John grocery store in the former Wesselman’s.
Other businesses that have occupied the complex include: Walmart (1981 – Nov 1987), The House Of Beverages, Young’s, Radio Shack, Country Cookin, Universal TV, Krystal’s (June 2, 1984-), TCBY, Waterbed Land, China Closet, Silk Tree Factory, Giant Flea Market, Bargain Barn, Mcinnes Carpets, Norris Ace Hardware Do-It Center (March 1976-2015), Trees N Trends, Firedome Pizza, Beverage Barn
References:
Evansville Press:
August 12, 1971
August 26, 1971
May 10, 1972
February 14, 1973
July 21, 1973
July 29, 1973
November 8, 1973
July 26, 1974
June 16, 1975
July 13, 1979
April 30, 1984
August 4, 1994
Evansville Courier and Press:
December 19, 1970
July 30, 1972
March 7, 1975
August 8, 1977
August 12, 1979
Wednesday, June 25, 1980
December 21, 1980
July 26, 1981
November 3, 1981
August 24, 1983
May 25, 1984
September 2, 1984
November 28, 1985
July 26, 1987
October 18, 1992
Boyett: Shopping centers were all the rage 50 years ago, but not all of them got built