Jade & Pearl 翡翠&明珠1985StreetScene.jpg

Sat, 04/01/2017 - 20:49

Source: Discuss.com.hk

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Hi There,

Some more informatino about the shop fronts:

1.   National Bank of Paris had had a branch there.  That was way before their merger with Paribas;

2.   The Patason Plaza in the photo superceded the Pearl City Department Store in the same place;

3.   Watson's the Chemist on the left hand side of Paterson Plaza;

4.   Pearl City Restaurant, partially obscured on the left hand side;

Also, Paterson Street was a two way street back then.  See the Taxi in the foreground.  I could not recall exactly about the time frame, but once the CMB 5B route terminates on Paterson Street too.  They turn left sharply into Paterson Street on Yee Woo Street.  That was before that section of Paterson Street closed and become padestrian.

T

Yes, it was a two way street back in the 80s and that is how I still remember it. To the left of the foremost taxi out of screen would be the Daimaru department store, and further on down northwards on Paterson Street opposite the theatre, was a series of bus stops for crossing the harbour tunnel, the preferred option for me and my mum to travel back to Kowloon Tong after a day out in Causeway Bay. Back then the MTR on Hong Kong side had only two stations of Admiralty and Chater (later renamed as Central), which was a bit too far away to use. Retail therapy at the Japanese department stores in Causeway Bay was incredibly popular for my family as much of the Japanese household products were of a high standard at reasonable prices. Just casually strolling around the stores with the noisy crowds and inspecting the wares, sampling the choice of food, was a day out in itself. 

I remember being at the opening of the first McDonalds in HK at Paterson Street with my parents back in 1975 and it was such a novelty it was packed with people just standing room only, sampling the American burgers. I've watched many a movie at the large single screen Pearl Theatre late 70s/early 80s, with the covered lobby and ticket booth on the first floor (mid-left of photo) so this photo is nostalgic for me.