One of the films that was briefly discussed was "Edward Scissorhands." What flashed up on the screen was our most iconic shopping center in central in Florida, Southgate in Lakeland . It had a cameo in "Scissorhands." But, with its retro arches and long history, it was a well loved icon long before it was in the movie.
 |
| Johny Depp as Edward Scissorhands leaving Southgate. |
My son, Scott, has been married for thirty years. His father-in-law, Roy Tye, (one of the sweetest kindest southern gentlemen I've ever met), as a Publix Supermarket employee in 1957, supervised the construction of Southgate Shopping Center.
Scott attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland in the '80s so Southgate has had a special place in his heart for a long time. In the last few decades the company he founded, Crossman & Company, has managed Southgate. This has included some re-dos, and one that involved totally tearing down the Publix Supermarket and rebuilding.
But the iconic, pop culture, retro arches are still there. So, having given birth to Scott, I'm claiming a little part of this part of Florida history.
***
