4300 EXCELSIOR BLVD.

This site went through many phases before becoming one of the Opitz Outlet buildings.  It may have been owned by Peter Lyon in 1926.
 

Although we don’t know the year that the original building was built, this was evidently the site of one of Robert Johnson’s early gas stations; we know that in 1931, Robert Johnson made an addition to his stucco gas station at this site.

From 1938-48 it was Brooks' Barnsdall Cities Service, operated by George L. and Robert J. Brooks. A1945 ad shows three bays and two pumps at a stone building. It was variously listed as Brooks Service and Hardware (1939-45), Brooks Lunch and Soda Bar (1939), and Brooks Service Station (1942-47). It was always a Cities Service.

From 1946-47 the station had three pumps. George Brooks apparently closed his restaurant and petitioned to transfer his pinball license to Ray and Arnie’s at 4336 Excelsior on the other end of the block.

In June 1948, George L. Brooks requested a “hawker’s license” to sell pop, popcorn, and sandwiches from a trailer in the street.

In 1949 it was K&R Cities Service, Chuck Kinser, Harold Roberts.

In about 1958-60 a new building was built and it became Hamilton's Cities Service, run by Bud Hamilton. Later it was Bob Johnson’s Cities Service, and in 1962, Rudy’s Cities Service.

From 1965 to 1969 the building functioned as an office building.

From 1969 to 1970 it was the Four Flags Restaurant.

From 1971 to 1989 it was Big Hut/Clark’s Submarine Sandwich Shop, owned by Clark Armstead. The picture below is from 1971.

In the early 1990’s, Lindly F. Opitz purchased the property from Armstead and it became part of his Opitz Outlet – for a long time the building still had the green stripe of Cities Service.

In 1994 the underground gas tanks were removed.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.