March 1956 – September 1959
LOCATION
Main Street USA – Jimmy Starr’s Show Business Souvenirs faced the Town Square on Main Street’s flagpole. The shop was just north of the Opera House, as the street narrows. Today, this space houses the Mad Hatter of Main Street.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – Set photos, actor autographs, collectible movie books
- Unique Features – Real movie props on display in the shop, including from Zorro
Want to purchase movie souvenirs directly from a Hollywood insider? For a few years in the 50s, Disneyland visitors had access to movie magic. Shoppers could purchase photos, autographs, and other movie collectibles, and enjoy displays featuring real movie props.
CLOSURE
In the early days of Main Street, shops changed all the time. Most younger visitors to Disneyland didn’t know Jimmy Starr, so the shop bearing his name didn’t draw much attention. By the late 50s, Disney decided to swap out the prop store for a music shop. Jimmy Starr closed his doors in late 1959, and the space reopened shortly thereafter as Wonderland Music.
TRIVIA
The shop took its name from Jimmy Starr, a Hollywood legend who worked as an actor, screenwriter, publicist, and later novelist and gossip columnist.
Funny bit of history, this shop was actually owned and run by my grandparents. My father has lots of very happy memories and stories of being an 8 year old running around Disneyland every afternoon. The train conductors going to my grandmother asking if it was OK if Billy rode up front with them.
Wow!!! That’s amazing. What an awesome Disneyland experience!
Town Square is home to City Hall, in which the Guest Relations office is located. Further along Main Street, the names painted in the windows on Main Street serve as credits for some of the many people, Imagineers and others, who contributed in some way to the creation of Disneyland. Largely they appear as fictional businesses (gyms, realtors, dentists), and they often refer to a hobby or interest that the person honored. Ub Iwerks ‘s window, for example, refers to his prowess with cameras. For Disneyland’s h anniversary, on July 17, 2005, a first-story window on each Main Street was unveiled with a dedication to all the cast members (employees) who had worked for Disney throughout the years. The streets are paved with resilient asphalt, a type of asphalt containing rubber, to prevent aching of feet. In July 2015, Disneyland expanded their Main Street U.S.A. with a Main Street Arcade in honour of their h anniversary.
By the way!
And Happy New Year!