Oakie the Squirrel and Pearl
Oakwood Shopping Center had several squirrels as advertising mascots when it opened in Lorain on November 12, 1958. Oakie the squirrel was mentioned in early advertising, but a cheerful squirrel with a bow in her hair and a purse soon took over and was featured in newspaper ads that cajoled people to shop "at the sign of the thrifty squirrel." Her name was eventually revealed as Pearl, in homage to Pearl Avenue, where the shopping center was located.
The newspaper ad announcing the grand opening of the shopping center even mentioned that 10,000 free "Oakie the Squirrel" balloons would be given away to the kiddies. It's unclear exactly which squirrel in the ad was Oakie, but it seems to have been the male one with a vest.
If Pearl had only been featured in newspaper ads, then she might be largely forgotten. However, her most memorable exposure was on a huge sign painted on the side of a building near the railroad tracks at the intersection of Route 254 (North Ridge Road) and Pearl Avenue, a few miles from the shopping center. Anyone traveling along Route 254 could not miss the image of the purse-carrying rodent. (My family lived on the west side and rarely went to Oakwood Shopping Center - but since we often drove by the sign, Pearl's image is permanently etched in my mind!)
Unfortunately, like many other suburban shopping centers nationwide, Oakwood Shopping Center went into serious decline. The building with the squirrel mural is long gone, and recent signage at the shopping center was squirrel-less. Happily, Pearl lives on in our memories!
(Above) A newspaper ad from June 1959
(at left)
A portion of the Opening Day newspaper ad promoting the giveaway of Oakie the Squirrel balloons
(Above) Another portion of the ad promoting the grand opening of Oakwood Shopping Center. Is that a badly-drawn Pearl up in the middle of the 'O'?