Founder/Developer - Alvin Lawrence “Tex” Attaway (1967–1979)

Imperial Shopping Center was developed by Alvin “Tex”Attaway in 1967. Imperial was born of a forward-looking vision to bring convenience-oriented retail to one of the densest residential segments of Midland. Nearly 52 years following its inception, the intersection of West Wadley and N. Midkiff, where Imperial is located, remains one of the most relevant & visible intersections in all of Midland. Tex was born February 7, 1917 in Hewitt, McLennan County, Texas. He completed his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and ultimately graduated from Texas Tech University. Tex moved to Midland in 1938where he would apply his education and began working as a geologist for the Sinclair Oil Company. Shortly thereafter, he entered the United States Army in 1941 during the time of WWII, where he attained the rank of major and served in various posts throughout Europe. Mr. Attaway married Annie Laurie Honeycutt in 1943 and returned to Midland in 1946where he would pursue a career as an independent oil operator. Within the late 60’s, with falling oil prices and desire to diversify, Tex began to pursue real estate opportunities throughout Midland, both as an investor as well as a real estate developer. It was during this period when Mr. Attaway engaged in the development of Imperial Shopping Center as well as other segments of the Imperial Heights neighborhood. He was also the co-founder of Andy’s Lumber Company, a charter member of the Petroleum Club of Midland, a proud member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Midland Country Club, and the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association. Tex Attaway passed on March 23, 1979 at the age of 62. Immediately following his death, on April 19, 1979, former Texas Lieutenant Governor, William P. Hobby, Jr., issued a Senate Resolution in acknowledgement of his legacy and to “honor the memory of an outstanding citizen of the City of Midland.”

Annie Laurie Attaway, Co-Founder, General Partner (1979-2004)

The original matriarch of the Attaway Family. Annie Laurie Attaway (maiden name Honeycutt), was born in Dayton, Alabama on January 18, 1920. She received her formal education at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, where she studied to become a military-trained RN. Following her graduation from Touro, she was deployed to Europe, where she served in the US Army Nurse Corps during WWII and was stationed on the frontlines of the Normandy Invasion. She was amongst the many brave Americans who were tasked with providing medical attention to wounded soldiers at the front. Annie Laurie met Tex Attaway sometime around 1943-1944 during their time in the military. The couple married in 1944 and eventually moved to Midland in 1946, where they would lay down family roots and both live out the remainder of their lives. Both Tex and Annie Laurie were active members of the community in Midland. She in particular was very involved with the American Cross, where she volunteered her time and eventually served as the Chairman of Nursing Services in Midland. She also actively volunteered at the Cerebral Palsy Center. Both she and her husband were founding members St. Luke’s Methodist Church, as well as members of Midland Country Club, Midland Petroleum Club, and the Minuet Club of Midland. In 1979, following the death of her husband, Annie Laurie Attaway assumed the role as General Partner(“GP”) for Imperial Shopping Center, The primary responsibility of the GP is overseeing all operating activities at the shopping center, and she held this post for almost 15 years, with the assistance of a management team as well as her son Lawrence, who would serve as a key advisor to Annie Laurie. On July 8, 1994, Annie Laurie passed away, giving way to the next generation of Attaways who would now undertake primary leadership responsibilities in the operation of Imperial Shopping Center.

Alvin Lawrence “Buster” Attaway Jr., General Partner (2004-2019)

In 1994, following 19+ years in the Commercial Real Estate industry, Lawrence “Buster, assumed the executive role as General Partner (“GP”) for Imperial Shopping Center. During Lawrence’s tenure as GP, he executed several successful renovations to the shopping center. The most comprehensive renovation took place in2007, which helped to modernize the look and feel of Imperial, thrusting the shopping center into the 21st Century. Originally from Midland, Texas, Lawrence began his career at Henry S. Miller Company in 1975 after graduating from TCU with a degree in business. There he worked with Ken Hughes, learning about high-end specialty retail and leasing. He eventually moved with Ken to Kenneth Hughes Interests as a Senior Vice President, until 1992 when he joined United Commercial Realty as a partner. Over the span of his career, Lawrence spearheaded leasing efforts on several prominent lifestyle driven retail developments throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth-Metroplex. These assignments included Galleria Dallas (a 1.7 million sq. ft mixed-use project), Inwood Village (a 233,138 square foot retail development), Highland Park Village (Constructed in 1931, Highland Park Village was the first planned shopping center in the United States), and Knox Street Village (a Dallas based mixed-use project, one of the 1st Urban Village oriented developments in the US). Through his career, Lawrence represented several high-profile, national retailers, such as Starbucks, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, and Luke's Locker. In January of 2019, following a courageous battle with cancer, Lawrence Attaway passed away. Lawrence left behind many traces of his legacy and artistic vision throughout Imperial Shopping Center. The most notable remnants are the Muriel (mural?) designs which are steeped in his love of Texas tradition.

Barbara Jean (Attaway) Barton, General Partner (2019 - to date)

In January 2019, both the Attaway family partnership & Imperial Shopping Center welcomed its 4th General Partner, Barbara Jean Barton. She is currently serving as the General Partner (“GP”)as well as the executive partner for our family partnership. Barbara is also assisted by a board of trusted advisors, which include her son, Fritz E. Barton III, Sean Attaway Molloy, and Daniel “Sonny” Attaway Molloy. Both Barbara and her executive team bring with them more than 50+ years of relevant commercial real estate experience and a diverse skillset, which includes property management, leasing services, development, asset repositioning, construction management, and investment sales execution. Born and raised in Midland, Barbara is a graduate of Midland High School. She then went onto attend Southern Methodist University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Art and Advertising (1967). Following her marriage to Dr. Fritz Barton, she and her husband settled in Dallas, TX, where they continue to live today. Mrs. Barton is an accomplished artist, primarily creating her work within the medium of acrylic paints. She has procured beautiful works of art for both galleries and private clients throughout the US, including Park Avenue Gallery, Mamaroneck Gallery. She has also had her work published by Donald Art Company. In addition to her talents as an artist, Barbara has established along history of philanthropic work throughout the Dallas community. A life-long, devout Christian, she has both volunteered and given her time and talents to various organizations, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (serving as Breast Cancer Auxiliary President & Co-Chair of a Breast Cancer Luncheon), Children’s Medical Center (Chairperson of several charitable events), and Bryan’s House Board.