DeKay, The Stereo Shop was on Kirkwood Ave. just east from the "old" Hy-Vee. It was just up the street from a bar that was a very early "biker" bar...where you could go to play pool and perhaps get in a fight. When a new owner took The Stereo Shop over, it was re-named Audio Odyssey.
The Airliner is an icon in Iowa City. Being across from the Old Capitol building, in the heart of the campus is helpful to their business. It used to be a place to sit on a stool in the window and watch the coeds go by...........not that I ever did that.
And yes, I was there for the opening of the original Hancher. Attended many events at the original Hancher and saw the groups Heart with The Little River Band there. I saw Steve Martin when he had John Sebastian for his "intro" act. Sebastian got some ovations to the point where he came back for another song twice. When Martin finally came out he tip-toed to the mic and said "did you like John Sebastian"...and the crowd cheered wildly...to which Martin replied "last time I'll ever have that son-of-a-bitch".