tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post6053146071649898362..comments2024-03-21T01:17:34.038-05:00Comments on Pleasant Family Shopping: Shopping in Los Angeles - The 1950'sDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-29210370082072895092023-10-08T23:44:45.026-05:002023-10-08T23:44:45.026-05:00I grew up near the center as well in the late '...I grew up near the center as well in the late '40's and '50's. My mother bought a house in the Leimert Park area while my dad was in the navy during WWII. After he passed in 1954, we moved further south (Hyde Park) but still would shop at the center. I and my mother and grandparents used to go to Ontra on Friday evenings. Beautiful wood paneling inside and a long tunnel to get from the back parking lot to the front entrance. Used to eat at Ted Owens on 43rd and Crenshaw. And there was a little ice cream shop on Crenshaw just north of 48th. I've never found anywhere that could make a vanilla ice cream soda like they did. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-76339016792831290422014-01-26T13:12:55.337-06:002014-01-26T13:12:55.337-06:00As someone who grew up near the Crenshaw Center du...As someone who grew up near the Crenshaw Center during the early 1960's. Eating Sunday breakfast at the Ontra cafeteria. The Von's supermarket at the Crenshaw Center had a standing lunch counter (you had to stand-no seating). The one thing that I can remember that you could pick out a steak from the meat department and for the price of the steak plus 75 cents. The cook would fry your steak and you would get a cup of coffee, salad with dressing, a vegetable and a potato. also close by was a Mobil Oil Service Station. Lots of gasoline pumps and service bays. On the roof of the Mobil Oil station was a revolving Pegasas (The Mobil Oil Mascot) that was lighted by fluorescent lights.Cookies Castawayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762947811148580075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-64393370639397696192013-08-20T08:58:18.568-05:002013-08-20T08:58:18.568-05:00Thanks for posting the video and your article. I m...Thanks for posting the video and your article. I miss the architecture of those beautiful buildings back in the 50's. There's a CVS drugstore here in Huntington beach that recently built a retro-styled building for their new store. I really miss that old style.Geoff and Lorettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014681829628656237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-64056844980557697162013-07-19T18:27:00.490-05:002013-07-19T18:27:00.490-05:00http://www3.meijer.com/mjrxmasong/michigan-christm...http://www3.meijer.com/mjrxmasong/michigan-christmas-song.mp3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-87033626665080959692012-12-09T14:10:12.941-06:002012-12-09T14:10:12.941-06:00I have fond Christmas memories of May Co and Broad...I have fond Christmas memories of May Co and Broadway windows -- we used to walk back and forth, dragging our parents across the street for one more look at each big beautiful window. Each store undoubtedly tried to outdo the other -- mechanical/moving displays were always my favorites. I grew up at those stores starting with baby clothes and ending with the British invasion fashions and Cher knockoffs in the 60's. My grandparents lived not far from the center, up in what was then called Angeles Vista. A trip to this shopping center for "back to school" clothes always ended with Buster brown shoes, Lollipop underwear, and roasted peanuts from the back end of Sears. Ah, the smell of those peanuts!Nancy Ashworthhttp://www.zeewritestuff.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-33359684752592447972012-10-16T10:24:12.336-05:002012-10-16T10:24:12.336-05:00Regarding the Owl Rexall at Beverly and La Cienega...Regarding the Owl Rexall at Beverly and La Cienega in Los Angeles, for years it was known as Dart Square which was mostly office space and behind, a large parking lot with a fairly nice looking bank at the back of the lot on the corner of 3rd and La Cienega -- that building is still there, too. Across the street was a small amusement park called Beverly Park. The pony rides remained for years afterwards. The Beverly Center, built about 30 years ago, now occupies that site. Recently it was announced that the Beverly Center will undergo a complete remodel, including a new exterior skin. http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/06/beverly_center_getting_revamp_by_italian_firm_studio_fuksas.php<br /><br />Not too long after the Beverly Center was built, Dart Square was converted to the Beverly Connection, certainly one of the stranger retail transformations I've ever seen. The original office building was gutted, though the Rexall was pretty much left alone, and a new parking structure was constructed in the parking lot with some new stores strung along La Cienega BLVD. As I recall, the Rexall stayed open throughout the construction. It has been remodeled, but that's about all. The curve you talk about is orginal. There had been a Ralph's, which left, and then a multiplex, which was recently torn down. But it remains remarkably vital. Now it's going to add a Target store. http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/beverly_connections_target_plans_kardashians_on_melrose_unicorn_head_and_nineties_wear_in_echo_park_1.phpScott Santoronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-39475186523213670682012-08-01T09:18:01.358-05:002012-08-01T09:18:01.358-05:00This is the first I've heard of Mr. Martin'...This is the first I've heard of Mr. Martin's passing, Jacob. He was certainly the longest living of the great crooners! Funny, just this weekend we saw "The Band Wagon" (for the umteenth time) on TCM, one of Tony's wife Cyd Charisse's best. They had one of the great Hollywood marriages.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-48479303821312641952012-08-01T08:04:22.002-05:002012-08-01T08:04:22.002-05:00Vayapues, sorry for the late reply on this...thank...Vayapues, sorry for the late reply on this...thanks very much, and I'm glad you enjoyed these L.A. memories.<br /><br />I'm always amazed to read about the mini-industries and specialty stores that sprang up around Hollywood in those exciting years - movie poster shops and the like. I've heard of Bert Wheeler's store but didn't know about he famous monster masks. This was the age of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazine and camp flicks such as Mad Monster Party - fun stuff!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-57004913358908284832012-07-31T17:32:49.700-05:002012-07-31T17:32:49.700-05:00Just came back to this post and noticed the refere...Just came back to this post and noticed the reference to Tony Martin, who sadly died earlier this week.<br /><br />And before I saw your explanation, I was wondering about the Thrifty "cut rate" slogan as well.Jacobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-65208471249095504302012-03-13T22:17:02.590-05:002012-03-13T22:17:02.590-05:00Hi Dave, just blundered onto your blog, loved &...Hi Dave, just blundered onto your blog, loved & shared it with a couple old friends who also grew up in baby-boom LA. Don't know where else to mention this...but you might be interested to dig around for some info or images on a great, long-time Hollywood institution called (among many name varients) Bert Wheeler's House of Magic, which occupied a big shopfront on Hollywood Blvd & Las Palmas. Besides carrying lite & industrial-strength magic supplies, the store was famous for its extensive stock of Halloween masks, makeup supplies, wigs, etc -- & so occupied a distinctly LA movie-industry showbiz niche. Some folks like myself are especially intrigued by a line of artisanal, uniquely high-quality monster masks crafted by the late Hollywood craftsman Ellis Burman that were exclusively carried by Wheeler's magic shop starting in the early '60s. If anyone is interested in learning more about these now very rare pieces, here is an ever-evolving discussion about them: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/23671/Mask-question-for-Mr-Don-Glut?page=1vayapueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16728270533639942405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-49814118539925058202012-02-21T21:07:59.676-06:002012-02-21T21:07:59.676-06:00Nanook - Much appreciated! Thanks also for catchin...Nanook - Much appreciated! Thanks also for catching my typo on the original street name - I've corrected it on the post. <br /><br />Must have been great to experience those sights firsthand!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-81249926835646242102012-02-21T15:42:30.080-06:002012-02-21T15:42:30.080-06:00Dave-
I couldn't agree more with the rave com...Dave-<br /><br />I couldn't agree more with the rave comments from fellow readers. I can remember much of what was mentioned here and it's fun to re-visit it. <br /><br />The only thing I'd add is a correction to the original name for Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd - which was in fact Santa Barbara Blvd.Nanookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255357829181568172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-86549777338145215402012-02-19T12:36:27.949-06:002012-02-19T12:36:27.949-06:00Pseudo3D - Believe it or not, “cut-rate” was a po...Pseudo3D - Believe it or not, “cut-rate” was a popular tagline for a number of drug chains back in the day. Katz Drug of Kansas City is one that comes to mind that used it for years. Seems quaint and dated now, of course. <br /><br />Paul – I hadn’t even thought of the best example, Ford City Mall in Chicago, which opened in 1965 and prior to that housed a WWII bomber plant, the Tucker car plant (immortalized in one of my all-time favorite movies, “Tucker: the Man and his Dream”) and a Ford plant in the years prior to its conversion to a mall.<br /> <br />Anonymous - You’re right! Maybe she was in the running for “Checker of the Year” – an honor given out a local and national basis in those days. When you think about it, that job must’ve required a great deal of skill in those days prior to UPCs and scanners. Even today, the efficiency of the checker has a great impact on the overall shopping experience. <br /> <br />Anne – Thank you so much, that’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. :)<br /><br />I totally agree about mid-century L.A. being fascinating, and the interesting stuff, as you say, is not limited to stores. I’m always on the lookout for shots of the Brown Derby and other famous places when watching L.A.-based movies of the 1950’s. <br /><br />That Kresge music is great, isn’t it? Really sets the mood.<br /><br />I would love to write about Meijer, and am finally starting to get my hands on some decent photographs of their stores. I particularly like the “Thrifty Acres” era, with the little Dutch Boy mascot on their signs. For 12 years I worked for a Grand Rapids-based company, and used to travel up there often. We had many folks of Dutch ancestry at our home office, and the name pronunciation was daunting at first, but eventually I felt I became something of an expert at it! (And you’re right, it definitely is “Meijers”!) <br /><br />Thanks again! <br /> <br />Didi – Late, early or on time, I always appreciate what you have to say. Hope everything is well with you! <br /> <br />And thanks for the tip on that book – I’ll have to check it out!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-47107950274920787832012-02-17T20:53:51.889-06:002012-02-17T20:53:51.889-06:00Once again, Dave, I know I am late in the game, bu...Once again, Dave, I know I am late in the game, but wonderful piece. I havways been iintrigued by LA but your wonderful descriptions of the era make me want to visit what is left.<br /><br />A book that I adore from our library where I work owns this great title called L.A. in the thirties, 1931-1941 by David Gebhard and Harriette Von Breton. You may want to check it out if you haven't already. Wonderful pics of art deco and steamline architecture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-14332864826454957762012-02-17T07:50:29.791-06:002012-02-17T07:50:29.791-06:00That video clip made my day. I honestly could watc...That video clip made my day. I honestly could watch it over and over for a while just to go over it all carefully. I completely agree on the music! :) Mid-century L.A. is a fascinating topic to me; it seems like it was ground zero for all things MCM that we love. I love all the stories from the fabled restaurants on "Restaurant Row," as well. I was in L.A. recently again and I'm still bummed at how little, really, is left of the MCM golden years. <br /><br />Awesome article, as usual! I just can't tell you how much I love your blog. It's like a big cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter's night to a retro fanatic like myself. I recently found the link to the Kresge background music you posted and thought I had died and gone to MCM heaven. Thank you for all of your efforts on this site!<br /><br />Gosh, I'd love to see you do one of your astoundingly in-depth articles about Meijer (or Meijers, as any Michigander calls it). I've lived in MI all my life and "Meijers" is almost unthinkable to live without. :) Miss it when I travel! I have such GREAT memories of the stores as a kid, too; they had interesting features and events and even an amazing Christmas theme song that I'd give my right arm to hear again ("Have a Merry Meijer Christmas!"). Have so many stories of growing up going to the store (both good and bad!) I still like to tell to my DH who's a transplant from Pittsburgh. I think my good memories of Meijers as a kid and the corny loyalty my family and I have towards the store still are big reasons I was drawn to your site!Annehttp://pretendtheyretalking.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-83399989296854850612012-02-12T15:50:10.418-06:002012-02-12T15:50:10.418-06:00The grocery checker in that video has to read and ...The grocery checker in that video has to read and key in the price of each item manually, yet she is moving as fast as scanner-assisted checkout today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-77787129863819427462012-02-11T20:24:00.832-06:002012-02-11T20:24:00.832-06:00It's happened in other places, too. In the Bos...It's happened in other places, too. In the Boston area, a Ford plant that was closed in the late 1950's was converted into the regional warehouse for the First National supermarket chain. When they closed down their operations in the mid 1970's, the building became the Assembly Square shopping mall, which still exists today. The Model-T era plant building it replaced is now office space.Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-77615599455925487782012-02-11T13:56:36.707-06:002012-02-11T13:56:36.707-06:00I'd be a bit wary of a drug store if it was ad...I'd be a bit wary of a drug store if it was advertised as "cut rate"Pseudo3Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848368606946150471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-18782795875006977142012-02-10T18:48:32.841-06:002012-02-10T18:48:32.841-06:00Angrystan – Thanks for those details on the two au...Angrystan – Thanks for those details on the two automotive plants. I didn’t realize the Long Beach Ford plant closed that far back! <br /><br />Julie – Thanks, and thanks again to you for finding that amazing clip! I’ve seen some of the clips in the “dantanasgirl” You Tube page, and they are great as well. And there’s some neat stuff on the Vintage Los Angeles page as you mention. I still wonder who made the 1954 film – with all of the store shots, it seems like it had to be for a retail association of some kind. Let us know if you can locate the 1967 clip! <br /><br />Paul – Interesting bit of irony there with the conversion those plants to shopping space, thanks for pointing that out. If I remember right, there’s a 1920’s-era former Ford plant in Atlanta that’s been retail/mixed use since the seventies. <br /><br />KoHoSo – Thanks! These are just some of the higher-profile relics. The L.A. area is teeming with old retail buildings that have been remodeled and reused umpteen times, to the point where very few people are aware of their history. Any number of them would probably make your jaw drop if vintage photos existed! <br /><br />And I’ve gotta hit the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw area myself one of these days. I’ve been remiss in not doing so on previous visits.<br /><br />Mike – Thanks so much! I’m certainly fascinated by the area as well.<br /><br />I’m glad you liked the “walk-through” approach. I felt that the clip really lent itself to that.<br />And I agree with you about Westwood – some of the classic buildings still stand (and still look great), but the ambience has changed greatly and not for the better. I was fortunate to visit Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, which bears a few similarities to Westwood, and was impressed by how much charm has been retained, despite a much changed retail roster over the years.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-59374750553103270882012-02-08T21:39:56.347-06:002012-02-08T21:39:56.347-06:00A great write-up on a city that has long fascinate...A great write-up on a city that has long fascinated me. California has had a mystique for me since I was little. My mother and her parents lived in L.A. and surrounding areas during the WWII area. I have never been to L.A., but mom's dad's family still lives out there.<br /><br />Loved the way you walked us through the film, with its soundtrack apparently by Perky Perkyson and his Chippertones. I looked up on Google Map's street view some of the locations you pointed out, and had pictures for. So much has changed. Concerning the great color picture of Westwood Blvd from the late 40s that you posted, so sad so much of the charm is gone from that same vantage point today.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08794382516478990237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-76576375939844022452012-02-07T23:01:59.116-06:002012-02-07T23:01:59.116-06:00Another wonderful post! I came to the LA area wel...Another wonderful post! I came to the LA area well after the "pleasant family shopping" era ended so it's nice to see stuff like this bringing to life the hints of things remaining from those days I can still see that so often seem so dead. Special thanks for the piece of the Thifty ad featuring the Trilon sign!KoHoSohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00457687879505057220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-19246747855110718342012-02-07T22:03:16.176-06:002012-02-07T22:03:16.176-06:00The Van Nuys GM plant was reconverted into a shopp...The Van Nuys GM plant was reconverted into a shopping mall, as was a Ford plant up the coast in San Jose.Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-78828844065435671912012-02-07T13:39:27.789-06:002012-02-07T13:39:27.789-06:00Great write-up, Dave! I had seen that video, sere...Great write-up, Dave! I had seen that video, serendipitously, through a link. Searching videos, I also would like to share this one of LA in the 50's & 60's. It is a compilation of still shots, but it flows nicely and you can't beat that vivid color! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k2rk-YqN5w<br /><br />This channel on YouTube has a fine selection of video for LA:<br />http://www.youtube.com/user/dantanasgirl#p/u<br /><br />On facebook, the page "Vintage Los Angeles" is a treasure trove of information, visuals, videos.<br /><br /> Somewhere, I saw a link to a fascinating city promo film on that site, from 1967, about 10 minutes long, that I thought was fabulous! Wish I could find it, now.Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-54696280175190503692012-02-07T04:55:53.677-06:002012-02-07T04:55:53.677-06:00Because this happens to intersect with another of ...Because this happens to intersect with another of my interests:<br /><br />Ford Long Beach Assembly closed during 1959 following ongoing complications from a 1956 flood. Operations were moved not so far away to Pico Riviera which held on until 1980.<br /><br />GM Van Nuys Assembly held out until 1992 when reduction in demand for Camaros and Firebirds caused GM to consolidate those operations in Canada.angrystanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14140451410395692365noreply@blogger.com