One thing that’s great about writing this column is the exercise it puts on my frontal lobe. Trying to remember some of these tidbits from days gone by is a real thrill, and for me, it sure beats crossword puzzles or Sudoku!
Let’s go back to Laurel Canyon Blvd, that endless road that snakes up through the Hollywood Hills, and into bosom of Studio City, before it reaches its sturdy arms into the far end of the San Fernando Valley.
Laurel Canyon at Ventura was the home of the bus stop that took me to North Hollywood High. I think didn’t cost more than 25 cents to hop aboard the bus, frolic with my high school pals, and ride it to Colfax and Magnolia where we embarked to indulge in our teen-age antics.
Laurel Canyon also went by , which is still a popular hobby shop in Studio City. I think it still sports that aquamarine exterior color which I remember from the 60’s. My sister Teresa spent many hours there, fueling her creative endeavors.
Laurel Canyon also led to the ice rink that was so popular when I was in my teens. I think it was at Laurel Plaza, where we’d lace up our ice skates, and try to circle the white ice wonder without our ankles knocking together. Often we’d wobble, and try to make it to the wooden bar that surrounded the ice so we could grab some confidence, and begin to skate again.
Laurel Canyon also let to one of the dairy farms we used to visit as a kid near Sun Valley. I remember watching the bovine beasts getting milked in their stench-ridden stalls, and wonder how this nectar could magically be transformed into the delicious ice cream they served at Baskin Robbins.
Laurel Canyon also led to Sears, where my mom used to buy all of car coats and our underwear. For years, I thought that was the only place underwear could be purchased, until discovered Victoria’s Secret.
Kinney Shoes was also off Laurel Canyon, where almost everyone bought his or her shoes. Remember sliding your feet into those metal contraptions so they could verify the length and width of your foot?
There was a popular donut place on Laurel near Magnolia. According to my pal, Andy Steiner, it was called The Big Donut, similar to Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, sporting that huge brown-caked architectural wonder on top of the building. Yummmmm!
Ah, Laurel Canyon, the main artery from our little cul-de-sac called Pacoima Court. It still fuels so many memories. What do you recall?
Speaking of Laurel Cyn, I remember looking at the log cabin houses behind DuPars...I always wondered who lived there. Maybe a reader can fill me in. My sister and I were feeling nostalgic for Webys Bakery and Phils Fish Market....ahhh, gentler times.
The Jolly Roger restaurant in Fashion Square. The first restaurant my sister and I could go to alone and order fries and a coke. It was delicious ! How about McKinley Home for Boys on Riverside? Thought I could find a boyfriend there if I walked past the place enough times....
Schwinn bicycle store near Chandler where I got my bikes repaired. The florist at Moorpark where I bought flowers for my mother and aunt. Friday nights at Shakey's after the football games. And the Union Sub shop across the street so hidden you had to know where it was to find it. Carter Sexton. A great place to buy cool pens and mechanical pencils. Lance Campers next to the Oxnard St. offramp from the southbound 170. I never bought a camper, never even walked in inside the place, but they were there FOREVER! Thrifty Drugs. We would test vacuum tubes there and get our film developed into prints. And their Rocky Road ice cream was my favorite. Valley Drugs. An icon for decades. And where my father bought me my first condoms. May Co. Racing go-karts around the parking lot on Sundays, buying Cub Scout and Boy Scout uniforms on the third floor. Martin Oil where one could get gas for 25.9 cents a gallon and reclaimed, filtered motor oil, in glass bottles no less, for 15 cents a quart. As much I like Four And 20 restaurant across from Gelson's, I still miss the A&W Root Beer stand that used to be there. Dutton's Bookstore, another icon, also now gone. And just next door, Johnnies restaurant, with car hop service.
I sure hope someone knows more about those log cabins behind DuPars....
Hughes Market on the corner of Coldwater and Ventura....
It is said that couples that wanted to 'swing' went there. As a young person, it fascinated me. Does anyone remember Swingers ?
I really miss the Christmas Lights that would hang across Ventura Blvd.! And of course, Coast Hardware where Santa would be sitting in his sleigh in the window!! Drive down Ventura Blvd today....you can really "feel" the Holiday Spirit with all the decorations!!! NOT!!! Too bad that our Chamber or the SC "Beautification" Group, etc. don't make the effort to make Studio City festive during the Holiday Season. Boy things have sure changed...and unfortunately, in my opinion, not for the better.
I was in sears about a week ago. I looked at the people inside and almost started tearing up. It was sad to think about how great the valley was and today it is such a cesspool toilet,
here's corvallis high school
http://studiocity.patch.com/search?keywords=Mary+McGrath#/_utf8:☃/sort:most_recent/page:1/_utf8:☃/keywords:Mary%20McGrath
Dutton's Bookstore is now a yoga place, and I very much miss the Clark Dennis Bookstore up on Ventura Boulevard, just west of Vantage.