Friday, June 19, 2009

Rite Aid Abstract

The Rite Aid drugstore on Fair Oaks is just like every other Rite Aid drugstore in Southern California ... with the exception of the weird wooden gazebo out front. It's unexpected, rather ponderous and clearly a fern bar-inspired design leftover from the 1970s. By day you might walk right past it.

But doesn't it make a cool study at night?

12 comments:

Judy Williams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Judy Williams said...

six bright orbs in the night
maybe guiding birds in flight
or a mom wondering how
to lower the temp
of a feverish brow
luminous circles show the way
what a lovely round display


wv: promis ( I thought that seemed so hopeful)

Halcyon said...

It is neat. It looks like lights floating in the night sky.

I don't know what a fern-bar is. I guess we don't have those down here. Maybe you can take a picture in the day some time and explain.

Trish said...

that property has been odd since it was redone in the 70's. It HAD been a Thrifty's store, at street level, main door opened to Mission and FO. Took the whole block, as I recall. They tore it down, and built THAT. As per usual in SoPas, the din of the arguments were loud. And yet, it is STILL there.

I still would prefer to have that old store there, it wasn't notorious that I recall (unlike the old SecPac bank building across the street---that big blue thang you have photographed several times). But it was prettier than what is. It is one of those things I keep thinking someone, ANYONE will suggest it gets redone again...still nothing.

Love the shot...makes it seem pretty and mysterious.

Anonymous said...

This, from a Rite Aid? very cool.

TheChieftess said...

I have a bias against Rite Aid...I used to live in Long Beach...there was a very cool art deco building on 2nd street...with egyptian looking tower and cool detail...the independent pharmacy that was there got bought by Thrifty, then Rite Aid...then, you guessed it...Rite Aid tore down the building and put up their signature crap design...I don't shop at Rite Aid....

But I definitely love the photo Laurie!!! For one thing...you'd never know there was a Rite Aid there...but I love the slightly green orb amongst the others...the composition, the drama...love it!!!

Jean Spitzer said...

Beautiful.

Mister Earl said...

Nice photo, Laurie, as usual.

The history of this little mall goes back to the 80s when Crown Books was all the rage. Thrifty Drugs owned a substantial stake in Crown which is why many little malls like this featuring a Crown Books and a Thrifty sprang up. I suspect that the city mandated the little gazebo area.

dbdubya said...

This photo has to show about the only redeeming value of the Rite-Aid building. Strange things happen in South Pasadena when it comes to approval of projects. The three story brick office building south of Shakers had a very difficult time being approved. It originally was going to be two buildings with a grassy plaza in the middle. But a group of naysayers fought it and it's now a single 3-story building. But, it's high quality and attractive, unlike the god-awful Pollo-Loco mall next door which was never opposed. Rite-Aid is similar. Not at all inviting from the street. You have to search for an entrance, and it's very unattractive 70's architecturem although far better than the Pollo-Loco mall. New buildings can be designed to fit the existing architecture. Too bad that wasn't the case with this place.

Great photo, though Laurie.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi everyone,

This is one of the reasons I love my blog. I don't even have to do any research because so many of you can fill in the back story! You guys are great.

DB mentioned the building south of Shakers. I have noticed that it makes an odd, mechanical thumpthumpthumphthumpthump sound. AC unit, maybe? Whatever the cause, I always notice it when I park next to it to go to Shakers...

THanks for indulging me in this shot, today. I thought those 70s light globes looked really great at night. I love the poem, Judy!

Until tomorrow...

Jane Hards Photography said...

They do look disembodied and a little alien. Your night prowling images still ongoing I see.

Anonymous said...

Really nice to see this...


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