It might not be as charming as this or as historic as this or this, but the weird 70s gazebo outside of Rite Aid is definitely an iconic South Pas structure. And this post is for the readers who emailed me asking if it was still there. Yup! Love it or hate it, it's certainly part of the downtown landscape. (Sometimes, it even makes a fairly decent artist's model...)Thursday, June 24, 2010
Kitsch as Kitsch Can...
It might not be as charming as this or as historic as this or this, but the weird 70s gazebo outside of Rite Aid is definitely an iconic South Pas structure. And this post is for the readers who emailed me asking if it was still there. Yup! Love it or hate it, it's certainly part of the downtown landscape. (Sometimes, it even makes a fairly decent artist's model...)
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14 comments:
Interesting photo that might have taken me awhile to identify. This was part of the remodel that occurred, probably in the late 70s/early 80s when Crown Books and Thrifty Drugs were both owned by the same corporation. People have used the gazebo to eat ice cream from the drug store, to take a break from skateboarding, and God knows what else.
The lighting weirds it up.
Those lights are so 70's. I rather like the juxtaposition of the geometric angles and lines, with the round orb lights. Maybe they are a guide for spaceships and saucers that are looking for a landing place in the night. :)
wv- this may be my favorite to date:
bezoingd
She was so flabbergasted and bezoingd that she couldn't speak.
Very interesting. You definitely caught it at the most revealing angle. I rarely notice it, but when I do, it has very strong ice cream associations.
Judy...I rather think that the architect would like your description!!! He or she might even be a bit gratig (wv) by it!!! Hopefully, not bezoingd!!!
But I'm thinking I like the ice cream association!!!
I miss the old Thrifty's store that USED to be on that corner. Similar tiles, but smaller, than the old bank (wait, it's going to be comerica now...all things do come around). SO much less kitchy than this gazebo thing, which just SCREAMS late 70's design. I never did understand why they sub-ground the development---I would have thought a ground level set of retail would have done better...but no one asked me!
wv: well, first one, like the last few days, has been blank (yes, as in non-existent, but I submit without a word and it finally gives me one)...but the second word is gamaki, as in a slightly off key gunmaki sushi roll...it would STILL taste better (and look better) than this gazebo!
Ah thanks Laurie. This is exactly how I remember it. I know it is kind of retro but I still love it.
Milton
Looks like a DEVO hat covered in christmas lights
It is kind of funny looking, but it definitely has the makings of a landmark structure.
I'm rather bezoingd by it and I'm no design...
wv...idiod.
Hi everyone,
I'm kinda fond of this weird thing, too. I wish this shot were better -- it's a bit awash in glare and noise, but I like the juxtaposition against those flowers and having a slightly grainy shot is more retro, right? (She says. Grasping!)
Milton, I'm glad to oblige!
Kinda bummed I don't have a word verification as blog owner. THey've been outstanding today!
Until tomorrow...
I remember it being built around '82-'83, or so. Thereafter I had to walk past it every day on the way home until I graduated HS in '84. Even then I thought the architectural "style" out of place in South Pas.
Best blog post title EVER!
Welcome, Richard! I agree, this is definitely not in the style of South Pas. But oddly, I'm fond of it. Kinda like the big, ugly but comfortable pair of shoes that you keep even though everyone else thinks they are tacky. That entire complex is so out of character for our town, I like that the gazebo, at least, is a little over the top. The rest is just bad, 70s strip mall style.
Thanks, Anon! I try... :-)
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