Glimpses of South Pasadena: Strip Mall in Monochrome

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Strip Mall in Monochrome

It could have just been a crummy sidewalk. Add a few arches, vines, wooden beams, pendant lamps, square tiles, silver tables, big splashes of sunlight... and voila! It's art! Right next to the laundromat.

27 comments:

Jon said...: Siesta time in South Pas? I can't decide what I want to read here.; January 26, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Judy Williams said...: Very nice! I love the vines growing up the columns. Can't believe the tables aren't full of coffee drinkers or people on their laptops.; January 26, 2011 at 5:06 AM
Mister Earl said...: Judy: This is taken from right next to Winchell's Donuts looking toward the laundromat and the barber shop. The Winchell's crowd, to the extent they stay, drink their coffee inside in plastic booths. The people outside with the coffee and laptops are across the parking lot at Starbucks.; January 26, 2011 at 5:23 AM
Dixie Jane said...: You just never know where you will find art. In this case, right next to the laundromat. But the setting is very pretty and I would gladly eat donuts there.; January 26, 2011 at 6:23 AM
Virginia said...: Laundromat Art! Bravo!!
V; January 26, 2011 at 7:42 AM
Michelle said...: That looks great in black and white!; January 26, 2011 at 8:45 AM
Laurie Allee said...: Hi you guys,

You know, for a strip mall, this one is really photogenic. I should create a tag category for all the late afternoon pictures I've posted. How can you not love arches, vines and little cafe tables?

I have often wondered why the Winchells crowd stays inside at those plastic booths when the sweet little bistro sets are right out the door.; January 26, 2011 at 8:52 AM
colette said...: Love reading your blog!

We will be moving to South Pasadena this summer and I have a son that will be starting at South Pasadena Middle School in the Fall.

Just looking to find the perfect home in the 'hood which can be tough from across the country.

Your blog makes me feel part of my new community :); January 26, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Welcome, Colette! I hope you love South Pas as much as much as we do! Join in the conversation here and feel free to email me with any questions.; January 26, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Anonymous said...: Laurie...fabulous photo of such a generic place.

And welcome to Colette..you have found the best blog to follow, especially in getting to know our wonderful town of South Pasadena.; January 26, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Mike said...: Very cool shot.; January 26, 2011 at 2:16 PM
San Diego Farmgirl said...: "Art right next to the laundromat" sounds like the title of a Nanci Griffith song.; January 26, 2011 at 3:13 PM
Jean Spitzer said...: Looks charming. It is odd that the seats are empty.; January 26, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Mister Earl said...: The Winchell's people are a different breed, Laurie.

Welcome Colette. You should also take a look at the South Pasadena Patch website. If you have any questions, we'll all be happy to help.

Farmgirl - You're a fan of Nanci Griffith? Way cool. I know her stuff and saw a free concert she did in Riverfront Park in Nashville awhile ago. I'm also a fan of Pete and Maura Kennedy, who used to be in Nanci's band.; January 26, 2011 at 5:24 PM
TheChieftess said...: Collette...you couldn't have found a better introduction to your move than Glimpses of So Pas!!! It's a delightful town!!!; January 26, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Marian Fortunati said...: You have such a good eye for composition!!; January 26, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Judy Williams said...: I feel like I should welcome Colette too, even though I live thousands of miles away! I have such a connection with everyone at the blog.

Watched a cool blurb about San Luis Obisbo today. It is labeled "the Happiest City in the US." I think Suth Pasadena might run a close 2nd.; January 26, 2011 at 8:22 PM
alex said...: this actually used to be a bland strip mall (white stucco walls and all) until they renovated a few years back. they literally added arches, vines, wooden beams, pendant lamps, tiles, and tables to transform it into what it is today.; January 26, 2011 at 8:54 PM
Laurie Allee said...: I didn't realize the mall hadn't always had those arches. They've been there since we moved in '07 and I just assumed it was an 80s structure. I'm glad for the addition because it really makes going to OSH a reason to take my camera!

Colette, aren't you glad you're moving here? You already have a gaggle of friends in the neighborhood!

Welcome, Marian! I glimpsed at your blog and I must say that YOU have a beautiful eye for composition. Everyone run over to Marian's blog and check out her artwork. Gorgeous.

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Until tomorrow...; January 26, 2011 at 9:21 PM
Mister Earl said...: Until Alex mentioned it, I had forgotten about the remodel. What I think happened is that this north part of the strip mall had been there for many years, then the south part of the mall was built within the last decade. More recently, the north part was remodeled to match the south part. I believe there used to be a gas station at the corner of Fair Oaks and W. State.; January 26, 2011 at 9:51 PM
Laurie Allee said...: While I'm thinking of it Earl and Alex, what was Mike and Anne's restaurant originally? A tire store or a car dealership? I know Trish has mentioned it before but I forgot. Momnesia brain. I swear I need to write things on myself like Memento.; January 26, 2011 at 9:54 PM
Mister Earl said...: Firestone Tires. It was basically a car-repair garage with several bays, and what is now the courtyard was the parking area. As car-repair places go, it was quite stylish.; January 26, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Mister Earl said...: Here's what DBW said about it on your blog in December 2009: "For many decades this was a Firestone tire store housed in a 1920's mediterranean style building."; January 26, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Laurie Allee said...: You da man, Earl. (And you too, DB.); January 26, 2011 at 11:27 PM
alex said...: yep, it was a Firestone! they were actually a very affordable shop in the '90s, my dad got his old Merc serviced there until it shuttered thanks to the whole Explorer Firestone debacle.; January 27, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Laurie Allee said...: I've only been here for a few years but I already think of the new theater on El Centro as being where Dynasty Iron Doors was. (I know there was a nursery there for years but I wasn't here then.) I also look at the expansion of My Sweet Cupcake and feel bad for the loss of Gracie's Market. I can't imagine what it's like to have seen the changes over decades. Makes me appreciate how much HASN'T changed.

Little Bit, Jon and I were back in our old LA west side 'hood recently and I was already surprised at how much was totally different just since we moved.; January 27, 2011 at 8:59 PM
colette said...: Thanks Laurie and new friends for the warm Pasadena welcome!

I feel I am getting my "glimpses" and warm welcomes. We are very excited about becoming part of this community this summer :); January 28, 2011 at 11:50 AM