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March to June 2005

Welcome to Roadside Peek News. This section will feature a news peek of what's happening out on the road. While not pretending to be comprehensive, we hope you'll visit this section from time to time to keep up on just a sample of issues that are roadside related. Don't forget to check out the Roadside Peek main page for the day's update.

News from: Current | Q4 '04 | Q3 '04 | Q2 '04 | Q1 '04 | 2003 | 2002 | Main

Roadside News - Monday, June 13, 2005

Panel Discussion and Exhibition Celebrating New Los Angeles Book Coming This Saturday.

Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Conservancy & Metropolis Books invite you to join Tim Wride, Ben Stiller, Marla Kennedy, Julius Shulman, Catherine Opie, Linda Dishman, Craig Krull & David Ulin for a panel discussion & slide presentation, following the Conservancy’s Annual Meeting, to celebrate the publication of:

LOOKING AT LOS ANGELES

Followed by an exhibition of prints at ArcLight Gallery

Sponsored by D.A.P. and Stephen Cohen Gallery

Saturday, June 18, 10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Location:
ArcLight Hollywood’s historic Cinerama Dome
6360 West Sunset Boulevard (between Vine and Ivar), Los Angeles

Admission is free. Visit www.laconservancy.org for details.

Some great photos of L.A. will be at this exhibition as well as a photo from Roadside Peek Contributor and noted photographer Gerald M. Panter.

Many thanks to Gerald M. Panter for update.

Roadside News - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Farmington Man Now At New Home. Ohio Sign Treasure Finds New Owner.

Farmington, NM - As stated in the March 11 news update, the Farmington Man by a business called Sun Glass.

This photo of the Farmington Man, now called Sonny the Big Man, was taken taken Wed, April 20th. The Farmington Ambassadors (Farmington Chamber of Commerce) cut a welcoming ribbon as a crew helped Sonny to his feet. To everyone’s amusement, his new friends at Sun Glass had sprung for a new blue work shirt so he’d match all his coworkers. Currently Sonny is still empty-handed, but I’m pretty sure that’s going to change.

If you would like to know more about Sonny, contact Sun Glass at 505-327-9677.

Many thanks to Anita Prado for photo and info.

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Streetsboro, OH - Looks like the friendly smiley face and milkshake sign atop the Coney Island Custard Shoppe in Streetsboro, Ohio has found a new home. Apparently, the sign was purchased about 10 days ago by a local resident. We hope that this sign will be displayed in some capacity to the public.

Many thanks to Mark Hackett for update.

Roadside News - Monday, May 16, 2005

Ohio Sign Treasure In Danger. Former Big Boy Restaurant Demolished in Dallas.

Streetsboro, OH - The friendly smiley face and milkshake atop the Coney Island Custard Shoppe in Streetsboro, Ohio has been a familiar sight to travelers through the area for quite some time. Unfortunately, times have changed.

The owner of the Coney Island Custard Shoppe has sold the business and a chain ice cream store is taking its place. And yes, the sign has been taken down. Word on the street is that the City of Streetsboro wanted the sign removed for some reason. A local historical society (Kent) says the sign is too big to save for their purposes. For now, the sign sits behind the building, laying flat. The neon hasn't worked in years, but the sign was a pleasant reminder of a simpler time. This sign may end up on Ebay.

If you're interested in this sign, please email me.

Many thanks to Mark Hackett for notification and update.

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Dallas, TX - The EZ Burger on Northwest Hwy in Dallas was recently demolished. This former Kip's Big Boy circa 1964 had been remodeled to the EZ Burger, but still maintained many of the former coffee shop elements. The marquee itself was quite colorful and stood out from the otherwise drab roadside landscape. The EZ Burger was demolished so 7/11, the owners of the property, can expand on that site. There is an open 7/11 convenience store just to the right of the former restaurant.

More information can be found at the Preservation Dallas website.

Many thanks to Kevin Tucker for notification and update.

Roadside News - Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Where's Bob? This Big Boy May Be Coming Soon Near You.

Santa Paula, CA - Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or rather, there is a Bob's Big Boy, and he may be coming to your town.

According to The Macomb Daily, six new Bob's Big Boy restaurants will be opening in the Southern California area over the next six years. The Limoneira Co., known as a producer of citrus and avocados, will be the franchise owner.

The first of these locations, located in Santa Paula at Hallock Dr. @ 126 freeway, is a close distance from Santa Paula Airport. This airport is popular among Southern California pilots who love the clubby pilot feel of the airport, and will be popular for old car restoration enthusiasts as a gathering spot to show off those old cars.

Many thanks to Brian Fox for notification and update.

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Authors note: In this era of disappearing landmark chains such as Howard Johnson's (which appears to be closing its famed Times Square location soon), it's good to see Bob's Big Boy facing a brighter future with this expansion news. If the emails that I receive on a regular basis requesting info on Big Boy locations, ingredients, and souverirs is any measuring stick, the Big Boy expansion will be a success. Best wishes to the Limoneira Co.

Roadside News - Sunday, April 17, 2005

Route 66 Town Finds New Owner

Amboy, CA - The historic Route 66 town of Amboy, CA has been purchased by Juan Pollo restaurant chain founder Albert Okura. Located in the eastern portion of the Mojave Desert along old Route 66, Amboy has been slowly degenerating since the days of Buster Burris.

Amboy features such Route 66 landmarks as Roy's Motel and Cafe and the Amboy School. According to the April 12 edition of the San Bernardino Sun, Okura's initial tasks include restoring water to the town, and reopening the gas station and its adjacent convenience mart. Fortunately for Route 66 travelers, the article states that Okura will "focus on preservation and, eventually, restoration".

Authors note: This news is like a breath of fresh air for fans of Amboy and the stunning Roy's Motel complex. First hand experiences with the most recent owners of Amboy (not the Burris') have not been the most pleasant, ranging from forboding looks to a drunken tirade from one of the owners. No, not exactly very welcome experiences. Best wishes to Mr. Okura and many hopes that Amboy will once again become a must stop for travelers along one of the best preserved stretches of Route 66 in California.

 

 

 

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Page Last Updated July 26, 2005