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 Star Bakery (Gone)
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Here's a bakery sign that could stop the drive before the smell of fresh bread had a chance. The old marquee at Star Bakery in San Francisco gave the corner a name to look for, whether the stop was for something sweet or just a photo. 11-09
For roughly a century, the bakery served the neighborhood around Church and 29th streets. That's quite a few mornings of bread and pastries heading out the door.
The bakery eventually closed, leaving the familiar marquee as a reminder of what used to be inside. A medical office later took over the space, which probably meant fewer excuses to stop for a treat.
UPDATE: The former bakery has been converted to office use, and the old sign has been removed. 09-26
 Chiropractor (Gone)
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Need an adjustment, or just the time? Check out this old Chiropractor sign in San Francisco. The clock perched above the lettering gives it a little something extra, even for motorists who weren't looking for an appointment. 11-09
Projecting from the building at Mission and 21st streets, the double-sided sign could catch attention from either direction. Pretty handy when the business is upstairs or tucked behind a busy storefront.
The clock is the detail that makes this one worth another look. Whether it was keeping the right time when the photo was taken is another question.
UPDATE: The chiropractor sign has been removed, and the building has moved on to other uses. 09-26
 Christesen's Saddlery (Gone)
Pleasanton, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Take a look at the old storefront for Christesen's Saddlery in downtown Pleasanton. The western name fits right in along Main Street, where a stop to photograph the building might turn into a look around for boots or a new hat. 11-09
This wasn't just a western theme added to dress up a storefront. Pete Christesen opened the business in 1923, selling saddlery and building a shop that would stay part of downtown for nearly a century.
Over the years, western wear gave customers without a horse a reason to head inside, too. No saddle needed to find something useful here, though a pair of boots might have been harder to leave behind.
 Christesen's Saddlery
Pleasanton, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The shop also shared ties with Baughman's Western Wear in nearby Livermore, another longtime stop with roots going back to 1881. Between the two towns, a drive through the area could include more than one look at an old western storefront.
Back outside, the Christesen's name made a good subject for the camera before continuing along Main Street. The sort of familiar shop that could easily become part of the scenery until a visitor stopped to take a closer look.
UPDATE: Christesen's closed in 2021 after nearly a century in business. The storefront sign has been removed. 09-26 |
 Eastern Bakery
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Hungry? Look up at the old blade sign for Eastern Bakery along Grant Avenue in San Francisco. With the marquee sticking out above the sidewalk, there's no need to stand right in front of the shop to spot it. A useful feature when there's plenty else competing for attention in Chinatown. 11-09
The bakery opened in 1924, making it the oldest Chinese bakery still operating in San Francisco's Chinatown. That's a lot of pastries heading out the door beneath the familiar name.
Mooncakes and pork buns are among the reasons to stop inside. Then there's the coffee crunch cake, which might make a quick look at the counter turn into a longer visit. Hopefully there's still room after lunch.
Orlando Kuan and his family have run the bakery since 1985, carrying on the business started by the Lee family. The old projecting sign still points the way, so take a look up before getting distracted by what's in the window.
UPDATE: Eastern Bakery is still open, with its old blade sign above Grant Avenue. 09-26
 Mama's Market (Gone)
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Take a look at the neon lettering across the front of Mama's Market in San Francisco. This neighborhood shop put its name right on the building, giving the corner a little more to look at than the usual grocery window. 11-09
Mama's was the sort of place to stop for a few everyday supplies without making a whole shopping trip out of it. Groceries, beer, wine, and something forgotten on the way home.
UPDATE: Mama's Market has closed, and the old neon lettering is gone. 09-26
 Chiotras Grocery
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Here's a neighborhood stop for groceries and something to eat along the way. Chiotras Grocery sits in San Francisco's Potrero Hill area, with its storefront lettering giving passersby a reason to look over. 11-09
Inside, the market shares space with a deli and sandwich counter. Pick up a few things for home, or take care of lunch before heading out to see what else is around the neighborhood.
UPDATE: Chiotras is still operating as a neighborhood grocery and deli, with its storefront sign remaining. 09-26
 Valley Plumbing
Pleasanton, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Check out the sign in front of Valley Plumbing in Pleasanton. Plumbing might not have been on the day's list of roadside stops, but this sign gives passing motorists a reason to look over. No leaky faucet required. 11-09
Standing outside the building, the sign does the advertising before anyone reaches the door. It's the sort of thing that's easy to pass while running errands, then worth circling back for once it catches your eye.
The business handles plumbing repairs and has a kitchen and bath showroom, too. A stop for a replacement part could turn into a look at new fixtures, especially if the old ones at home have been acting up.
For anyone just passing through with a camera, the sign is reason enough to pause. Take a quick photo before heading down the road, unless that dripping faucet has finally worn out its welcome.
UPDATE: Valley Plumbing is still open, and the sign remains outside the business. 09-26
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