Pictures of old TV stores

[Pete Deksnis]

Originally Posted by kx250rider

Well, it isn't Mel's TV anymore, but the building is still there. Charles

So the next time I'm in LA (which, I guess would be the first time since 1969, but who's counting) let's a bunch of us AK'ers have a bite to eat at the former Mel's?

Thanks for the then-now pix; they're always fascinating.

[Carmine]

Yeah, thanks for that pic.. I love before/afters (even if I don't love the result )

[bgadow]

Yep, I really like those pics too. Wish I had some interesting ones to share. I have taken a few but they fairly recent so not too interesting. One was somewhat similiar to Mel's, with the slanted-out windows. That was Laurel TV, US 13 Laurel, DE. When the owner retired the place was gutted and is now a Dunkin Donuts. I did get to save lots of neat things from that former Zenith, and I think RCA, dealer.

The mall photo is another great one. One of those shots that makes me wish I could just step into the picture. Reminds me of my earliest memories of trips to the local mall back in the seventies. (now totally dead, awaiting the wrecking ball) Before they were completely shot I went in there one afternoon and started taking pictures. A security guard came up and made it clear that I was not to do that any longer, so I said yes Ma'am and put my Kodak Motormatic away.

What was the name of that TV series that was on a year or two ago that was supposed to be a throwback to the late 1960s when Bandstand was starting? Ive only seen the show maybe three times but each time there was a scene taken of the girls overly protective father talking with one of his workers on the floor of his radio/TV showroom, the workers son was I think in 'nam at the time. I remember he had lots of RCAs and a few Zeniths on the floor with banners hanging from the ceiling.

Was prime-time weekend on a network but I cant find anything on it.

109

[Carmine]

The show was called "American Dreams", and it was awful... from both a historical standpoint (Predicta studio monitors!?) and in terms of storyline.

If I end up in Hell, this crap will be shown on blurry plasma screens 24/7.

[Dave S]

Originally Posted by Carmine

The show was called "American Dreams", and it was awful... from both a historical standpoint (Predicta studio monitors!?) and in terms of storyline.

More like "Predict-oid"! That was a strange looking beast; something the prop department must have, on bad advice, cobbled together for "effect."

I liked that show. It originally caught my attention because of the TVs (of course!) I mean, how many show's was I ever likely to see featuring a TV repair shop a lot like the one I worked in as a kid after school?

But I liked the production too. I'm not usually a fan of trendy effects, but if you're gonna do 'em, do 'em well, and they did. I thought the way they matched the live (re-created) action on the stage to the original (recorded) footage on the monitors was a pretty neat effect and very nicely done. And while the editing style may have been a little "over the top" too, the editing was some of the best I've seen. My brother in law grew up in that neighborhood at that point in time and said that the overall look-and-feel of the show was dead-on. I really enjoyed it (despite that scarey Predictoid!) and I wish they had continued it.

--Dave

[Carmine]

Near the end, the show got so bad as to have "Eric the Midget" of Howard Stern fame on as a guest. I never watched, but did you see that episode?

I guess what I didn't find realistic was that they tried to cover every 1960s stereotype, not just in one show, but within one family!

Dad's the big blowhard with a heart of gold, Mom is the passive woman who takes a class at community college and starts standing up to dad. Oldest son is the dumb jock who gets sent to Vietnam, Sister is a hippie. Black-guy employed by blowhard father has to convince son not to become a criminal, and saves the TV store from a race riot, etc. etc.

Then you have to believe that the guy owns a TV store, and still hasn't got color in 1967? Then again, he's still selling 1950s sets as new, so maybe he's just an idiot?

To each his own, lol I'm glad somebody liked it.

Of the 3 or 4 times I saw the program I cant give an honest opinion of the storyline however just the idea that someone went through enough trouble to *try* making a late 60's TV shop even half-way correct is worthy of notice. The TV shops I grew up around had not been remodeled since they were started and one of them kept the same decor until the last day of business, I do wonder what happened to the old monitor refrigerator as it was working in the mid-90s.

just my take
109

[Carmine]

I'm assuming that since you all like vintage sets, you also have an appreciation for vintage architeture.

I snapped a couple camera phone shots of a Goodwill store in Glendale AZ (around 35th Ave and Camelback... I think) while I was out there. Obviouisly used to be a grocery store, with a WVWVWVW look inside and out.

Seems like old building are suffering the same fate as old TVs... Turning into bland, unidentifyable boxes... I hate beige stucco as much as black plastic!

[bgadow]

Some very nice touches that the original tenant added. Ashame, in the end that probably made the place look dated and so less appealing to the "younger set". Around here there are tons of former Acme or A&P grocery stores and you can always tell what they used to be. The most interesting Acmes had a large gable roof with an all-glass front, which made the stores very open & bright inside. Others were just rectangular boxes but with some nifty signage. A&P had a sort of colonial look to it and you can spot those old stores real easy. I can still remember a Safeway from back in the seventies that I thought was neat, with a wrought-iron fence out front with a big 'S' designed in. I often wonder if those things were as interesting when new as they are looking back.

[Radiophile2001]

Wow....I've got all three of those sets shown in the Greenley pic foreground...
Sylvania, Zenith and RCA. The only difference on the Syl. and Zenith is the housing. Great pic!

Originally Posted by Carmine

I had trouble figuring out what to title this post... I was browsing through some urban-exploration sites and found this picture which I though some of you might enjoy.

Maybe if other people have more, they could post them....?



If I were to guess the era/brands in the front row (center) I'd say:

1968, Sylvania, Zenith, RCA

[kx250rider]

Got another old TV shop photo, live and current! I was on a drive from Houston, TX back to Los Angeles last week... On Hwy 60 in Miami, Arizona, I saw this sad old TV repair shop. Looks like it pooped out a long time ago, and has evidently been for rent for awhile. Still has an early 50s Emerson console in the show window, and a couple other busted up sets!

I went around back, and looked in all the windows. Seems like the store is empty except for the 3 TVs shown. All locked up, and nobody to talk to. If anyone is interested, and happens to be on Hwy 60 in Miami, AZ, take a look! It's on the south side of the street, about middle of downtown.

Charles

[Bobby Brady]

Originally Posted by bgadow

Some very nice touches that the original tenant added. Ashame, in the end that probably made the place look dated and so less appealing to the "younger set". Around here there are tons of former Acme or A&P grocery stores and you can always tell what they used to be. The most interesting Acmes had a large gable roof with an all-glass front, which made the stores very open & bright inside. Others were just rectangular boxes but with some nifty signage. A&P had a sort of colonial look to it and you can spot those old stores real easy. I can still remember a Safeway from back in the seventies that I thought was neat, with a wrought-iron fence out front with a big 'S' designed in. I often wonder if those things were as interesting when new as they are looking back.

I wonder about that too. I also love the archetectural designs of the 50's and 60's like the store Carmine showed and also the more plain looking places like shown in that wonderful pic of Greenley's. I would love to blow that photo up and others like it to see every detail down to the expressions on peoples' faces. I suppose people back then didn't realize how good it was at the time. whether it be for the logical and beautiful buildings, cars and TV's or even for the more logical and considerate general mindset and behaviors of most people then. After the big hurricanes a couple years ago here in S.E. Fla. many classic buildings were intentionally left unrepaired so water damage would be covered by insurance to tear them down and replace them with skyscraperlike austentatious monstrosities that ruin the ambiance here to the point that I may leave. The new buildings seem to match the most popular personalities here of being outrageously expensive looking to boast of money to burn without any care or concern for the past or the little people who don't have enough money to be respected on even the most basic levels.
For the duration of my time here I hope to find people who have lived here since the 50's and enjoy sharing the experience. Karen, a beautiful friend of my mom's speaks of the past like it was just yesterday. She has made my life better by sharing the details of a time I wish I could live in. She asked me if I saw the Connie Francis movie "Where the boys are" and said Ft Lauderdale was exactly like that. I haven't seen the whole movie but I got the idea and I will be watching it soon.
P.S. I'll be watching to see S.E. Fla... not the boys! (haha)

[kx250rider]

2 more photos up on my last post of the Miami, AZ shop!

Charles

[Bobby Brady]

"Gaurenteed by Good Housekeeping"
I bet that set was like new before it went to the shop considering the owner saved that sticker.

Anybody know the make and is that a fake drawer pull on the speaker area? Funny cheap design idea to dress up a cheap cabinet I suppose.