Earlier in the week, I wrote about changes in Granada Hills, Santa Monica, and Westchester. Here are a few more:
- Death of a Muffler Man. There are those of us that love our muffler men. These are the giant fiberglass statues of a man, typically holding a muffler or other implement, that dot Roadside America. Alas, the golfing muffler man may soon be dead. The Carson Golf Course (home of the Muffler Man), as well as vacated Don Dominguez Apartments, are being torn down to build a new Porsche “Experience Center”. The “Experience Center” will feature a world-class test track and handling course where drivers can practice maneuvering on rain, ice and snow. A section called Ice Hill will have a steep slope and water jets. Another off-road area will include 45-degree declines and ascents. But will it have a muffler man holding a Porsche? I doubt it.
- They’re Just Dense. When I was growing up, my parent’s accounting office was at 11704 Wilshire Blvd—the corner of Wilshire and Barrington—above “Diamond Jims” (which is no more), the Barrington Pharmacy (which is no more) and Lindberg Nutrition (which is no more). The Crocker Bank (which is no more) and Market Basket (which is no more) was next door. Platos Restaurant (which is no more) was across the street, as was La Barbaras (which is no more). Kitty-korner to the office was a low-rise shopping center with a junk store and a liquor store. That was eventually replaced with a building that housed 20/20 video. That’s now all gone. What is going up in its place? Curbed LA is reporting there will be a new mixed-use development at that corner, renamed the bw, that will be a six story apartment building with 78 units ranging in size from 700 to 1,300 square feet, with rents from $2,200 to $4,000. Just what that neighborhood needs. Not.
