Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Carlmont Village Shopping Center


Belmont, California - circa 1960s

Charming view of the Carlmont Village Shopping Center, a quaint little shopping plaza (not a "shopping mall" per se) nestled away in Belmont, CA. Built in 1955 on 8.3 acres of land, it's still there today, but of course, looks a little different now. I thought this was such a pretty postcard photo, I just had to share it here.

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19 Comments:

Blogger Scott Parsons said...

Wow, it still looks very similiar now. Except the supermarket is now Lunardi's. The history page on their website is fascinating. I didn't know the site was a part of a school for boys. Fascinating!
Scott

Wed May 16, 04:00:00 PM  
Blogger Cora Buhlert said...

Very unusual, though landscape appropriate look. This one looks more like a rustic motel than an outdoor mall.

Thu May 17, 08:00:00 AM  
Blogger Georob said...

It's not very often that you see a Lee Bros. picture. You need to forward that to groceteria.

Thu May 17, 06:14:00 PM  
Blogger Lee Diamond said...

Love it! I sang at the Pine Brook Inn thru most of the 80's and have great memories of this center. The Zander's were the best bosses ever, and the locals who came to the PBI were the best crowds you could ask for.
Baskin-Robbins & Village Host Pizza were always great for a stop before work, and the nursery viewed from the restaurant was amazing.

Thu May 17, 11:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is one of the unique ones. As Cora said it looks more like a motel than a place to stop and shop. Nonetheless it is an outstanding attraction. Love the current updated look that even kept the old sign.

However, Starbucks, I can't deal with the pain of seeing that. Although whatever keeps this place going strong I will respect. Jamba Juice is pretty cool though.

I take it Lee Bros was a grocery chain not around anymore.

Sat May 19, 12:15:00 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

So interesting! It looks very much the same now.

A little tidbit: My mother moved to the area in the late 60's. By that time, Lee's Bros. was a Bell Market.

Just another random bit of info.

Fri May 30, 06:05:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was my route to Carlmont High School (1959 - 1963) Lee's was there as was the hardware store, Carlmont Pharmacy, B of A, and the Pizza parlor was located over by the pharmacy. They had a window they would sell Pizza by the slice from during school lunch hours. 25 cents per slice. One flavor - cheese. In many ways, it hasn't changed one iota. Lots of eateries now.

In 1977, we moved 250 miles away and found that one of our new neighbors had gone to the military academy there!!!! Tiny world?

Tue Sep 08, 10:58:00 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I remember this well. In fact I remember this from the very beginning as my parents moved to Belmont from Burlingame in 1958, when it was really like country. i still live about two blocks from the shopping center and shop there often. Conni

Tue Sep 08, 02:00:00 PM  
Blogger robinlyn said...

loved the picture of Lee Brothers. and yes, i remember Lee Diamond playing at the Pine Brook Inn. lot's of fun nights.

Sun Dec 06, 02:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Theresa Cavanaugh said...

oh my god that pic just brought me to tears!! i used to walk to carlmont village when i was little,oh the memories,wonderful geourgous Belmont,the picture perfect town to grow up in! oh how i miss it.1978-1992

Tue May 18, 01:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for this great photo I have also clppied it to send to my brothers I too grew up here went to Notre Dame and my brothers and sister went to Immaculate Heart which was across the street. If you grew up here in the 50's and 60's as we did do you remember the donut shop across the street and another man commented about the nursury in the middle with the creek.And of course Lee's the only grocery store my mom used to put us in the cart and smoke while she shopped. Thanks again Therese Dillon

Tue Apr 19, 03:15:00 PM  
Blogger Brightone said...

Trying to locate Therese Dillon, who attended Notre Dame Elementary in Belmont, CA - class of '69. Looks like she made a post: Tue Apr 19, 03:15:00 PM

Mon May 11, 07:29:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Do you remember the bakery there?

Sun Aug 04, 12:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Would love to see a photo of Dean's Variety Store, if anyone has one. So many memories. Pine Brook Inn for Easter brunch. Village Host Pizza's fantastic 'family night' every Tuesday evening- All you can eat of every kind of pizza for $2.00! I grew up on the border of San Carlos and Belmont in the 60s & 70's.

Tue Aug 20, 04:37:00 PM  
Blogger To larry said...

Last evening, Saturday, October 29, my wife and I went to The Tavern, for a nice dinner and to hear a band and we know the singer. What was interesting was it was literally the first time I had set foot in there in some 46 years. Yep, was a December 1976 day, my first full-time job, and the group I worked with then at SRI International, had their holiday luncheon at the then Pine Brook Inn. So long ago that my memory is a little fuzzy on the seating and obviously major changes made inside over these several decades.

Sun Oct 30, 02:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My siblings and I also went to IHM and Norte Dame - from 1952 through 1970. Our name is Tone. I don’t recall the Dillons. We lived on Mezes Ave.

Sat Jul 29, 01:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I remember the bakery being on the corner of Ralston and I think that was 5th? At that time the R&S Market was across from the bakery and across Ralston to Deans Variety. Then R&S moved up to where the Chase (?) Bank is now, next to the elementary.

Sat Jul 29, 01:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bought my first power tool at Coast to Coast in (I think) 1963, on lay-away. I still have and use that car polisher/sander today.

Wed Aug 02, 06:16:00 AM  
Blogger EMRLA said...

There was a related Bell Market in San Francisco near where we lived in the Portola District. I remember the balloons on opening day in 1963.

Fri Nov 17, 12:15:00 AM  

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