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.
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!
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Very unusual, though landscape appropriate look. This one looks more like a rustic motel than an outdoor mall.
ReplyDeleteIt's not very often that you see a Lee Bros. picture. You need to forward that to groceteria.
ReplyDeleteLove 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.
ReplyDeleteBaskin-Robbins & Village Host Pizza were always great for a stop before work, and the nursery viewed from the restaurant was amazing.
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.
ReplyDeleteHowever, 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.
So interesting! It looks very much the same now.
ReplyDeleteA 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteIn 1977, we moved 250 miles away and found that one of our new neighbors had gone to the military academy there!!!! Tiny world?
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
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the bakery there?
DeleteI 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.
Deleteloved the picture of Lee Brothers. and yes, i remember Lee Diamond playing at the Pine Brook Inn. lot's of fun nights.
ReplyDeleteoh 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
ReplyDeleteThank 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
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
DeleteTrying 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
ReplyDeleteWould 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.
ReplyDeleteLast 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.
ReplyDeleteBought 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.
ReplyDeleteThere 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.
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