A small tour/tribute to Westchester, California

[RathbunDan]

I went to Westchester High from 1954 to 1958 when I graduated. This is a blast from the past. I also was like thatDonOguy who abused the privlige of the record preview booths. I purchased many 45s and LPs back then. I still have most of them after all these years. I remember when the Paradise opened and spent many hours at the Loyola . Ate burgers at Biffs on Supulveda and Tiny Naylors on Manchester & Supulveda.  In 1957 the Paradise had a sneek preview and I got to see Ricky & David Nelson I P

[superthundereagle]

whoooooooo

[superthundereagle]

I see that be for. that's wear all the hookers work.

[twistedhitman12]

Grew up in Westchester, went to Saint Anastasia's grade school and graduated in 2006. It has changed so much now!

[MURDOG61]

do NOT forget Lum's, and Andre's!! I actually worked for Barry @ Soundsation's from 1980 - 1982

[etloo14l]

Great memories... what about earth shoes from Thom McCans? Went to St Jeromes and those were the shoes to have. And Wallabies???? Anybody?

[mslizzyborden]

Thank you for this.

[artsyone1]

Who remembers Barry at SoundSations? He always answered the phone the same way...."Reecccooords..."

Loved that man.

[youkla]

Does anyone remember D&K, Der Wienerschnitzel and Shakey's Pizza? I would steal quarters from my dad's change stash and hang out at Shakey's with my friends after school playing Pac-Man and Zaxon for hours. I remember D&K having awesome Baklavah that I would always eat!

[tito247]

And does anybody know any movies or shows that were done in the general area? The most prominent one I know of is HEAT- the final shootout was done off aviation next to the Proud Bird.

[coombie53]

Easy Rider opening drug deal scene was also shot on Aviation Blvd, under the landing plane traffic.

[tito247]

Was matt groening of the simpsons from LA? Fireside was pretty much the quintessential dive bar. I had fun trying to fake-ID my way in there. I think I might do a new video of westchester. I had the original wooden soundsations sign- they threw it away in a utility room behind the coldstone's on sepulveda. When I was little, my Saturdays used to be riding my bike down to Soundsations, listening to music all day, then then eating at Napoli's when it was basically a garden shed with a table. :)

[thatDonOguy]

More Westchester videos are always good (despite Powerchorde's bellyaching). Soundsations and the old Westchester Music were major HQ for me. W. Music would let you preview the 45's...and, yes, did I abuse that previlage (sic) a lot. Surprised that they didn't kick me out!

[Texture2000]

@tito247 - matt goening (simpsons creator) is from Oregon.

[metalmongrel]

3rd generation Dubchester here, thanks for the great video! I had forgotten about so much of this stuff... I didn't see mention of some other older westchester stuff, VideoTec on Lincoln, Masonic lodge, TrophyMasters, Wu's kitchen, the bomb-raid sirens by mervyns, etc. I was so sad this year when the compari's statue had no pumpkin :(. Did you guys know there used to be anti-nuke missile silos in PDR in the 50's? How about the lore that Moe's in the Simpsons was modelled after the fireside?

[ThePattywaty]

Thank you for the wonderful Westchester memories. I worked at the Korner Deli restaurant on Sepulveda for 13 years. The last of the great mom and pop family owned places to eat in Westchester. Bed Bath and Beyond bought the land we were on and put us out of business after 37 years. What a great loss.

[sugarfreejones]

Wow... this was truly amazing. Thanks for this... so many memories!!

[TheLorijo]

Anyone remember " House of Flies.... I mean Pies" net door to savon's and See's Candy....? And National Stationary, Nice that "Napoli's " is still hanging in there, even tho it is the 2nd owners... the Tomato sauce is the original recipe & on their Sandwiches is the bomb !!

[chumbersdee]

The Loyola theatre can be seen a few times in the 1983 Tears for Fears video for the song, "Pale Shelter". It's here on Youtube.

[sugarfreejones]

They shot a Tears For Fears video in Westchester and I did not know!? hmmm.... I have to investigate :)

[TheLorijo]

Hey you all !! Who Remembers COMPARI'S Italian Restaurant ?? Is there anyone out there who used to work there ?..... I did ! Let's re-connect... Yikes ! What a great time Passage to remember !! Lori Jo

[williamkatt81]

Thanks for bringing back the song from WMG HELL my childhood still lives... Been a fan of Al Stewart since I was 5...

[chumbersdee]

OMG, 2:30 - Karl's Toy Store. I love it!

[sugarfreejones]

no kidding!!!

[chumbersdee]

I lived there 'till I was 20. Cowan Ave, Orville Wright. WHS, Old Emerson's Pharmacy....great memories.

[accountforwatching1]

Sweet memories of a great place to grow up....

[scapools]

Good work, born & bread in PDR 1957 on Waterview.D&W,Toes

[youkla]

Lived there my whole life as a kid until I was 23. I remember my mom taking me to Loyola theater to see Saturday Night Fever and then taking me out during the nudity scene (I was only 9 and my mom had no idea there was nudity...lol). Used to eat all the time at Compari's and I remember a handicapped man who worked at Soundsations that scared me.

[thatDonOguy]

I think the handicapped guy was the old owner of the place until he sold the place in the mid-80's to its current owner.

[TheLorijo]

Barry reisman was the owner of Soundsations then ! Yes he was formidable and he had a BAD temper !! But,. I remember many times there listening to Great music and having fun ! Barry, he moved to Seattle, Washington after he sold Soundsations to longtime employee, Pete, who still runs it in the old Tavel Agency spot on the south corner of teh circle.  Rememeber DeLuca Jewelers? Still am dear friends with that family.

[chumbersdee]

I swear, no one remembers this...not even friends from Westchester, but for a short period, Sounsations' bags had a picture of a huge ear on it, with a lady's face with her tongue sticking out at it...with the slogan "We give Good Ear". I swear to God. I remember it a clear as day.

[thatDonOguy]

Yup, I remember that bag. I wonder if they framed it.

[sugarfreejones]

oh man, I was embarassed to take those bags home. had to hide em :P

[thatDonOguy]

Thanks for the ton of local information!

[tito247]

Heeeeeeey. Ive lived here basically all my life....but im only 20 so that doesnt mean a whole lot. Westchester looked so happy back then. Where is that guy Louis now? I remember I met him at the store a couple times before it closed. But it was a cool shop to have in the area. Id be interested to talk to some people who know the history of our town.

[thatDonOguy]

Good question about Louis. Last I heard him, he moved his store in 2004...then I moved out of LA. Love to know what happened to him. He and I traded CDR's. A really good guy.

[TheLorijo]

Louis was a great guy ! I'll ask around as to what's up with him !

[chumbersdee]

Soundsations still exists. They moved to the La Tijerra medical triangle, by old DJ's sports Collectibles. I think Louis is still there.

[davendea]

Oh wow, that brings it all back. Getting an ice cream con at Sav-On before seeing a matinee at the Loyola. JC Penney's, Woolworth's (before the antique mall), House of Pies, Westchester Music, Delian Music, JT's Coffee Shop, Hill Mart, catching tadpoles in the creek across from Dinah's, the La Tijera McDonald's with the little carousel, and before that when it was an original walk-up stand, Little Inn, Sam's Samwiches, Mayfair, Food King, Boy's Market, "Go, hey go, go you Mighty Comets," etc.

[accountforwatching1]

Awesome recollections! Don't forget getting photos taken with Santa at the Broadway, the Bean Fields, Y dances, and on and on the good times rolled....

[chumbersdee]

Damn, Hill Mart...memories. I went to Westchester Lutheran across the street for a few years.

[TheLorijo]

Me too... what years ? Was Pastor Masted officiating then when you were there ? Luther League ?? Any clues here ?

[chumbersdee]

Pastor Masted was there. I went there for grades 3,4, and 5, with teachers Mrs. Lutz, who later would work in the library, Mrs. Anderson for 4th, and Mrs. Andrews for 5th. What years did you go there?

[TheLorijo]

W.L. Church for me was from 1962 to 1976, & maybe a bit after... I didn't go to school there, I was part of Luther League, choir and church. I really enjoyed the eperience back then. 1976 : I graduated ( from H.S. ) and went off to try different approaches to Spirituality. But I still roamed Westchester, and worked at Compari's Italian restaurant ( Manchester & sepulveds ) off and on for almost 2 decades..... years forgotten in the sun ! And at The red Onion and Louis Temple ! Remember those ?

[bellafarmer]

Raised in Westchester from 1965 to 1988. Our house was across from the airport where parking lot C is now. We were one of the last folks left and got a huge settlement for having to move! lived on Kenyon avenue up from the westchester fire station. Remember the 4 corners of gas station. The places I remember about uptown Westchester. Going to the movies at the beautiful Loyola theatre. Gettinng free passes from The Home Federal Savings. Buying redvines before going to the show at sav-ons

[bellafarmer]

Loyola theatre was so beautiful! Remember Westchester Music,Karls Toy Store, The Broadway, Woolworths, Newberrys, House of Pies,Soundsations, Paradise theatre (the crying room) Pizza Napoli coldcut sandwich's , Villa Inn on Lincoln....I have their sauce and ravioli recipe! Kids shoe store next to Ralphs, Disco Drugs,Westchester Faire, The Grinder, Jc Penney, Munroes Mens Ware, temple of good things,Standard Brands, Randy's Doughnuts, Jet Liquor, Winchells Doughnuts , Red Onion, Toy Palace

[angsroksacdc4lfe]

Thanks for posting this its brought back some great memories.