Hemet CA

Uh...California.

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Dean
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Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

Drove through Hemet CA on Hwy 74/Florida Avenue.

Was surprised to see so many grocery stores along the stretch of highway.

Many grocery stores still utilized as grocery stores...yet, many have been converted.

Quickly noticed:

Former Market Basket
Currently divided between Staples and 99 Cents Only Stores.

Former Safeway (can tell from shape of sign @ street)
Currently Grocery Outlet

I am sure there are more conversions along this strip...
ieguy441
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by ieguy441 »

Wow!! What a shock to see someone post about Hemet! Living in Hemet, I must agree with you that there are many conversions along Florida Ave, as well as other parts of the city.

Home Depot - NW corner of Sanderson and Florida. Former "Max Club", a small Costco style warehouse store that also sold a limited amount of groceries. Store only lasted a few years and was expanded into Home Depot. You can see where it was expanded to the east, where there aren't as many skylights.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Target - SW corner of Sanderson and Florida, next door to the former Market Basket. Originally Payless Drugs. When Target moved in during the late 1990's, the back wall was pushed out and some of the smaller stores were removed from the western portion of the building to expand west to include a Garden dept. Target expanded once again in 2007, and the garden dept was removed as well as a few more retail stores to create a small grocery section. The original facade was also replaced at this time. You can tell where the original Payless was from the layout of the AC units on the roof.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Staples/99 cents only - Former Market Basket and former Albertsons. The building sat vacant for most of the 1990's after Albertsons closed down. Staples was there by itself for sometime before the 99 cents store opened.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Vons - SE corner of Sanderson and Florida. Former Safeway. Exterior has been remodeled twice in the past ten years.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Fresh and Easy/DD's Discounts - SW corner of Lyon and Florida. Former Builders Square, most recently Do-it Center. Closed not too long after Home Depot opened. Also in the same center is a former Thrifty that has been vacant for ten years. Still has the Thrifty interior.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Former Albertsons - SE corner of Florida and Palm. Originally Smiths, bought by Lucky then converted to Albertsons. Closed October 2008. Rumored to become new police headquarters.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Hospital Record Building NW corner of San Jacinto and Florida - Originally Stater Bros, then a Pic N Save. Most recently McMann's and Helig Myers Furniture. Bought by the nearby hospital to house records.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Former Stater Bros - NW corner of San Jacinto and Oakland - Replaced original Stater Bros that was near the corner of San Jacinto and Florida. Remained open when a new Staters opened at Esplanade and San Jacinto in 1995 (just down the street). Closed in 2004. Has since been remodeled into office space for Riverside County welfare offices (as has the former WT Grant/Sears which is in the same center). Sears moved to the Hemet Valley Mall in 1997/98.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Cardena's Market - NE corner of San Jacinto and Esplanade (technically in San Jacinto) former Alpha Beta. Was converted to Ralphs for a short period of time when Alpha Beta disappeared in the mid-90's, only to close a few months later. Later became an El Toro Market and then was sold to Cardena's.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Big Lots - SW corner of Florida and Yale - Former Alpha Beta. Closed in the late 80's, replaced by Pic N Save which moved from their former location. Across the street is a former Alphies Restaurant, now Millie's.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Save-a-lot/Burke's Outlet - Former Vons. SE corner of Florida and Yale - This building was vacant for most of the 90's. Not sure if this was a Safeway or not. Perhaps this was a replacement store for the former location where Grocery Outlet is now located. Same shopping center has a former Millers Outpost (now Joanne Fabrics) and a former Longs (now a local furniture store). The Longs closed when they bought 2 former (and newer) Rite Aide locations in town.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Henry's Marketplace - SW corner of Stetson and State - former Stater Bros - Staters moved across the street to a new location in 1991. Same shopping center has a former Boston Store location, as well as a former Sprouse!
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

98 cent store/Chinese Express - SE corner of Stetson and State - former Alpha Beta. Disappeared with the rest of the chain in the mid-90's. For whatever reason, this location never became Ralphs.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

Stater Bros dominates the valley to say the least. There are three locations on Florida Ave alone (Sanderson, Stanford, New Chicago) one on Stetson, and two in San Jacinto.

We're also home to Fresh and Easy #1, their first location in the United States.


I really hope this wasn't too of topic.
Last edited by ieguy441 on 19 Feb 2009 19:48, edited 1 time in total.
ieguy441
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by ieguy441 »

Dean wrote: Former Safeway (can tell from shape of sign @ street)
Currently Grocery Outlet
I often wondered if this was Safeway. My mom grew up here and we were shopping there the other day and she couldn't remember what it had been originally. I guessed Safeway and she said I could be right, she just couldn't remember.

Thanks for the clarification!
Dean
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

thanks for the thoroughness ieguy!

Could tell there was a lot of history along that stretch of hwy!
ieguy441
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by ieguy441 »

Some new finds:
Former A & P- NE corner of Juanita and Florida Ave
Image
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hemet&hl= ... 5,,0,-7.39

Opened in October 1941, currently a Pawn shop. I am unsure when this location shut down.

Former Safeway SW corner of Carmalita and Florida Ave - just south of Florida. Currently a Kids Museum.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hemet&hl= ... 3,,0,-4.01

This was the third Safeway location in the Valley, I am unsure when it opened... but the second location is where the little strip mall is just to the East, and it opened in 1927.

Former JC Penny SW corner of Florida and Juanita

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hemet&hl= ... .8,,0,3.66

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

This was a leased space opened in 1929, and was at this location for ten years before moving to a location where the strip mall on the same block is now located. In the 1960's JC Penny moved to a freestanding location on the SW corner of Florida Ave and Cornell St....

Former JC Penny (2) SW Corner of Florida Ave and Cornell St.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hemet&hl= ... 7,,0,-0.51

Moved from the prior location in the 1960's, this location was here until 1980 when the Hemet Valley Mall opened, and Penny's moved to a 22,000 sq ft store at that location (which is still used today). The store is currently a medical supply store, and was previously a furniture store.
Dean
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

Was through this area over the weekend.

Funny how many "doubles" are on the highway...a couple locations each of chains such as Staters, Jack in the Box (brand new location with NEW graphics), Carl's Jr., KFC, and I am sure others.

Noticed the vacant Gottschalks. Can still see the labelscar of Harris.

Was the bowling alley something else prior?
ieguy441
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by ieguy441 »

Dean wrote:Was through this area over the weekend.

Funny how many "doubles" are on the highway...a couple locations each of chains such as Staters, Jack in the Box (brand new location with NEW graphics), Carl's Jr., KFC, and I am sure others.

Noticed the vacant Gottschalks. Can still see the labelscar of Harris.

Was the bowling alley something else prior?
There are a lot of doubles and even triples on Highway 74/Florida Ave.. Stater Bros has 3 locations, 3 Jack in the Boxes (that brand new location looks awesome doesn't it?) 2 re-branded CVS/phamacys (both former Longs, one of them originally was Payless and was sold to Longs by Rite Aid about 6 or so years ago) 2 Arby's, as well as the others you mentioned. I won't even mention how many of these chains have at least 2-4 other locations within a few miles of Highway 74. It's kind of crazy.

They just recently pulled down the Gottschalks signage earlier this week, while yesterday they were in the process of installing a very LARGE Forever 21 sign over the original HARRIS' logo labelscar that was visible for a day or so. The entire mall, which opened in 1980-1981, was recently repainted with a newer color scheme just a few months back. From what I could see, the store had already been gutted out within the last few weeks and I am guessing will reopen within a month or so (from what I've been told). I'll see if I can find some renderings and photos of the mall as it was when it opened, I know that they are somewhere, I've seen them.

As far as I know, the bowling alley was always just that. I want to say it opened in the 1980's.. I may be wrong.
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Barstow2Needles
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Barstow2Needles »

Wanted to chime in here as I've been very intrigued with Hemet's retail history. I'm not sure if others exist, but the former Thrifty (later Rite Aid) at the Ramona Plaza was an interesting store. I actually made it a point to visit this strip mall after I came across this old postcard (see below) and the closed down Rite Aid immediately caught my eye for some reason...

Image
(http://usera.imagecave.com/djrun1/hemet-ramonaplaza.jpg)

I was shocked to see that this store appears to still sport a circa-1970's Thirfty's interior decor and signage! I'm not used to seeing a well-preserved time capsule like this before (is this sort of thing common?) but I was really amazed for several minutes while I scooped out the store. Can anyone verify what era this interior look was used at Thirfty? Here is an look from the outside:

Image
(http://usera.imagecave.com/djrun1/hemet-thriftys.jpg)
They just recently pulled down the Gottschalks signage earlier this week, while yesterday they were in the process of installing a very LARGE Forever 21 sign over the original HARRIS' logo labelscar that was visible for a day or so. The entire mall, which opened in 1980-1981, was recently repainted with a newer color scheme just a few months back. From what I could see, the store had already been gutted out within the last few weeks and I am guessing will reopen within a month or so (from what I've been told). I'll see if I can find some renderings and photos of the mall as it was when it opened, I know that they are somewhere, I've seen them.
Speaking of the Hemet Mall, I visited the Gottschalks the day before they closed for good and snapped some pics. Here is a photo of the labelscar of the short-lived "Harris-Gottschalks" outfit (see below). You mentioned that the mall was recently re-painted--do you mean the inside and/or outside? When we visited in July the exterior had a gray-beige-brown color scheme while the inside had plain white-washed walls. I like how the inside of the mall still uses early 1980's brown and orange decorative floor tiles next to the benches :-)

Image
(http://usera.imagecave.com/djrun1/hemet-harris.jpg)
Dean
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

Yes, that is the former THRIFTY package.

Funny thing...many RiteAids still had this interior. They simply ripped the Thrifty logo off the wall, and left it looking horrible!
Jeff
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Jeff »

Dean wrote:Yes, that is the former THRIFTY package.

Funny thing...many RiteAids still had this interior. They simply ripped the Thrifty logo off the wall, and left it looking horrible!
And kept the Community since 1929 all over the place which is weird.
ieguy441
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by ieguy441 »

Barstow2Needles wrote:Wanted to chime in here as I've been very intrigued with Hemet's retail history. I'm not sure if others exist, but the former Thrifty (later Rite Aid) at the Ramona Plaza was an interesting store. I actually made it a point to visit this strip mall after I came across this old postcard (see below) and the closed down Rite Aid immediately caught my eye for some reason...

Image
(http://usera.imagecave.com/djrun1/hemet-ramonaplaza.jpg)

I was shocked to see that this store appears to still sport a circa-1970's Thirfty's interior decor and signage! I'm not used to seeing a well-preserved time capsule like this before (is this sort of thing common?) but I was really amazed for several minutes while I scooped out the store. Can anyone verify what era this interior look was used at Thirfty? Here is an look from the outside:

Image
(http://usera.imagecave.com/djrun1/hemet-thriftys.jpg)
That former Thrifty just recently shut down in January and relocated to a new location a few miles east. There is another former Thrifty on Lyon and Florida that was closed when Thrifty/Payless became Rite Aid. It's still empty, and still retains much of the same interior package. If you compare the postcard of Ramona Plaza to how the former Thrifty looks today, you'll notice that the exterior wall was reconfigured when the store had it's interior remodeled years back. The entry doors were moved west almost at the center of the building and the windows were slightly reconfigured. Other than a paint job and completely different stores, it's the same as it was in the postcard. I actually worked in this shopping center for about a year, and it's not exactly a place you'd want to hang out at during the night. I believe there was actually a shooting at Ramona Plaza a few months back. The center is in total need of a major facade remodel and 24 hour security.
Barstow2Needles wrote: Speaking of the Hemet Mall, I visited the Gottschalks the day before they closed for good and snapped some pics. Here is a photo of the labelscar of the short-lived "Harris-Gottschalks" outfit (see below). You mentioned that the mall was recently re-painted--do you mean the inside and/or outside? When we visited in July the exterior had a gray-beige-brown color scheme while the inside had plain white-washed walls. I like how the inside of the mall still uses early 1980's brown and orange decorative floor tiles next to the benches :-)
The exterior of the mall was completely repainted in June. The exterior was mostly a light tan and a sage green, while the front entry was bright orange, purple and dark green. It looks much better now. The mall has been completely untouched since 1980, with the exception of removing a few stores directly next to JC Penny to allow expansion for Sears in 1998. Ca Glendale Federal Bank was demolished in 2002 and replaced with 7,000 of retail space for the mall including Hemet's first Starbucks, Panda Express and ATT. The mall has roughly 30 stores, many of which are currently empty. It was in the works to completely remodel and expand the mall, but the economy has put that to a halt. MC Strauss the current owners of the mall since 2003 had already traded land with the Hemet Unified School District in order to gain the school district building behind the mall to allow expansion. The old HUSD site is currently empty land.

If you look at GoogleMaps, the mall has a lot of room to expand. In high school, I held various jobs at the mall and was told by mall management that the mall was built to easily expand another wing to the North and add a second level. In recent years, the mall has gained a Chili's (built on the site of a former Sheri's restaurant, and for a while a Tex-Mex restaurant ran by the Church of Scientology {which is headquartered in Hemet}), but is now just mostly shoe stores and mom and pop "Womens Fashions" stores.
As nostalgic as it may be to set foot in a very small, perfectly intact mall from 1980, it's not very practical for the city of Hemet. Most people drive to Temecula, Riverside or Moreno Valley to shop. There really isn't much at the Hemet Valley Mall anymore. The Gottschalks interior is almost completely intact as well, the only thing that has changed is some of the lighting, bright neon paint on the walls and the removal of the jewelry and shoe dept. Even the carpet is the same, uncleaned and all. Overall though, the interior of the mall has been well maintained throughout the years. It just needs a major facelift.
Dean
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

Plenty of commercials for the new WINCO in Hemet have been airing.

Did they assume a vacant location?
Jeff
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Jeff »

Dean wrote:Plenty of commercials for the new WINCO in Hemet have been airing.

Did they assume a vacant location?
Negative, they are building a store ground up:
94,000-square-foot WinCo Foods Supermarket is expected to anchor a new major retail center on the northeast corner of Florida Avenue and Myers Street, Assistant City Manager Duane Baker said.

Baker said he does not know exactly when WinCo plans to open but said the company has entered into an agreement with the developers of Florida Promenade, a planned 20-acre center.
Also, I find this funny. Wow, I guess real estate must be cheap!:
Red Robin plans to open a 55,000-square-foot, 200-seat restaurant on the north side of Florida Avenue between Lyon Avenue and Kirby Street, across from Mimi's Cafe.
Dean
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Dean »

Another swing through Hemet, along Florida/Hwy 74.

Truly is a flash to the past...with so many evident/former businesses:

Naugles=La Cabana--the first site as you go east.
Wienerschnitzl=La Cabana--the 2nd one (address is 2244).

Naugles=former site is now Del Taco (towards the end of Florida/74)

Chili's=looks like when the new Chili's (mentioned above) was built...the former Chili's became Polly's Pies. Just parking separates the buildings!

Taco Bell=former site is now Las Bonitas

Burger King=former site is now Gus Jr.

Pioneer Chicken=former site is now Sushi Ray

Coco's=former site is vacant

Long's=former site mentioned above, is a furniture store and is closing. All the mirrors are still around the edges of the ceiling...typical of Long's.

Market Basket=now Staples & 99 Cent store (mentioned above). Site looks REALLY odd. 99 remodeled 1/2 of the facade of the former MB. So, Staples has the MB arch...and 99 has a straight facade!
Bearhawke
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Re: Hemet CA

Post by Bearhawke »

Dean wrote:Another swing through Hemet, along Florida/Hwy 74.

Truly is a flash to the past...with so many evident/former businesses:

Naugles=La Cabana--the first site as you go east.
Wienerschnitzl=La Cabana--the 2nd one (address is 2244).

Naugles=former site is now Del Taco (towards the end of Florida/74)

Chili's=looks like when the new Chili's (mentioned above) was built...the former Chili's became Polly's Pies. Just parking separates the buildings!

Taco Bell=former site is now Las Bonitas

Burger King=former site is now Gus Jr.

Pioneer Chicken=former site is now Sushi Ray

Coco's=former site is vacant

Long's=former site mentioned above, is a furniture store and is closing. All the mirrors are still around the edges of the ceiling...typical of Long's.

Market Basket=now Staples & 99 Cent store (mentioned above). Site looks REALLY odd. 99 remodeled 1/2 of the facade of the former MB. So, Staples has the MB arch...and 99 has a straight facade!
Having driven through Hemet a few times; I catch that vibe as well......

California in a lot of regards is a 'time capsule'; many areas from 30-100 years ago don't look all that different in basic architecture/layout.
Bearhawke in Arizona
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