West Seattle history: What’s beneath the Talarico’s facade

talaricosign
12:54 PM: Thanks to David Williams for the photo and first word that a bit of Junction history is exposed right now – in front of Talarico’s Pizzeria at 4718 California SW. The restaurant doesn’t open until 3 today so we haven’t yet reached anyone to ask for details of the work (and the sign’s fate) but an online permit filing has the notation, “Install 45 lineal feet of rigid canopy on storefront with no signage or graphics.” Meantime, Mike Phelps also sent a photo, which we’ve cropped for a closer look:

phelpsphoto

Mike adds, “The revealed signage predates (the old) New Luck Toy. Predates me; interesting to see if any readers remember or have photos.” The recently released West Seattle Junction Historical Survey says this building dates to 1950.

1:51 PM: As “Chemist” points out in comments, the address is identified on this Junction-history site as having belonged to “Star Radio” before New Luck Toy in 1950.

5:30 PM: During a brief stop at Talarico’s this afternoon, we learned this work is part of a bit of remodeling of the entire front, including the windows. The sign, we’re told, is from when Schuck’s was in part of the building. No plans to preserve it, so if you’re interested in seeing it in person, get down there fast. The work is only expected to take a few days.

20 Replies to "West Seattle history: What's beneath the Talarico's facade"

  • Chemist May 16, 2016 (1:11 pm)

    Star Radio “Parts/Accessories signage” ?

    http://historicwestseattle.blogspot.com/2011/10/4718-california-ave-sw.html

    • WSB May 16, 2016 (1:33 pm)

      Thanks, C. That your site? I happened onto it a while back and can’t find any trace of who made it – though most of its thorough entries are dated February 2013, obviously someone is continuing to update it, as, for example, the Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) Junction storefront is shown, and they didn’t move until last year. – TR

      • chemist May 16, 2016 (1:50 pm)

        Nope, not my site, but pretty informative.

        I did see this in the entry for 4716 so maybe the signage was some spillover from a Shucks. That might make more sense than me thinking “1950 torn down” would keep a facade from a radio shop (or a Bon Marche appliance store before that).

        http://historicwestseattle.blogspot.com/2011/10/4716-california-ave-sw.html

        “Building remodeled in 1968 to combine 4716 and 4718 into one address (4718). No further listing of this address after 1969

        1969 – Vacant
        1941-1969 – Shuck’s Auto Supply (3/50 – building torn down, new building built)”

        • WSB May 16, 2016 (2:06 pm)

          Good point … there aren’t and weren’t that many “accessories” you could offer for radio. But as a former broadcaster, I’m still charmed by the idea of a store focused on radios. Other references I’m finding to “Star Radio” suggest that repair might have been their specialty.

        • Roddy May 17, 2016 (9:29 am)

          When I created the West Seattle Junction site, I wanted to list every address I came across in my research. Many of these addresses do not exist at present. It could be that older buildings were torn down, two addresses combined into one, or any number of reasons. Usually, when multiple addresses occupy one building, I’ve listed all of the addresses on a single page. I probably should have used this approach for 4716-4718, and I will change it when time permits. Thanks.

          Rod

  • Fiz May 16, 2016 (1:46 pm)

    Wow, what a great website!   I will be spending a lot of hours on it. 

    Kudos and many thanks to its author.   

  • dsa May 16, 2016 (1:47 pm)

    New Luck Toy had a long run.

  • workdowntown May 16, 2016 (1:49 pm)

    We were inside Sound Advise this weekend – they have a great old photo of the junction.  I think you can find the name of this parts place on there. 

    • WSB May 16, 2016 (1:51 pm)

      Thanks, WD. I suspect what “Chemist” came up with, Star Radio, is likely the answer – “parts and accessories” would have been big for radio shops before TV really blew up not that many years later …(edit) When we go take a look in a bit, we’ll see if we can get a look at the photo WD mentions!

  • miws May 16, 2016 (1:54 pm)

    There was a Schuck’s Auto Supply in the Junction many decades ago. 

    I think I may have known the address at some time, or at least the general area in the Junction where it was located, but don’t recall right now. 

    I wonder if the sign came from there.

    Mike

  • clark5080 May 16, 2016 (2:01 pm)

    Trying to remember the name of theCamera store that was in the middle of the Easy street block about half way northbound on the west side of California.

  • miws May 16, 2016 (2:12 pm)

    Jim, That was Flair’s  Cameraland. 


    Mike

  • Gina May 16, 2016 (2:19 pm)

    The first baby born in West Seattle in 1951 would have received a gift from the Poultry Shop.

     http://wsh.stparchive.com/Archive/WSH/WSH12281950P06.php

     

    • Lindsey May 16, 2016 (3:42 pm)

      I’m pretty sure we need to bring back the baby derby here in West Seattle. What a great find Gina!

  • clark5080 May 16, 2016 (2:26 pm)

    Thanks Mike 

    • Wayne May 16, 2016 (4:48 pm)

      It was also known as Moran’s Cameraland as well.

      • miws May 16, 2016 (8:01 pm)

        Thanks, Wayne. 

        I had this nagging feeling that it had been known by yet another name, but couldn’t recall it. 

        Mike

  • Joe Bags May 16, 2016 (6:45 pm)

    There was a gas station very close to where Talaricos is or maybe it was where Elliot Bay is now. It was a sister station to where the one used to be on Fauntleroy. The dry cleaner building across from TJs.

  • Roddy May 17, 2016 (9:09 am)

    Thanks for the nice comments on my West Seattle Junction website. I spent a long time putting it together, and I try to update it as much as possible. I guess I’ve never really announced it, as I’m always finding little things to improve. But I guess it’s time. Quite some time ago, I invited the Southwest Seattle Historical Society to link to it from their site, but they haven’t yet. I hope to create similar sites for the Admiral and Morgan junctions as well, as time permits. Anyway, thanks again.

    Rod Moody

    • WSB May 17, 2016 (9:17 am)

      Rod! Of COURSE it’s you. The SWSHS did credit your site in the report I linked above – I noticed that while making a Google search for cross-references. – TR

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