3416 Semmes Ave - Before and After

Today we have a contribution from a reader named Richard with a great picture of his wife's grandfather's Service Station:

"3416 Semmes Avenue at the triangle where Forest Hill Ave (ne Bainbridge St) and Semmes Ave meet. Currently the location of Coqui Cyclery.

This is my wife's grandfather, James H. Brown, at the first of his four service stations, and an unidentified employee.

Visible in the picture is Patrick Henry School (still in use) and the house at 3313 Semmes Avenue. Also visible in the picture are the power lines for the electric street car that ran on Semmes until 1949."

Here's what the building looks like in 2013:

400 Block of East Grace St - Before and After

Here's a shot of West Grace Street downtown from close to 40 years ago, and a modern comparison. Although all these stores are currently empty, there's a lot going on around this stretch of Grace Street these days with 525 at the Berry Burke, Pasture, and the Rappahannock Restaurant just a block or two away. The two main signs in the 1975 shot—Alan Furs and Rooke Dickerson Shoes—Are still there today, just painted over.

1975:

2012:

1975 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

The National - 1929

Here's a great photo from Dementi Studio of The National taken in 1929. At the time, The National was part of Richmond's Theater Row on Broad Street, some of which can be seen here: The Broadway, The Colonial, and in the distance The Orpheum and the Bijou.

Photo courtesy of Dementi Studio

Shockoe Bottom - Before and After

Today we take a look at what was the Hampton-McCurdy House at 18th and Main St in Shockoe Bottom.

First up, early 1900s:

Here's how this same corner looks today:

Top photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Second Best Thing You Ever Put Into Your Mouth

Hee's a great ad for The Chicken Box from the October 19-25, 1982 issue of VCU's Commonwealth Times. Looks like this building is now occupied by the Eastern Express. LOVE their tagline...

Ad courtesy of VCU Libraries

Broad Street - Winter 1969

Broad Street in downtown Richmond, looking West, in January of 1969.

Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

300 block of East Grace St - Before and After

1975:

2012:

1975 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Obama caused the death of Bill's Barbecue?

A new ad from Mitt Romney rests the blame for the closing of Bill's Barbecue squarely on the shoulders of Barack Obama. Let me take a step into the political arena for the first time in the two year history of this blog and say that his claim is completely ridiculous. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments.

C.F. Sauer - 1920s

Congratulations to C.F. Sauer on their 125th anniversary this month! Today's pic comes from a reader named Beth whose Great Uncle saved the picture below of C.F. Sauer employees and their families from what looks to be sometime in the 1920s. I'll be posting more pictures in the future from Beth's Great Uncle...

Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

Bill's Barbecue menu - 1970

Bill's Barbecue opened their first location in 1931. They closed their last 3 restaurants yesterday. Here's a 1970 menu from Bill's.

Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

Photo courtesy of The Valentine Richmond History Center

Battle Axe Shoe Company - 1909, Whole Foods - 2013?

Richmond BizSense has a story about a representative from Whole Foods touring the old Department of Taxation building at 2220 West Broad Street in the city. Personally, I'd rather see a Target or Wegmans in this location. In a previous life this building was the Battle Axe Shoe Company, below is a picture of the building from 1909. Not a whole lot has changed on the front of the building in 100+ years, although Broad Street is now (thankfully) paved!

Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Ukrop's - 1965

The Italianate Building on the canal walk

Here's some info from Richmond BizSense regarding the development of the old Reynolds Metals buildings on the canal downtown.

First, the owner of The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing will be opening the new 5700 sq ft Casa del Barco in the "Italianate Building." And speaking of that building, The Locks is the name given to 4 of the buildings along the canal that are being transformed into apartments.

2200 East Broad Street, Church Hill - Before and after

This has to be one of my favorite pictures that I've come across while doing this blog. This is the side of what I guess was a market at 2200 East Broad St in Church hill, circa 1966. Was this a market back then? Because it's a residence now. The full before and after shot is below. First up is a cropped version, centering on the signs and the two men sitting on the brick wall. LOVE this shot.

Next up is the full before and after version. While I like that this building has survived and looks fantastic today, I have to admit I miss the cool signs on the side of the building.

1966 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Thalhimers "Hippie" ads - Early 1970s

Some great Wrangler Jean/Thalhimers ads from 1970 and 1971. Gotta love that tagline: Wremember the "W" is Silent.

1970:

1970:

1971:

Ads courtesy of the University of Richmond's Boatwright Library/Digital Initiatives

Before And After - Broad Street at 1st - 1985

Today's Before And After comes from August of 1985. Although all the buildings are still intact, there's been lots of changes to the businesses over the last 27 years, and the addition of trees. But Harvey's Progressive Barber Shop still remains, even with the same sign!

1985

2012

Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Update on the former Triangle Adult Book Store

The Richmond Times-Dispatch had a story and photo yesterday on the transformation of Triangle Book Store (first mentioned here) into En Su Boca. It gives some insight into the building's past, and the photo below (not the best, I had to scan it from the newspaper) gives a hint to what the interior looks like. Text of the article is below the photo.

The difficult task of converting the former home of a pornographic bookstore into a dining establishment has fallen to restaurateur Patrick Stamper.

Stamper, who also co-owns Bellytimber Tavern in Richmond, is renovating the former Triangle bookstore — which sold adult movies, toys and was equipped with private viewing booths — on the Boulevard.

"It was gross," he said about cleaning and tearing up the building's interior.

The new restaurant, which is expected to open this spring, will be called En Su Boca, an upscale San Francisco-style taqueria. He's bringing in San Francisco chef Eric Stangarone to help develop the menu.

The process of converting the eyesore began several weeks ago.

Stamper said he decided to tackle the space because it was a good location for a restaurant — as well as a service to the community.

"Look around. You've got a baseball stadium (and a) popular movie theater right up the road" and several established restaurants, he said, referring to The Diamond, Movieland at Boulevard Square, Buz & Ned's and Stronghill Dining Co.

"I see (En Su Boca) as the kind of place people can sit outside on a summer night, have a margarita and watch the fireworks."

Transforming the building is a difficult, labor-intensive process, but Stamper said he's encouraged by what he's finding under the detritus of the bookstore: the shell of the original gas station.

The building was a gas station in the 1950s and '60s before converting to a porn shop in the 1970s. It was sold last year.

"It's a really solid place," Stamper said.

The 1,300-square-foot building is small, but he hopes to knock out a back wall and add a few hundred square feet. He also plans to incorporate the bay door to open up to outside seating.

He think most people eventually will forget what the space used to be. But that's not happening yet.

"At least once a day somebody stops by looking for the porn shop," Stamper said.

Photo and story courtesy of The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Vintage Triangle Adult Book Store

The former Triangle Book Store at 1001 West Boulevard is getting a makeover. In case you haven't driven by since they started renovations, there's some fantastic signage on the old gas station underneath the awful vinyl siding. I don't know what I love more, the great "Movies" banner on the front, or the unnecessary apostrophe in "Book's" on the side. Anyone know how long Triangle was there for?

The building will soon become a taquería called En Su Boca, which means "in your mouth." They're months from opening, and judging by the new owners' sense of humor I like the place already. :-)

Click the photos below for the high resolution images.

Here's what it's looked like for at least the last 20 years:

Elvis (and friend) at the Jefferson Hotel Coffee Shop - 1956

"With his date for the day, whom he met at the Jefferson Hotel, Elvis has a bowl of soup at the hotel coffee shop while showing her the script for The Steve Allen Show."

Make sure to check out "Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer" at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, running through March 18th. And this Sunday the 8th from 1-3pm, Barbara Gray, the "Mystery Woman" from the photo below, and others will help celebrate Elvis' birthday, sign autographs and pose for photos.

Photo courtesy of Alfred Wertheimer/the VMFA

Broad Street - Thalhimers - 1969

What better way to celebrate the first official day of the holiday shopping season than a picture of Broad Street and Thalhimers from (near the end of) it's heyday?

This is Broad Street looking east from January of 1969. You can still see the large plastic candles and Christmas trees in the median. Also note the Wards TV store (later Circuit City), and The Towne (now The National) showing Funny Girl. West Hospital is in the distance, as is the crane and yellow tarps that signal the beginnings of the "new" City Hall.

Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries