Lucky Alma Plaza - Palo Alto
This Lucky Store which opened in January 1956 remained virtually unchanged until closing in March 2005, and was the last former Lucky which still had the sign tower, once signature to all late 1940s-mid 1950s Lucky Stores. Most Lucky's used a "3-square tower", which was a metaphoric symbol to 3 square meals a day. However, in a few stores, like this one, sign ordinances restricted the towers to 2 squares. This location was supposed to be the embryo of "Shopper's World", a community-sized shopping center which would have had a W.T. Grant junior department store. For whatever reason, this never panned out, and "Alma Plaza", a neighborhood shopping center was built adjacent to the store instead. Sadly, this store was demolished in 2010, and mixed-use housing and retail replaced it.
Right-hand side of building, with the iconic two-square Lucky Stores tower. Also note the gravel roof, as well as the expanse of windows along that wall, looking into the produce department.
Found 1999 photos from angel.org/almaplaza, taken by Johnathan Angel. The website was taken down, but luckily, I had saved these photos.
Lucky Alma Plaza - Palo Alto
This Lucky Store which opened in January 1956 remained virtually unchanged until closing in March 2005, and was the last former Lucky which still had the sign tower, once signature to all late 1940s-mid 1950s Lucky Stores. Most Lucky's used a "3-square tower", which was a metaphoric symbol to 3 square meals a day. However, in a few stores, like this one, sign ordinances restricted the towers to 2 squares. This location was supposed to be the embryo of "Shopper's World", a community-sized shopping center which would have had a W.T. Grant junior department store. For whatever reason, this never panned out, and "Alma Plaza", a neighborhood shopping center was built adjacent to the store instead. Sadly, this store was demolished in 2010, and mixed-use housing and retail replaced it.
Right-hand side of building, with the iconic two-square Lucky Stores tower. Also note the gravel roof, as well as the expanse of windows along that wall, looking into the produce department.
Found 1999 photos from angel.org/almaplaza, taken by Johnathan Angel. The website was taken down, but luckily, I had saved these photos.