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Today, we shop for groceries at Trader Joe’s, Vons, Pavilions, Bristol Farms, and Grassroots Natural Market. Back in the day, however, local residents frequented the A&P Market, Safeway (Alexander Building), and Model Grocery (Taylor Building) on Mission Street.
With the growing affordability of automobiles and increased traffic from Route 66 (1926-31 alignment) in South Pasadena, a drive thru market was also installed at the corner of Mission Street and Fairview Avenue (Mike and Anne’s restaurant today).
Model Grocery was a popular market at 1022 Mission Street earning a reputation for personalized service that extended from its store to the surrounding neighborhood.
Model Grocery claimed to be “one of the finest grocery establishments in the United States.” Their home delivery of quality store produce and other household items was second to none.
Ashton’s Bakery was another retail food establishment located in the heart of South Pasadena’s business district at 1014 Mission Street. Ashton’s slogan, “The bakery that caused mother to stop baking” due to their famous split-top loaf of course.
Aileen’s Peanut Crisp was a yummy snack to roll up in a handkerchief and smuggle into the Rialto Theater.
Many residents still remember the saddest day in South Pasadena history when in 1974 Fosselman’s Ice Cream closed its South Pasadena store on 1515 Mission Street (the corner building on Fair Oaks and Mission was scheduled for demolition).
THROWBACK THURSDAY IS WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY RICK THOMAS
