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San Luis Obispo, CA--SAFEWAY location

Posted: 15 Jan 2007 17:19
by Dean
The SAFEWAY in San Luis Obispo CA on Marsh became VONS. VONS then left. PayLess drugstore essentially demolished the building and built a new store. When they did this...they changed the front of the store to face Johnson. I believe the site is now RiteAid.

When VONS converted the site in 1989...they hosted a SINGLES NIGHT @ VONS. Where one was to MEAT YOUR MATE. (Yes, that is how they spelled MEET!) The radio station was there live. Nuts & Bolts were passed out as you entered the store. Yes, one was supposed to SCREW @ VONS by searching for the member of the opposite sex to see if your nut & bolt set fit. The radio station really played this event up! True Story!

Posted: 15 Jan 2007 23:53
by surfingdude
Payless did not demolish the 1950's era Safeway/Vons at this location, but remodeled the building to move the facade from Marsh St to Johnson Avenue. This was done in response to the neighborhood outcry over the loss of the only remaining supermarket in the downtown area. Scolari's of California then purchased the old Telegram-Tribune newspaper plant next door, demolished that old building, and co-developed a new shopping center along with Payless which faced Johnson Avenue.

Posted: 16 Jan 2007 00:51
by Dean
surfingdude wrote:Payless did not demolish the 1950's era Safeway/Vons at this location, but remodeled the building to move the facade from Marsh St to Johnson Avenue. This was done in response to the neighborhood outcry over the loss of the only remaining supermarket in the downtown area. Scolari's of California then purchased the old Telegram-Tribune newspaper plant next door, demolished that old building, and co-developed a new shopping center along with Payless which faced Johnson Avenue.
thanks Dude for the clarification on the PayLess remodel. You may possibly know this...but I had been told that the ORIGINAL French Hospital is across the street from this center. The front of SAFEWAY had faced the old building on Marsh. The last time I was in the area...I think it was a rust-ish color. I THINK there were crosses (like the Red Cross) on top...in the concrete or something.

Posted: 16 Jan 2007 22:58
by surfingdude
Dean: I will have to ressearch that when I have some time. That building looked old when I was a kid. I always thought it was haunted!

Posted: 17 Jan 2007 05:04
by Dean
surfingdude wrote:Dean: I will have to ressearch that when I have some time. That building looked old when I was a kid. I always thought it was haunted!
Hey DUDE!

I had been told that that building was the original French Hospital. I believe I walked/drove behind it one time...and could see the areas that essentially would have been receiving for patients & supplies. For futher information, I was informed to read THE CLINIC. The author is James Kerr.

It is supposed to be fiction...yet I had been told that it was essentially the story of Dr. French...and how he ran the original hospital. Possibly the "haunted" feeling you had?!

Last time I was at the current French Hospital...his pix was in the lobby...or in the hall near the ER/pay phones.

I had to purchase the book @ a used bookstore in SLO. I bet you can ask...and they either have it...or can direct you where to find it. I doubt it is in print. I just checked online...it is available @ YAHOO AUCTIONS for $1 + shipping!

I still have my copy....and just got it off the shelf. I am now compelled to read it again...as I read it in 1990!

Re: San Luis Obispo, CA--SAFEWAY location

Posted: 24 Jul 2009 19:22
by Dean
This was a Marina-style store, correct?

Picture of old hospital building that faces this former Safeway:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... G%26um%3D1
26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

There is a newer shot on Google images...yet, it is not transferring the URL...

Re: San Luis Obispo, CA--SAFEWAY location

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 02:10
by enginecapt
Dean wrote:
Picture of old hospital building that faces this former Safeway:
That's where my tonsils came out, the old French Hospital.

Re: San Luis Obispo, CA--SAFEWAY location

Posted: 10 Aug 2022 14:53
by Aqualung56
Back in the 70's when I was a teen/early 20's I worked night shift in Orange County. Any time I had 2 nights in a row off, I'd cruise up to SLO/Morro Bay. I had a couple packs of Camels and a lot of good music. I'd always go into the Safeway there, buy a couple things and use their restroom. Then I'd drive around back and roll a number in my car. Then drive around and blaze up! Find the cheapest motel room in either SLO or MB. Great memories!