What better shape for a café than a coffee pot? In this circa 1925 photo, we’re treated to the Wilshire Coffee Pot café at 8601 Wilshire Blvd on the northwest corner of Stanley Drive in Beverly Hills. The sign reads: “Stop & sip, Ben-Hur Drip” – the Ben-Hur brand of coffee (which originated San Diego) would have been having a field day at the time with the release of the MGM blockbuster of “Ben-Hur” starring Ramon Novarro. We can also catch a glimpse of one of those large homes that used to line Wilshire back then. These days, that lot is now a gas station. It was inevitable, I suppose, that Wilshire would become a completely commercial thoroughfare but the keeping the odd home home might’ve been a cheery reminder of yesteryear.

That same view in March 2019: