In 1932, the Schwab brothers (Bernard, Leon, and Martin) opened a second pharmacy at 8032 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. Their first was in downtown Los Angeles on 6th Street, with subsequent locations at 6255 Hollywood Blvd, 430 N. Roxbury Dr, and 401 N. Bedford Dr. They chose the Sunset Blvd location because it had already been a drugstore, so it required minimal investment on their part. It was also close to the movie studios. This proved to be a smart move because Schwab’s Pharmacy on Sunset Blvd quickly became one of the most popular and famous meeting places in all Los Angeles, especially with the movie crowd.
Here are some of the photos I’ve collected over the years:
Advertisement for Schwab’s Pharmacy in Hollywood Low-Down, May 1935:
The above photo was taken during the construction of Googie’s Coffee Shop next door at at 8100 Sunset Boulevard in the very late 1940s.
The next two photos were taken during the 1950s remodel and expansion.
Question: If you were to identify physically where Schwabs was in the 60s, was it 3 doors from the corner of Crescent Hts. or was it the corner?
It wasn’t on the corner because that’s where Googie’s coffee shop was. Schwab’s was right next door – they shared a wall. So I guess my official answer is: two doors from the Crescent Heights Blvd corner.
Thanks Martin. I’ll make the change in my copy. I’ll give you a line of credit in my book. I’ll let you know when it gets published. Thanks. One’s memory from ’66 gets a little foggy…WM Evensen aka Sweet William
So… where is the sign? Since we now know where the “Garden”sign is. I had made a proposal to WeHo that the “Garden” sign be purchased by the city and displayed in the triangle at Crescent Heights and Sunset ( like the Bullwinkle statue at Holloway and Sunset). The Schwab’s sign would be a nice compliment
Those two signs together would be WONDERFUL!
How can we make this happen?
Do you have a spare $50,000 laying around?
I have a big Schwab’s sign which once had neon. It is not one of the famous ones and I can’t find a picture of it anywhere on the internet. I’m starting to think it is even older than those and that it may be from the Sixth St. location. It just says Schwab’s and nothing else. I can send photos if you like!
I have an old Schwab’s sign but I can’t find any photos of it. I’m starting to think it is even older than the famous ones. It just says Schwab’s and at one time had neon. Any ideas where it is from?