In this shot from 1949, we’re seeing Googie’s coffee shop under construction next to Schwab’s Pharmacy at 8100 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. Although I’ve seen photos of Googie’s before, viewing it from this front-on angle, it strikes me how weird it must have looked to 1940s Angelenos, all those acute angles and unprecedented shapes. Passers-by must have wondered what on Earth they were building. I also like this photo because it shows the market on the other side of Schwab’s that we never get to see because photographers always focus on the pharmacy. Ironically, the Crescent Heights Market was much, much bigger than its famous neighbor.

This is what’s there now. This image is from February 2021.