J.J. Newberry was a chain of five-and-dime stores (well, technically and quarters, too, according to the sign above the doors.) The Hollywood store was at 6604 Hollywood Blvd at Whitley Ave, and even though it sold inexpensive items, it didn’t scrimp on decorating the exterior. Look at that marvelous grillwork. It’s probably 20 feet above the sidewalk where no passersby can see it, and yet it adds to the fabric of the streetscape.
I do love the typeface they use on their HARDWARE and RADIO signs.
The building is still there, still relatively intact, and still a retail outlet. Currently, it’s the home of Hollywood Toys and Costumes. This image is from July 2022.
Brings back memories! Thanks.
I remember the place had a lunch counter in it, too. In the latter years of the 70’s anyway.
Would you believe I worked there while I was going to Hollywood High in the early ‘60’s?! Woolworth’s down the street, too!
Hey Cecily, was a good place to work? I’d imagine they employed tons of kids for after-school hour and weekends?
My dad worked there in the 70s!
Why in the world would anyone paint that beautiful building blue? Looks like something you would see in Mexico!!!! I don’t get it
I could, of course, be wrong, but I kinda think it’s always been that color.
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I found an article about that address and it indeed was always blue fronted. It doesn’t have exact dates, but opened around 1930 and was Newberry’s until around 1990.
Thanks, I never thought they painted brick buildings back then. It seems to be very common today. I like the natural look of the brick myself, I have been inside that store several times and never knew it’s history.
I would guess based on the black and white photo that it was a much lighter shade of blue than what it is now. What happened to the beautiful rounded display windows? The building just does not look the same sadly.
Yes, those display windows are nice, and although I don’t know exactly, I always attribute changes like that to possibly be because of evolving building codes due to earthquake safety and such.
I worked at this store in the 50s during the Christmas season as a gift wrapper. Thanks for posting this, brought back some nice memories. Steven Stevens
I worked there as an Assistant Manager in 1985. Brings back memories!
You were? I bet a photo like that jogs all sorts of memories!
It’s mentioned briefly in Horace McCoy’s novel, “I Should Have Stayed Home.” At least I think it is–the protagonist is walking in Hollywood and passes a Newberry’s (were there other locations nearby?).
There were other Newberry’s locations but, as far as I know, not near this location. Being the one on Hollywood Blvd, it was one of the best known Newberry’s in LA.
Yes, we lived on McCadden Place twice, at two different addresses (house numbers). Once above, and once below Sunset Boulevard. J.J. Newberry, a good place to buy kids’ clothes that did not break your bank. When we lived there in the 1960s, there were many people who were not well-heeled. Was Buster Brown a store unto itself, or in JJ Newberry’s? Can’ remember those details. Went shopping, especially at Christmas time at the Broadway department store. If you had a little extra cash around that time, they had great things in Christmas goodies from Europe. Graumann’s Chinese was thought to be there always. Well, guess not. Wish I could find an old street map of Hollywood.