Before I came across this photo, I’d never heard of the F & W Grand-Silver stores, but the people in this crowd who have gathered to watch the grand opening in 1931 sure had. The overall look of it reminds me of the JJ Newberry and Woolworths five-and-dimes on Hollywood Blvd, so I guess Grand-Silver were going for the same aesthetic. But they must have been classier because their sign says, “5 – 10c and $1.00” I wonder if they put the “Cut-rate drugs and soda fountain” place next door out of business.
** UPDATE ** – It seems the company got into financial problems not long after the picture was taken, and apparently went bankrupt. This is an auction notice from the Los Angeles Evening Post Record from June 15, 1932.
Although it’s rather sad and neglected, that building and its Art Deco facade are still around. This image is from February 2023. More info here.
Side panel of Cut Rate says “Thrifty”. Maybe it’s an early store but that name lived well on past this era.
412 S. Broadway is identified as the first Thrifty. Borun Bros. were the founders. Those guys next door got gobbled up into another empire.
Thank God that building has not met with the wrecking ball. How I wish that someone would restore the bottom section of this building. Why not a dollar tree or a store like that?
Such a beautiful building standing empty. What a shame!