Then and now: Raley’s center near Stateline changes through time
The 1965 photo, at left, shows Raley’s, an original occupant in the then-named Crescent V Center near Stateline, built in 1962.
Adjacent was Lawrence’s Department Store in the space now occupied by Sports LTD.
Beyond the right of the photo was the Cream Puff Bakery, U.S. Post Office, Candlewick Gifts, coffee shop, I. Magnin, Tahoe National Bank and others.
Later in the 1960s at the left end of Raley’s was added Perry Boys’ Smorgy restaurant.
Lawrence’s had moved from its original building now occupied by Chevy’s Restaurant on Highway 50 near Ski Run Boulevard. I recall that the original Lawrence’s building then became Lawrence’s Economy Store, later an arts and crafts store, then Epominanda’s (Eppie’s) Restaurant, Carlos Murphy’s, and now Chevy’s.
The Crescent V Center was totally rebuilt with added retail buildings in the last decade and now is named Village Center.
The 2012 photo shows the remodeled Raley’s.
— Bill Kingman
In 1965 was that A-frame building (or what some folks I’ve known jokingly referred to as ‘the clue check’ for the folks headed to the casinos) on the NW corner of the parking lot?
It’s truly “a trip down memory lane.” Thanks Bill.
And before these was a beautiful open area with Jack VanSyckles Horseback Riding Stable
Crescent V Center was the first big shopping center on So. Shore when it opened in the early 60’s. I was there for the opening ceremony. They had erected a really tall steel tower in the parking lot and this stunt man climbed to the top and dove into a little portable pool set up at ground level.
Perry boys was where some of my friends and I would meet once in awhile to chow down. Out front there were 3 big pictures mounted on the wall showing each one of the 3 “Perry Boys”.
Bill, you mentioned Lawrences Economy Store, thats where my folks would take me to get my new school clothes. Gotta look sharp at Bijou elementary!
Kae, Bill Kingman, please keep the “Then and Now” as a permanent fixture in Lake Tahoe News. Lots of people I know really enjoy it and it’s a welcome relief from all the name calling and bickering that goes on here.
Thank you, Old Long Skiis
Bill Kingman,
I just rememberd this. There was a radio commercial for Cream Puff bakery, that had a slogan,”Home of the crazy baker”. Do you or anyone else recall that? Old Long Skiis
I went to Lawrence’s a lot…if I needed an accessory they had exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the picture.
The freestanding building on the streetside next to Pioneer Trail (before the extension of the center where the art gallery is now) was built as an I. Magnin store (their very first store after San Francisco; very high end, even more so than Joseph Magnin, which had more of a “chain”) – that’s what made the South Lake Tahoe I. Magnin store unique and exclusive to us at that time.
Lawrence’s was originally in the now Chevy’s before moving into the brand-new Crescent V; the girl friend then of a now-retired Judge (contemporaries of mine) was Lawrence’s “buyer” – her family ran “Old McDonald’s” just up Ski Run Blvd. Lawrence’s department store when on Highway 50 was across the street from an Orange Julius, fronting the street side of Earhart’s Motel – their eldest son, Danny, was killed in Vietnam just before his 21st birthday. Catty-corner from Earhart’s was the Burger Bar, with it’s “latest hits” jukebox (roughly where the new KFC is now, in the older Ski Run Center. . .
Big, The A-frame on the N.E. corner across from cecils market was a tourist info. center.
Big, the freestanding building on the S.W. corner, now torn down, was a bank and I think I.Magnin was on the corner of the L shape center with space between it and the bank building.
Willie the crazy baker!
Remember the candy store that was inside Raley’s? I remember watching peanut brittle being made there. It was a treat for my sister and I to get 50 cents worth jelly beans, etc
I still miss Lawrence’s. I miss the Outdoorsman, too.
Robert,
Thanks for that! I remember it now, sung as a little jingle on the radio ad. “Willieee, the craazzy baker, king of the Crescent V”. At least thats how I recall it.
Thanks again to all of you who can still remember all this stuff. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Gary Bowen, good call on the Burger Bar,(best damn burgers in town at the time), Old McDonalds, Earhart Motel and Orange Julius. For a short time Old McDonalds had an outdoor slot car track behind the small building on Ski Run with a parachute suspended from the trees to provide cover from the falling pine needles. Not a very good track, but hey, it was close to home!
Okay old timers, put on your thinking caps. When the Police Dept. was where Nel’s hardware is now, what was the business next door and it’s name. Easy one. Old Long Skiis
In the 70’s there was a guy who sold tour boat tickets, casino show tickets, lift tickets, tram tickets, motel rooms, and anything else he could get his hands on and mark up, at an A-Frame in the Crescent V parking lot at the corner of Hwy 50 & Park. A very colorful character, as many were in those times.
It was Joseph Magnin’s not I. Magnin’s! LOVED that store!!
Old, amusement park?
I sit corrected: Yes, Joseph Magnin!
After which, it became “David Grace” using the first names of its owners, I believe.
You can left-click ON any LTN photos to enlarge.
Sorry – the above reference to I. Magnin was correct; Joseph only had stores in places like Carmel & Palm Springs; as mentioned above, the Tahoe I. Magnin was the first one built beyond Union Square (just before David Grace, and the Pawn Shop ) . . .
I believe David Grace was each the middle name of Bill and Abby Killebrew
Paul, That is what I was told. I don,t know weather it was I or J but one was at the Cal Neva on the N. shore. The one here was part of the center not the pawn shop building Gary.
Lou ,
I was suggesting an amphitheater for the hole. Someone else came up with the idea for a ferris wheel,and that was not me.
Back to the “Crescent V”. As I recall that little A frame on the corner was a place that handed out pamphlets and brochures for local bussineses and because it sat at the corner of a sloping paking lot it also collected a fair amount of run away shopping carts!
Magnins was THE classiest store on So. Shore back then. My mom went there alot. But then as someone else pointed out, so was the Outdoorsman, an excellent store in that same time frame.
Going back in time, Old Long Skiis
Good one copper! Yes the pool hall and the PD shared a restroom that was located between the PD and the pool hall.
Across the street was the old Safeway which had been closed for years, which later was to become the first rock and roll place on So.Shore, The Sanctuary, and then after that became the Funhouse. Santana, Buddy Miles, Steve Miller, Wayne”the harp”with Aum and so many others performed there.
Lottsa good memories from that part of town… actually all of So. Shore really.
Old Long Skiis, “the So. Shore kid”.
Love hearing the stories of old. I remember the dept. store, and also lots of other great stores one could actually shop……Sierra Book Store? Heavenly Sports store? Now, not so much.
I remember all that good stuff and places – having a McDonald’s come to town just had my kid friends and me so excited! Does anybody remember the “Tog Shop”? My mom used to shop there.