Then and now: Bijou center through the years

Young’s Bijou Lodge in the 1920s. Phot0/Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Young’s Bijou Lodge of the 1920s was enlarged in the 1930s to Young’s Bijou Lodge.

The dance hall. Photo/Frasher Photo collection of Pomona Public Library

The adjoining large Bal Bijou dance hall, left, with  the high roof is at the right of the building.

Dave Wakeman recalls that many prominent big-name bands played at Bal Bijou. The tower and coffee shop wings were razed in the 1950s, replaced by a strip of adjoining businesses including the Bijou Post Office.

Young’s Lodge
Photo/Frasher Photo collection of Pomona Public Library

That strip today is Nikki’s Chaat Cafe, adjacent to the original Bal Bijou which now is CVS, still identifiable by that high, steep roof.

Today’s Bijou Center. Photo/Bill Kingman

Since the 1960s, Bal Bijou has housed Ink’s Market, Nay’s Bijou Center Market, the Liquor Barn a d Smart & Final.

— Bill Kingman