Then and now: Al Tahoe Market
Al Tahoe Market
Photo/Lake Tahoe Historical Society
This building fronting Highway 50 and Harrison Avenue in Al Tahoe was owned by Frank Globin from the 1920s. It included a gas station, grocery store, bar and restaurant, and a U.S. Post Office.
It also featured hotel rooms upstairs.
The building today. Photo/Bill Kingman
A fire in the spring of 1956 destroyed most of the building, but surviving today is its historic south end with the classic stone chimney, steep roof, and a basement (unique in Tahoe).
It has housed Rojo’s Tavern since the mid-1970s. Previously, it was named Felix’s.
— Bill Kingman
Bill Kingman, I definetly prefer the appearence of the old Globins Al Tahoe Market compared to the way it looks now. At least Rojo’s still stands, fireplace, basement and all.
Maybe when the Harrison Avenue project gets underway that building can be restored to its former glory. Don’t know if that’s in the plans but it would sure look much better than the box buildings that are there now. OLS
I agree with OLS (which I often do). The current building looks like a design inspired by a shoe box. Hopefully the other improvements in the area serve as a catalyst for restoring this to something more in keeping with the historic structure.
OLS:
“Maybe when the Harrison Avenue project gets underway that building can be restored to its former glory. Don’t know if that’s in the plans but it would sure look much better than the box buildings that are there now.”
The City’s Harrison Avenue Streetscape Project will only be making improvements to Harrison Avenue and many of the surrounding streets. From what I’ve heard at the City Council meetings their hope is that once the City makes the improvements to that area the property owners will take the initiative to make improvements to their structures. It’s my understanding that John Cefalu owns the old Globin Building and I’ve heard it rumored that he planned on selling it as soon as the Harrison Avenue project was approved by the City Council or shortly thereafter. If there’s any truth to that maybe the old Globin Building will stand a chance of being restored to something similar to its former glory rather than what Cefalu left as something looking like it was dropped from a dog with square intestines.
4 mer. , You are uninformed sir. The building you refer to is not owned by Mr. Cefelu. Check your facts.
Mr. Pierini:
I have heard Mr. Cefalu speak at numerous City Council meetings over the years regarding his ownership of property on Harrison and believe in the past I have heard more than one Councilmember say that Cefalu owned the Globin Building. But perhaps I am incorrect. However, what I stated was that it was “my understanding”; I did not state that it was an “unequivocal fact”.
Also, Mr. Cefalu’s name is not spelled “Cefelu”. Check your spelling.
I think he owns the goblin bldg., that has the laundry mat, gift shop,dog groomer and the sandwich shop.
4mer, I’ll admit my spelling error. You were wrong, admit it.
Lou Pierini:
Did you not read what I wrote?
Must be a very slow Saturday morning at the pawn shop.
ipanic:
That’s the same thing I thought.
4mer, Why don’t you correct your understanding and your comments, they were wrong and your thoughts are wrong.
Wow, it did look much better.
Lou Pierini:
Those are your assumptions to which you’re entitled in your need to be correct.
I thought the building was owned by the Fishers and Ted Wolfe and one other person that I can’t remember their name,
Bill. do you have any pictures of the Old Globins Chalet, that was quite a place in it’s day. Thanks for all of your pictures.
I believe Mr. Cefalu owns the building where the laundromat is. . .not the one in the picture. . .
In the 60’s that building was home to Ink’s Market (Sacramento) and at the end where the sandwich shop is now was a two-bay gas station. . . As to Ink’s, several of my friends from high school (just down the street – the “Middle School”) – Jon Ledyard, Jeff Edwards, and his older brother, Kenny, worked there as ‘bag boys’ – that neighborhood was very vital, with the Snowflake (owned by the Tates), Ink’s, its’ own gas station, and Little Mac’s the high school hang-out with the jukebox (where Sprouts is now (not parallel to 50, but perpendicular in the end spot): a 6-stool counter, and several small tables, but jammed every day at lunch (open campus) due to the music . . .
‘Little Mac’, of course, was massive. . .