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West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 05 Oct 2008 21:32
by luckysaver
The early 1950's era Country Club Center on Citrus Ave at the 10 Freeway will soon undergo a major facelift/modernization/complete renovation, according to a sign on Garvey Ave South adjacent to the only modern unit of the center (Conoco 76 Gas Station, renovated about 2 years ago). New tenants are possible along with retaining the current tenants.

This shopping center in West Covina was built to serve the then newly opened South Hills Golf Course. The buildings are original (except the gas station) and when you enter the parking lot, you actually feel like going back in time to the 1950's - almost original street lighting, buildings, paint, store signs (see the Country Club Liquors sign).

To give you an idea of what the area was like, the adjacent 10 freeway was converted from an old expressway (US 70-99) in 1957 and Westfield Eastland (old Eastland Mall) just opened on the other side of the freeway (anchored by that huge 5-level May Company). Much of the neighborhood surrounding the area were also built at the same time. Supermarket-wise, the Albertsons Savon at Eastland opened as Hiram's in 1957 (later Lucky in the early 1960's), along with Longs Drugs (current building later). Also, Montgomery Ward (now IKEA) opened at around the same time.

luckysaver

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 05 Oct 2008 23:54
by Jeff
This center had a very early Trader Joes location. It was thriving for many years until Eastland died, then this center slowly started to die.

The 76 station is the only one I know that has 100 Octane gas (for like $7 a gallon now)

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 17 Oct 2008 12:48
by luckysaver
When did Trader Joe's open and when did it disappear?

Perhaps it lost business to the nearby Lucky (now Albertsons) and Alpha Beta (later Ralphs, now vacant) and the rest of Eastland.

luckysaver

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 17 Oct 2008 14:30
by Jeff
It had to have closed in the late 80's. I dont recall.

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 20 Oct 2008 12:21
by runchadrun
The Trader Joe's was the easternmost store in the chain along I-10 until about 1990-91 when the Redlands store opened. I know it was still open until about that time because I would shop there when I would take the 10 back from LA to Redlands.

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Posted: 13 Feb 2009 17:27
by Jan
I can't remember when Trader Joe's, which took over the old Pronto Market location, closed, but if I remember correctly, they got into some kind of dispute with the city about something (sorry I'm so hazy on the details), and left as a result.