West Covina's Country Club Center

Moderator: Groceteria

Post Reply
luckysaver
Veteran
Posts: 295
Joined: 22 Feb 2007 17:10

West Covina's Country Club Center

Post 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
Jeff
Veteran
Posts: 940
Joined: 21 Nov 2005 21:44

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Post 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)
luckysaver
Veteran
Posts: 295
Joined: 22 Feb 2007 17:10

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Post 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
Jeff
Veteran
Posts: 940
Joined: 21 Nov 2005 21:44

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Post by Jeff »

It had to have closed in the late 80's. I dont recall.
User avatar
runchadrun
Veteran
Posts: 618
Joined: 27 Dec 2005 14:29
Location: Granada Hills (Los Angeles), CA
Contact:

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Post 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.
Jan
Contributor
Posts: 10
Joined: 11 Feb 2009 22:56
Location: southern California

Re: West Covina's Country Club Center

Post 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.
Post Reply