I found this video (actually a low-budget TV commercial) showing a quick tour of the former Ralphs on 3130 Colima Road at Hacienda Blvd in Hacienda Heights.
http://www.trimatrixmedia.com/Network_a ... arket.html
Note the two versions (Chinese on the left and English on the right).
It became the family-owned Asian grocery store "Pakai Supermarket". When I drove by last week at around 7PM, it looked dark inside and barely any cars were in the parking lot, so it probably closed.
The store decor is a mixture of both Pakai's and Ralphs. You'll see some of the current Ralphs decor elements on the walls when the camera panned by the meat/seafood department.
luckysaver
Veteran
Yup...site was BARELY open as PAKAI...and it is already closed.
Site was originally ALPHA BETA. It was essentially demolished to the back wall...to open as Ralphs.
With this closure...Hacienda Heights is down to two (2) large grocery chains...with the rest independents.
VONS on Hacienda Blvd and Albertsons on Colima are the sole survivors! Both of these sites originally opened as their current chains.
Site was originally ALPHA BETA. It was essentially demolished to the back wall...to open as Ralphs.
With this closure...Hacienda Heights is down to two (2) large grocery chains...with the rest independents.
VONS on Hacienda Blvd and Albertsons on Colima are the sole survivors! Both of these sites originally opened as their current chains.
Contributor
It's asking me for a password to get on the site. Is there a way to sign up or a back door?
Veteran
wrallen99,
I have the page open right now and it only asks to download the Microsoft Chinese Language Pack so that your browser can read the chinese characters. If you ignore it, the video player opens up, so click "English" to play the quick video tour, which plays perfectly normally (as I am testing it right now). Something may be wrong with your browser as it is not supposed to ask you for a password. This is played using either IE versions 6, 7, and Beta 8.
luckysaver
I have the page open right now and it only asks to download the Microsoft Chinese Language Pack so that your browser can read the chinese characters. If you ignore it, the video player opens up, so click "English" to play the quick video tour, which plays perfectly normally (as I am testing it right now). Something may be wrong with your browser as it is not supposed to ask you for a password. This is played using either IE versions 6, 7, and Beta 8.
luckysaver
Veteran
Dean,
Hacienda Heights was served by these supermarkets between 1961 and today. 1961 is the year North Whittier Heights changed its name to Hacienda Heights.
- Smiths Food King (since 1967) on Hacienda/Gale, later Fabric King/Joann, now vacant
- Lucky, on Gale/Hacienda, later Albertsons, now 99 Cents Only (3/4 of the building)
- Ralphs (as seen in the Pakai video). Residents now use the Whittier store on Colima/Whittier Blvd across from Whittier Hospital Medical Center or the store on Workman Mill/Don Julian near California Country Club (former Alpha Beta)
- Pantry (opened 1978) on Azusa/Colima, later Vons - currently 99 Ranch Market
- Vons (Hacienda and La Monde) - has always been there since the 1960's
- Alpha Beta - Gale/Turnbull Canyon, actually in City of Industry - became Diho Market, then Ralphs, currently Fresco/Payless Foods, the area's only hispanic-based chain.
- Albertsons (Colima/Hacienda) - has always been there since the 1979. I first visited the store as a traditional Albertsons (I have a picture of myself with one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the old brown-yellow decor in the background). Currently Albertsons-Savon.
luckysaver
Hacienda Heights was served by these supermarkets between 1961 and today. 1961 is the year North Whittier Heights changed its name to Hacienda Heights.
- Smiths Food King (since 1967) on Hacienda/Gale, later Fabric King/Joann, now vacant
- Lucky, on Gale/Hacienda, later Albertsons, now 99 Cents Only (3/4 of the building)
- Ralphs (as seen in the Pakai video). Residents now use the Whittier store on Colima/Whittier Blvd across from Whittier Hospital Medical Center or the store on Workman Mill/Don Julian near California Country Club (former Alpha Beta)
- Pantry (opened 1978) on Azusa/Colima, later Vons - currently 99 Ranch Market
- Vons (Hacienda and La Monde) - has always been there since the 1960's
- Alpha Beta - Gale/Turnbull Canyon, actually in City of Industry - became Diho Market, then Ralphs, currently Fresco/Payless Foods, the area's only hispanic-based chain.
- Albertsons (Colima/Hacienda) - has always been there since the 1979. I first visited the store as a traditional Albertsons (I have a picture of myself with one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the old brown-yellow decor in the background). Currently Albertsons-Savon.
luckysaver
Veteran
The Smith's Food King at one point (70's - 80's possibly) was a branch of the OLE'S home improvement chain.
This was confirmed for many years as the OLE'S sign remained on the building facing Gale if you drive east.
This was confirmed for many years as the OLE'S sign remained on the building facing Gale if you drive east.
Veteran
Hey, thanks luckysaver & Jeff!
As discussed within other threads:
Smith's=see thread. Probably never Smith's. Needs to be torn down! Currently fenced in, and is an eyesore!
Lucky/Albertsons across street=originally Thriftimart
Pantry=opened as VONS, converted to Pantry, then back to VONS. (someone had disagreed...yet, I stand by this! :) )
As discussed within other threads:
Smith's=see thread. Probably never Smith's. Needs to be torn down! Currently fenced in, and is an eyesore!
Lucky/Albertsons across street=originally Thriftimart
Pantry=opened as VONS, converted to Pantry, then back to VONS. (someone had disagreed...yet, I stand by this! :) )