Memories of San Dimas
Reader Bette Cooney of San Dimas writes:
"I have read your stories and continue to remember those days around the valley. I have a bit of information for you that you may find interesting. In San Dimas on the corner of San Dimas Canyon Road and Bonita Avenue there used to stand a shopping center for many years that included several shops in a strip mall. The most famous you would recall would be the Pizza Royal and Canyon Theater from back in the early '70s. Also the Bravo Burgers that was originally a Bakers Tacos, also in early '70s.
"This center has been a eyesore for many years while the tenants finally finished the leases. While there was some disagreement with the city of San Dimas and the owner of the lot, they are finally going to put up some town homes. (Like we need more of those)!"
I'm familiar with those businesses only by reputation, I'm afraid, having only moved here in 1997. I can report that corner is also getting a small shopping center that is rumored to contain a small Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. I asked Bette about her recollections of Pizza Royal, which still has a restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga.
She replied: "They had a piano player and also played the banjo. They played Dixieland music. Was a fun place for the whole family."
I missed out on all the good stuff.
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A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
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I used to hang out on that corner in the '80s. I was the original "Fresh & Easy."
As I recall, that shopping center was the only one in the area that had an A&P.
Yes, those days of the Pizza Royal and Canyon (they were immediately next door to each other) were jumpin' days. Both of us were quite busy most of the time, and the synergy of the two places was quite nice.
The heavy traffic in and out of each contributed to the constant awareness and success of the other. The big (quite huge) guy named Neal who was the main pizza chef appeared to be right out of a cartoon and the guys who played the banjo and piano ragtime music were really fun.
[Gene was owner and manager of the Canyon Theater. -- DA]
I spent just about every Saturday in the summer from 1968-1974 at the Canyon Theater watching double features for 50 cents. Still miss the Pizza Royale. Best pizza to this day that I have ever had.
[Have you tried the Pizza Royale at Base Line and Carnelian in RC, Bryan? -- DA]
I remember the Canyon Shopping Center well! The Canyon Theatre used to have double features and it was a decent family-oriented place. Saw many movies there from around 1976 until 1990.
Pizza Royal reversed its name at one point to become "Royal Pizza" -- but the name never took. It had that Shakey's kind of feel. Our little league teams used to go there after games and I remember that we got in trouble one time playing 'buns up' (playing tag and throwing a hard ball at the wall) in the alley behind the theatre.
A small thrift store was situated between the pizza place and the Canyon Market, which eventually got a bit run-down. Anyone remember O'Briant's five-and-dime? It was next to the market and it seemed to have a little bit of everything. It changed hands over the years, eventually becoming an Ace Hardware before closing.
Perpendicular to that strip was a smaller strip which housed smaller businesses such as LaBaron TV Repair, Video Shakk and a formal wear shop.
Bravo Burger lasted for a while, but I remember it was a donut shop for a time before that. Pioneer Chicken was a mainstay in that lot, and I vaguely recall a Fotomat (geez - early '70s?) being near the Bravo Burger as well.
It was a shame to see the shopping center go downhill in the mid-'80s, as it was such a fun place to go as a kid.
We used to ride our bikes up and down San Dimas Canyon Road and there was a big hill at the end of S.D. Canyon Road that had a clump of trees at the top. You could see Puddingstone Lake from there -- fantastic view! We used to hike up there and sled down on old cardboard mats.
Great memories!
[Thanks, Tim. -- DA]
For a while, I remember TG&Y being the cornerstone of that property for some time. I think there was a dry cleaner next to it, some type of hair salon, then Pizza Royal, then Canyon Theatre. My old State Farm agent was there for quite a while. I remember Bravo Burger being there for quite some years. I vaguely remember it being a Bakers. I remember the Pioneer Chicken and the old shoe cobbler store. I have been to the Pizza Royal in Rancho a few times over the years. Almost the same look. I have found a few Pioneer Chickens still in existence in the LA Area. Anyone remember the opposite side of San Dimas Canyon Road? Where the "secluded" people live? LOL. Any one remember the tales of the "satanic rock" in the valley up there? Bringing back faded memories.