Blast from the past -- 1955 Sutterville Shopping Center, South Land Park Terrace


I have always wondered about our neighborhood shopping center -- what it might have looked like over 50 years ago. And today I found this article from the Sacramento Bee dated April 23, 1955 with an artist's conceptual drawing. According to the article, "ten businesses, including a Cardinal super market, will occupy the mart. There will be an interior decorating firm, a dry cleaning establishment, beauty shop, and dentist office."

This shopping center -- originally designed by Karel Kooper & Curtis C. Maybeck of Los Angeles according to my research -- is one of our beloved neighborhood stops that has retained some of its mid-century appeal. I'd like to see more tenants continue to spruce up the center without turning it into a faceless stucco facade strip mall. For example, I still enjoy the fun-spirited remodel of La Bou -- a long time cornerstone of the center. Macau Cafe also joined the center a couple of years ago and remodeled their space nicely.

Recently, I have been impressed with Curtis Popp's interior remodel of Parkside Pharmacy (formerly Land Park Pharmacy). My favorite part of Parkside's redo: the cool dimensional letters on top of the building's soffit!


The largest part of the center is a gigantic grocery store, now vacant. This spot has been a Welco and, more recently, a Prime Supermarket since I have lived in the neighborhood. Trader Joe's was mulling it over, but apparently they may no longer be interested.

I would love to see a local market move in -- Corti's and Taylor's immediately come to mind. Any other innovative ideas for this now empty space?

5 comments:

undercover caterer said...

Corti's! Corti's! Corti's!

SacEichler said...

Too bad it still doesn't look like it used to!!

Barbara said...

I remember the Corti's, but I'm having a hard time picturing where this is...Freeport and what?

Barbara said...

Oh duh, Sutterville, right?

Gretchen said...

It's at the somewhat confusing intersection of Del Rio Road, Sutterville Road, and Land Park/South Land Park Drive. Across from the Zoo and kitty-corner from Funderland.