Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[JRoberts]

Just to veer a bit off topic... On Aarrggh's post #412 of the Dealership. What is going on with the store next to it? I see chain link fence/gates closing off the front of the building that has a awning over them. Appears to be a grocery store from the signage. Also, some benches?? out front. Was there a walk up diner/lunch counter in the front of the store and they had those gates to close it off when the store is closed? Maybe a "southern" regional thing as I've never seen a setup like that before. Just wondering.

Just a guess, but I would say it was a grocery store that at time has fresh produce out front. The picture may have been taken when the store was closed thus the place was locked up to prevent the produce stand fixtures from being stolen. I not sure that such "security" is common only to one region.

[BobPalma]

Yep, Jeff; what Joe said. There have been similar arrangements here in the midwest.

Perhaps the store just wasn't open, yet, when the photo was taken...or that was an area of the front of the store that was closed off unless they needed to access that area to get crates being returned to a vendor, etc. BP

[Jeff_H]

fresh produce out front

That makes more sense than the lunch counter. Those "benches" don't look like they'd be for sitting or eating anyway and setting baskets of veggies on them is a more likely use.

I guess it still is a regional thing. You just don't see fresh produce put outside around this area even in the summer at a grocery. So, no provisions for it on the front of the store. Maybe a roadside stand but those are very rare and usually just some kids selling surplus out of their Mom's garden for a few days at best. Maybe back when this photo was taken it was more common here too. Winters are too cold & windy for outdoor shopping of any sort. Summers usually too hot, muggy, and bugs. Trying to remember the small grocery in my hometown but I don't think they ever had stuff outside either. The store front was right up on the sidewalk. Usually those old stores had the door recessed a few feet into the wall off the street so it would block wind from blowing in when the door was opened. Modern stores often have double doors to form a airlock. Also where they park shopping carts inside.

I recall that when I was a kid in the early 70s, the nearby (~25miles) larger town had a "crazy days" annual sale 1 day each summer where all the downtown shops would put out some tables or racks on the sidewalk. I don't think they have that anymore since most of the downtown there is gone and its now malls and strip malls elsewhere.

Enough of that. Back to studebakers....

[JRoberts]

Independents, Studebaker and Nash, on vacation:

[aarrggh]

[aarrggh]

[Studedude]

'Can't say why, but that Stude looks photo shopped to me.

'Probably wrong, but it's a great pic, for sure. Love those prices!!

[Jeff_H]

Dave, I think so too. The Stude looks too in-focus a bit and shadows on the street seem off. Especially the wheels. Probably there was a different car in the photo and the stude was "pasted" over it.

[52-fan]

Lots of stuff going on with the parking lot picture. The price on the lot across the street has been enhanced and pointers added. The Stude shines compared to anything else in the picture.

[JRoberts]

[Bob Andrews]

[Bob Andrews]

[Bob Andrews]

Saint Joseph Street in Rapid City, South Dakota.

[Bob Andrews]

[Bob Andrews]

Otis Marina Hotel, Surfside, FL