Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: November 18th, 2005
Romeo’s Times Square Coffee Shop, later Johnie’s, LA, 1955
1950s LOS ANGELES COFFEE SHOPS IN 3-D THIS SUNDAY
This spectacular and oh-so moody interior shot of ROMEO’S TIMES SQUARE COFFEE SHOP, (LATER JOHNIE’S COFFEE SHOP,) LOS ANGELES, 1955 at the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax is very special. I thank Jack Laxer, the world’s greatest 3-D photographer, who took (and copyrighted it) for allowing me to share it with you as this week’s slide. It’s so artistic!
Hanging on the far dining room wall, the billboard-filled crossroads in Gotham City that the ultramod coffee shop was originally named for is represented in miniature. Above the counter, New York’s legendary skyline is rendered in a modern manner on backlit, slanted plastic panels. Pink, blue and white vinyl counter stools and booths standout against the polished white terrazzo floor. The lighting is mystical-magical.
Come stand in the very spot this slide was taken fifty years this Sunday October 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when this very special coffee shop reopens for one day only as a stop on the LA Conservancy’s Wilshire Boulevard Tour and serves up 50s and 60s coffee shop history.
This and many other of Jack Laxer’s breathtaking original 3-D slides of 1950s Los Angeles Coffee Shop interiors and exteriors will be shown in all of their glory in a vintage 3-D viewing console. It’s the next best thing to time travel. Meet one of the buildings’ architects, Eldon Davis and author of one of the my favorite books, GOOGIE.
I’ll be exhibiting my giant paintings of 1950s Coffee Shops including, Pann’s, Ben Frank’s and Coffee Dans. Don’t be shy! Come on by!
For tickets and more info: johnieswilshire.org or laconservancy.org
Here’s to Coffee Shops and Jack Laxer and YOU!
See you on Wilshire Boulevard this Sunday!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
November 2005
Sets this Slide belongs to:
Los Angeles & Space-Age Style
One Comment on “Romeo's Times Square Coffee Shop, later Johnie's, LA, 1955”
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September 13th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Among others, JOHNIE’S COFFEE SHOP is figured prominently the the movie “Miracle Mile” with Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham. A great opportunity to view the landmark.
Miracle Mile also has scenes around the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Reminisce City. I used to pass by JOHNIE’S every weekend on the way to Farmers Market when younger. I also remember attending home shows at the Pan Pacific.