This past Friday Club Co-Founder John Lucia was in town,

[charles~richard]

and we met for a late breakfast at the historic Canter's Deli in the Fairfax district near my home. (I was afraid to have him come over here lest he get infected with my cold.) We had a great time visiting and catching up. He's such a great guy. I had not seen him in over two years. Just wish we had had more time, and that I was feeling better.

We talked about collecting and collectors, and laughed once again when recalling about how when we first met in 1990 we discussed the possibility that the day would probably come when people would be collecting vacuums from the 60s and 70s and considering them "vintage" -- with people passing out over the sight of a Dial-A-Matic ... and, well........ here we are. Gee I feel old now!!!

I gave John an early Christmas present, one of those highly detailed Kirby 515 coin banks. He was quite delighted as he had never seen one before. He has a nice collection of miniatures and banks. Now I need to find a turquoise G bank to replace the one I managed to coax away from him back in 1991!

Afterward, we went to a couple of thrift shops within walking distance. The first one had nothing but some ugly black plastic Eureka tank-ette covered with schmutz.

The second had a really nice Model 10 (1947) Sunbeam mixer. I whispered to John, "What you think they want for it?" I suggested, probably $175-200. I have seen them for that much in antique shops, and they HAVE sold. I was surprised that the price was "only" $75! Had I had the cash on me, I probably would have gotten the mixer. It was very lovely.

The third shop had quite a find -- one of those ghastly ugly avocado-green plastic Sunbeam tank cleaners! It does not have all the attachments, but the hose and wands were there, and the dusting brush. It needs a good face scrubbing but overall is in very nice shape and will clean up quite pretty. The price? Ten Dollars. "Such a deal."



http://www.cantersdeli.com/aboutcanters/

 

[compactelectra]

I Love Canters!

While they have some great delis here in Chicago, they are not near where I live. One needs to go up to Devon Ave on the North Side to get some great deli. I love Canter's and have been there a few times. Hopefully, then next time I am in LA, I can visit you and have lunch at Canters.

Fred

 

[charles~richard]

Canters ...

... IS great for that "Old Country" deli experience, but there are several other delis in town that actually have better food and aren't as grungy as Canters.

One is Jerry's Famous Deli in West Hollywood just north of the Beverly Center, who has the most sublime matzo ball soup I've ever had. Another one is Juniors Deli in Westwood, right on the corner of Westwood & Pico.

Granted, neither Jerry's nor Juniors has the crabby old lady waitresses that Canters is famous for!

As for grungy, sad to say but that whole little section of Fairfax Avenue from Melrose to Third, affectionately known by Angelenos as "Kosher Canyon," has really gotten run down and seedy looking in the past couple of years.

Nearly every other store is closed and boarded up; the sidewalks are littered and dirty; and there are homeless people hanging around panhandling and sleeping on bus benches and in abandonded doorways. Really a shame because it used to be a very fun and colorful little neighborhood to visit and dine in.

So when John suggested Canters, at first I kinda went "HUH?" inside, until he reminded me of the fun rendezvous we had there a couple years ago with Stan Kann.

John did also notice how tired looking Fairfax is now, and was kinda sad about it.

 

[scott55405]

*Holding nose* Do you want pas-TRAAAAAAAAAAAH-mi? ;-) (If you don't watch TV, go to the link below, and select "indecision." I only watch the news, and saw it then. "Cow Shakeoff" is good too, that is one of my favorite songs.

I had no idea Canter's was a real place until someone mentioned it at work, and I remembered seeing the name in that Carls Jr. commercial.

They just opened a new one of those $3.00 all the time movie theaters on Beverly and Fairfax. Perhaps sometime I'll go get something to eat there before or after a movie.

http://www.carlsjr.com/ontv/

 

[scott55405]

So glad you got to see John. I expect he is on his way to Arizona now? I got to see him a few years ago in Tucson, which was a lot of fun.

Never pay that much money for a vintage mixer unless it's NIB.

 

[bimmer740]

Oye, you need to come to New York to have some really good matzoh ball soup or some sliced brisket on rye. Come to the Carnegie deli or better yet come to my house for some home-made chicken soup with matzoh balls! Now that its getting cold here its that time of year, hot soup to warm you from the inside out. And soon it will be time for delicous latkes! If we could only have a convention in the north east, to bad Electrolux is no longer in Connecticut.
-Steven

 

[charles~richard]

"Do you want pas-TRAAAAAAAAAAAH-mi?"

hahaha, EXACTLY! I bet they went to Canters when they were casting that commercial! There's a dozen of 'em just like that there! (Some are even older, uglier, and meaner!!)

John is enroute to Arizona - he just swung thru La-La-Land on his way out there. Is looking very good.