A few years ago, I stumbled upon what has since become my favorite mid-century modern sign in Richmond. Of course, I’m talking about the Satellite Restaurant and Lounge on Jefferson Davis Highway.

Our encounters, though brief, were always during the day. Yet every time we passed I couldn’t help but wonder whether there was life in those old neon tubes. Last night, I found the answer to my question…

YES! There is indeed plenty of vibrancy in those swirling tubes! On this particular visit, I was fortunate to have photographer Jamie Betts in tow. We came back after the sun went down and captured this out-of-this-world sign in all its neon glory.

If you’re interested in a print of one of these amazing photos, contact Jamie. Tell him the Olivia at Retro Richmond sent you. I know I’ve already picked out the perfect place for my print!

I am pleased to announce that I have finally found a new job that will give me more time to dedicate to this blog. I’m not sure who has missed it more: me, my fans or my mother.

Nonetheless, once the weather returns to the double digits, my trusty camera and I will make our way around this fair city to get some new shots of old things. Keep checking back! I’ve got a list of amazing places to photograph for you.

On a more selfish note…

My love for mid-century modern extends much further than this blog. It is my life. My house is a time capsule. My dishes are 40 years old. I listen to vinyl on the Silvertone. And my favorite clothing store is Halcyon Vintage.

Recently, it was brought to my attention that my favorite TV show, “Mad Men,” was holding a casting call for a walk-on role on the show. After the urging of many friends, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. In order to be considered to be part of the show, I have receive enough votes to be in the top 10 women.

Here’s where the shameless promotion comes in….I am asking everyone and their grandfather to vote for me and help spread the word. I promise if I get in I won’t let Richmond down!

You don’t have to sign up for anything to vote. Just simply click this link.

Here’s my photo of me lounging on my MCM couch! And thanks in advance!

Retro Richmond reader Barry has been busy digging up all sorts of cool goodies lately! He’s definitely earning a gold star this month!

If you recall, last week — through the help of Barry and fellow Retro Richmond reader David — the mystery of the Barrel-roofed structure located on West 20th Street was solved.

Though it lived out its final days as a Community Pride store, this curvaceous storefront had its humble beginnings as Siegel’s SuperMarket.

During a trip to The Valentine Richmond History Center, Barry scored some shots of Siegel’s SuperMarket from 1959 (the year it opened). They are such a sight to behold that I had to share them!

Courtesy of The Valentine Richmond History Center

It looks like at some point and time they added more window panes to the front. Did something happen to the front of the store? Does anyone know?

The view inside:

Courtesy of The Valentine Richmond History Center

Isn’t she beautiful?! What I wouldn’t give to see this placed restored. How amazing would that be? Ah well, a retro gal can dream!

Special thanks to Barry for going the extra mile and sharing these wonderful photos with me!

David from Old Richmond Grocery Stores has shone some more light on some of my previously unidentified buildings. Here’s what he had to say:

The address is shown in the telephone book as 3501 Jeff Davis. That address isn’t listed in the 1951 City Directory but is in the 1963 directory as “Burger King”. Whether it was part of the well-known chain I don’t know at this point.

EDIT: David just posted a photo of an old Burger King building that I simply had to share. I can see the similarities.

He also found some more info on JJ’s!

The 1951 City Directory lists this address as the Southland Restaurant.

And he’s also sold me on the Marina-Barrel roof debate!

The reason it’s not a Marina is simple. The building predates the first Safeway Marina, and I don’t think anyone’s ready to start calling them “Safeway Hulls”. Plus, the arches on a Marina don’t go all the way to the ground.

David, you have earned the Retro Richmond gold star of the day! Thank you for all your insight! I do hope you attend the MCMeetup because I would love to pick your brain some more!

The Marina mystery has been solved! Thanks to a tip from Retro Richmond reader Barry and a little help from David, author of Old Richmond Grocery Stores, the history of this wonderful structure has been uncovered!

Here’s what David had to say:

The 20th Street store was built as a Siegel’s. It first appeared in the city directory in 1959. It remained a Siegel’s until 1989 when Siegel’s was acquired by Farm Fresh. Farm Fresh operated it for one year as a Nick’s Market and then sold it to Community Pride.

From what I’ve gathered, Charlie Siegel got into the grocery business in the 1940’s. There was a Siegel’s at 419 N. 6th in the 1941 directory and one at 426 N. 6th from 1950 to 1968. Siegel also operated at 1911 W. Main (last time I looked, it was a brewpub) from 1968 to 1986.

All of my dates are from the city directory and are approximate. Charlie Siegel’s brother “Hip” Siegel was the “S” in S&K Famous Brands.

Everyone wants to make the 20th & Hull store into a Safeway or something else, but it was Siegel’s from the beginning. The barrel roof style was popular for supermarket construction in it’s day, though not as much in Richmond as in other places. One thing it’s not, is a Marina. The best surviving example of a Marina Safeway still in Richmond is the Big Apple Market at Jeff Davis and Terminal.

So there you have it. The building formerly known as Community Pride had its humble beginnings as a Siegel’s SuperMarket in 1959.

The added bonus to this story: the roof style is NOT a Marina, but a Barrel roof (which I’m not 100 percent sold on since I think of Barrel roofs as more rounded, but David is probably correct. To me, it looks like a Barrel-Marina hybrid.)

Thanks to Barry for the Siegel’s tip and to David for the additional info! Now we just need to get this building a historic landmark designation so it can remain standing for all to see.