Studio 28

I miss Studio 28.
Studio 28 closed it's doors on Sunday November 23rd 2008 after 43 years in Grand Rapids. It was the country's very first multiscreen theater complex and, from 1988 to 1995, the biggest with 20 screens. Theater One was the theater with the largest screen, the best sound system, and the best place to see any movie.
I guess it became somewhat ghetto towards the end. I think Star Theatre on Alpine is like the new Studio 28.

One specific memory I have is walking all the way out there from downtown to see Ghostbusters 2 by myself the day it came out. I didn't have a vehicle, was too poor to pay for a cab, and didn't know anyone else as nutty for Ghostbusters who might want to drive out there.  I walked all the way back too with that Bobby Brown tune playing in my head most of the way.

When they closed, they auctioned off a lot of the old equipment and some of us from Wealthy Theatre went over there to purchase some stuff. Some of the speakers inside Wealthy are from Studio 28 sound systems. It was kinda sad walking into Studio 28 and seeing it filled with piles of equipment like a warehouse and remembering all the times I came there to see movies with so many different people through the years. Some great, memorable films and some terrible ones. Used to enjoy coming early and playing video games in the arcade beforehand.
Not sure what plans there are for the space. Heard they might build a new Meijer (yay, ANOTHER one!!)

Vans Pastry is f-ing cute

First off, I suck as a blogger. Or a writer in general.  The last school I attended was high school and that's been a WHILE ago. So with that confession out of the way and assuming you wish to continue looking at this anyway, here's my first attempt at a "themed" blog.  I'm just getting started here, so it's not that awesome yet.

I just wanted to make something to capture these places around town that look as if they have survived from another past time period,  possibly understand what psychology is behind my fascination with them, and maybe even get some insight into how they have managed to survive so long.
I don't know if I'll really delve that deep into it, but I at least wanted to have a place to collect photos and share with others who might also like this sort of thing.

So here's Van's Pastry. It's on Fulton near the corner of  Diamond.... (click on photos to gigantify them.)

As you can see,  they went nuts with the nic-nacks!  That is part of the charm. I have no idea how long this place has been around. I suppose researching these sorts of things might make a blog like this more interesting and useful. I know this place has endured! And people love it. I have seen lines out the door.

Come to think of it, the lines out the door must be due in part to there not being much room inside.
The donuts are great though. I had a pumpkin spice donut that might be the best donut I've ever had in my entire life. It will probably add five pounds to my body.

Evan thought all the cars in the display cases were pretty sweet.

Yay Van's Pastry!