Iconic Hollywood Park Hardware Store Has Sold
Hollywood Hardware, which has been a fixture in Sacramento for 48 years, has been sold. I was getting my car washed over at Gem Auto Wash when I heard the news. The blood rushed from my face and I felt a bit clammy when I heard it. First thing I thought was, “What about the neon hammer atop the building?” I was worried a giant international conglomerate would be taking over the store.
I sped over to Hollywood Hardware to ask Susan, the manager, about the sale and she was a bit tight-lipped. I could tell something had happened.
I think Susan knows I LIKE TO SPILL THE BEANS.
I was able to track down longtime Hollywood Hardware owner Denny Messner by phone and he told me, “It’s time. The guy who bought it is a really good friend of mine.”
It happened between two friends and it happened very quickly. My lawyer told me that’s the quickest negotiation I’ve ever been a part of”.
I joked, Oh so did it on a cocktail napkin, huh?”
Denny added, ‘I really think he’s gonna take us from a great hardware store to a super store.”
I am so proud of my employees and I really think Tom is going to do as good or better job as I’ve been doing. He’s got some really good ideas and he knows the kind of store that we are.” That’s why Denny agreed to go with him.
The new owner of Hollywood Hardware is Tom Tognetti. He has a few successful stores in the bay area including Pagano’s in Alameda and Fredrickson’s in San Francisco. He knows the nuts and bolts of running a successful hardware store.
Hollywood Hardware has been a part of Denny Messner for most of his life. The Messner’s are the only family that have ever owned the store. Denny’s mother and father opened it in 1948 when he was 7 years old. “I swept the floor and learned how to cut keys”, he said.
He also grudgingly filled paint thinner cans at the store. “I probably quit every day because I was mad I had to fill paint thinner cans” Messner told me.
He took over the family business in 1964 when his father moved to Placerville. Denny eventually bought the hardware store in 1975 from his dad. “I was actually my dad’s landlord!”
I did sense that what Denny will miss most about Hollywood Hardware are the customers. He likes standing around the store and talking to customers. He said, “I could do that forever”.
“Our customers…..I love ‘em. I’ve been around there for so long and people know that I’ve been there so if they want to find me they usually come there. It’s like old home week every week. You see somebody you haven’t seen for awhile. It’s a nice existence”.
He added, “The part I don’t like is all the paperwork stuff”.
I asked Denny what’s he gonna do now that he’s retired from the Hardware store biz and he said, “I don’t know what the heck I’m gonna do between 9 and 1 in the afternoon. I’ll figure something out but, that‘s the only thing I’m a little worried about. I feel like I’m 25”.
I’m sure Denny will find plenty to do. He likes to stay active. Not only does he like to play a weekly round of golf, he’s also a six-degree black-belt.
Denny said, “I still work the martial arts, and spar and kickbox, and all that stuff”.
He’s also an avid skier. He had a place up in Truckee for 30 years and he’d take January and February off and be a ski bum.
I doubt Denny will be sitting in a Lazy-boy recliner in his living room watching MeTV all day. He’s got slopes to explore!
Denny also has a special fondness for his employees. He told me, “I got Susan and Jeff and Barbara together and took them over to Marie Callenders and told them about selling the store. They all cried”.
Denny was touched by the outpouring of emotion. “It felt very special.”
New Carnival Ride At Funderland
There’s a new ride at the Funderland Amusement Park. It’s the park’s first new ride in 25 years! It’s a Whirlwind type of carnival ride with a big tree in the middle and log-like seats for kids to spin around in.
The new ride is made in America. It comes from the same ride manufacturer that made the popular Flying Dragon roller coaster that was added to Funderland in 1992.
Funderland is even having a contest to name the new ride. Funderland Manager John Edds said, “We want to be part of Sacramento’s fabric.” That’s why they wanted to get the local community involved with the naming of the ride. Sacramentans have been flooding their Facebook page with numerous catchy suggestions including The Squirrel Twirl. The Enchanted Oak. . Rain Forest Log Swing and simply, Flying Logs.
Funderland manager John Edds proudly stands in front of the new unnamed carnival ride at the park.
The park will narrow it down to 3 names and then put it up to a vote on their Facebook page. Social media sized Democracy at Funderland!
They ditched the popular Log Run for various reasons including the long wait times, the heavy maintenance required, as well as the 4th year of drought in California. Manager John Edds said, “We’re trying to be a better business operator”. Although he did mention they may have space for a new water ride once this drought finally lets up.
The new swing ride is not in operation yet, they still have to get the green light from the Dept Of Occupational Safety and Health who will inspect the ride. Once they pass the inspection there should be a whirlwind of activity at Funderland.
The new, as of yet named, carnival ride should be ready for screaming kids in July.
I like the name Swinging Logs. Lets hope I win!
Big BBQ Bash At Eskaton
They really know how to throw a party at the Eskaton Monroe Lodge in Land Park. They had their annual BBQ Bash with classic cars, live music, and lots of good eats and refreshments.
The music of Art and Ron and the Riverbend Folk Band was perfect for the occasion. The folk duo played everything from Marty Robbins to Bob Dylan. They had a nice rendition of the classic Dylan tune “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”. The folks gathered on the patio had the best seats in the house. One of the residents of the facility, Marjorie LeDonne told me, “I was watching the show from above on the 4th floor looking for misbehavior…there wasn’t any”.
She decided to come down for the food and festivities anyway. “Ringside seats!” she exclaimed.
Everybody was so friendly at the BBQ. I spoke with Winnie Hertzen. She’s a longtime resident who was out front waiting for family to join her. Winnie said, “The food is wonderful, the workers are great, and we’re fortunate to live here”. She added, “the classic cars are so nice, too.”
She boasted how she runs the Bingo at Eskaton and is also President of the Residents Association. That’s when a friend of hers came up and was greeted with, “Well look who’s here, darling girl!” hugs ensued.
Sounds like Winnie is a mover and a shaker over at the Eskaton!
Winnie Hertzen and her friends at Eskaton Monroe Lodge.
The BBQ Bash was a great way for fellow residents, friends, and family to get to know each other better. There were lots of good-natured wisecracks at one of the tables on the patio. It was like the Golden Girls got together for a reunion.
There were plenty of classic cars at the BBQ Bash too. Lots of commeraderie between the guys who brought their cars to show off. They were part of a group called Challengers Sascramento. They had a 1952 Plymouth Station wagon, a 57’ Chevy Bel-Air, even a 134 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. The blue Balshour-Mobile made an appearance, too!
Old cars equals a good time.
Everybody seemed to be having a good time at the Eskaton BBQ Bash. That’s what it’s all about.
Carl’s Jr. Gets The Wrecking Ball.
Demolition crews using heavy equipment were busy tearing down the Carl’s Jr. on Freeport Blvd. The terra cotta roof is gone. Torn down. In fact, 90% of the building has been torn down.
What’s left of the Carl’s Jr. on Freeport Blvd.
What’s happening over there? It’s more than just a makeover.
I went to the restaurant location and spoke with site superintendant , Carl Miller, no relation to Carl’s Jr., he told me they’re “keeping the slab but it will be an all-new building”.
A worker demolishes the Carl’s Jr.
The restaurant with the sexy, err sexist, commercials is getting a whole new décor scheme and a modern looking building that will include three towers.
The new Carl’s Jr. should be ready to serve the Mile High Bacon Cheeseburger in 9 weeks according to Carl Miller of RC Pacific, no relation to Carl’s Jr.
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