I received an inquiry from someone about my original
Million Article Thompson painting (which has been sold). They were initially interested in commissioning another, which led me to return to the spot on Vermont and 90th in Los Angeles to do some new photo reconnaissance. MAT is still there, minus some neon and sagging a bit more. The hardware store is long gone, replaced by the "Coolie Indian Hall" as the neighborhood swings from black to Guatamalan. The commission fell through, but I went ahead with this heroic view of one of LA's largest, oldest, and least known neon signs.
9/24 update: I received this email from David A.: "This store was my Grandfather's sister's- they came to LA in 1923; my family settling in Pasadena. My father, who is 94, remembers the store vividly. At one time, it occupied over a city block." Nice to get a little more information on this mysterious place.
