Forgotten LA: Jensen’s Melrose Theatre

So the Jensen’s Melrose Theatre in East Hollywood isn’t quite forgotten, since it’s been occupied by the Ukranian Culture Center since the 1960′s and I was lucky to check out the inside during a Christmas craft extravaganza. There’s a lot of information about it online (which I think people just copy and pasted from this article) but it’s nice to know that an old 1920′s movie theater, complete with detailed facade, still exists in a part of town where you’d least expect an elaborate stage. The whole neighborhood around is a mix of Hispanic/Armenian families, independent storefronts and hipsters on fixed gear bikes.

I just love how architects and business owners back in the day would permanently affix  and incorporate their ownership on their buildings. I don’t see it so much as a display of ego, but the thought that their name and business were somehow going to be there at that location forever. I rarely see this around town anymore; if anything, the signage at the top of current office buildings changes often enough that putting permanent signage (engraved in stone) on that real estate would probably be a bad business move.

I walked by this self-proclaimed office along Industrial Street between warehouses downtown. Though it’s currently occupied by the Commercial Meat Co (or something like that), I love how its previous occupants still have some sort of a presence. I can’t figure out what the PPSC initials stand for, though. Google, you’ve failed me.

I’m glad these signs exist, though, because otherwise the original use of the space would be forgotten by the rest of the city.

BRB. I’m going to go carve my initials along my apartment building wall now.