Thanks to some "web log" about
shopping, we found this exciting photo of the original Safeway at Lake Anne Plaza. Of course, it's long gone, replaced by a "
grosery," among other establishments. Note that in an attempt to avoid offending residents of the new earth-toned community, Safeway forewent its signature red logo for a more subdued, black-and-white one. (That same fancy sign is now a clock, with the name of
another departed business blacked out.)
If you squint and look past the Betty Draper lookalike and the kid with some (literally) fancy pants in the center of the photo, you can see some pretty sweet vintage 1960s cars in the parking lot. But don't think that's how all your neighbors went to get their Ramen noodles, or whatever crap people ate instead of real food back in the 1960s. This was the shopping run of choice for Jim and Fran Grady.
This seafarin' couple went on shopping trips to the Lake Anne Safeway by boat every week "since 1965," which is actually pretty awesome if you think about it. Of course, this was in those simple times before Wegman's and Harris Teeter and Trader Joes and whatnot, so now the nearest full-service grocery selling
sexist bread is all the way at Tall Oaks.
Flashbacks:
The RNGC Caddyshackpocalypse
Bollards!
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Is that guy smoking a pipe while rowing with his wife and groceries on board? It's commerce with a touch of piracy. Screw the mini-van, I'm going to start shopping HIS way. It would have all the glamor of viking plunder (try to recall the less violent, more stylish aspects) to approach the South Lakes Safeway by water, with no landlubber forts or barricades to slow me down. On the down side, the long walk past restaurants, pet food stores, and haircut shops might spoil the magic. Half my landing party might be dazzled by the baubles in the verizon store, with mutiny a distinct possibility as I offer them boxes of cheesy mac in exchange for handing the clerk back his cool droid thing. And is it legal to spirit away your spirits from the ABC store via watercraft? I hope so.
ReplyDeleteAnon, someone already beat you to the ABC store in South Lakes.
ReplyDeleteDo you notice the LACK of high density housing in the background of the first photo? Of course, the trees were much younger then...
ReplyDeleteBets, shouldn't you be home getting dressed for our dinner date tonight at Il Cigno? I need you to look your best and be your most charming for my very important client.
ReplyDeleteI definitely noticed the LACK of Latino yout's loitering in Lake Anne Plaza back in the 1960s. Probably lacked the reek of urine and the graffiti problem, too. But then, Lake Anne Plaza back then simply reflected America as a whole -- much less smelly, dangerous, and unpleasant... I mean, much less "vibrant" and "diverse" than it is today.
ReplyDeleteEverybody was so skinny back then!
ReplyDeleteFlinstones were still on the teevee then with the original earth-toned planned community that inspired Reston.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Metallic Alter Ego. You made my morning with that link. It was hubris to think that I might break new ground (er, part new water) to visit the liquor store via boat. Doing it at 3am is extra cool.
ReplyDeleteSeeing that old photo of the Lake Anne Safeway makes me think of the scene in "Back to the Future" when Marty lands in 1955.
ReplyDeleteHow come none of those people leaving the Safeway are pushing a cart full of grocery bags? I guess that's why the Safeway there failed.
Actually, if you click on the link to the shopping blog and then scroll down it, you'll see a photo of the Safeway in winter with the "S" logo in the familiar but not DRB sanctioned bright red.
ReplyDeleteWhy are these people not happy? Did they not know that they could be living, working and playing here? Why did they not buy anything? Were they confused by the black signage, and think that this was the Safeway Funeral Home? Why does dad seem to be distancing himself from the rest of the family. Does Jr. have any idea that he will be in Vietnam in 20 months? Why is Sister looking so longingly at the parking lot? Does Mom have a firm grip on that handbag? Who is the "other woman"? Why are old photos are just so many questions without answers?
ReplyDeleteJean-Paul Sarte could not have said it any better than Anon 3:01.
ReplyDeleteJust gotta ask this...did the couple in the rowboat go to that Safeway for some Oar-Ida frozen potatoes?
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked in that Safeway back in the late 60's . She and my dad lived in on the Lake back then and they still live in Reston today. I remember hanging out there as a kid in the 80's. Oh... BARF
ReplyDelete