On the inside, this store looks practically untouched from its Pavilions days, though the merchandise mix is (at least slightly) different. However, Vons did repaint the interior, making this the one and only store with Colorful Pavilions Lifestyle v2! In fact, it's the only store to have ever had it (as far as I can tell), and also happens to be the last store out there with the original Pavilions Lifestyle v2 aisle markers, which we'll get a better look at later.
Huh, those aisle markers have the Lifestyle v2 arch on them, but aside from that, they look nothing like anything Lifestyle I know! Also, it seems Pavilions' China Express is a genuine Panda Express, lol.
ReplyDeleteUnrelated, but if I may borrow your Kroger Banner expertise for a second, Sing Oil asked a question in a comment to the latest HHR The Year of Kroger post and I figure you're better equipped to answer the question about the stencil graphics than I am! Link: https://houstonhistoricretail.com/2023/07/05/krogering-is-a-vacation-in-galveston/
Yeah, Pavilions Lifestyle is a real oddity!
DeletePanda Express seems to be a common feature at these pre-Safeway Pavilions stores. I'm amazed they still survive -- fast food inside grocery stores was a fad for a little while, but pretty much every other chain that tried it gave up and removed the restaurants long ago.
I tried to post a comment over there, but I'm not sure if it failed to post or if it's just waiting for approval. Anyway, I had actually been thinking that store seemed to have relatively few stencil graphics, not overly many!
Yeah, comments at HHR get held for review, but it should be visible now along with my reply. I believe that known commenters there don't have to wait for approval if they submit their e-mail address (which doesn't get posted publicly), but I'm not sure how that works. Mike must maintain a list of known commenters.
DeleteWow, am I late to this conversation! Anyway, thanks for the info on the stencil graphics and it is very possible that the store I've seen Banner in most often doesn't have as many since it has lower ceilings (or I'm just not paying attention because I'm too frustrated by having to step foot into that particular store in the first place).
DeleteAlso, it's crazy to see a Panda Express in a supermarket!