pedestrian mall

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Road Trip: Fresno

This entry kicks off a semi-occasional feature we’ll be calling “Road Trip” — a chance to explore other cities and areas within California, particularly those outside the three major metropolitan regions: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Everyone knows these places, but what about the likes of Fresno, Stockton and Bakersfield? The latter three…

Councilmember reverses stance on pedestrian mall idea

After only a few weeks in office, we’re glad to report Riverside City Councilmember, Mike Gardner, has reversed course on his stance regarding the Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Riverside. Gardner, who defeated Ward 1 incumbent Dom Betro by 7 votes in the November election, had voiced his opinion against the upcoming renovation of…

June 2007 – Newly uncovered 1930s facade of 3750 Main Street (RXSQ)
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Peeling back time

After 35 years of being seemingly frozen in time, the mid-century facade of the old Imperial Hardware Company store in downtown Riverside is no more. The city, which recently finalized the purchase of the long-shuttered building, began dismantling Imperial’s modern false front early Monday. By midday, nearly three-fourths of the aluminum covering had been removed,…

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Then & Now – Main at Mission Inn

Before there was a Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Riverside there was, well, an actual Main Street, with actual cars — and curbside parking. Seen here in photos approximately 50 years apart is a view of Main Street looking north toward Mission Inn Avenue (formerly Seventh Street) from near University Avenue (formerly Eighth Street)….

Festival of Lights

This Friday marks the debut of an expanded Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside. Along with the usual carolers, carriage rides, one-of-a-kind shopping/dining and millions of holiday lights, this year’s FOL has grown to include a compact ice rink. Skating at the rink, located on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall between Mission Inn and University…

2002 - Festival of Lights - Mission Inn (RXSQ)

Riverside embraces the ‘Lights’

Now that the Orange Blossom Festival is officially kaput, officials in Riverside are eyeing an enlarged Festival of Lights as a quasi-replacement for the annual citrus celebration. Already a great success in its own right, the annual FOL draws tens of thousands of visitors from throughout Southern California during the winter holidays. The centerpiece of…