Our now historic living room.
The Double Dutch Dinette in Culver City, CA was a place that always made me feel good. Although I never ate at the Double Dutch Dinette I loved it. I know I loved it because every once in awhile I would get the sinking feeling of how sad I would be if it were gone. That’s when a twinge of guilt would hit me, "I got to get in there and eat one of these days - to show my appreciation.”
The reason I loved the Double Dutch was because of the huge mural that was the main feature of the restaurant's facade. It was a gigantic photograph of jubilant kids with their smiling moms standing curbside around the ice cream man on a sunny afternoon.
The reason I loved the Double Dutch was because of the huge mural that was the main feature of the restaurant's facade. It was a gigantic photograph of jubilant kids with their smiling moms standing curbside around the ice cream man on a sunny afternoon.
The Double Dutch Dinette
Every time I saw it, I would be instantly transported back to my childhood. I could feel the warmth of a summer day back in New Jersey and hear the excited chattering voices of my friends outside. The photo could have been taken from our living room window. Before I turned six years old we lived on the second floor above the Stefancci’s in their two family house on Lincoln Street, Passaic, New Jersey. Everything about the giant photo seemed incredibly familiar. The style of the clothing, the hairstyles and automobile fit the time period perfectly. It felt so close to my childhood memory that I just decided to believe it was. I even became convinced that the license plate on the car was a New Jersey plate. Since I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't, I avoided studying the plate too closely. But one day I couldn't help myself and took a closer look. It was hard to believe I wasn't just seeing things, because it looked like one of the old New Jersey plates. It was!
A closer look was revealing
It really was an old New Jersey plate
For 10 years I have enjoyed driving by the Double Dutch Dinette, like a huge window with the best view of my past. So when I saw an "AVAILABLE" sign hanging over the mural, I felt a little sad. What would it be like to never see this wonderful view ever again? When the demolition began and the façade was covered with scaffolding I just sighed, “Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.”
A sad sign
Since I am a regular at the Starbuck's was just two doors down from the Double Dutch, I’d see my favorite local landmark slowly disappearing. During one of my Starbuck's visits I saw the construction crew busy at work and I forced myself to ask what was going to happen to the old facade and Double Dutch Dinette sign?
When the foreman made it clear the Double Dutch Dinette sign was up for grabs I quickly volunteered to take it off his hands. Nothing was said about the huge mural and I didn't bother asking. I just assumed it would be destroyed, besides it was too big for me to even consider. Where the hell would I put it? But at least the sign would be nice small piece of history I could remember the place by. It was agreed that I would come back in a week for the sign.
When the foreman made it clear the Double Dutch Dinette sign was up for grabs I quickly volunteered to take it off his hands. Nothing was said about the huge mural and I didn't bother asking. I just assumed it would be destroyed, besides it was too big for me to even consider. Where the hell would I put it? But at least the sign would be nice small piece of history I could remember the place by. It was agreed that I would come back in a week for the sign.
Going, going, gone
When I returned a week later to the now gutted interior of the Double Dutch, I noticed the sign carefully placed to the side in perfect condition. The foreman generously asked where I lived and offered to have his crew deliver it to my home during their break that day.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked.
He said, "Nothing, don't worry about it."
"Let me run to the ATM. I got to at least give you something for delivering it. I'll be right back."
As I turned to leave I saw a four by ten foot panel of the old mural leaning against the wall, the other three panels neatly stacked behind it. It looked magnificent!
Without hesitating I asked, "What are you going to do with the old mural?"
"No plans, why?"
"If you are just going to get rid of it, I'll take that too! If that's OK?"
"Really, you want that? Sure."
He agreed to deliver it to my house with the sign and I ran to the ATM. I had no idea what the hell I would do with the huge mural but I figured I'd jump off that bridge when I got to it. Then I called wifey to share the great news.
Today the mural covers a wall in our living room with the letters from the Double Dutch Dinette sign hanging randomly on the walls. Every morning when I sit quietly with my coffee I enjoy every inch our new space. It's perfect.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked.
He said, "Nothing, don't worry about it."
"Let me run to the ATM. I got to at least give you something for delivering it. I'll be right back."
As I turned to leave I saw a four by ten foot panel of the old mural leaning against the wall, the other three panels neatly stacked behind it. It looked magnificent!
Without hesitating I asked, "What are you going to do with the old mural?"
"No plans, why?"
"If you are just going to get rid of it, I'll take that too! If that's OK?"
"Really, you want that? Sure."
He agreed to deliver it to my house with the sign and I ran to the ATM. I had no idea what the hell I would do with the huge mural but I figured I'd jump off that bridge when I got to it. Then I called wifey to share the great news.
Today the mural covers a wall in our living room with the letters from the Double Dutch Dinette sign hanging randomly on the walls. Every morning when I sit quietly with my coffee I enjoy every inch our new space. It's perfect.
The wonderful view from our living room
Now there is something to brighten every corner
When guests arrive their response is awesome. "Oh my God! This is from that place on Washington Boulevard. Right? I loved that mural! I can't believe you got this. Wow!"
Apparently you didn't need to be from New Jersey to appreciate the magical affect this mural seemed to have. It was just one of those places we all hate to see disappear.
Apparently you didn't need to be from New Jersey to appreciate the magical affect this mural seemed to have. It was just one of those places we all hate to see disappear.
The Double Dutch Dinette left a lasting impression
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