Craby Joe's Back on Main
Pamela Rouse
[Flickr]
The "Joe's" in "Craby Joe's" awaits installation inside Raw Materials, at 436 S. Main.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A Downtown landmark has returned to Main street. The neon sign from Craby Joe's, the 1930's dive bar made famous by Charles Bukowski, was installed inside Raw Materials this afternoon, just two blocks north of its former home.
The sign, owned by Downtown resident Jeremy Hansen, had been on display at the Museum of Neon Art, but was in need of a new home at least until the museum makes its move to new space in Glendale. Raw Materials jumped at the chance.
While the sign's only set to be in the store for a year, co-owner Jim Winstead doesn't sound adverse to the piece hanging around longer. "It's up to the owner of the sign how long it can stay," said Winstead. The arrangement came about when the museum contacted gallery owner Bert Green to see about finding a space. Green contacted Raw Materials, and the year-old art and architecture store was quick to offer up a wall.
Once installation is finished, the plan is to put the sign on a timer that will have it lit each evening. "People will be able to come by and take a look at it," he said.
Watching the ongoing installation, one thing was still puzzling Winstead: "We still don't know why there's only one 'B' in Craby."
Jeremy Hansen on February 23, 2010, at 04:15PM – #1
This is great!!! Thanks for covering this. I can't wait to see it!
jim winstead (@jimw) on February 23, 2010, at 04:40PM – #2
unfortunately, the install wasn't quite completed this afternoon, but it should be done tomorrow. (it's up on the wall, but not all of the neon is in the fixture and wired up.)
Bert Green (@bgfa) on February 23, 2010, at 05:20PM – #3
So glad this worked out. Thanks to everyone!
Robyn on February 23, 2010, at 05:53PM – #4
Right on!!
Jeremy Hansen on February 23, 2010, at 08:32PM – #5
By the way, the B was originally supposed to be a Z for Crazy Joe's, but the original sign maker mistakenly did it backwards...
I have no proof around this, but it's the best story I've heard so far, so I'm sticking with it :-)
thanks
Lynxwiler on February 23, 2010, at 10:54PM – #6
I adore it! I can't wait to see Craby Joe's light up the room at Raw Materials!
Jasmijn on February 24, 2010, at 05:14AM – #7
Hooray! Two of the highlights of Main St in one place :) Now I can buy good art supplies at great prices and remember that long bar.