Walkin’ Around Checkin’ Stuff Out. #11
Something different this week.
We’re on the road for the holidays. I don’t finish many drawings on these trips as there is only time to mine for ideas and find inspiration.
But I can offer you a few photos. WACSO isn’t just about drawings…it’s about documenting the stuff we see and sometimes that’s best done with a photo.
We’re headed from Minneapolis to Kansas City for a couple days and off to Hot Springs Arkansas.
Pam and I were made for trips like this…if there’s a seedy bar or old donut shop, we’ll find it. These trips are what Walkin’ Around Checkin’ Stuff Out is all about.
See an old ghost sign on the backside of a brick building?…Stop and admire it. Take a few photos. Maybe look up the building history.
It’s rare, but sometimes the building still operates as the ghost sign suggests.
That was the case with the Harry J. Epstein Tool Company, Since 1935. Still going strong. And still family run. We hung out for a while checkin’ the place out and hanging at the counter with a constant stream of regulars.
Met a few cool people that pointed us in the direction of other stuff we needed to see while we were in town. Trust me…I’m taking the advice of anyone who hangs out in a 90 year old tool store.
Harry J. Epstein Tool Co. Kansas City MO
Getting a demo of an old funeral home music machine. Not sure what it’s doing in a tool shop, but it was there and they were happy to give us a demo, even if it isn’t my first choice in music.
Sketches from the road.
(Rough sketches that may or may not become real at some point)
Kansas City, MO
Saw this blowup santa on the second floor of a cool old building that had a music club on the first floor.
Building corner clocks are so cool…this particular corner had an old clock on one corner and a newer more modern thermometer on the other. Helpful.
Hotel President. Kansas City, MO
I love a good neon sign. Oh, and note to self: Check out the Drum Room the next time we’re in town. That has tons of potential.
Old buildings. Kansas City, MO
The shear amount of cool old buildings in Kansas City would keep me drawing for years. It’s pretty incredible.
Some of our favorite places to hit look like they haven’t been in business for years or even decades.
That was certainly the case with Johnny’s Donuts and Hamburgers. Based on the sign, we were sure the business was long gone. Nope.
I want to point out this was not the best neighborhood in Kansas City…the proof was in the bulletproof glass that separated the employees from the customers.
That’s Johnny back there in the shades. Gotta love a guy running the kitchen wearing shades. I wish we could have talked a bit but the bulletproof glass made that a minor inconvenience.
My first question would have been: Why hamburgers and donuts? (My guess is his answer would have been something like: Because I like hamburgers, and I like donuts.)
I appreciate great restaurant design, but sometimes I need a place that feels more real and has soul. Johnny’s has lots of soul. Want fancy decor? Go somewhere else.
Oh yeah…food review: Great donut holes…light and fluffy as they should be. Cheeseburger: Amazing. The star of the show was the crispy bun and heavy dose of raw onions. Good stuff. And it beat the crap out of the $22 hotel bar burger we had that night after the bartender said it was the best burger in town. Sorry, buddy…you haven’t been to Johnny’s.
Ready to roadtrip.
Davis loves the car and car rides. He was ready to go and loved the drive down to Kansas City.
Holiday Jams.
It seems like every building in downtown Minneapolis has musicians playing holiday tunes leading up to the new year.
I was liking’ this guys vibe…kind of an old hippy dude layin’ down the holiday jams.
One thing I know to be true: There’s no one happier than a musician playing music.
Smooth Dude.
Broder’s Deli. Minneapolis, MN
Broder’s had some serious holiday buzz with people picking up food and gifts. This dude had great style…and great taste in food.
Northrup King Building.
Northeast Minneapolis, MN
Located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis this old building is no longer a factory but does house over 300 artists making stuff like paintings, sculpture, furniture….whatever it is, the intent is pure and that’s pretty cool. (I’m just glad it’s not a bank.)
Wish we lived in a society where Johnny and his customers were allowed to thrive so there would be no need for bulletproof glass. Thanks for taking us along on the road!
Northrup-King reminds me of the Exchange District in downtown Winnipeg- it's full of old brick and stone buildings put to new uses than what they were originally built for.