You are probably already aware that each Fry’s electronics store is built around an elaborate individualized theme. Fry’s, which first opened in Silicon Valley in 1985, started the themes with its second store in Sunnyvale which is now defunct. The store was designed to look like the inside of a giant computer. Manhattan Beach has a Polynesian theme, Woodland Hills is inhabited by the creatures of Alice in Wonderland and the Fountain Valley Store is modeled after the ruins of ancient Rome, complete with a flowing aqueduct.
One of the most popular stores is in Burbank, which is all about 50s and 70s Sci Fi movies. The first time I visited the Burbank Fry’s around 14 years ago I was not impressed. The lighting was dim and the miniatures and jeeps were dusty. The place has undergone a big overhaul. It is bright and clean, and they have added a lot of features. We particularly like the classic 50s cars repurposed as dining booths at the snack bar, “The Atomic Cafe.” It’s amusing to see people blithely doing business beneath giant irradiated ants.
Photo essay after the break
I LOVE Sci-Fi films, especially those made in the 1950s. When I think about the Sci-Fi films made in the 1950s I become a little kid again; they were my “babysitter”, lol! When I first discovered Youtube the very first thing I did was begin searching for old, B&W Sci-Fi films to watch! 🙂