Downtown Pomona (part two)

A few days ago we drove out to Pomona for another amazing concert at The Glass House.



On this particular trip, every storefront window seemed to be a scene right out of a funhouse.



The bakery was dead, but the bread was oddly fresh. There's a 1970's horror movie/Night of the Comet feel that I love about downtown Pomona. The quiet streets. The empty restaurants. We felt like the last two human beings on the planet. We were strangely alright with that thought.



We could hear the opening band warm up down the street before stumbling upon a band's impromptu jam session in the storefront window of some abandoned dress shop.

Downtown Pomona (60 Miles East)

There's only really one reason why anyone would venture out to Pomona, California and that's for a show at The Glass House or The Fox Theater. Major acts play The Fox Theater while the coolest bands on the rise play The Glass House. Otherwise known as the Arts District, downtown Pomona is literally a ghost town before a show (especially if you're there on a week night). Most of the surrounding restaurants are open, but you won't have to wait long for a table. You'll be the only one there.



Friendly Fires played this night. There was barely an audience, but the band nonetheless made me believe that one day we'd live in Paris.



Author Ray Bradbury paid twin visits to the city in hopes of saving downtown. In 1978, he spoke to "save The Fox Theater." It was saved.

He also suggested Orange Groves be planted near the Mexican restaurant (which is a favorite of mine - just don't order the Steak & Eggs Scrambler) to give the area the feel of its early days. He also suggested winding sidewalks and an artificial river. He warned if they didn't take his suggestions, the area would be... "bled dry by surrounding malls."



Now, how does one find their way out of here?