Some more photos

Eastern end:

Western end:

Railroad siding side (longest wall):

A few details

Overall aerial view:

A streetside sign install. This is set in a small garden area on the front main road (US Hwy 91):

Roof top industrial air con unit. Scratch built out of styrene sheet and shapes. The "louvres" are from a disposable razor blade:

Roof top sign. This the sign supplied in the Walthers kit. Graphics were made on my computer with the addition of an actual Smart and Final logo from the net:

Nice jo b,

Good looking ac unit too.

Very nice looking structure.

Very nice looking structure. I like the way you also included parking for trucks on one side and rail cars on the other as well as spots for employees to park. The integration of all those elements adds a lot to the look.

Great job on customizing a

Great job on customizing a Walthers kit to fit the space. I like the squared off corners and neat work.

Barry

Magnificent

Really fine adaptation and execution Lyndon! The overall site makes such generous and relaxed use of precious layout real estate, an unusual and welcome approach. Details like the planters around the palm and the sign convey a palpable sense of the corporate outlook and values going on inside the building, adding a lot to the visual richness. 

I infer from the apparent economic vigor of the scene (very nice, subtle weathering on the a/c unit and building walls) that you enjoy modeling a slightly idealized view of the times, the way things "ought to be" or the "bright side" of life. 

Two elements catch my eye a little bit. I'm reluctant to even mention them because I totally support the vision you so effectively convey, I should probably just shut up. I don't think you should change anything because of what some old crank on the internet thinks, that's for sure. I just notice that the flat area of the roof doesn't look quite as weathered as I would expect it too, compared to the a/c unit and walls. With all of the nice vent detail my eye wants to see some discoloration from irregular ponding or something. And, something about the typography and graphic design of the Smart & Final signage doesn't quite sing "50s" as convincingly as the automobiles in the scene. You did a beautiful job, don't get me wrong, but I wonder if this is what they were doing back then. It may be and I'm just ignorant. I'm just a little bit surprised. 

Great job, and thanks for the excellent photos!

Love Smart & Final

@LyndonS-  Excellent work, especially in modifying the kit to fit the odd-shaped space. You have absolutely captured the flavor and style of a 1950s Smart & Final distribution building. I also like all the details- not overdone- just enough to covey the right feel.  Keep up the great work.

I live in California where Smart & Final used to be one of the best kept secrets unless you were in the restaurant business, but then they opened to the public. They've be around since the 1870s. I think of them as a small version of a Costco or Sam's Club grocery section combined with a restaurant supply store.  Great prices too.

@sunacres-  Jeff-  The graphics are indeed what S&F used 1950s.

Lou in California

Thanks Lou

My ignorance has been fought and slayed! Even better, you prompted me to read up about the corporate history of this interesting company, who launched the "cash and carry" revolution (vs. having a clerk gather your groceries). That was as big a change as the current shift away from check-out clerks. 

Remember gas station attendants cleaning your windshield? Milk deliveries? It seems deliveries are coming back, I'm pretty sure that's a "good thing"!

And again thanks to Lyndon for an inspiring scene!

Great work!

That's a great job, LyndonS!

I've always liked that kit and have one in the stash. I'm biased as I used to see the prototype, which was located in the Strip District of Pittsburgh.

Here's a partial view of the building on Smallman Street, circa 1966.

Eric

I like this

The building fits the space and is large enough to absorb one-day railcars worth of stuff. By the nature of the business it'll get cleared out in a day or two, requiring another visit by the RR. As a model it is well constructed and looks entirely plausible, which is what I aim for. Well done sir!

Thank you guys

for all the kind words.

A big thank you to Lou in California for his backing my choice of logo the era I am modelling. I literally spent hours trying to find that "Smart & Final" logo. The best I can tell is that it was used around the 1950s and early 1960s.

Also a big thank you to Eric. Pittsburgh Banana Co? I had no idea. Now, I understand why Walthers brought out a version of this kit called "Miranda's Bananas". So, I set off to find some more pix of the prototype and came across several references to the great banana explosion of 1936! For anyone that is interested, you can check it out here:

https://pittarchives.tumblr.com/post/135381482147/the-pittsburgh-banana-company-explosion

LydonS-  You're very welcome

LydonS-  You're very welcome and here's a S&F coffee can from the 1950s, complete with logo:

I took a look at your website and there are some other great buildings on it.  Question- is your Chevrolet Dealership scratch built or a modified kit?  

Lou in California

PS- You learn more on MRH than just about railroads- I knew about the 1919 Boston Molasses Flood but never heard about the Pittsburgh Banana Explosion. 

thanks Lou - More on the Chevy dealer

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/41418