u/Eric_C_Productions

It took about a year and a half but I finally completed the 1955 Bowman Set.

Went to the Northridge Mall in Salinas CA. This was my 23rd former Sears store in California this year.

I am continuing my journey to go to as many former Sears locations in California. Today I visited the Sears at Sunvalley Mall in Concord CA. This is my 22nd location of the year. This store is the last remaining store that is OPEN in California. Yes, I did buy something there. A trend that I have done at the Burbank location before they closed as well as the Whittier location before they closed. I even set up a Sears Rewards account even though it is of little use to me given that I live about 500 miles from the closest Sears.

I am continuing my journey to go to as many former Sears locations in California. Today I visited the former Sears at Eastridge Mall in San Jose CA. This is my 21st location of the year.

One of the four Sears that remained in California, this one closed in 2024. The other three Sears: Whittier (closed in 2025), Burbank (closed in 2025) and the last remaining one in Concord.

I was driving in Stockton and saw this. I knew right off the bat that it was a Circuit City.

Alta Dena Dairy Drive-Thru were common in Southern California. This former location is now a Montebello Ranch Express Drive Thru.

And my journey continues. I am trying to document as many former Sears stores in southern California and what they looked like before and what they look like today.

I am working on filling an entire album with pairs. This is a partial list of the ones that I have. It keeps going. These things cost a fortune!!! I am also doing this with Series 2 as well. That is a lot easier and less expensive.

My Dad played football and ran track in high school in Hawaii. His father, my grandfather, played football, track, and basketball at that same high school 41 years earlier in 1923,

Before the days of the cell phone, kids actually played outside, Dads hung out on the front porch drinking beer, and Big Wheels were cool. We stayed out until dark and drank from the hose when we were thirsty. The good ol' days.

I worked as a Disneyland Cast member in Mickey's Toontown in 1996. I was able to get a picture with all of the Mickey Mouses together inside Mickey's House. I was hoping to get one with me and 8 Mickey's all at once since they always had two per room. Good times!

Just picked these up. Low grade and stained but I am building a binder. Goal is to build up to 8 complete sets.

My Grandfather (center with his arms like a bird) was an athlete in his day. In high school, he was in football, basketball, and track. He also found time to play baseball as well as used to high dive off the dive tower in Hilo, Hawaii. I will be posting that in the future. He played soccer and was on the swim team at USC during the 1920s. Later in life, he played golf.

My grandfather hanging out with his friends in Los Angeles in 1924.

My Grandfather (on the far left) was living in Los Angeles going to USC from 1923-1928. Since he couldn't go home to Hawaii during those years, he would go on to travel the country and see the sights.

I had bought a collection of 1955 Bowman to use as space holders when I was putting together my set. As each card was replaced, I added the space holder to the back of my binder. Now I am one card away from completing the set. I just need #283 Nestor Chylak.

My Grandfather is pictured on the far right as he was leaving for college. Steamships were the common passage back in the 1920s from Hawaii to California. My grandfather was on his way to USC where he was studying to be a dentist. He attended USC from 1923-1928. Marion Morrison (aka John Wayne) was on the football team at the time. My Grandfather would go to the football games at the Coliseum which was completed the same year, just a few months before my Grandfather started his freshman year.

My Grandfather posing next to his car in Salinas CA

My uncle was in charge of loading ammunition onto the fighter planes during the War in the Pacific.