Community Corner
Old Sign Generates New Buzz on Bolinas Road
Many want to preserve facade dating back to the 1920s of the building that formerly housed Lydia's Kitchen.
Mike Hazel of Hazel Construction had no idea what he was about to uncover.
Hazel, a local resident for the past 37 years, has worked on a number of commercial projects in the Ross Valley and around Marin, having rebuilt 19 Broadway after the fire three years ago. His latest undertaking is at 31 Bolinas Road. In removing the façade of the building, he uncovered an old “Garage” sign that dates back to the 1920s at best guess.
The location is the former spot for Lydia’s Kitchen. Lydia Kindheart moved her organics business to Petaluma last June. The building is now being renovated for the Fairfax Diner, which has plans for a deck expansion to accommodate outdoor eating in the adjacent parking lot. The Fairfax Diner will be a restaurant offering organic vegan cuisine.
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Hazel says he has never received so many calls about a project than he has about this one already.
“I am getting about 4 calls a day," he says. "Everyone wants to know what’s going to happen with the sign.”
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A new local art and retail center called The Garage, scheduled to open April 27 at 2000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Fairfax, has requested the sign. Hazel says the sign will go to The Garage providing it survives removal.
He says that he is sensitive to the desires of his neighbors, locals and officials, but preserving the sign may be a challenge.
“There is a good amount of dry rot around the foundation and windows," he says. "I’m worried that the sign may not survive its removal.”
The original target date for opening the new restaurant was for this coming June.
“That’s not going to happen,” says Hazel.
A recent change of architects assigned to the building has also contributed to the extended timeline. Hazel estimates that the project can be completed in about 7 months.
We'll keep you updated on this project and the status of the sign.
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