When I moved to Manhattan Beach in 1969 it was still a quiet little beach town.  Back then the guys all wanted to drive sports cars and the girls drove Volkswagens. If you drove a van you were a painter or owned a cleaning business or pet store.  There were no Soccer Moms  because most of the kids had no idea what soccer was¦ it was baseball, basketball and football. You could actually cross Sepulveda in one light and there really wasnt a lot of traffic anywhere.  Parking was a problem but once in awhile you could convince the officer not to write the ticket.  I paid $100 a month for my first apartment in MB.. it was a one bedroom on 36th Street.. and the building is still there.  I met some truly wonderful people and we are still friends to this day.  In fact it was one of my friends who inspired this post.  We were reminiscing about ‘the old days’ and started talking about how some of the old places we remembered.  Heres the list we came up with.. feel free to add any of your favorites that we missed.

Restaurants:

Tiny Naylors/Wooden Shoe/Good Stuff ..all three occupied the same space over the years. We used to go for breakfast in the wee small hours after having way too much fun at the local hot spots.
Bay 90s: This place was so much fun.. I dont think the steaks were that great but the place had a life of its own.
The Hibachi: Yes I know there is a version in Hermosa but it just doesnt have the feel of the original
Tai-Song: This place had great old style Chinese food. They had a chow mein that had everything¦
Friar Tucks and The Seafarer: These two were great.. both were on Sepulveda and similar food.. steak and seafood.. Friar Tucks was more traditional ¦and the Seafarer.. well it was just the Seafarer.. piano bar and all.
The original Panchos and Ciscos: When I first moved to town I lived just up the street on 36th.. I loved it that the Mexican restaurant had Chinese food.. and Ciscos.. that was the closest this little girl from Orange County had been to STARS.
La Paz and the Bucaneer: While I know I ate food in both places.. this was not their claim to fame.. Sundays at La Paz were amazing.. you literally saw everyone in town at some point.
The Pelican: This was the old Frigate reincarnated.. they had great fish.. really miss the steamed clam dinner..
Orville and Wilburs: I was there the night it opened and we knew we had a winner. Toward the end it got a littly seedy but it was the first really good restaurant in town.
Le Cocos: Great steak and eggs¦ this was one of the few places in town that had parking and banquet rooms.

Other Great Places:

Buffums: For as long as I can remember Buffums was a wonderful store and their tea room was the best. Everytime I walk through Macys Mens store I check out the corner where it used to be¦
The LaMar Theatre: Big mistake to get rid of our little downtown movie house.. while Sketchers is famous and local.. I really loved the intimacy of the LaMar. Not every theatre needs to be a mega complex.. Of course the good news was that they didnt let MacDonalds go in¦ Sweenys Hardware: Sometimes you just want two nails and no line and a youknow to go with the thingamajig ¦ and they always knew.
Dons Jewlers: He was the nicest man.. You never had to worry about leaving your jewlery with him¦. not that I had much to leave.
Jos Candy Cottage: This place always smelled divine..
Center Drug: I miss a drug store downtown.. they had everyting you could think of.. sort of a mini Wallmart..
Bentleys: They had mens and womens clothes and I loved that place. They tried to relocate but it never worked.
Metlox and Camerons Pottery: I think the new Metlox square is lovely but it was so much fun to go these pottery places.
The downtown Chevron Station : They did everything..
Manhattan Toy and Variety: This was truly an old fashioned five and dime..


Places I Hope Never Leave:

Uncle Bills and the Koffee Kart: There is something very special about both these places. The really are beach places. I took my nephew to Uncle Bills 25 years ago when he was 6.. to this day that is always the first place he wants to eat breakfast.
The Kettle: Because it is..
Sloopys: Still the best roast beef in town
Grunions: How can you lose a place that sells prime rib on Saturday nights for $14.00
Ercoles: Every beach town needs a locals bar.. and this is ours..
Beckers Bakery: A downtown bakery is great.. and it smells wonderful..
Manhattan Market, downtownVons and Moons: Its nice to have a neighborhood grocery.. and those roasts at Manhattan Market are to die for..
Manhattan Pizzeria: You can still buy just one slice¦
Cafe Pierre: Great food and very stylish

And all those cute little beach stores¦ stay awhile.. you give us atmosphere..