The Fox Theater in downtown Pomona opened in 1931. Reconstruction began in January 2008 by the firm Arteco Partners, which received a historic tax credit from the state of California to revive the building to its original style. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

by Maxtla Benavides & Carmin Hermosillo
photography by Rhiannon Mim

Hammers pound and the smell of paint and dust fills the air. Construction workers in hard hats and utility belts, their clothes covered with dirt and plaster, work diligently to meet the deadline for the grand reopening of the Fox Theater in Pomona. Their attention to detail is evident. The ceiling is ornately painted with floral designs, complimenting art-deco patterns on the walls.

At one time, the theater echoed the beauty of old Hollywood, with its majestic staircase at the entrance leading to the balcony. It is the same staircase that people used in the 1930s when the theater opened. Elegant, fan-like ironwork adorns the staircase and wraps around the theater entrance, adding a touch of sophistication to the renovated space.

The Pomona Fox Theater first opened on April 23, 1931, when the city of Pomona was surrounded by agricultural fields. Pomona and its surrounding communities embraced the lavish flair of the Fox Theater in the middle of this farmland. Designed by Balch and Standberry of Los Angeles, the theater was a masterpiece of art deco design. In its heyday, an 81-foot-tall sign bearing the word “Fox” rotated in red and blue neon.

In 1931, the interior of the Fox displayed murals and tapestries, elaborate plaster panels, ornamental iron work, couches, and one of the first commercial air-conditioning systems in the country. This charming movie theater offered jobs to local teens and became the place of many dates for couples.

Steve Julian, host of Pasadena-based radio station KPCC’s Morning Edition program, spent his childhood riding his bicycle from Emerson Junior High School to downtown Pomona. “My mother’s aunt took me to see ‘Cat Ballou’ with Jane Fonda. It is the first memory I have going to the Fox,” Julian says. He remembers the distinctive carpet throughout theater and recalls a “beautiful staircase that went up the right hand side of the lobby to the balcony.”
The Fox was large for its time and offered something unusual—a grand balcony. “It really was the balcony that was just magical,” Julian says.

Julian has many fond childhood memories of the Fox Theater. “I remember sitting up in the balcony and hearing the sound of the film being processed through the projectors. You could sit right up by the projection room and see the light coming through.”

Moviegoers were treated to a complete theater palace experience. There was a Wurlitzer organ pre-show, newsreels, cartoon and comedy shorts, Sunday serials and the latest big picture releases. Major motion picture studios tested Hollywood screenings at the theater. Hollywood truly came to town for those screenings, too. They were glamorous – complete with red-carpet openings, Hollywood stars and plenty of paparazzi.

Unfortunately, the excitement began to deteriorate and so did the theater. Suburban malls and California’s freeway system became factors in its demise. Movie enthusiasts no longer had just one option for entertainment, but several.

But decades later, the theater got a second wind.

The grand reopening of the Fox Theater on April 18, 2009, proved to be a success, with hundreds of people in attendance at the unveiling of the historical space. Located nearly an hour east of Hollywood, the Fox Theater is a gem, ready to thrive in one of the newest hubs for arts and culture in the heart of downtown Pomona. The reopening of the Fox Theater is helping put Pomona back on the map of entertainment destinations—a real plus for a city plagued with the stigma of having more than its share of crime.

“I think it brings a positive spin to Pomona,” says Leo Molina, owner of the nearby Radio Futura record shop. “Most people think it’s not safe or that there is not much going on here. This helps change that perception.”

After the Fox was bought by the city of Pomona in 2002 from a manager who produced rave parties that left the theater in less than prime condition, it was decided collectively that a private company would handle the renovation project. To aid the renovation project, the “Friends of the Fox,” a non-profit organization, was created to help garner funds and support for the project. “Our commitment from the beginning is that we intend to comply with the historic preservation,” says Michael Schowalter, Chairman of Friends of the Fox. “When you talk about historic preservation, this has been No. 1 on people’s lists.” The theater is in the national historic registry, which means the building had to be restored in compliance with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), an arm of the Department of the Interior.

The Tessier family, which owns many properties in Pomona, took on the project as developers with the goal of transforming this neglected landmark into the city’s main attraction. The Tessiers are also known as stakeholders in the city for their involvement in community-based projects. Mark Tessier helped start “The School of Arts and Enterprise,” a charter high school that has college preparatory courses. It is located in Pomona’s downtown Arts Colony.

“We were born and raised here. It is a labor of love,” says Jerry Tessier. The young developer sympathizes with the bad stigma that has plagued Pomona. “It is really hard to convince and show people that downtown Pomona is fully revitalized and a good place to come.”

From the Tessier office, there is an aerial view of the rotating Fox sign and the marquee that was replaced in the 1950s. The tower will now be turned into a restaurant, which connects to the east terrace from an elaborate staircase. Both the east and tower terraces are open spaces, and the Tessier family recognized an opportunity to expand the theater and create alternate business opportunities.

“I got the inspiration for outdoor patios from the Fonda Theater in Hollywood,” Tessier says. Each terrace will be used for private parties, intermission areas and casual lounging. The theater will also have its own VIP area. The tower terrace can be used for private parties for up to 24 people. “Just when you think that the next door will lead to an exit, in actuality it will bring guests right back into the historic lobby or lead to another new-found area to the complex,” says Tessier.

The east terrace connects to the tower terrace, historic lobby and corner restaurant. The corner restaurant sits comfortably on the west side of the theater, nearest Third Street and Garey Avenue. Guests of the Fox can choose to dine for a casual night out or enjoy an appetizer while waiting on a show to start in the Grand Hall. The restaurant, with walls painted deep blue, features artwork by local artists. The winding staircase that sits in the middle of the restaurant leads into a bar area. Just steps away from the bar is a door that leads to a concession stand lit by fancy chandeliers.

Developers researched photo archives of the original Fox Theater interior to replicate the designs from the early 1930s throughout the venue. Stencils of the artwork were made to match the original color palate of the space. They also took swatches of original paints in order to match the original colors.

The Grand Hall is an integral part of the theater. It includes the grand balcony, an orchestra level and the main floor, which still has the original 350 seats intact.

Local residents, as well as members of outside communities, have welcomed the restoration with open arms. But for local business owners who are located on the same block of the theater, the feeling is bittersweet.

“The whole year has been a disaster with all the construction going on, but I am putting up with it because I know the opening of the theater will also benefit me,” says Minerva Hernandez, a flowers and craft store owner on Third Street. The corner window of her shop, which she uses for advertisement, was boarded up during the construction period. She attributes a loss in sales in part to the construction. At the same time, however, she is hopeful that the new and improved venue will bring more business to the downtown area and increase sales again. She is not alone.

“We’ve been here 15 years and we’ve been waiting for it to open,” says Leo Molina. “We think it’s fantastic. I just can’t wait until they have events. I think it’s great, and I think it will bring more people to Pomona – period.”

photo by Rhiannon Mim

The grand lobby at the entrance to the Fox Theatre includes a 1930s staircase with a large portion of the original banister and metal work. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

The lobby's original ceiling was covered under 12 layers of paint and was uncovered for replication of the design, which took three months to paint. With the help of the Frasier Photo Collection at the Pomona Public Library, historic photographs were used to replicate the chandeliers which were hand-made and cost $40,000 each. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

photo by Rhiannon Mim

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Since opening in 1996, the Glass House has played host to a wide range of chart-topping bands, including No Doubt, White Stripes and Rage Against the Machine. The Class House is located at 200 West Second St. in the Pomona Arts Colony. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

by Megan Sebestyen
photography by Rhiannon Mim

On the back wall of the small shop, CDs crowd the narrow shelf, each competing for attention. Each shiny album cover displays a scrawled signature where a member of the band took the time to personalize his/her album. Picking a single CD is difficult, as each brightly colored cover tempts the viewer with promises of a story behind the signature. Supernatural, a rapper from New York, has several signed CDs on display. The band members of The Faint make it a point to stop in every time they pass through town.

What’s odd about these visits by band members, though, is that they are not visiting a record store, but rather a used bookstore in Pomona located across the street from a concert venue where they perform. Supernatural buys poetry here while members of The Faint buy books to read during their long days on the road.

Across the street lies the source of the musical influence: the Glass House Concert Hall. The venue brings bands, bands bring crowds, and the crowds bring business to downtown Pomona.

“The Arts Colony in Pomona has become co-dependant. The ebb and flow of the businesses here rely heavily on what is happening across the street at the Glass House,” JoAnn Kaiser, co-owner of Magic Door IV Used Books, says. “We get band people in here all the time. And when the band comes in, so do the fans.”

Outside the Glass House, a long line of concertgoers stretches down the sidewalk, with fans eagerly clutching their tickets for the night’s show. Each time the main doors open, the crowd crushes forward, anxious to immerse themselves in the sounds within. Caught in their excitement, the crowd moves forward as one, not noticing that they share no commonalities other than their taste in music.

Two young girls giggle behind their hands, torn between trying to either ignore or earn the attention of the two older men with lip piercings and death-metal t-shirts who stand beside them. The owners of Magic Door IV Used Books shut down their store across the street from the Glass House and scuttle to the line for their sixth show this month. But when the doors finally open, and the crowd flows forward, they all seem the same; their concert wristbands have brought them together to this one place.

At this location on Pomona’s Second Street sits the concert hall that has earned a reputation as one of the best small venues for all types of music lovers. The variety of concerts performed here and the big-name bands draw music lovers from all over the Inland Empire and Los Angeles area. “It’s a very friendly venue,” Kaiser says. “A lot of performers from Los Angeles come here because they find the audience friendly.”

University of La Verne Events Scheduling Manager Doug Waite first visited the Glass House eight years ago to see Stereolab. “[The Glass House is] nicer than some. It’s certainly not a fancy venue. But for the right group, like the alternative groups, it’s the right venue. It gives people in the Inland Empire a place to go.”

The Glass House is especially popular because it hosts great bands for an all-ages audience. The Glass House has hosted bands such as the Pixies, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rage Against the Machine and Say Anything.

“When a band I really love comes through, I’d rather see them there,” says Christina Zamora, manager of the Glass House Record Store. “The shows there are just a little more intimate and smaller.”

Even from the beginning, the Glass House handpicked all the bands that came through. “I’ve seen a lot of great bands who were new to the scene given a chance to play there,” former Glass House employee Joe Black says. Black is currently an art and entertainment director for booking agency 51 Buckingham.

Talent booking agent Jon Halperin says that he brought in bands like Tokyo Police Club, Plain White Tees, White Stripes and Of Montreal in the years before they were famous. “We book what the public wants. I need to book what bands kids and young adults are interested in seeing. I have to think like I am 20 years younger.”

Halperin said the majority of the audience is aged 15 to 25, though the bands vary greatly in musical genres. In order to cater to the interests of their audience, the Glass House has a MySpace page where users can see the show schedule, message other concertgoers, and even utilize links to purchase tickets. Shows usually occur about five nights a week, and Halperin tries to vary the bands who play together as much as possible. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the place fills to capacity nearly every night by 10 p.m., closer to the time when the headlining band performs.

Zamora said that the Glass House is comparable to the Troubadour and the Music Box in Los Angeles. All these venues are produced by GoldenVoice, which also sponsors events such as the annual Coachella Music Festival in Palm Springs.

This year, the Coachella Music Festival, held from April 17 to 19, featured artists like Conor Oberst, the Killers and Paul McCartney. Because of the connection between the Glass House and Coachella, Oberst also performed April 15 at the Glass House.

When the Glass House opened in 1996, the first show featured No Doubt. Black remembers being at the first show. At the beginning of his career with the Glass House, Black wore many hats; including the security person, the band load-in and sound production guy, and filled many other jobs as needed.

Black says downtown Pomona wasn’t always a haven for artists.

“Before the Glass House, there were vacant buildings. There were literally tumbleweeds rolling down the street,” Black says. “I’ve lived in Pomona since 1988. It used to be a ghost town. There wasn’t even an arts colony.”

Since those years, though, Pomona has cultivated quite a charming art community. Every second Saturday, the Glass House Record Store has a free in-store performance and art show to coincide with Pomona’s Downtown Art Walk.

The streets around the Glass House provide opportunities for before and after shows. Across the street sits Magic Door IV and La Bomba Thrift Shop. Around the corner, the older crowd can enjoy drinks at dba256 Gallery Wine Bar; while the younger concertgoers munch chips and salsa or play pool at Jimenez Mexican Restaurant.

These business owners are often among the crowd of concertgoers. “We’re heavily influenced by the Glass House. We see four to six shows a month,” Kaiser says. “On show nights, we close when the headliner goes on, either because that’s when business stops, or so we can see the show.”

After shows, fans will often come to the Magic Door and ask to buy the books that the members of the band bought.

“Literate bands have literate fans,” Kaiser says. “The bands and the fans really connect here.”

Employee Brian Ortiz checks the stock at the Glass House Record Store. The store hosts free musical performances on the second Saturday of every month during the Downtown Art Walk. / photo by Rhiannon Mim

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photo by Lauren Pollard

by Galo Pesantes
photography by Lauren Pollard

Millions of people across the region and beyond have been able to connect with it for the last 86 years. It’s known for providing a unique experience of diverse food, attractions, concerts and amusement rides. It seems like whatever the weather, or whatever you feel like doing, you can find your fun at the Los Angeles County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the world.

But the Pomona Fairplex has grown into so much more than a county fairgrounds. In fact, it is one of the most prolific venues in the area, hosting more than 300 events a year and attracting more than 2 million tourists, fans and enthusiasts. These events range from major year-round activities to day- or weekend-long events. Among them is the birth of the National Hot Rod Association, a prominent sporting event that has called the Fairplex home since 1953. It holds two major races every year at the Pomona Raceway: the Winternationals and the Auto Club of Southern California Finals.

“There’s no question, Southern California is the home of drag racing,” says Michael Padian, public relations manager for the NHRA. “There is a lot of history here. A lot of our drivers know that because they grew up around the area. (Pomona Raceway) is a special place for sure.”

In addition to the Raceway, the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School is held at the Fairplex to train future drivers and up-and-coming stars on the circuit. When the racing is over, people can visit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which pays tribute to Parks and the history of the sport. The NHRA Twilight Cruiser events take place at the Museum the first Wednesday of every month and feature pre-1970 vintage vehicles, including hot rods and muscle cars. If that is not enough, the Grand National Roadster Show, the longest running indoor hot rod event in the world, exhibits thousands of exclusive and custom-made hot rods. Auto fanatics have also been able to experience events like the California RV show, the Off Road Expo, the Pomona Auto Swap Meet and the L.A. Roadsters Show.

Along with the RV show, the Fairplex has it own KOA/RV facility as part of the Kampgrounds of America Inc. network, which serves as a camping location for hundreds of tourists and visitors. On the east side of White Avenue, the area offers a mini-market, spa, laundry and shower facilities as well as a clubhouse, recreation room and kitchen. It not only provides convenience to those enjoying the sights and sounds of the fair, but also gives easy and comfortable access to other amenities offered at the Fairplex.

For horse racing fans, Fairplex Park rivals many horse racing venues like those at Hollywood Park, San Anita and Los Alamitos. It hosts several races during the Fair season and serves as a site for thoroughbreds to be trained all year long.

“We are in the perfect place to attract people to horse racing,” says Paul Ryneveld, equine manager for the Pomona Fairplex. “We offer similar racing to those other places and have pretty quality horses.”

The park itself is able to hold over 10,000 visitors. A renovated clubhouse provides inter-track wagering services for races at other venues. Fans can also visit the Top of the Park Restaurant for lunch and dinner and enjoy a panoramic view of the racetrack. Barretts Equine Limited supplies most of the action for the races at Fairplex Park. Their facilities include auctions, shows and a complex for the sale and training of horses. The complex, Hinds Pavilion, is able to seat more than 700, and offers nine barns with room for nearly 500 horses. During Sept. 5-22, racing fever returns to Fairplex Park, as it will again host races in the day and nighttimes.

“We had a really good season last year from a racing standpoint,” Ryneveld says. “This year, we may see some of the better riders in the nations during the final weekend of the season.”

When not catering to events at the raceway or park, the Convention and Exposition Complex sees the majority of trade and consumer shows that travel across the nation. Among these is the Computer Fair, which is held eight times a year, along with competitions, specialty shows and expos, collectible and merchandise shows, dog shows, agricultural and livestock fairs, wine shows, boat shows and various auctions. It also plays host to several festivals, including the Irish Fair and Music Festival, which brings thousands of performers and guests, and the Asian American Expo, which had more than 50,000 people in attendance last year for their festival featuring food, music and art.

The Fairplex also has its share of charitable foundations and causes for children and young people in Pomona and other neighborhoods. The Millard Sheets Center for the Arts offers educational programs and exhibits helping to enrich the meaning and purpose of arts in the lives of children. It holds several events annually, including a gallery that incorporates themes in art and investigates cultural understandings to better serve the community. It intends to reach a broad audience, continuing to carry the advancement of arts in society and culture and teach a diverse program of art, film, music and more.

Another foundation is the Child Development Center, which works with the University of La Verne in providing educational services and child care for children, including those with disabilities.

“Education is a large focus of ours at the Fairplex,” says Wendy Talarico, Fairplex communications and public relations manager. “We partner with area school districts to create these educational programs for children.”

These programs have been especially helpful for low-income families and young people in the surrounding communities. Some of the activities include a literacy program, developmental and parenting programs, childhood experience programs and other workshops. It also boasts the world’s largest classroom, as children are able to explore all the different parts of the fairgrounds.

If you need a bite to eat, look no further than the Fairplex’s oldest restaurant, the Avalon. Originally known as the cafeteria, the original structure of the Avalon was built in 1937. It can accommodate up to 500 people in its meeting and banquet rooms, in addition to its food services. The Avalon serves as the fair’s year-round center for food and beverage operations and offers top quality food and drinks at affordable prices.

Finally, if you are looking for a place to stay overnight while at the Fairplex, look no
further than the Sheraton Suites Fairplex Hotel. The facility has more than 11,000 square feet and offers 247 suites. It also has a business center, fitness center and complimentary breakfast service for all guests. The suites are full-size rooms with bedroom and living rooms equipped with kitchens, TV/VCRs and phone services. The hotel can host business meetings and functions in their ballroom and banquet rooms. It’s conveniently located near the Red Gate of the Fairplex’s entrance.

Overall, the Fairplex serves as much more than the place where the Fair is held. It is able to brings thousands of people together to watch an NHRA or horse race, invites RVs to stay the week, offers hundreds of varying shows, expos and conventions, serves the community with many programs and provides facilities for eating and sleeping. The founding members of the L.A. County Fair could have never anticipated that the Pomona Fairplex would grow as much as it has today. Who knows what the future may hold? One thing is for sure: the Fairplex is much more than meets the eye.

The Fairplex is home to the Pomona Swap Meet, where people travel far to see the West Coast's largest antique auto, Corvette, Porsche, street rod and Volkswagen swap meet and car show. / photo by Lauren Pollard

photo by Lauren Pollard

photo by Lauren Pollard

Portraying the court of James I, Mary Keller and Ryan Schafar participate in the Fairplex’s annual Irish Fair. The Fairplex is transformed into a pre-St. Patrick’s Day party with music, dancing and more. / photo by Lauren Pollard

photo by Lauren Pollard

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