The Mandarin Market (1929-1982)
- Oct 10, 2023
- 3 min read
The most unique place to shop in Hollywood was the Mandarin Market on Vine Street, characterized by pagodas, red lacquer roof, and hand-carved dragons to ward off evil spirits.
One of the first drive-in markets of its kind in Los Angeles, the L-shaped building was mostly open-air and bookended by two fully-enclosed shops (24-hour restaurant Chilitown and Mandarin Bakery), as well as a Texaco gasoline kiosk in the front court. To keep the lot available for customers, there was also a rear entrance off La Mirada Avenue for all deliveries.
Inspired by Sid Grauman’s Chinese Theatre up the street, its decorator Stefan Horbaczek was called upon to put the finishing touches on the Mandarin ahead of its 1929 opening. Inside, the walls were rose-pink with gold leafing and framed by black teak-like woodwork. Chinese symbols and words were painted onto display case tiles and the edges of archways.
