After years of ruling the corner of 16th and Broadway, the old Tower Records building is being re-branded for Dimple Records. Dimple will be the 3rd record store to occupy the site when it reopens in mid July. The property had been controlled for years by music legend Russ Solomon. Solomon lost his Tower Records business to bankruptcy in 2006, and then closed his second venture, R5, when he retired earlier this month.

 The corner of Broadway and 16th has always provided Sacramento with a sense of identity with its majestic theatre and beautiful garden. But the biggest highlight of the grounds is the Tower Cafe that will, on Earth Day, 2010, turn 20. The restaurant was opened by owner Jim Seyman, 60, on April 22, 1990 as a coffee shop intended for people to come and socialize, but with the aid of worldly kitsch, a progressive award winning menu and a patio filled with flora and fauna, the Tower has come to represent one of Sacramento’s greatest local and tourist spots. The menu has entrees ranging from carnitas rojas, a spectacular combination of pulled pork, colorful tortilla shells, and a chile relle

I understand that shortly after the writing of this piece,  the Tower Record Store sign located at the closed chains Watt and El Camino store location will be coming down.  While I do not know how long the sign has been there, the store apparently opened in 1960.  The sign will be donated to local officials as a vital piece of history, eventially to be part of the Sacramento History Museum in Old Town Sac.  Alas this reminder triggers yet another sentimental trip down the infamous "Memory Lane".  While I have no pictures to share, maybe some reading this do.  I do know Tower Records over the years was the recipient of many of my hard earned dollars, dollars that these days most often go t

  It has been a topic of discussion in the area for years, could the Tower and Crest Theaters have to close? With new giant movie chains in the area and the economy how it is, it’s a very real possibility. They have always seemed to be on the brink of closing, the Crest has closed before in the 80s, and the marquee on the Tower reads "savethetowertheater.org". So this threat must be pretty real.   A large banner on the Tower reads "SAVE THE ALHAMBRA", that is; the huge gorgeous theater that the city was unable to buy and save in 1973, it was soon demolished and made way for the Safeway that resides on Alhambra blvd today. The only thing that remains of the Alhambra is a fountain on the