Oh, Yala's Pizza is still there, although it's known as Fran's Pizza these days. But it's hard not to feel a little nostalgic about the businesses that are long gone: Lawson's; Sohio; Sandy's Hamburgers; Whalen Drug; DiSimone's (one of the first bars that I went to when I could legally drink); Gene's Hobby Hub; Lezber Floors; and of course, the most missed of all: Willow Hardware.
And sixty years ago today, the huge Willow Hardware ad above appeared in the Journal on May 13, 1965. It's an interesting ad, kind of fun to look at, seeing all of the various components that were cobbled together to promote the Pittsburgh Paints sale.
Pittsburgh Paints is a brand that I'm not too familiar with. In my adult life, Sherwin-Williams is the only brand we bought. Fortunately for me, I was a bad painter (even though ironically I was a graphic artist) and as a result did very little or none of the painting in the two houses we owned.
The funny thing is, being someone who watched a lot of cartoons growing up (and still watching them), the only thing I remember about Pittsburgh Paints is their mascot – a peacock, not unlike NBC's bird.
Here's a pinback with him currently on eBay.
And surprisingly, I even found a 1974 commercial with him on YouTube.
Recognize the voice? That's voice artist Paul Frees, the voice of Boris Badenov, the nemesis of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
We used Pittsburgh Paints on our first home in the ‘80’s, which we purchased from good ole Elmer at L&O Paints, downtown Lorain. But I don’t recall ever seeing the advertising- I LOVE that peacock logo!
ReplyDeletePittsburgh Paints is still around. In fact, it is the second largest paint company in the world, behind only Sherwin Williams. If you drive a car, it is most likely covered with Pittsburgh Paint from the factory. It's more commonly known today by its parent company PPG. You can get it at Menards and Home Depot (architectural, not automotive). I don't believe that logo still exists though.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember this commercial, either; very trippy.
ReplyDeleteMy father preferred Pratt & Lambert for some reason. It's now owned by Sherwin-Williams.
ReplyDeleteHandled their advertising 80’s - 90’s while at the Journal…great people great store. Where else could you get a belt for your sweeper, a seal for your pressure cooker and a spring for your 25 year old lawn mower. Todd
ReplyDeleteI wonder which company, Pittsburgh Paints or NBC, first had the trademark for the peacock and either did or didn’t enforce it.
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteWhat was the name of the Italian restaurant that was just about next door to Willow Hardware? They had great food, but I'll be darned if I can remember what it was called. Also, when we moved there - about the same time as the ad - they also had a plastic model and balsa wood airplane counter, which I immediately headed for whenever we went.
Hi Mike, I think it was DiSimones (later, Caponi's). It was a restaurant but the bar portion seemed like an Admiral King hangout at night.
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