Elva's Malt Shop

23990(?) National Trails Hwy., Oro Grande, CA
Phone:

East < GO > West

K. T. Smith built Elva's Malt Shop next to the family home and named the business for his daughter. The business was sometimes referred to as Elva's Cafe & Malt Shop or more casually as a sandwich shop. It is located just a few hundred feet west of Potapov's Station & Auto Court site.

GPS: 34.687888, -117.339303

The building was described as being painted in a cool green shade with just a touch of red to catch the eye, which was a veritable invitation for the tired motorist to "pause and refresh."

The most common date cited for the malt shop being built is 1946. I doubt the accuracy of that date because the business and building were offered for sale or lease in at least 1946, 47 and 48 and possibly later. Those offers all mentioned living quarters, but didn't say if they were in the same building.

Photo(s): 2013