5635 Hollywood Boulevard was designed in December 1939 by architect Frank L Stiff on spec for the property owner, real estate investor Earl Callan. The first tenant was the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) grocery store. A&P moved here from 5719 Hollywood Boulevard, where they had been since November 1933, having previously been located next door at 5649 beginning in June 1931. The new store here opened in April 1940.

Like most Hollywood grocery stores before World War II, it was originally an open-air market, so that the dazzling displays of colorful local fruit and veg would extend out on the sidewalk, under an awning, to catch the eye of passing motorists. It was later enclosed with glass.

LA Times 4/19/1940

Located in the Morgan’s Hollywood Tract, 5635 Hollywood Boulevard had been the address of J.J. Morgan’s residence. (My post on Jackson is here).

Detail of a 1913 Sanborn Fire Insurance map showing 5635 Hollywood Boulevard when it was still a residence. Library of Congress map.

The store remained an A&P into the late 1960s. Today it is a “Carpet Village” flooring shop.