In the late 1800s, Granville street was a rugged dirt road with towering ancient trees all around. As the area was settled, a nascent metropolis began to show the glitz and glitter of its growth. The roaring 20s saw the rise of a vibrant city, glowing in the electric hum of activity. In later decades, neon lights lit up the cityscape, heralding the coming of the information-cybernetic age. Yet, in that sea of change, there remained a little place tucked near a corner of that infamous street, where a bubble of history still remains suspended in time.
The Templeton is a vintage style diner that has tried to remain true to its roots, though it has undergone several changes throughout its history. Think Elvis Presley before he got fat, mop-top Beatles, father-knows-best vinyl Americana. Canada and the USA share similar cultures, so it's not surprising that the two countries would share similar architectural/culinary design history.
There is a tinge of nostalgia in the place. The area around it is a jungle in the best of times. Party goers, shoppers, perverts, lost tourists, goth kids, bloggers, and a host of other shady characters from all walks of life. In all of this plastic-fantastic madness, you have this oasis of time standing still. Like in that famous picture with the diner at night. Heart-wrenching and blissful nostalgia. A down-to-earth kind of place, where you casually step into another dimension and have a beer without any expectations of what happened in the past or what will happen in the future. They even used to play old movies on a projector at one point. Multi-sensory time-traveling at its finest and most luxurious best. All over a great hearty meal.
My favorite dishes are the BBQ burgers, fish & chips, and macaroni & cheese. Loaded with fries of course. Maybe a bit of rabbit food if I'm feeling fancy. They used to have kick-ass chicken wings with pico de gallo, but they stopped selling them, much to my chagrin. A pitcher of beer. Oh, and don't forget the jukebox beside the table; for a quarter, you can play classic rock to your heart's content. The decor has changed throughout the years, but they basically remain frozen in time. Neon signs glow on the wall. The tables are see through and you can see vintage comics like wonder woman, postcards, old posters, even Elvis Presley's report card with his signature. A retro dream. It's the kind of place where you can lose yourself for one moment, surrounded by the whirls and whorls flowing in the river of time.
Images by @litguru using an Olympus TG-6 on backlight HDR mode. I further processed the images in OM Workspace photo editing software.
You have discovered a fine pearl. I also have a love for places that have stood still in time and accept the changes around them with stoic serenity, even though this diner is not run down and still serves good food. I feel transported to a time when I watched American films. All that's missing are the cars with tail fins and the dashing young people in petty coats and Elvis quiffs. The first time I went into a place like this was in the mid-90s on my first visit to the States. I immediately felt at home and liked the smooth seats on which you slid and looked forward to the sumptuous food with coffee without end. Thanks for this little trip and the atmosphere you created here.
I have just moved to a new neighbourhood and am fascinated by the discoveries of a structural nature. New things mingle with the old, a district that has grown slowly and organically, giving the walker unexpected sights. A nature reserve begins just a five-minute walk from here. Where before you stood in the middle of the residential area, a small path opens up and a tiny river leads you out onto the floodplain. You follow it and find yourself in the open space, a welcome unobstructed sight. Soon you are back in the city, where small cottages survive alongside high-rise buildings. One very old building still has the sign "barrel organ rental" emblazoned on it. You don't see something like that every day.
Thank you @erh.germany! Congratulations on moving to a new place, which sounds like a great place to go for a nature hike. It's great to have access to those open natural spaces.
Haha. Yes, I could imagine you hanging out with the bad boys at the drive-in theatre. It's a great vintage atmosphere!
Right, that is a great plus here with the open space, where I make myself at home now. A change I was hesitant to make, for my bones tend to get rusty. LOL
You know my love for vintage. The bad boys and me would have certainly fun hanging out there ;-) erhrm... at least in my imagination. I hope to make another vintage post. But it'll have to wait. There is an extensive crafts and art thing in the making. After a long break.
How has it been for you in the meantime?
I can't wait to see the arts and crafts. As usual I'm up to my old tricks and finding new ways of getting into trouble ;)
LOL :-D your tricks
I hope, we will hold the trouble low this time. HaHa! ;)
And here it comes, the newest fashion thingy:
https://hive.blog/blog/@erh.germany/in-love-with-fine-things-and-the-neighborhood-fashion-art
I love the atmosphere, it reminds me of old movies.
It is very unique with the old style atmosphere of the 50s and 60s. A lot of tv shows are filmed in Vancouver, and I have seen this restaurant in some of them like Fringe and the X-files.