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| Carpeteria Genie - North Hollywood, CA |
Most of the time I am really glad to have been born when I was; to have been born at all is kind of a great thing (no matter what my parents say). In elementary school we still watched film reels. We still had square dancing instruction in music class. We still used the library for books. I might be dating myself, but when watching TV, we too wondered, "Where's the beef?" I feel like I was born at the tail end of a golden era when buildings still had personality, a phone in the car meant you were rich, and The Noid was a viable mascot for marketing pizza (I might have picked out a Noid sweatshirt from Penney's, although photographic evidence will be difficult to uncover). Moreover, I count myself as fortunate to be raised during a time of wacky tacky history wherein giant genies were used to sell wall-to-wall carpet. It might not make sense at first, but all it takes is a quick reference to Ali Baba, Aladdin, and the Arabian Nights to remember that a magic carpet was an integral player in some of those 1,001 tales. Growing up in Southern California, seeing these genies from the back of the original wacky wagon, I couldn't help but get this Steppenwolf song out of my brain.
"Magic Carpet Ride" - Steppenwolf
Nowadays, it would go without saying that a marketer's first instinct would be to use well-known songs to advertise a product; "Magic Carpet Ride" would almost seem too "on the nose" for a discount carpet retailer that uses a genie for their branding. In Carpeteria's heyday, it was more likely that a jingle writer would be penning a memorable little ditty that could be absorbed into the consumer's subconscious where it would stay, only to present itself at the most inopportune times, and never ever leave. The old-fashioned way almost makes more sense for product recognition; even as a child I was singing "Carpeteriaaaaaa" along with the commercials in between Saturday morning cartoons.
Carpeteria televison ad circa 1979
Carpeteria ad circa 1981
It is worth noting that Carpeteria is still in business but apparently at some point they ditched not only their North Hollywood location, but also their iconic genie. I'm just glad that L&S had the good sense to recycle!
L&S Carpet featuring the original Carpeteria Genie
7007 N Laurel Canyon Blvd
North Hollywood, CA
(818)759-7916
www.lscarpetandflooring.com
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
I remember those ads, and thank you for reminding me of the humiliation of square dancing at school!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!!! This probably goes without saying, but I was that weird little kid who loved square dance day!
DeleteAwesome! The location in Santa Barbara used to have search lights going on Friday nights for sales.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to search lights?!! Have they been banned in California, I wonder. I was just thinking about them the other day. I always liked seeing them cut through the dark night sky.
DeleteLove the genie! And those old nylon carpets are pretty sweet too. Wow, reading your list makes it so easy to realize how much has changed just in our lifetime since we were kids. Reel to reel film projectors....kids would have NO clue if faced with one of those machines! I want the old days back. : (
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy?!!! I was talking to Mary the other day and had to explain to her that I graduated high school BEFORE internet research, smart phones, etc. I always think a cell phone is a necessity but then I went to a movie and people were talking on their phones DURING the film; I longed for the days when one could go see a movie and not be bothered by the outside world for two whole hours - PARADISE!!!
DeleteThat is a fabulous sign! Well, sign holder...? I'm supposing the "Carpeteria" was someone's punny idea of making it like a cafeteria for carpeting? Oh people were way more amusing with names then. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, customers had to slide a plastic tray around a stainless counter and pick out samples from the carpet ladies. Okay, not really, but wouldn't that be pretty amazing? Hahahahaha!!!
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