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The General Store was purchased in 1900
by Max King and renamed "The Emporium". The new
store was transformed into a department store. However, the
following year the Southern Pacific Rail Road built a
wider-gauge track from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
bypassing the town of Los Alamos With the development of the
new railway, the Pacific Coast Railway could not compete with
the larger railway company and eventually closed down its
operations in 1934.
It wasn't until 1970, when Mr. and Mrs.
M. Harold Mathers wanted to bring the town back to life. By
1971, they purchased the General Store and restored it back to
its original condition. In 1972, the Mathers dedicated the
General Store as a State Historical Monument. The Mather's
dream of bringing the town back to life was stalled by
ill-health. The General Store would have to wait through
several more years and several more owners until it's true
characteristics would shine again.
This reformation did not emerge until
1998, when Ralph Quackenbush stumbled upon the
uniqueness and charm of the structure. The building was
stripped of all layers of paint, wallpaper and floor wax. The
under belly of the building was brought back to its original
sheen. The original Douglas-fir plank wood flooring shines in
the dedicated space for the gallery, whereas the room adjacent
to the gallery, exposes old used-brick flooring set in sand,
appropriate for the Café. The high cathedral ceilings give
the building an open air feeling.
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