I came to California in 1966 so I have no memory of growing up here, but have heard dozens of friends talk about their early years here.

Mine consists solely of going to the unique Bullocks Wilshire where taste was still in sway -- pulling into the back parking lot was the tone set for what came within the building. The elevator operators, the quiet everywhere, were impressive to this New York City transplant.

The icing on the cake was lunching in the restaurant, staffed with ladies who served, who suggested, who had long years of giving to the clientele that boasted of generations! It was a great landmark as Bullocks was history.

It is sad that we relinquished such a beacon of architectural beauty. We needed that Wilshire lady to remain as template, if you will.

[Editor's note: The building has been restored as part of the Southwestern University School of Law campus.]