Younkers, an Iowa institution since 1856 was a victim of the collapse of the Bon-Ton. It started off as a dry-foods store in Keokuk, Iowa and grew to a regional chain.

Pictured is the former Younkers store at the Crossroads Mall in Waterloo, Iowa looking a little desitude during a late January snow storm.

Hoppy's Primitive and Proper Ford Pickup

Hoppy's Primitive and Proper Antiques and Collectables in La Porte City, Iowa with a classic Ford pick up truck.

Classic Dairy Queen

This classic Dairy Queen is located in Iowa City, Iowa.

A different kind of fast food

Hawaiian Time formally??, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

Ever get tired of the same old fast food every single day. While I try to eat at independents when I actually do have fast food which is a rarity these days, here is a fast food place that offers something different from the rest.

This place is located on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and I have passed by it many times before I finally took a picture of it. Of course the weather was typical Portland winter wet but the place still shows it unique flavor. While the building still shows its heritage as a chain fast food place the owners have set it apart.

Mobile Artist Studio

Mobile Artist Studio, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

I decided to spend the first Saturday in March walking around downtown seeing what I could find to interest me to photograph.

I walk around for a little while till I saw people near the Portland Saturday Market. I thought the market didn't open until late March but as it turns out it opens the first Saturday in March.

This guy has a cool set up. He has turned his bicycle into a mobile studio and gallery. You can see he is painting on one side of the bike and has paintings available for sale on the other side. Talk about being creative.

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• 39th season of Portland Saturday Market opens this weekend (oregonlive.com)

Hungry??

Voodoo Donuts Neon Sign, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

Voodoo Donuts is a downtown Portland institution that is known for its long lines along with its donuts.

Lines can often be a block long to get in the place. Although I have never had them I have heard they are wonderful.

Today I passed by there and although the place was packed there was no line and it was so tempting to try some donuts out.

You also have the wonderful neon sign.

Short Lived Rite Aid

Former Rite Aid, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

I was living across the street when this Rite Aid opened sometime around 1998. It lasted only a few years before it closed it doors.

It still sits empty after several years and now with the Albertson's next door now closed it may have little hope of finding a new tenant.

I have not done a many lately but I love Black and White photography especially when it comes to abandoned buildings and things.

A classic McDonald's...

McDonalds in Downey California
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

It is no surprise that car loving Southern California was the birthplace of many of the fast food places we know so well today including McDonald's, Del Taco, Taco Bell, Carl's Jr, Wienerschnitzel, and In 'N Out.

For many, it may surprise you to find out that McDonald's did not always have those big restaurants with the play rooms and inside seating. Instead they started out like many fast food places of the time with just walk up windows and outside seating.

This paticular McDonald's still retains its classic 1950/1960's styling. It is not a retro restaurant but a authentic time machine to the past. The sign at the intersection of Lakewood Blvd and Florence hasn't changed in decades. It is a throwback to a time when McDonald's weren't the generic, boring, poor quality (OK, personal opinion) fast food place we know today.

It has been many years since I had driven by this restaurant but since my wife and I were in the area we decided to drive by and see if it was still in its original form and sure enough, there it was.

So if your driving through Downey, California be sure to get off the freeway and take a quick trip to this relic of the past. You never know when it may disappear.