Across the street from Vroman’s Book Store on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena is a group of small shops in a building called Arcade Lane. The Spanish Mediterranean brick structure was built in 1927. It houses a couple of restaurants, beauty salon, book store, tea shop, antique shop, and gift shop.

I was captivated by the entrance. It hints at something inviting, interesting, from another time and place. The stone patio and tree shaded courtyard on the other side of this entrance offers a cool respite on hot summer days.

The bike rack near where I was sketching provided me a second focal point as I waited for my wife who was shopping in Vroman’s.