Foothill 5 Fifty

I bought a table from Bill. Initially he responded quickly and we talked — sounded cool. Then I called and called and left messages, etc. Finally, Bill calls me back and I make it to his store and buy the table. I even gave him a pad for an iron chair so that his upholsterer could use it for a template. His wife Chyna and I got along perfectly. I thought they were both very cool. I saw an iron lounge chair there and told them who made it and to please hold it for me and get back with me on a price because a lot of their stuff do not have prices — you have to say what you’d pay for it. I emailed them and gave them the price I thought I wanted to pay. Called and called and called and left messages — nothing. Now, how can I buy something promised to me when you don’t call me back? I gave up. Then I find out that they sold it from under me to someone else because their price was higher! You know, that’s just plain wrong! If they didn’t like my price, then please call me and say, that price is not going to work or something like that — give me another price maybe? But, to just not contact me back and sell it when Chyna told me specifically that she’d get back with me on a price from Bill. I swear, when I left that day after purchasing the table, it was great! It was like I was with family or something — that’s how cool I thought they were. But, any business that says they’ll save something for me and get me a price and then sell it to another person after not returning my calls to even bargain. .. . that’s a no go, and wrong in so many ways.
Also, their «collection» was just okay. Nothing was really a standout. I’ve been in the business since 1983 and I’ve had it all and sold it all. What I saw at their warehouse was mostly anonymous pieces, no standouts at all. So, I don’t understand the Unilocal reviews of their «fabulous and vast collection» of goods? Or, the boasting that Bill is like a papa bear guarding his collection with vast knowledge, because for a guy who’s been collecting since the 1970’s or so, he sure didn’t know his stuff. I had to tell him that the table I bought from him was designed by Milo Baughman for Pacific Iron Products. I had to correct him in the iron lounge chair that he had that I was supposed to get, in that it wasn’t designed by Dorothy Schindele but made by the Inco Company. Just sayin’.. .. .

Hey You Vintage Mid Century Modern Lovers, This Place Is AMAZING. Mid Century To You Your Hearts Content. They Are Collectors As Well. If You Want To See The Most Amazing VINTAGE Mid Century Collection In One Place Then Visit For Yourself. Make Up Your Mind.
If Brad P., Kourtney K., David A., Courtey C., And You Know Who You Are Loves This Place, I’m Sure You Will Too.
They Are Not The Most Expensive and They Are Not The Cheapest, They Like To Be In The Middle and Fair.
If You Are Really Cool, They Might invite You To Their NEW 14,000 sqr ft Gallery …
You Read Right, 14,000 sqr ft., GALLERY, Plus An 8000. sqr ft ANNEX
Just Saying…

I bought a funky frilly tuxedo shirt from this shop ten years ago because it was about the only thing I could afford as a college student. Drove through the area this weekend and found it still there, and open! Owners are friendly characters just as I remember.
If you like to browse and don’t mind having to maneuver, crane, and climb to find the perfect item, then this is a great place to shop. You’ll find everything from vintage sinks, high end furniture, Herman Miller chairs, patio furniture, tiki décor, Levis, bikes… It’s a hodge-​podge of things in excellent condition, and things that have potential. Ability to negotiate is ideal if you’re making a large purchase because they price things on the fly.
If you want a gallery-​like setting and every piece to be mint condition, go elsewhere, but if you can handle a little chaos, try this place!

I have furnished most of my Glendora home via Bill and his family’s deep rooted love of MCM. I do agree with Chris W (review 4−23−12). He has treasures all over his store, in and out. You must have the time to seek. If you truly love such designs he will bend over backwards to educate you, give you history, etc. Though his prices at times may be a little high, such things found in his store are not common. So if you like it, get it because it may not be there next time.
Its an amazing place, with an amazing, energetic individual who guards his love for vintage like a PAPA BEAR.
Bring cash, bring time, bring questions and acquire some of the best selection of vintage items this side of the MISSISSIPPI.

I have to agree with a bunch of other posters in that this place is really a mixed bag. If you’ve ever watched American Pickers — that’s kind of what this place is like. It’s filled to the brim and then some. Think hoarders! You honestly can’t even begin to get close to most things to take a look at them. No organization and stuff piled on top of piles. Granted there is a huge selection, some great pieces but a lot of junk too. Mid century stuff, clothing, large prop type pieces etc…
Owner is aloof and not overly friendly. The 2 things we wanted to buy, one wasn’t for sale — um, then why is it being displayed? And the other, he changed his price on what he had quoted us earlier. ?? If you’re claustrophobic at all, then this wouldn’t be a good place to visit! We definitely won’t be back.

This place is remarkable. I’ve been coming here for about 8 year’s… maybe more. Foothill 5 Fifty is always my first stop when shopping for anything midcentury. I give Bill and China FIVE STARS for being amazingly people and for sharing their knowledge and collection.

Stumbled across this place after eavesdropping on a conversation at a vintage furniture show.
AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING! (Yes, that was supposed to sound like Huell Howser.)
FOOTHILL is more a museum warehouse than a store. If you’re lucky enough to catch the owner’s attention you could, like me, be in for a 45 minute curated tour.
Aside form wonderful MCM furniture, they have lots of great vintage clothes — but they’re a little hard to get to and much of it says to keep your hands off and to ask for help — which the very cool woman inside was more than happy to do when she wasn’t helping someone else.
My only real complaint about FOOTHILL is that most of what’s there is NOT for sale! I could have easily drained my bank account if it weren’t that the owner didn’t want to sell 95% of what interested me. It seems more a passion than a business.
But more power to ‘em! I’ll be back. Often!

What an adventure! Bill and his family have amazing stories and the craziest, most beautiful collection of clothing and furniture. Worth a trip if you appreciate mid century modern design.

First off, this place isn’t really a store as much as it is a collection that is occasionally open to the public a few hours per week. It’s a collection of which many of the items are for sale.
Bill has some amazing things here and it’s well-​worth the time and effort and perhaps waiting one may have to do to see the things he has for sale. True … nothing has a price on it. My advice to a would-​be buyer is to put your ego aside and listen to someone who has FAR MORE knowledge about modern furniture than you do. Since there is a «sliding scale» of pricing, I wouldn’t suggest being the «typical L.A. a**hole» to Bill. I kinda think of this place as being invited to see what they have, if you like something, you negotiate. I would tend to think if you’re a jerk, you’re not gonna get the best price.
The reviews I read saying he’s expensive have only a surface understanding of modern furniture and/​or were jerks. Bill is way less than anything you’ll find on first dibs or the stores in Los Angeles.
I think if you’re offended by «furniture strewn about» in «the yard» as it were you’re also the kind of person when looking at homes to buy would say «I hate the color» and lack vision for what things can be as opposed to what they are currently. All of the furniture that would definitely be damaged by weather are stored indoors.
We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon at Foothill 5 Fifty and even bought something we would have never found anywhere else … and if we did … would have paid three times as much.
If you’re an «in a rush» kinda person and are expecting a «store,» this isn’t the place for you. If you’re patient and dig the stuff this guy has here, you’re gonna find something you’d probably never find anywhere else.
Looking forward to going back!

I don’t know why people give this such negative reviews. I loved my visit. I’d been looking for a bicycle for months but it’s been hard since I’m so short. Bill had an amazing collection of really great bicycles. I bought a Nishiki and he gave me an awesome deal. Then I walked into the room of shoes and just died. Gorgeous shoes from every era. I’m obsessed with shoes so just seeing the collection was worth it. On top of the shoes and bicycles, the amount of furniture, clothes, and art was overwhelming. It definitely takes more than one visit to see it all, but I recommend going if you don’t mind digging.

I feel a little better about my experience now that I’ve looked at what others have to say. This place is jam-​packed with mid-​century modern stuff, BUT you can’t really see any of it because it is like visiting a serious hoarder. There isn’t any prices on anything, so I can’t imagine you would get anything at a fair price let alone a deal, even though almost everything requires some TLC.
I discovered the store after responding to an ad on Craig’s List. The table and chairs were not as described, in fact, they were advertised as «professionally restored» when they were still full of scuffs, scratches and gouges. I wanted to love this place. If you go you will see what I am talking about.

I like Bill’s stories and I like Bill’s things he’s selling. I think he’s just really appreciative of his things and if he’s not going to get to enjoy them any longer he wants a fair price. If you think you can go out there and screw him over because he’s in Glendora, you’re wrong. He’s a living encyclopedia. And he has so many great things. We got some really nice planters at fair prices, but we’re well researched on planters in particular, so if he would have thrown some crazy price out there, we wouldn’t have gotten them. I’ve seen way worse inflated prizes in the world of vintage. And do ask to see his «Gallery», if you can’t handle the warehouse. It’s all perfect and pristine things. Bill took his time with us, was very helpful and made sure we had dinner in the best local spot afterwards. All good!

This is a great place to find awesome vintage and mid century items! The owners have always been really nice to me and tell great stories while they share the collection with you.

Yes, Bill is a piece of work. The place? Yucko! Picture a ramshackle maze of a dump filled with odd, mismatched, broken, stained & dirty furniture from Bill’s Glory Days. Yes, there are a few hidden jewels buried beneath, but good luck getting a straight answer about whether or not any of it’s for sale… or how much it is. After hearing about Brad Pitt shopping there (for more than an hour) we found a few things we wanted to buy and he has to decide (based on what we are wearing? driving?) how much he will charge us. He then rethinks a couple pieces and decides NOT to sell them. What a joke. I couldn’t wait to get outta there. If I wanna hear name-​dropping I’ll just stay in LA… If I wanted to visit Sanford & Sons I’d watch it on TV… next time I want Mid-​Century Modern, I’ll visit Surfing Cowboys, OC Modern, Lawson Fenning & This Is Not Ikea.

After seeing numerous ads on Craigslist for Foothill 5 Fifity, I decided to make the hour + drive to check it out one weekday afternoon. Upon arrival I was greeted by Bill and his family, who were very warm and friendly, and asked what I was looking for. I was not shopping for any one particular thing, but was interested in numerous things — furniture, decorative accessories, artwork, etc, so I told them I’d like to look around. The place is huge, sprawling out over an enormous property with multiple warehouses, trailers, storage sheds, etc. Unfortunately, most of the the items are piled high on top of each other, or just thrown into rooms with no sense of order whatsoever, and many of them have been damaged (if not even destroyed) due to being left outside, or stored in leaking trailers. It was very sad to see so many once incredible vintage pieces left to rot. As for Bill, he was certainly nice enough, but he would do well to spend less time telling stories and more time answering his customers’ questions and quoting prices. I was there for almost 3 hours, and was interested in at least a dozen things, but grew so tired of having to find him and wait for him to finish gabbing with someone each time I wanted a price on something, that I ended up leaving empty-​handed and frustrated. Additionally, the few things I actually did manage to get a price on were priced outrageously high. These items were rusty, dusty, and damaged, and Bill priced them as though we were on Retro Row in LB. On Retro Row I don’t have to walk ½ mile to find someone to help me, and then wait patiently as they finish reminiscing about getting drunk and shooting their neighbor «back in the day» (or was it the neighbor that shot him? I don’t recall)! You think I’m kidding. For the prices being asked, I could buy the same items in pristine condition, and even be offered a cup of coffee while I shop — lol.
Bill — you’re a nice enough guy, and you clearly have a passion for this stuff, but hoarding your treasures away and allowing them to become destroyed is not benefitting anyone. You really need to get a little more realistic on the prices, and focus on *selling* to your customers, rather than impressing them with your stories of celebrity connections and times gone by.
I wish you luck.

Went to this place after seeing numerous ads on Craigslist advertising mid-​century modern furniture. We were out looking at estate sales and when I entered in «Estate Sale» this place came up in about 10 ads. According to their myspace page, they are only open from 2:30 — 7:30 Fri-​Sun. After driving about 35 minutes from Pasadena, we got there at 3:15. THe place was closed. There was another customer waiting in the parking lot also. We called the number on the door and were told that the ad «should have been changed» and that they opened at 3:00. Even so, it was after 3:00. The owners finally arrived at 3:25, they greeted us in the parking lot without apologizing and demanded to know what we were looking for. We hadn’t been in the store yet and were intending to look at a variety of things (there were 4 of us). The owners wife (?) was very rude and had the communication skills of a prison guard. We were walking toward the door and still being harangued by the wife. I asked why they hadn’t opened at 2:30 (I asked nicely, I swear). The owner then told me they «aren’t slaves to this sh*t, I am just doing this as a favor to you, sometimes we don’t even open the store at all if we don’t feel like it.». What a jerk! We all turned around en masse and left.
Too bad, they look like they have some cool stuff, but they certainly weren’t doing us any favors today by treating us like they were. Yuck.

umm, does this guys sell bongs too? I mean what the fuck do you have to do get some 411 on a piece to buy– listen to a story? And the hippy comments? ah, no– hippy’s don;‘t sell at his prices.
anyway bill, you’re going up in smoke if you don’t tighten it up… bro.

OK I have to agree with BOTH Positive and Negative Reviews. So I gave Foothill 5 Fifty 3 Stars…
Positive, This place IS Amazing! It’s Huge! It has so much too look at. They have different areas set up with road bikes to scooters, modern looks to tiki! Old Metal Commercial signs to Antique nik naks. This place is what I like to call an Amusement Park for Antique Lovers.
Negative, Yes This guy Bill is something else. I went here with my boyfriend, he was looking for a bike. and Bill was charging a fortune for one bike, when my boyfriend could of went and bought a brand new one for half the price. AND Bill seriously needs to hire some help on organizing the place. This place can have a great set up. AND He acts like he knows everything! He should take a step back and listen, Maybe you can learn a thing or two from your CUSTOMERS.
Other then that, The place is really COOL! :)

Has some decent furniture, but for near-​retail prices the guy has no concept of the words «communication» or «courtesy,» let alone the word «customer.»
Here I was ready to drop $ 1,500-$ 3,000 on some furniture, and he made me feel like he was doing *me* a favor. Didn’t return my four e-​mails him (including three which were confirming details in a phone conversation about a piece he had that he offered to send photos of and which wasn’t in his main warehouse so I couldn’t just drop by and see). Totally uncommunicative — it’s been more than two weeks since we had talked about two pieces I was interested in during my first phone call. Was totally unacommodating in his hours, which are supposedly 2:30−7 «or by appointment». (I don’t know what appointment mean, but apparently it does NOT include any hours prior to 2:30. Furthermore, his reaction when I asked about the possibility of an appointment was so negative — as if it were just outrageous that I’d even ask — that I felt compelled to defend myself very meekly by saying, «oh, I’m sorry — I just thought since you mentioned „by appointment“ in your ads you might be able to accommodate something…».)
Hello Bill! I am a laid back hippie at heart too, but wake up — we’re in a recession! Make it easy for people to part with their money! Believe me, I don’t have to spend $ 3k on furniture right now, and if you’re going to make me chase you down with followup e-​mails and phone calls for weeks just to get a glimpse of your stuff, I will take my business elsewhere. I’m just as happy to forgo the drive to Glendora and surf on Ebay or stroll Retro Row. It is just plain rude and bad business to ignore attempts at communication by a serious buyer for weeks on end, and it makes me doubt your legitimacy.
One-​and-​a-​half stars because he seems to have nice stuff if you want to take the time to go to his public warehouse — assuming the goods you want are in the public warehouse and not his private one. And at least he answered his phone once. But don’t bother trying to e-​mail about anything. Grrr.
UPDATE 3÷5÷2011: He is now posting on Craigslist as «SGV Digs Modern» — but it’s the same Bill with the same phone number. Just putting this out there in case someone is searching Unilocal for the low-​down on SGV Digs Modern.

Housed in a former lumber yard, Foothill 5 Fifty is a sprawling warehouse densely packed second hand clothing, some classic modern furniture and reproductions. The vintage furniture is the co-​star of the show: Eames, Wegner, Wormley, Thonet, Saarinen, Nelson. The other star is owner Bill.
Bill is an unreformed «hippie». (If you’re used to walking through pristine boutiques, you may find the state of affairs here to be, well, messy.) But he evidently cares about the way quality furniture is put together. His stories, alone, may be worth the trip.
We, however, overpaid for the stories. By a lot.