Our first indoor business mural

[Note from Jerry: Since Randy Garsee started this blog more than ten years ago, we've had a policy that only murals visible to the public without charge — for instance, at a school — would be shown here. But there are so many wonderful murals inside places like restaurants, where you don't have to buy anything (though the owners might appreciate it), that David and I decided to go ahead with the idea. We'll try to add a reminder every time to do things like checking in at the school office. And if you've seen indoor business murals, please feel free to send us photo(s) — after you check with the folks in charge, of course.

Enough of that! On to the yummy mural, and to David…]

On Oct. 4, 2017 I found a nice mural by Paul Lira inside Sue's Fish and Chips.  Sue's opened in 1952 and is still in business after 65 years.

We want photographers to be welcome at Sue's and other businesses, so:  Be courteous and considerate.  Always ask for permission before taking interior photos.  Don't take photos during busy hours and don't disturb any customers.

Due to the small size of Sue's dining area I was only able to photograph about 2/3 of the mural.

Click on the photo for a larger and sharper image.

Here's a link to a nice article about Sue's:  Still Thriving 

Here are links to previous murals at Sue's: Feb. 03, 2010
                                                                Nov. 27, 2014
                                                                April 28, 2017

Murals Through Our Parents' Eyes

Years ago, the University of Arizona put a series of pages online called Through Our Parents' Eyes: History & Culture of Southern Arizona. Part of the site are six pages on Chicano Murals in Tucson. From there are links to six early muralists — Antonio Pazos, David Tineo, Luis Gustavo Mena with Paul Lira, Martin Moreno, and Roberto Castillo. Each page has mural photos by James S. Griffith.

It's worth a look. (And, by the way, we're always looking for historic murals and stories. This blog started in 2006, and we've only found a few older photos since. Please contact me; thanks.)

Just a little off the top...Oops! I've got a helmet on.....

Is there a title for World's Smallest Barbershop? I'm not sure. However, the Tucson barbershop bearing these murals is about the size of your average SUV.

Nonetheless, you will find said barbershop and military murals at 5321 E. Speedway. Here are the directions from Interstate 10. Keep in mind, you can't take a photo of it without bothering the business adjacent to the murals. It's a place that sells vehicles. If they ask what you're doing, simply tell them you're looking for something about the size of the barbershop, but with better hair mileage.

Update (October 17, 2014): A page on waymarking.com titled Iwo Jima says the muralist was Paul Lira.

Update (July 3, 2024): Google Maps Street View shows the barber shop open during April, 2011. By July, 2013, the business was boarded up:



By July, 2018, there was just an empty concrete pad. It's still that way today.