Because 1989’s “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is set in San Dimas and its opening scene takes place in the parking lot of a Circle K, San Dimas’ Circle K became a minor claim to fame and tourist destination.
But now, that Circle K at 301 E. Bonita Ave. has closed, as reader and sportswriter Pete Marshall informs me sadly. That is less than bodacious news.
A Circle K parking lot is where San Dimas High students Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) begin their time-travel journey after not one but two phone-booth time portals drop out of the sky, one of them bearing George Carlin, amid lightning flashes.
In a 2019 story by my former colleague Liset Marquez about the movie’s local impact, we learned that visitors sometimes inquired at City Hall about the addresses of various sites, including the Circle K, and that they sometimes snapped photos from the Circle K parking lot.
The actual Circle K used in the original film was in Tempe, Arizona, however. And that Circle K closed in May 2022.
“The rumors aren’t bogus,” the corporation announced at the time, using “Bill and Ted” lingo. “It’s a location that has enjoyed some most triumphant times in its more than 30 years of serving the Tempe community. We know that the news will come across as non-non-heinous to many.”
In San Dimas, the Circle K retail space has pivoted to become an independent convenience store, Korner Market, with the K cleverly emphasized in red (but without a circle). Well, that’s something.
A reviewer on Yelp wrote: “The ‘K’ is prominently red and bold, reminding you of the Circle K logo, but not close enough to infringe on its copyright — good job guys.”
I dropped by recently to admire the sign, bringing along a cap given to me years ago by the Chamber of Commerce that has the playful motto “San Dimas, An Excellent Adventure.”
Still, the change stings. As Marshall put it: “For now San Dimas does not have a Circle K. Maybe a Circle K…
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