The Rock Store
Olaf Wolff
West Coast Content Editor
Three denim- and leather-clad middle age men cluster beside a 40-year-old Moto Guzzi discussing the fate of the world – a Ducati riding corporate lawyer, an electronic sales rep and his GoldWing, and a high school teacher on a Ninja.
Under different circumstances these three might never meet, but on this Sunday, a common thread ties them together – The Rock Store and a love of motorcycles. And, so it goes on any weekend throughout the year – without fail.
Ed and Vern (Veronica) moved to Southern California from Pittsburgh, Pa., after WWII. In 1961, while traveling the back-road canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, they stumbled across this building dating back to 1910, made entirely out of volcanic rock, located in the dinky town of Cornell, Calif., and they bought it. They turned this "Rock Store" into a small town grocery store and a piece of motorcycle folklore that stands as sturdy as the building it’s created from.
Ed and Vern’s Rock Store is one of the top tourist destinations and a must-see hang-out for the "who's who" of the motorcycling world these days. The Rock Store is the arguably the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California and has been featured in numerous commercials, films, music videos, television productions and magazine photos.
A gigantic attraction for riders traveling to the store is simply getting there. Ed and Vern’s place is located on Mulholland Highway between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Road, both are major thoroughfares to Pacific Coast Highway. This particular stretch of Mulholland tends be indecisive, switching from being highly technical, to a flat-out fast canyon rush – occasionally managing both at the same time. The journey is unquestionably a key part of this destination, that, and the occasion to exchange riding skills and road stories with others from wide-ranging backgrounds. Over the years the parking lot has evolved into a kind of roadside institution for the devoted motorcyclist's community.
On any given weekend you can stop by and spot the celebrities who frequent the Rock Store. Jay Leno shows up from time-to-time and there’s typically a buzz about whatever he decides to ride up on. Generally he just hangs in the parking lot along with everyone else. We are after all on common ground here. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to pop his head in from time-to-time, but not so much now that he’s Governor.
The more organic, pragmatic, attractions are still and at all times the rustic setting, hundreds of bikes and people to look at, poker and charity runs, and of course the food and drinks. The Rock Store is well known for their hefty breakfasts, BBQ Tri-tip Sandwiches, Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches, homemade chili and soups and of course, ice cold beverages on the patio, in the shade of a tree and a bright green umbrella.
