Radiator-made Rusty was Fresno shop’s mascot

Question: What is the history of Ed’s Radiator Service on H Street? When did it close, and what’s the story of their mascot?

– Debby Watts, Fresno

Answer: Ed Marashian of Fresno said his late father, also named Ed Marashian, opened Ed’s Radiator Service in an old blacksmith’s shop at 340 N. H St. in 1950.

When Marashian’s father had the building demolished in 1953, he was amazed at how flimsy the old block building was, his son said.

“There was no rebar in it and the blocks weren’t filled with cement,” Marashian said. The building had survived a couple of earthquakes, but Marashian’s father wondered how.

“Dad worked by himself,” said Marashian, whose late mother worked in the office but would sometimes bring the children and the family’s ironing to the shop.

In the mid-1970s, Marashian’s father built a mascot, Rusty, out of radiator parts. “It’s funny how people got used to Rusty,” Marashian said.

One day, a woman complained to Marashian’s father because Rusty was gone from his usual spot on the sidewalk.

“Dad told her, ‘I can show you where he is. He’s laying down, having surgery,’ ” Marashian said, referring to repairs on Rusty.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States, one of Rusty’s arms was remodeled into a raised position and a flag was attached. Rusty is now in storage.

Marashian and his brother, Paul Marashian, bought out their parents in 1989. The shop closed in January 2009.

The former radiator shop is now used for storage and parking by the nearby Producer’s Dairy plant.

Q: What is the history of the Casa Canales restaurant? Do any members of the family still live in Fresno?

– Fran Reed, Clovis

A: Joe D. Canales, a native of Mexico, opened Canales Restaurant, Mexican Delicatessen and Tortilla Shop at 1045 F St. in 1928. It was the first tortilla factory, and one of the few Mexican restaurants, in Fresno.

It was a family-run business.

Daughter Dolores Campos of Fresno recalls working at the restaurant when she was little. “As soon as my brother Peter [Canales] and I learned to count to 12, we went in early in the morning. We’d count the tortillas and package them by the time the customers arrived. We did it all by hand.”

Son Emilio Canales began learning the restaurant business when he was in elementary school.

He opened his own Mexican restaurant, Canales Cafe, in Merced in 1949.

Emilio Canales returned Fresno and, in 1953, opened Casa Canales at 223 Olive Ave., patterned after his father’s cafe.

In April 1962, Canales had a new building constructed at 3110 N. Maroa Ave., near Shields, and moved his restaurant business.

The contractors were well-known Fresno developers Taylor-Wheeler Associates. The 3,200-square-foot ranch-style building cost $100,000 and could seat 150 customers. The restaurant had a red-tile roof and bright colors inside and out to convey a Mexican theme.

The menu offered Mexican specialties and American dishes. Canales’ younger brother, Peter Canales, was the chef and cooked old family recipes. His cocido, a beef stock and vegetable soup, and enchiladas La Suiza, made with chicken, sour cream and green sauce, were customer favorites.

Joe Canales died in 1974 at age 77. Emilio Canales sold Casa Canales restaurant in 1978.