Floyd's is one of those Bakersfield institutions that binds a community together. Small and crowded and slightly dusty, Floyd's is like a comfortable easy chair that's a tad frayed at the edges but you just can't seem to let it go. This classic general store has about anything you want: from Wrangler's to plumbing supplies to WD-40 to the smallest and rarest of electrical parts. Part of its charm is that it literally hasn't changed in years, but all that is about to change. I stopped by Floyd's today to pick up a light bulb and some lubricant and learned they are just days away from moving a few blocks south on North Chester Avenue to a sparkling new building. I wasn't even aware they were moving and while I'm sure it will be an upgrade, somehow it just won't be the same. And speaking of North Chester, the streetscaping and improvements along North Chester done by San Joaquin Hospital near 24th Street are some of the nicest in town, converting one of the worst strips to one of the nicest. Check it out.
