How does one build a tire factory that can bring in extra money? Design it to look like an Egyptian temple and locate it down the road from Hollywood. Samson Tires did just that in 1929 in Commerce, California.
Now, they probably didn't intend it at the time, but the fanciful entrance became a much sought after shooting location for some of Hollywood's big bible epics. This brought some glitz and glamour down the 5 freeway to a simple tire factory.
After the factory closed down, the city of Commerce chose to redevelop the complex as a factory outlet mall, restoring and retaining the historic facade, which makes for one of the most interesting shopping malls in the world.
