In Twin Peaks Part 12 on Showtime, Sarah Palmer has a strange shopping experience at Keri’s Handi-Mart. This is the only time we see the grocery store in the series. While it’s not included in the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town” or mentioned at any other time in the series, the scene is an emotionally charged one with Grace Zabriskie giving an outstanding performance. During a recent visit to California, I stopped by the location where this scene was shot.
Burbank’s Handy Market is located at 2514 West Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, California. According to their website, Harry Arzoian opened the doors of his small family market in 1970:
“The neighbors all commented about how “handy” it was to have a market with such quality and selection right next door. That concept stuck and Handy Market of Burbank was born. Harry set high standards for his market and instilled a dedication of service to the community that is still present today. Harry’s son, Alan, still operates the market with these same successful principals.”
Handy Market was pretty easy to find. It’s located near the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Buena Vista Street (just down the road a little from the Walt Disney Studios lot).
From my research, it looks like the building 9,800 square foot building was constructed in 1952. I’ve been unable, however, to locate any information about what existed in this spot before Handy Market opened.
There was some mention about the Handy Market being spelled with an “I” (Handi) in the 1960s. Yet no photos exist. I did manage to snap this image of their awesome neon sign just after a rainstorm in southern California (I really thought it never rained there … that’s what the song told me).
Let’s explore the scene inside the market.
The scene opens with an unidentified cashier (“Mike?”) and customer checking out from the market. She is buying Mahatma Rice (my favorite brand that I use at home). Behind her are stacks of bottled water cases by Arrowhead, a California brand of bottled water (should be an easy clue that the scene was shot in the Golden State).
I didn’t have my reference images available when I went into the location so I don’t have a shot that matches. I can say this register is closest to the entrance/exit.
The scene cuts to Sarah Palmer pushing a metal shopping cart down the liquor and bread aisle.
In reality, this is Aisle 3 inside Handy Market.
Sarah Palmer has two bottles of Mr. & Mrs. T’s Bloody Mary mix. She smiles like I do when I see bottles of Vodka.
Look carefully to her right and you’ll see what appears to be a coffee cup left on the bread shelf.
Sarah adds three bottles of Smirnoff Vodka to her cart.
This is the approximate spot inside Handy Market where Sarah stood. They have since added a metal shelf filled with Tastykake.
I couldn’t resist grabbing a photo with Blood Mary Mix in Aisle 3 during my visit.
The camera cuts to a side view of Sarah grabbing alcohol. The locations for the types of alcohol remained about the same as the episode. They had plenty of Smirnoff when I visited.
As Sarah finishes loading her cart with Vodka, the scene cuts to a wider angle of her standing in front of bottles. The bottom image is the approximate location where the scene took place.
Sarah proceeds to the first register found at the end of Aisle 3 in Handy Market. The ACER monitor was turned away from the camera in the episode.
Our first look at “Check-out girl” Victoria as played by Zoey McLane. We see an out-of-focus cameo by the unidentified cashier “Mike” in the background.
Sarah spots a display of Smoked Turkey Jerky and All-Natural Beef Jerky behind the register.
She doesn’t remember seeing “those beef jerky there before.”
Sarah is correct – that beef jerky doesn’t exist inside Handy Market. I was surprised to see that the counter behind the register had no such display. And the Albatross brand doesn’t exist either.
We get a look at both Victoria, the Check-out girl and Oscar, the Bag-boy (played by Johnny Ochsner, whose only acting credits are this episode).
Sarah owes $133.70.
Thanks to a photo by Steve Sherman from this article in the Tolucan Times we get a better look at the entire checkout area.
After having a mental meltdown at the register, Sarah quickly leaves the shop.
The coolers she walks by as she exits are still in Handy Market.
The Bag-boy Oscar watches as Sarah leaves through the main entrance/exit door.
After Sarah leaves the shop, we catch a glimpse of the building next to Handy Market in Burbank. You can see the “Enter” sign that still exists outside the building across the street.
Victoria and Oscar aren’t sure what to think after seeing Sarah’s meltdown. The Bag-boy mentions he knows where she lives and he could deliver her groceries. Everyone is so friendly and helpful in the town of Twin Peaks.
That’s so awesome. You put all that together clean. Nice. I want to join the blog.