Dick Allen worked out of several shops over his illustrious career, but the most well known was his shop on Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach CA. This old photo is from that location. When I was a kid, on our way to and from the beach, I always craned my head , hoping to get a look at some choppers as we drove by.
Today at the corner of Artesia Blvd. and Flagler Lane, there's a Starbucks almost where his shop was.
The Dick Allen Wailing Wall is Joe's name for the shop's former location. Where it goes up was actually the start of the back wall of the building. You can still see some marks along the top and bottom of the fourth blocks from the top. Possibly where the former roof's rafters were hung.
The protrusion at the rear wall is where the building's front would have ended.
Looking out across the street you can see the building with arches as in the old photo at the top of the post. With a little imagination you might even think you can still see Dick.
You may want to make a pilgrimage to these sacred grounds yourself. Perhaps, you can find a crack and leave a prayer note to one of the Chopper Gods.
