After being closed for almost two years, life is coming back to Ronnie's Automotive on Lake Avenue.
The historic property -- probably more famous for playing a gas station in TV and film than being a gas station -- has been bought by interior designer Paul Devine, who intends to turn it into a work space for his gallery in Pasadena and planned expansion to Palm Springs.
Devine's business, Interior Devine, sells art prints, interior accessories, and offers custom museum-quality framing services. Devine said that he is turning the garage area of the property into a production space for framing and interior accessories work: "We do big projects," Devine said.
The plans for the office and gas pump island are a little more loose, but Devine says he wants to keep the look to leave it open for any future filming offers.
In the meantime, Devine is upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems, and plans to break up some of the asphalt to put in plants and a hedge. He also wants to acquire antique gas pumps, which he plans to put along one side of the property as an homage to its history.
