More Firms Refuse to Call It a Night : hours: Companies ranging from appliance repair shops to pharmacies are cashing in on a growing demand for services in the wee hours.
It’s 3 a.m. You hear a noise in the attic--a thwaaang sound that tells you something big was snatched by traps the pest-control men set last week. But the commotion has produced sounds of scurrying--a small river of rodent feet crisscrosses the floorboards above you. You imagine that they seek some sort of revenge.
Can’t sleep? There’s good news for insomniacs beset by rodents, computer breakdowns, dental aches, thoughts of lost keys, dirty laundry and more. Just look for the flashing neon sign: “Open 24 Hours.”
More businesses are advertising around-the-clock services, partly in response to increasing demand.
“Nationwide, there are 20 million people still active at midnight,” said Timothy Schneider, founder and publisher of the 24HOURS Emergency Yellow Pages published in Santa Monica. The numbers were released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “That number drops to its low point of 10 million at 3 a.m.--so there’s never less than 10 million active at some point during the night. More and more businesses are seeking a competitive advantage by extending their hours.”
Rex Beaber, a West Los Angeles psychologist and attorney, said an increase in two-income families has contributed to the trend. “Lack of a homebound spouse who is free during the day to run errands means errands need to be run during off-hours,” Beaber said. “But customers pay a premium when they shop a 24-hour establishment. I call it a convenience tax--they have to pick up the extra costs that are needed to stay open late.”
Recognizing the consumer demand, Pacific Bell caters to insomniacs by printing an Extended Hours Guide at the back of its Yellow Pages book.
Need more help? Following is a partial list of San Fernando Valley businesses that offer 24-hour service. All businesses are available seven days a week at no extra charge, unless otherwise noted.
SERVICES
Around the Clock Refrigeration and Appliances services most brand-name refrigerators, stoves and smaller appliances. 6811 Kester Blvd., Van Nuys. (818) 506-4400.
ARC & USA Appliance repairs brand-name commercial and residential refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and other household items. 6048 Hazeltine Ave., Van Nuys. (818) 989-4108.
CPR Computer Repair is a factory-authorized service center for most name-brand computers, printers and compatibles. Rental equipment is available. Time and a half is charged from 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. 11147 Woodley Ave., Granada Hills (800) 826-6039 or (818) 363-5000.
PC Medics repairs all IBM and IBM-compatible computers, modems and printers. Time and a half is charged from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and Saturdays. Double time is charged Sundays and holidays. (818) 574-7478.
Canoga Park Bowl features 32 lanes and 10 billiard tables. A coffee shop is open until 10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. 20122 Vanowen St., Winnetka. (818) 340-5190.
Sophie Pet Memorial Park will pick up deceased household pets for $75, for burial at a later date. 5068 N. Old Scandia Lane, Calabasas. (818) 347-7037.
The San Fernando Valley Dental Society refers callers to “on-call” dentists in their area. The referred dentists are members of the California Dental Assn. and the American Dental Assn. (818) 884-7395.
A to Z Lock & Key offers locksmith services for an extra charge, depending on area served, after 10 p.m. 5156 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills. (818) 597-1120.
Keepps Lock & Key charges extra, depending on area served, to dispatch a mobile unit from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. 18518 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 349-7374.
Burbank Auto Repair performs minor domestic and foreign car repairs, such as fixing flat tires, battery charging, tuneups, brake adjustments and replacements of small parts. 800 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank. (818) 842-1234.
John’s Tarzana Shell Service performs minor and major repairs on foreign and domestic cars. 18500 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 881-3400.
Camino Real Towing charges an after-hours rate (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) of $50 to $65 for towing services within five miles of the shop. 5333 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 884-0068.
Adair’s Towing serves the entire Valley. Prices depend on location served. 7122 Alabama Ave., Canoga Park. (818) 716-6955.
Mobil Oil’s automated carwash is free with eight gallons of super-unleaded gasoline, 99 cents with eight gallons of all other fuels and $2.99 if purchased alone. The Superwash (more water, soap and wax) is slightly extra. 20101 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 716-5852.
‘Round the Clock Cleaners offers laundry, dry-cleaning, alteration and monogram services. 927 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (818) 793-3919.
Zenith Environmental Pest Control eliminates rats, roaches, spiders, snails, bees and gophers from residences. Zenith also offers a tree spraying service. 7116 1/2 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park. (818) 884-8064.
Day & Nite Pest Control charges extra, depending on area served, for after-hour eradication of all forms of pests except gophers and tree insects. 15950 Arminta St., Van Nuys. (818) 345-6070.
Encino Florists delivers house plants, balloons, bouquets and gourmet food baskets for a delivery charge of $10 after 6 p.m., $25 after 10 p.m. and $50 after midnight. 4855 Genesta Ave., Encino. (818) 783-0642.
Nautilus-Aerobics Plus Fitness Center is open 24 hours from 6 a.m. Monday to midnight Friday. The gym features both Nautilus and air pressure weight training equipment. Personal trainers are not available after 10 p.m. 11315 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 760-7800.
Star Decorating Studios delivers a full range of party rental items including tables, chairs, strobe lights, audiovisual equipment, helium tanks, trees and flower arrangements. (818) 249-2334.
The North Hollywood Ice Company delivers ice from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a charge of $20. Delivery charges are $10 all other hours. Minimum delivery is 200 pounds of ice, which costs $32. 11317 Chandler Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 762-2237.
Doyle Shaw Ice charges $20 for ice delivery between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Minimum order is 500 pounds of ice, which costs $80. 490 Easy St., Simi Valley. (818) 366-6600.
City Shuttle transports passengers to and from Burbank and Los Angeles International airports. Fees vary, depending on area served. (818) 908-9898.
Sherman Oaks Newsstand offers readers international newspapers, magazines and racing, sports and fashion magazines. 14500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 995-0632.
Victory Boulevard Newsstand features national magazines and financial newspapers, among other publications. 14501 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. (818) 782-2446.
The American Flyer Messenger Service delivers merchandise to many locations in the world. Delivery rates triple from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. 14101 Valley Heart Drive, Sherman Oaks. (818) 906-0899.
American Messenger Service will run most types of errands--from grocery shopping and banking to delivery of aluminum castings for commercial accounts. Delivery charges, including mileage, are $5 extra from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. There is a two-hour minimum. (818) 710-8539.
Triad Personnel offers a wide range of temporary services, 15928 Ventura Blvd., Suite 104, Encino. (818) 783-3400.
Uniforce Temporary Services specializes in light industrial and clerical temporary help. 14044 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100, Sherman Oaks. (818) 990-1200.
Sidney J. Singer Financial Services provides last-minute, late-night income tax preparation and tax planning services. Singer is a franchise owner of Triple Check Income Tax Service. 650 Hampshire Road, Suite 102, Westlake Village. 707-3135.
Uniglobe Parkway Travel Service books hotel rooms, rental cars and domestic and international flights. 23801 Calabasas Road, Suite 1022, Calabasas. (818) 703-1800.
Barbie’s Business Bureau prepares grant deeds and all forms of notary and real estate documentation. Fees vary, depending on area served. (818) 848-0498.
Muller Notary Service charges double for travel fees ($50) and signature fees ($10) between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (818) 785-9154.
PHARMACIES
Most hospitals offer 24-hour pharmacies for inpatient care. The following full-service pharmacies cater to the general public.
Horton & Converse Pharmacy, 6625 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys. (818) 782-6251.
Kaiser Permanente 24-hour pharmacy: Woodland Hills Medical Center. 5601 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills. (818) 719-2901.
GAS STATIONS
Sherman Oaks Union Auto Service Center: 4822 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-8145.
Lou’s Unocal: 10984 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood. (818) 985-7451.
Mr. Smog’s Mobil: 20505 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. (818) 884-8988.
Joe’s Mobil: 6000 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 985-5008.
Magnolia Shell: 12857 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 761-1206.
Van Nuys Shell: 13700 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. (818) 988-6265.
