O.H.S.O. Sunnyslope’s Story

inside these walls

The Wallpaper

These photos are all historical photos or ads from the Sunnyslope and Phoenix area.

The Windows

The Windows

Canvas Photo

One of the renderings for the proposed convalescent community and redesigned Desert Mission campus, a project sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A. and the Phoenix Community Chest. The mission served a colony of sick people and their families from all over the country.

The Mural

The "Welcome to Sunnyslope" mural was designed by Eli Kim and Brad Justice of ArtCulture Arizona, drawing inspiration from commercial signage that existed in Sunnyslope throughout the decades and a boomerang design featured in the 1960 Sunnyslope High School Yearbook. The Atomic Jacks balance the mural and echo the Little O's designs in sister locations.

Multiple people from the community contributed to this mural, including Julia Taggert, a Historical Society Volunteer and Motivated Community Contributor, and two father-son duos: O.H.S.O 's very own Cale and his son Cruz, and their neighbors, Aaron and his son Brady. Everyone who worked on the mural lives right here in Sunnyslope.

The Timeline

Our timeline offers a snapshot of two intertwining narratives: the rich history of the Sunnyslope neighborhood and the storied past of this building as a hub for dining and entertainment. The upper portion of the timeline is dedicated to Sunnyslope's evolution, tracing its development and the key events that have shaped the community. Below, we delve into the history of our restaurant, chronicling its journey from the early 1900s to the present day. This site has long served as a gathering place for friends, families, and travelers, offering a unique blend of culinary and entertainment experiences.

The Arbor

At the heart of our restaurant's identity is a reverence for its storied past, most notably its time as The Arbor, a beloved local landmark that first opened its doors in 1915. This place has been a hub of dining and entertainment for over a century, with The Arbor being its most famous incarnation.

Our connection to this rich history was further deepened by a serendipitous discovery—an old menu from the 1960s, a time when The Arbor was experiencing a renaissance, aiming to honor the legacy of its inception. Captivated by this piece of history, we dedicated a wall to it, transforming it into a focal point that invites guests to travel back in time with us.

Our homage to The Arbor took on new dimensions one day when a chance encounter brought us face to face with living history. A woman named Lisa wandered into our construction site and struck up a conversation with Brian, one of our owners. As their chat unfolded, an astonishing connection emerged: she was the daughter of Stan Waislewski, one of The Arbor's original owners. She did not expect to see his name on our walls. Her family used to live here. Her visit was not just a stroll down memory lane; it was a bridge connecting us directly to the legacy we sought to honor. She shared stories and artifacts from her father's time, enriching our collection and deepening our understanding of the place we now steward. She even sat down for an interview which is now playing on the wall.

Our engagement with the community, especially through our collaboration with Sunnyslope High and ArtsCultureAZ, is key to our identity. We recently invited students and teachers to contribute to a mirror mosaic, a project that reflects the diversity and creativity of our neighborhood. This effort is not just about beautifying our space but about strengthening our bond with the community and making our restaurant a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and pride. As part of our team, you're also a part of this meaningful connection, helping to carry forward the legacy of inclusivity and community engagement that defines us.