Drive-By Photos 20

 Bob's Diner, Philadelphia (Roxborough)
This building was probably built in the 30's or 40's, judging by the stonework. Although I doubt this is the original tenant, Bob's appears to have been here a long time.
 Wendy's, Philadelphia (Roxborough)
I see a different Wendy's under construction every time I head into the city. They must be trying to make their presence greater there. This one is looking pretty close to completion in this picture, so I would assume it is open by now. They demolished three Victorian mansions to build this, which didn't seem right.
 Flying A/Getty/Liberty, Philadelphia (Roxborough)
Unlike the one in Roxborough I posted about earlier, this one has not been taken care of very well. I'm actually not even sure this one is open... Update: Now a Liberty station.
 Sunoco, Philadelphia (Roxborough)
I'm not quite sure what the difference between a Sunoco Food Mart and an A-Plus is. Maybe it was a name that was phased out for the latter?
Also, Check out the 7/11 next door. I got a picture of it, but it came out way too blurry.
 Gulf, Philadelphia (Roxborough)
That might be the largest gas station auto center I have ever seen. The number of doors actually outnumbers the pumps! It looks like it has been added onto a couple times.
 Amoco/Deke's, Philadelphia (East Falls)
This was originally Amoco. I believe the building sat abandoned for a while, before becoming this restaurant maybe 10 years ago.
 Philadelphia Zoo
Squirrel. I don't think this was supposed to be here. :)
 Tortoise
 They used to keep things like ostriches in this part. Those were moved to an area on the other side of the park.
 This used to be where they kept the elephants. It is now home to the new children's garden.
 I think this is an administration building.
 Orangutan
 Bald eagle pen which is actually made of an old monorail that used to go around the zoo.
 This used to be the Children's Zoo, but it moved a little over a year ago. I have heard they are talking about putting a new elephant enclosure here, but for now, it sits abandoned.
 You can see a little of the old rabbit village here.
 Underwater Hippos
 Giraffe
 Kangaroos
 Polar Bear
 Sloth Bear
This is the Small Mammal House. They just redid the exterior.
 Another Polar Bear
 Arco/Saunders, Phoenixville, PA
A 60's Arco/Atlantic station that has been preserved well as a repair shop and used car lot. The signs above the doors are original.
 Abandoned School, Downingtown, PA
The building was sealed off pretty well. No way I could get in there.
...But I was able to get my camera through a hole in the board!
 Sunoco, Downingtown, PA
This was built in the early 2000's. It is very similar to their 90's look, except they took out some windows and added the stonework. Now that I think about it, you don't see many newly built gas stations anymore. They all seem to be part of another store.
 Rite Aid, Downingtown, PA
This opened with the center in 1995. I have a feeling this will be replaced with a freestanding location when Giant begins its construction of a new center next door.
Sunoco, Exton, PA
An update to this photo. The service center has changed ownership, the sign has been upgraded to a digital one, and the pumps are in the process of being replaced.
 Gardner's Nursery, Lionville, PA
This has been here as long as anyone can remember. It used to be just your typical garden center, but in recent years, they have made it a lot fancier. They now sell housewares, candles, and some furniture. It's almost like they picked up right where Waterloo Gardens left off! The greenhouse was rebuilt around 2006, and the parking lot was paved for the first time last year. Update: That's actually because the former owners of Waterloo Gardens are now in charge here. :P
 Toys R Us, KOP
Compare it to this photo from a couple months before. Development has started, but it looks like they are keeping the old house there! Update: Actually opened on the site of an older location. Update II: Closed with the chain in 2018.
 CVS, Horsham, PA
This CVS opened in late 2014 or early 2015. It is one of the nicest CVS's I have been to.
 There was a partial drop ceiling over the cosmetics, but the rest of the store had the open-truss look.
 Unfortunately, they don't build ones with this interior anymore because of the expense. I love this look.
 Abandoned Mansion, Ambler, PA
This place was huge. This picture only captures a fraction of the building's size. It looks like the original house (seen on the right) was built in the 1700's or early 1800's, and has had countless additions put on it over the years. I think the turret pictured here would be from the 80's or 90's. It seems unusual that a house being cared for so recently would sit like this now. Correction: It is actually 533 Lower State Road in Ambler.
 Eagle Farms Update
Compare it to this photo from a couple months before. Development has started, but it looks like they are keeping the old house there!
 Chester Springs Library Update
Some of the things outside. I was tempted to take that old TV, but wasn't sure if they had any plans for it.
 Is it weird that I'm posting these from here? This place finally opened in April.
Washington Building, Chester Springs, PA
I would have preferred to have kept this set all Stauffer's, but I really liked how the colors in this one came out, and didn't think that one photo would be enough to merit its own set. Read the history of this place here.
 TD/Parkway, Paoli, PA
This was originally a TD Bank, which closed when they bought the Commerce Bank down the road. After sitting vacant for several years, Parkway Cleaners has set up shop in it.
 Wawa, Paoli, PA
This is an older Wawa, probably dating back to the 70's. It has always been taken very good care of, as referenced by the new logo and the obvious addition to the right. It was closed for a couple months this spring so it could be remodeled to the latest look, which I believe disguised the difference in roof height. It looks nothing like this anymore!
 Penn Fruit/Staples, Springfield, PA
I have already posted a picture of this place, but this one came out a little better.
 Springfield Mall, Springfield, PA
This was built in 1974 and was anchored by a Bamberger's and John Wanamaker. Bamberger's is now Macy's, and Wanamaker's was demolished for a Target in the early 2000's. This mall is interestingly owned by Simon but managed by PREIT.
 Clover/Kohl's, Springfield, PA
This opened in the 70's as a Clover, which was Strawbridge's discount chain. It closed in the late 90's, was heavily remodeled, and reopened the following year as Kohl's.
 A&P/SuperFresh/Michaels, Springfield, PA
This was originally a Centennial-styled A&P, and was converted to the Superfresh banner in the early 80's. It closed around 2000, and was divided up between Tweeter and Michaels. Tweeter later became Party City.
 Stoney Creek Center, Springfield, PA
This was built in the 60's, and appears to have been remodeled in the 80's or 90's. The second floor is office space.
 Ryan Lincoln/Scott Kia, Springfield, PA
This place lost their Lincoln/Mercury franchise in 2008, and switched to Kia. The name switched from Ryan to Scott sometime after 2012. This has now been demolished. A new showroom opened last fall in the side lot.
JM Fields?/PLCB, Springfield, PA
This building definitely looks like an old department store, and those arched windows would indicate a J. M. Fields. I can't find any confirmation, though. The building has been divided up.

Comments

  1. TNRobWiczMarch 30, 2019 at 9:17 PM

    The Gulf (Photo 5) In The Roxborough Neighborhood Of Philadelphia Looks Like It Was Built As An Atlantic/Arco Station In The Early 1960's.

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9QlWgPePGU/TYRU3kL-EUI/AAAAAAAAEM4/JtX1lYIyOaY/s1600/atlantic%2B1966%2Bpleasantfamilyshopping.jpg

    ReplyDelete

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