Oates Chevy, HHGregg, and Some Odds-N-Ends

 Tom Oates, Chester Springs, PA
Oates began life here as a repair shop in 1922. It was expanded many times over the years, and turned into a Chevrolet dealership in the 70's. The dealership closed down in 2008 during the recession, and reverted back to being a repair shop. Unfortunately, it closed down in 2015 and sat abandoned until late 2018. Currently, work is underway turning this into another auto center.
 The sign was still up long after they closed. I believe the part with the garage doors is the oldest surviving part of the original building.
 Sears Auto Center, Exton, PA
I can't remember if this was just before or just after they closed this location. Either way, it was before the sign came down. I have a feeling something will happen to this sooner rather than later, since apartments are currently being built right behind it.
 Keystone FCU/TruMark, Downingtown, PA
This was built as a one of two Keystone FCU locations in the 70's. TruMark bought them in 2016. Less than a year later, they decided to tear this one down and start fresh. I think this was one of their last days of business, hence the fence.
 Downingtown Mini Mall
The stores that originally sat here burned down in the early 70's. They were replaced with a very low-end mini mall, half of which is now occupied by a gym. I think there's also a travel agency and a vape shop in here.
 Turkey Hill, Downingtown, PA
Turkey Hill closed this location in the early 2000's, around the same time they opened one on the other end of town. Strangely, that wasn't a relocation of this- there's another Turkey Hill in between those. Afterwards, this became Foster Boys Deli. That closed in in 2016 and was replaced by Jad's Pizza. I still haven't decided whether or not I actually think Jad is a real person.
 Patient First, Downingtown, PA
At this point, it's getting pretty close to completion. I've said this a few times before, but I don't know how they fit a decently sized building in this corner of the parking lot.
 Hechinger/ACME/Hobby Lobby, Exton, PA
The three stores that have occupied this space couldn't be more different from one another. Hobby Lobby did a nice job converting this, it looks a lot better than it did as an ACME.
 Entenmann's Outlet, Exton, PA
I believe this used to be The Mustard Seed, a religious bookshop. It had been vacant for a while before Entenmann's moved here from down the road. I posted the old location a few weeks back, Wawa has plans to tear it down
 Drug Emporium/Petco, Exton, PA
Drug Emporium opened here in the 80's, and closed with the chain in 2003. Petco moved in not long after.
 Family Christian, Exton, PA
This was a fairly short-lived location. It closed with the chain in early 2017, after about 5 years in business. This was previously a mattress store. I think before that it was part of the Marshall's, which moved to the old Clemens around 2005.
 Oates Again
...this time with a few inches of snow in the parking lot.
 That old sign has been there as long as I can remember. I think it finally collapsed last winter.
 Linens N Things/hhgregg/Best Buy, Downingtown, PA
Hhgregg opened here with their first round of stores in the Northeast in a space that was formerly home to Linens-N-Things. They closed shortly before the chain's total liquidation was announced. This also happened to be my first (and last) time shopping at an hhgregg. Best buy relocated into this space earlier this year.
 I got here about two weeks into the sale. Most of the smaller merchandise was sold out, but almost all of the larger furniture and appliances were left.
 Peek into the mattress department in the back of the store. I didn't know they sold anything other than electronics and appliances until this visit.
 Many fridges were still available.
 I checked the prices, the discounts weren't exceptional at this point. I guess a lot of people were waiting for the prices to fall a little more before making the big purchases.
 Waterloo Gardens Site
Most of the complex had been demolished by the end of 2013. The only things that held on were the owner's house, parking lot, and sign. All but one of those came down in early 2017. Currently, the first phase of houses on the site are available and the sign's gone. I'm pleased to report they kept a bit of the WG landscaping in place and named the development after them ("Waterloo Reserve" or something like that).
 No More Westtown Giant
At this point, demolition's complete. This end of the building's not looking too great, but the entire center's façade was torn off and replaced a few months later. They probably weren't too worried about appearances in the interim.
 A look inside the surviving half of the dollar store. I'm surprised half the ceiling made it through.
 The center, still sporting its old look for now. I can't make up my mind if I love or hate this old look.
 The bank had a Drive-Thru Teller neon sign. Unfortunately, this hadn't been used in years. That made it a little less sad when they took it down.
 Sunoco/Texaco/Verizon, Westtown, PA
The roof has been rebuilt, but the façade still has quite a way to go.
Eckerd/Rite Aid, West Chester, PA
This opened with the center in 2002, and was picked up by Rite Aid in 2007. I would assume they've remodeled it, judging by the sign, but I haven't seen the inside for myself yet.

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