Today's post has been delayed

The demands of my day job, which prompted Spring Break last week, are continuing into this week. I'm hoping to have today's post up tomorrow. There is also one planned for Friday. We'll see how it all goes. Please note, if there isn't a post by 7:00 am, there won't be one for that day. 

Acme logo gets refreshed...

with a blast from the past! 

Photo courtesy of hulkied's flickr photostream

A first look at Acme's updated logo in the newly remodeled Devon store! Acme reached back into its past to add something new to the company's dreadfully boring block letter logo. The addition is absolutely brilliant! As you can see, the shape around the letters is inspired by the world famous figh-eye logo of the 60's and 70's. The link to this photo was left by Matt under the "Spring Break" post from last week. He included some news about the Devon store…

I went into the Devon store today. My jaw dropped when I entered the store. They've come up with a new version of the logo. The block letters remain but they're now surrounded by a new, stylized fisheye. The new decor is very basic, but is VERY much an Acme in and out. Either the new fisheye or the block letters are on every sign in the place, Lancaster Brand has HUGE signage, the corner deli returns, and the walls feature slogans like "SERVING YOU SINCE 1891" and "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT". They did their homework here.

Matt has just sent in some additional details...

...unfortunately I didn't get pictures - I wear my Acme fleece everywhere and I didn't want anyone to think I was suspicious! I don't know if I'd call it "great" - the new look is a bit warehousey. The lancaster brand sign above the prepack meat cases is a simple decal, for instance. (It was converted from what might have been a full-frills Albertsons decor.) One interesting thing is that this store, while it has a Pharmacy, lacks any Sav-on branding. There's no signage outside, and the sign above the Pharmacy says "FOR YOUR HEALTH". (Granted, that's next to what I think is the dairy wall, which has "THE HOUSE THAT QUALITY BUILT" instead of the section name. 

I'd describe the interior as a blend of the Albertsons Market decor, lower-budget PFH, but most of all, a lot of the quirkiness of older Acmes, like the colonial and checkerboard decor. And the Acme logo is EVERYWHERE! Aisle markers, department signage, checkout lights, you name it. Either it's the New Fisheye or simply the block letters, but it's clear what store you're at. No Albertsons leaf, no Albertsons seal. 

I don't know if this decor has shown up anywhere else yet. Willingboro I think is using the Bryn Mawr decor [it is… pictures can be seen here]  , while 10th and Reed, from at least one photo, is based on Albertsons Market decor, though if Devon is any indication I would not expect any leaves. 

One thing is for sure - when I was in Devon, I felt like I was at an Acme. Not an Albertsons or a Supervalu. An Acme, like American Stores used to run. This is what happens when you have competent management!

Another new decor package? I just wish Acme would pick one and stick with it. As Matt said, the recently remodeled store at 10th and Reed in Philly also has a new package not yet seen in any other store. The latest version of the Premium Fresh and Healthy package is also alive and well as it continues to pop up in remodeled stores. Perhaps it has now been retired with these new packages being used in the most recent remodels.

Back to the logo… I would love to see this logo make its way to the outside of the store but I'm betting this will be a similar update to what's going on at Jewel. New logo inside, old logo outside. You can see Jewel's update, which is very similar to Acme's and equally as successful, by clicking here. I am hoping to do full coverage of the Devon remodel in the near future.

Spring Break!

Better late than never… Acme Style will be on Spring Break this week. There will be no new store posts. Posting will resume Tuesday, April 29th. See you then!

Acme — Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Location: 785 Starr Street, Phoenixville, PA

Snow is still in the forecast at Acme Style! I have a few more stores to get posted from this past winter. Kind of appropriate this week since the temperature plunged in New Jersey and we did get some more snow. Over the next few Fridays, I will be focusing on getting this batch of stores up on the blog. Most happen to be Pennsylvania locations so we'll be on a short break from the New Jersey store coverage. My goal, as of now, is to have all open New Jersey stores represented on the blog by summer's end.


So when it comes to the Phoenixville Acme, I find myself with just one word to describe it… confusing. Not in a bad way. In fact, it is one of the more fascinating stores that I have covered for the blog. Had I not known better, I would have sworn Acme took over this building from another chain. Even the facade is more Grand Union-like than Acme...

Photo courtesy of gustores4ver

My knowledge Phoenixville's history is pretty dicey. A 50's model existed on this same property, closer to the road, until at least 1971. Exactly when this replacement was built is my question. It's nearly impossible to figure that out from the interior. The configuration of the Bakery, Produce and Deli & Seafood is not typical to any era of Acme stores.


Heading in here through the right side entrance. The Bakery is surprisingly the first department inside the entrance...


Update 5.1.14: Just came across this picture and realized it wasn't included in the post. Interesting font for the "Welcome to…" This is the entrance on the left side. We'll now get back to the original post where we're heading in the right side...


Check out that floor! A bright, bold, virtually flawless version of the 80's Checkerboard floor remains in a majority of the store. The checkerboard pattern is on an angle here rather than running parallel to the exterior walls of the building. That slight change makes the floor so much more visually interesting than the standard pattern in the majority of 80's stores and remodels.


The condition of the floor is pretty remarkable. You'll see that some tiles have been swapped out around the store and don't quite match the original color schemes...


Let's discuss this Bakery for a moment. Does anyone know of another Acme where the Bakery is the very first department? I've certainly never seen one. This is technically the start of the store. The Pharmacy is at the opposite corner. We'll be seeing some other odd layout situations here as well.  The decor is a basic version of the Industrial Circus package. The department signs are flat against the wall with no spot lights shining on them. The walls throughout the store have minimal decor elements.


A look at the Bakery tiles joining up with the grocery aisles. A couple of mismatched tiles on the left.


Tiles shift to bluish-green as we move on to Produce. You can see in the lower-left hand corner that some areas of the 80's floor were switched out for the Industrial Circus flooring.


Aisle 1 is half deals and half Wild Harvest, with Meat to the rear. Produce is in an alcove off to the right with all new flooring. Notice how the checkerboard floor looks more interesting here than in the former Sharon Hill store, for example…




This alcove may have been a result of an expansion of the store.




I'm always surprised to see this old Wild Harvest signage. Not sure why they haven't swapped it out in all stores, especially with many of Acme's competitors placing more emphasis on their health food departments. The new signage matches the current packaging for the Wild Harvest products. You can see an example of the sign at the abandoned Cinnaminson store. But then again… Wild Harvest may be on its way out in favor of Safeway's O Organics brand. There have numerous articles online discussing the cost cutting measures Safeway will take once it starts running Alberstsons. Ditching SuperValu's brands would seem like a logical step.


Fake corrugated steel. Click here for the real thing.






Can't get enough of this floor. It actually pairs up nicely with the Industrial Circus decor. And look at that shine!




Check out the lighting! It's the exposed fluorescent tubes rather than the recessed lighting seen in 80's and 90's stores. This type of lighting was phased out of new Acmes way back in the 70's!  Could this in fact be a former 33M store? It's impossible to tell from the historic aerials since we see the 50's model in 1971 and the current store in the next available view from 2002. There are just too many odd situations here to sketch out the exact history of this place.


Over to aisle 2 now with an extension of the Wild Harvest department reaching into "Shop the World". Again, notice how the checkerboard pattern here. I believe this was done in very late 80's stores. The very last ones just before the newer Red/White/Blue package was used in new stores.


There appears to be second floor offices above the Meat Department. You can see the mirrored windows along the ceiling.


Some of the pictures from here on out get a little blurry. This was one of my first stop on a 17 store day so I was moving pretty quickly through the place.




The store is screaming "expanded 33M model" in this shot. The drop ceiling extending out over the Deli and Seafood is another odd aspect of this store.


Bad picture of the frozen food. Including it to show the Industrical Circus category signs hanging from the ceiling. Other aisles have been upgraded to the Premium Fresh and Healthy signs...




No markers in this aisle here but notice how beautifully the shelves are stocked! Yes Acme shoppers, Supervalu HAS left the building.




Dairy extends into an alcove in the back corner. This is due to the the Wine And Spirts running along the left wall of the store.


Dairy doesn't have the usual light blue tiles.


Regardless of all the mixing of decor packages, this is still a very attractive store.


More Industrial Circus flooring can be seen in this corner of the store.


This was my first time in an Acme that sold liquor.






Hopefully someone can confirm the history here. I'm putting my money on a 1970's 33M store being expanded and completely renovated in the late 80's. The historic aerials down below offer no confirmation on this.

Aerial Views...

Additional stores added in recent years, seen here still under construction. Acme's parking lot no longer has angled spots. All construction is now complete and the stores are open.


This just adds to my confusion… there are NO clues on the roof of any kind of expansion. From these aerial shots, it looks like it could be a freshly built, late 80's store.




No clues in the back either. The brick all looks exactly the same. From this distance, there's no indication of a new and old section. I didn't drive around back for a closer look.

Historic Aerials...

2008

Store construction and parking lot complete in 2008.

2002

Here you can see the spot where the original store was located. Not sure why all of those trailers are sitting there. Strange that the lot of the former store was left such a mess.

1971

Jumping decades back to 1971, we see the original 50's store. I have a feeling we're missing some interesting history during those years. A few small stores appear were added to the left side of the building.

1968

1965

1957

Acme stands alone in 1957. The store opened in December 1955.

1951

Ok Phoenixville Acme fans… what can you tell us about this place?

Update: An article at philly.com has this store opening on May 18, 1988! "Acme Chain Has 1st New Pa. Store In A Decade" So it was one of the first new 80's stores. Not among the last as I speculated. Strange though that they went back to the florescent tube lighting for a new store. Also puts the angled checkerboard flooring at an early date than I thought. Perhaps they decided to so this just for new stores and not the remodels. Link to the article about the store's opening is below...

http://articles.philly.com/1988-05-26/news/26260852_1_united-valley-bank-nursing-acme-employees