Former ACME — Stevensville, MD

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Location: 1169 Shopping Center Road, Stevensville MD

An update on the former Acme in Stevensville Maryland coming your way today. The first round of photos takes us back to the early 2000's when the store had the extremely deluxe version of the Checkerboard Arch décor. Not long after, that décor was swapped out in favor of the Albertsons Marketplace, which was a horrible match to the 80's flooring. 

ACME opened here on August 7, 1953. It is difficult to pinpoint the original ACME in the historic aerials as views of all those years ago are limited. I would guess the original building was torn down and replaced with this 33M model but I cannot verify. The store closed for good on November 1, 2012, having taken a big hit by a brand-new Safeway that opened down the road.

When these photos were taken, the store appears to be very successful. Produce is piled high with the rest of the store busting at the seams with inventory. Interesting twist here with the decor. I have never seen wood paneling in this décor package as we see behind the produce sign. 

As I've said many times, this is probably my favorite décor package of all-time. It feels very ACME to me and goes perfectly with the 80's remodel flooring which was left behind. 

Notice one of the deluxe elements here with lighting added to the top of the cases to illuminate the walls. Interesting to note, the dairy aisle is the first aisle with frozen at the other side of the store. 

Awnings around the store too in deli and bakery, not seen often in these remodels, which ultimately were more décor swaps, leaving cases as-is and no new features added to the stores. Wonder if this guy was going to address all the burned-out ceiling lights!

You can see the awning down in the bakery department here. And the blue light boxes added over frozen, which was not often done in smaller stores. 

CLOSING TIME...

And now for a quick look at the Alberstons Marketplace décor swap. 

The odd paneling behind the produce sign remained. 

Truly one of the worst décor/flooring pairings of all-time. Just dreadful. 

THE ACME TODAY...

The ACME is now the Cult Classic Brewery and Taproom. Definitely one of the coolest reuses of an ACME we have ever seen! They even play up the building's original use with the sign saying "A Brewery in a grocery store"! Some interior photos below...

Here we can see some of ACME's backroom space and the walls having been removed around the sales floor. You can jump back to previous coverage of this store by clicking here.