Former Acme – Swarthmore, PA

Location: 725 S. Chester Road, Swarthmore, PA 

I first discovered this former Acme on JoshAustin610's flickr collection five years ago. At the time Josh was wondering if this was, in fact, a former Acme. I chimed in saying "absolutely". The awning confirmed it without a doubt. This particular model has since been referred to as the Colonial Cottage here on the blog. Years ago I thought this style was developed as the pitched-roof model was being phased out. Turns out the Colonial Cottages were built throughout the 60's, although very sparingly compared to the pitched-roof stores. The Swarthmore location opened on December 13, 1961. These stores would grow larger in size as the decade wore on. They would eventually ditch their 50's layout in favor of an early "33M" layout. Illustrations of the various layouts Acme had will be coming to the blog in the near future.

While I was preparing the photos for this post, I realized I didn't have much information on the store. I jumped over to Josh's photo and found updated information that proved very fascinating. Turns out the Acme caught on fire on January 7, 1989. While the building was not completely destroyed, Acme chose not to reopen. The building remained damaged and abandoned for 6 1/2 years according to an article on Philly.com. Thrift Drug opened here in the early 90's, eventually becoming an Eckerd which closed in 2001. The former Acme is now divided between Dollar Magic and Goodwill.




The inside of the stores have no evidence of an Acme ever being here.




Above is a picture of the Port Reading store which gives you an idea of how the Swarthmore Acme looked. Port Reading was larger and had a similar layout to what would be used in the 33M stores.


No former Acme parking lot signage remains at this location.

Around back...




Second floor windows have been bricked over.


Former compressor door and air vent openings have also been covered over as well.

AERIAL VIEWS

CVS is now located at the right side of the strip. It looks like they tore down what we there and built a new store.

HISTORIC IMAGES

2008

By 2008, the building next to the former Acme had been expanded forward. You can see its original size below...

2002

1999

The building on the left side arrived after the Acme was gone.

1992

About 3 years after Acme left. According to the article on Philly.com, the former Acme was a "burned out hulk" which were not really seeing from this vantage point. Seems strange that the roof would have survived such a fire.

1971

1965

The Swarthmore Acme stood alone in 1965.

1958

Acme currently operates a very deluxe store nearby in Folsom. That store has been photographed and will be posted on the blog soon.

Thanks to Josh for his help with this post!

Classic Acme! Philadelphia PA

Location: 8600 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia PA

Fresh exterior but the 50/60's layout is still intact inside. One of the few remaining stores to still have the classic layout. The store opened in February 1962 and is pretty large compared to other stores of that era. 11 aisles here while most stores of those days were setting up shop with 8 to 9. Some pitched-roof stores of the 60's had only 7. The interior here has not been expanded but the rear of the store has seen several back room additions.

The new facade here looks to have been added on back in the early 2000's along with an interior remodel. Pretty sure it's the only yellow Acme in the whole chain. Have to say too... it's one of the best looking exteriors even though it could use a fresh coat of paint. Surprising to see such a small old store get such a deluxe upgrade. 

Classic layout here... turn to the right once through the doors and follow along the back of the registers to the Produce Department in the far right corner...

I'm betting the drop ceiling with its curved corners would have been added during a remodel in 70's. These ceiling areas were common in the 33M stores of the 70's and 80's. Located over the Produce aisle and Bakery. 

You'll see below that the store has the basic "Industrial Circus" decor package. Perimeter tiles were replaced during the remodel but the aisles still have their 80's checkerboard flooring. Looks like a case or shelving left a scar in the lower portion of the picture. Produce appears to have been shifted to the front corner while aisle one is mostly groceries. Too many employees in the aisle to snap a picture. The drop ceiling extends all the way back to the Deli with black track lighting above. The lights were all off. 

Aisle 2 with a look at the 80's flooring. Produce there in the front. This store has the 33M feel but still has the entrance at the opposite corner as Produce. 

Grab your "ACME Coat & Bake" before it's gone! The ACME brand is the latest casualty of SuperValu. (Sure SuperValu is going to save tons of money having one store brand for all it's banners but it will do Acme no favors whatsoever. Just ask the folks over at Genuardi's about that). Produce sign mounted to the drop ceiling section. It was tough getting pictures in this store with the extremely high shelving. 

This store was one of my stops on the day the 120 Years Anniversary was being celebrated. Completely coincidental. This store has a huge spread of free cake and soda at the front of the store. 

Notice in the basic version of the Industrial Circus package, the department signs are not angled off of the wall, the corrugated steel is fake and there are no lights hanging down to light up the sign. Click here for an example of the deluxe version.

This decor package gets a lot of grief. I think it's cool despite looking a little dated.  

A look at the curved drop ceiling over the Bakery Department. Nice Bakery here for being a smaller store. Customer Service bumped to the left to make room for this department during a remodel. Most likely the 80's remodel.

Gotta say... this was one impressively clean and well stocked store. Shows little sign of aging since it's last remodel. Despite it's small size, the store was surprisingly clear of usual Acme clutter. The 80's floor still looking great in the aisles. 

The Andorra Shopping Center. You'll see the evolution of this complex in the historical images down below. Interesting to see an Acme right in the middle of things.

Only option for expansion was out the back...

Looks like 2 separate additions were done over the years. 

And now through the years...

2002

1971

Tough to see things in the 1971 shot. Gets better for '67...

1967

1967

Same shot as the previous image with a closer look at the Acme.

1958

Odd start to the shopping center. Perhaps it started out as an office complex. 

1950

Always great to see a classic Acme still going strong. The closest competitor is a Superfresh about a mile south in the Ivyridge Shopping Center. Hopefully this immaculate little Acme will be around for years to come!