Location: 524 Twining Road, Dresher PA
Time now for yet another of Acme's oldest stores still in operation. In fact, nearly all of the oldest (pre-1960) remaining stores stores now appear on the blog. Two exceptions that I am aware of are the Westmont and West Chester stores. Those two store, however, look nothing like they did originally due to expansions and renovations. There may also be a store or two in Philly which date back to the 50's but they too no longer resemble their original form.
The Dresher Acme opened in May 1958. At first this location threw a bit of a wrench into the timeline I have come up with for the various models of stores over the decades. The Dresher Acme is clearly the "Colonial Cottage" model which I have pegged at debuting near the end of the pitched-roof era. The Dresher store predates that era by a decade. It looks as though this store was remodeled and upgraded to the Colonial Cottage look sometime in the 60's. It's front end switched from the 50's layout to the 33M format. Customers enter straight into Produce with Customer Service just to the left of the entrance. Changes to the store's original layout and exterior design may have happened around 1966 when a small addition was added to the right side of the store. The expansion, while extending along the whole right side of the store, allowed only for a Produce alcove in the front corner. The rest of the addition is back room space.
The layout of the doors and window here is very similar to the former
Port Reading store.
I'm not sure what these doors were originally used for. Double doors such as these are most often found on the Produce side of the store. An in-store Bakery is currently in this corner. These could very well have been the original entrance and exit. The former bread room, which was often a companion to the Customer Service office, is also on this side of the store.
Notice the added detailing on and around the doors, common to the Colonial Cottage model.
Colonial light fixture still above the former bread delivery door.
Looks to be a sign scar just above the entrance.
Stepping inside for the interior tour...
Wow, nearly missed this! Had to do a double take. Wasn't sure if I was imagining it or not. We'll se it again upon exiting the building.
Industrial Circus decor here. This store was probably remodeled a good ten years ago and has aged extraordinarily well. The Dresher Acme has been meticulously maintained since it's last remodel. Floors, walls and most cases all looking virtually brand new. I have to say, I think Albertsons did a pretty good job updating these smaller stores. They're never going to be able to compete with supermarkets of today but Albertsons did make them they best they could be. Too bad they didn't give this sort of treatment to some of our favorite old stores that were allowed to die off. Interesting to compare this store with a similar model in
Manasquan NJ, which to this day is still all American Stores inside and out.
Produce is small but sharply organized and well stocked. This store is surprisingly short on clutter despite it's small size.
Decent Floral department to the left here. Produce would have run along this wall prior to the added alcove.
The original Deli recessed spot lights still intact.
This place is seriously clean and well maintained.
One of the few signs in the store that hasn't completely survived. It's lost it's meat illustration square which would have been mooted to the left side. (See Deli above.)
The store tops out at 10 aisles.
Decent Bakery here considering the size of the store.
Customer Service to the left of the entrance. Shoppers exit on the other side...
With one last look at this classic door panel.
The loading bay section added on sometime after 1971.
Looking at this shopping center I can't help but to think an A&P should be here rather than an Acme. Looks more like an A&P set-up. Acmes of this ear so often stood alone.
The angled wall at the right corner is the addition added in the mid 60's.
And now to the rather interesting historical aerials...
2002
1971
1967
Dresher must have done some serious business back in the day. Expansions weren't all that common in the 50's and 60's, especially considering this stores relatively large size to begin with!
1965
1958
Even from the air all the way back in 1958, this store looks more like a Colonial Cottage model than a standard 50's model.
1950
