Workers in 2005 tear off the roof of what used to be the Hills Department Store at the former Delco Centre at routes 30 and 74 in West Manchester Township.
Photo by Bil Bowden; click to enlarge.
More on "What it used to be" in York County...
Before the new Delco Marketplace along Route 74 in West Manchester Township, it was the "Delco Centre," and before that, just plain "Delco Plaza."
I love the new Lowe's and especially the Chili's and Grand Buffet in the newest incarnation, but I miss some of the old favorites from the original shops as well - most notably, Hills and Pathmark.
Some random Hills fun in this 1980 TV ad:
Hills was great for two reasons - first, I'm a huge hot dog fan, and their little hot dog shop in the front made some of the best dogs around. I was thrilled when the West Manchester Target began offering hot dogs, but they're not quite the same. Also, my favorite teddy bear was one of Hlils' Christmas specials. I still have him! (No photos, sorry. I'm not that into embarassing myself online.)
Sadly, Hills is no longer in business; it merged with Ames in 1999. There was an Ames in that same location, but that chain went bankrupt in 2002; the store closed; and it sat empty until the new construction began at Delco.
Meanwhile, Pathmark is still in existence, but you'd need to head out close to Philadelphia to find one. And soon (like within the next couple of months), it looks like they'll be merging with A&P.
What I loved most about Pathmark was its "No Frills" generic-brand stuff. Our house had tons of those black-and-white-label boxes, cans and bags.
Anyone else miss those old favorites, or have any other "used to be" places you'd like to know about? Leave me a comment!
You keep talking about hot dogs, what about the ones from the old Sears at the York County Shopping Center? They are the first I can remember of the dogs made on the rollers. That was the only reason I liked to go to Sears.
Anyone remember "Joe the Motorist Friend"? I used to work there. first at the York County shopping center, and then at the Northgate shopping center. they sold a lot of different stuff from motor oil to TV sets to toys and guns and ammo. it was kind of strange but I worked there for about three years after high school.