Earlier this year, I asked, on behalf of commenter John L., about who remembered Joe, the Motorists’ Friend.
Commenter Bridget writes, “My father, Richard ‘Dick’ Kilgore worked at Joe’s in the late 50′s! I remember the store clearly — part of the smells I remember from childhood was the rubber smell that stuck to my dad’s clothes. His hug for me after work and the smell of rubber are entwined in my memories! After Joe’s, my dad went on to work at The Pep Boys on South George Street before he was transferred to the Lancaster store in 1964.”
Some of the Joe’s memories were very appropriate for this season of the year!
New commenter Byron Jackson said, “I remember very well the Joe the Motorist’s Friend store on Third and Verbeke Sts. in Harrisburg. I loved the Lionel trains that they sold and had on display there year round. As a matter of fact, when I was a child growing up in Harrisburg in the 1950s I absolutely loved the full page ads featuring lineups of Lionel trains that Joe, the Motorists’ Friend used to have in the Harrisburg Patriot-News prior to the Christmas holiday. I used to love going to Joe’s just to look at the trains. I still play with Lionel and other brands of trains today.” (This was remembered by another commenter, this one anonymous, who said, “How about the Lionel train setup at the rear of the store at Christmas?”)
And Mary F. says, “They sponsored the Santa show on TV each Christmas back in the sixties where kids would sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted.”
John had mentioned that, in York County, there were locations first at the York County Shopping Center and then at the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center. If you’re interested in the York County Shopping Center – which became the plaza on East Market Street where Red Lobster and Lowe’s are now – check out Jim McClure’s post on it over at York Town Square.
Does anyone else remember Joe’s or any other stores of the past from either the York County Shopping Center or Northgate?
My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town. And, as a local editor, I hear every day how much you love your towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!
Now that I think about it, there were also Joe’s stores on south george street in York city and in Red Lion. I bet Bridgets dad worked at the store on south Goerge street. I had to deliver or pick up stuff at that store from time to time and I remember it always smelled of new tires. Bridget also mentioned her dad later went to work for Pep Boys on south george street in York. they had really good stuff for bikes and as a youth I spend a large portion of my meager allowance at Pep Boys buying stuff for my bike. I wonder if any of the guys remember “death knobs”?. adults put them on there steering wheels and kids put them on there handle bars. some had pictures on women wearing next to nothing, but little boys were not alowed to buy them. I remember, chrome bike fenders were really cool. I think the York Pep Boys was either next to or very near Sol Kesslers stereo shop.
I remember it well. Two things -
- That rubber smell. Going in there with my father, I felt like I was in the realm of a grown-up guy like my dad.
- Anyone recall the sign? The J-O-E would light up then the Motorist Friend part, and I remember it would do something similar to the “snow” on an old TV. To a little boy, it was kind of mesmerizing.
I’m in Zermatt, Switzerland along distance from the Joe the Motorist store that once existed in the York County Shopping Center. As I sit here watching the snow come down I remember my Dad taking me to that store and looking at the toys and bicylces. The Joe the Motorist neon sign was special in its on way. It was nothing the size of a Toys-R-Us but it always felt like such a magical place particulary at Christmas time. I regularly watched the Joe sponsored Santa show which I believe may have been on one of the Harrisburg stations. At the end of each show I remember him waiving goodbye with a slow movement of his hand. At Christmas Joe’s ranks there with the Christmas albums we would buy at the Firestone and Goodyear store along with a special treat of an orange and a box of Mrs. Holland’s candy from Shrewsbury. For toys I always loved the McCrory’s and Woolworth’s in downtown York. I have long since moved from York County and I get to travel to some great places but the memories of Christmas past in York County always hold a special place for me this time of year.
I remember a Joe’s store in Hanover but don’t recall exactly where it was. There was also a Hollander’s store. I think one of the stores was on Center Square and the ither on Carlisle Street. Does anyone remember these stores in Hanover?