C.K. Whitner’s Department Store

After 103 years in business on Penn Square, the C.K. Whitner’s department store will close in January 1981. The board of directors issued a brief statement today saying the closing was “due to declining customer traffic in downtown Reading,” but would not affect the operation of the Whitner store in the Berkshire Mall, or its Fifth and Cherry Streets store. – Eagle Photo by James R.
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Haunted Fairgrounds Square Mall

The Fairgrounds Square Mall has itself become a ghost. It was just demolished over what will inevitably go down as the infamous Summer of 2020. The mall was on its last leg for years, and it only seemed fitting that it would meet its end in such a year as this one has been. However, if you spent any time working there over the course of its 40 year existence, you may have heard or seen things you couldn’t explain.… Read Full Article

Ted’s Soft Ice Cream – Blandon

Ted's Ice Cream Blandon
pictured in 1965

Ted’s Soft Ice Cream was in operation between 1960-1976 in Blandon. It was owned by Theodore and Grace Hughes. After closing up the ice cream shop in 1976 they went on to operate a business called Ted’s Soft Pretzel’s. Unfortunately Theodore passed in 1982 and Grace ran the business until retiring in 1986. Do you remember Ted’s Ice Cream or Soft Pretzel’s?… Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia