Category: Rt. 724

Berks County Almshouse

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Berks County Almshouse

The Berks County Almshouse was located just outside of Shillington along route 724 or Philadelphia Avenue. The land on which the Almshouse was built in 1824 was owned by Governor Thomas Mifflin. His actual residence, the location of which has been long debated amongst local historians, was rumored to be one of the buildings on the Almshouse grounds.

The Berks County Almshouse opened officially in 1826, when a state law was passed requiring every county in the state of Pennsylvania to have a “poorhouse”.… Read Full Article

Kmart – 45 Years in Berks

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Kmart has been a staple nationwide big box store since the 60s. The company, originally called S. S. Kresge Corporation, dates back to 1899. It wasn’t until 1974 when it broke into the Berks County market, opening a store at the 94,500-square-foot Cumru Township location in Shillington Plaza.

Kmart Berks
Source – pictured in 1983

According to the Reading Eagle, it featured an auto service center, a garden shop and a self-service snack bar.… Read Full Article

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips

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pictured in 1980 on Lancaster Ave in Shillington

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips is a fast food seafood restaurant chain. At the peak of its popularity in the late 1970s, it had about 800 stores. As of May 2018, there are only seven remaining: three in New York and four in Ohio.

Despite the English name and branding, the chain was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio.… Read Full Article

Two Guys Department Store

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Two Guys Department Store

Two Guys was a discount store founded in 1946 by New Jersey brothers Sidney and Herbert Hubschman. This location in Shillington was constructed during the summer of 1962. The entire company went defunct by 1982, so I am guessing this store location shuttered sometime shortly before then.

Pictured: Dr. Marcelo Manubay in front of Two Guys in Shillington [colorized]

These photos below were sent in by Ron Shurr, a faithful correspondent of Berks Nostalgia.… Read Full Article

Blankenbiller’s Diner

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Blankenbiller’s Diner sat on the corner of  Lancaster Ave and Museum Road in Shillington, across from the Shillington Diner. Currently, a Wallgreen’s and Wine  Spirits store strip mall sit in it’s place. For many years, this space was occupied by a Blockbuster Video store, CVS and Your Place restaurant and bar. I do not know exactly when this diner closed but I’m guessing sometime in the 60s.… Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia