Category: Reading
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The Park Theatre – 1016 Penn St
Read more: The Park Theatre – 1016 Penn StThe Park Theater opened November 11, 1926, and it was closed by a fire on May 19, 1978. The theater was demolished the following year. James S. Maurer operated the theater as a X-rated movie and live burlesque house, and in 1964 he was arrested along with two strippers in a raid by the Reading…
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Paul’s Men’s Shop
Read more: Paul’s Men’s ShopPaul’s was a men’s clothing store at 527 Penn St in the 50s and 60s. Couldn’t find a date on when it closed. Today the building is occupied by a pizza place.
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On this day, 1985 – Downtown Pomeroy’s Closes
Read more: On this day, 1985 – Downtown Pomeroy’s ClosesPomeroy’s Department Store in downtown Reading closed in 1985 after 109 years in business on Penn Square. The business itself was sold to competitor BonTon who took over Pomeroy’s remaining location in the Berkshire Mall. Pomeroy’s history in downtown Reading dates back to 1876, when Josiah Dives, an Englishman, John Stewart, a Scot, and…
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Inside the Crystal Restaurant – 1960s
Read more: Inside the Crystal Restaurant – 1960sThe Crystal Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, well known on Penn Square, offers an excellent cuisine, fine service and delightful dining to hundreds of daily customers. Owned and founded by the Mantis Family, the restaurant recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with the opening of the elegant Anniversary Room. This beautiful dining room, with its fine appointments…
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DeLuca’s Camera Center
Read more: DeLuca’s Camera CenterDeluca’s Camera Center was originally located at 617 Penn Street in Reading. It was founded in 1947 by Louis and Antoinette DeLuca. The article above from June 1990 mentions that the store moved to 518 Penn Street from 520 Penn Street. However it mentions nothing about it’s original location on the 600 block. In the…
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The Berkshire Hotel
Read more: The Berkshire HotelMrs. James F. Bell II and Mrs. Charles M. Guthrie Jr. with her son, Charles M. III leaving the North Fifth Street entrance of the Berkshire Hotel, Reading after lunching in the Mural Room. The Murals in this lovely dining area depict the history of Berks County dating back to the times of George Washington.…
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600 Block Penn St – 1960s
Read more: 600 Block Penn St – 1960sImage from “Berks Countians; The Wonderful Way We Live” Stores pictured from left to right:Manning-Armstrong – Foot-Craft ShoesJ&T Brakelmann JewelersMinros – Golden Rule JewelersDaniel’sBeverlyDeLuca’s Camera CenterJ.C. MummaThom McAn Shoes
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“The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955
Read more: “The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955From Rotten Tomatoes; The CinemaScope process gets a rugged workout in Henry Hathaway’s The Racers. Kirk Douglas stars as an Italian bus driver who dreams of entering the Grand Prix as a world-famous race car driver. Being Kirk Douglas, he achieves his goal, racing in all the major events around the globe. Dedicated to the…
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Reading Rug Company – Lancaster Ave
Read more: Reading Rug Company – Lancaster AveReading Rug Co, pictured in 1961, was located on Lancaster Ave. As far as I can tell Reading Rug Co no longer exists, though it at the time boasted it was one of the most outstanding carpet specialist in the United States. I’m not sure of it’s exact location, but it appears it could be…
