Older PA grocery stores with a State Store attached

Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Ephrata1966
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Older PA grocery stores with a State Store attached

Post by Ephrata1966 »

Note: sorry if this thread is offensive to anyone. But I doubt there are many kids on here.

Even though wine/spirits sales in Pennsylvania are in state-owned stores, I find this odd: many grocery stores here in the 50's had a State Store attached. The State Stores were often co-anchor or at least a key anchor along with the Acme/A&P/Penn Fruit/Food Fair. I wonder if any people on here like maynesG ever knew or had contact with the liquor staff. And does anyone at least remember when the "State Store" name changed to "Wine & Spirits"? I am dying to know! Examples of still open (or closed) Wine & Spirits stores that date back to the "State Store" years would be appreciated too. Ones that were next to or close to grocery stores would be most interesting. Or more hidden locations.

All the following shopping centers had them. Photos courtesy of joshaustin610 and Pleasant Family Shopping.

Penn Fruit, Cheltenham, PA built 1959: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N ... 277334840/

My local Wine & Spirits (relocated 2005) had the same sign. It was freestanding, but was across from this A&P: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2898147774/

But I suspect the left wing of this Penn Fruit/Staples (now Staples Copy Center, not shown) may have been one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N ... 277334840/

A&P, Royersford, PA built 1959? 1964?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3623587227/

Acme, Pottstown, PA center new in 1964: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/R ... a+3-64.jpg

Today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3623197593/

Food Fair, Upper Darby, PA built 1957?, 1960 view: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/R ... +1960a.JPG

Today (rest of this center was added 1974): http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N ... 211788677/

A&P, Folcroft, PA built 1960?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2898129600/

Acme, Woodlyn, PA built 1972: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/2977299908/

A&P, Aston, PA built 1951?, expanded 1968: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3457314877/

Acme, Newtown Square, PA built 1957. Notice the Acme logo used, and sign to the left!: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/R ... +pa+67.jpg

The Newtown Square center is particularly unusual. I think when Acme expanded, they forced the State Store to move to the far end, behind the shopping center! They were known as "Wine & Spirits Shoppe" by this time. Type "42 Alpha Dr." into Google Maps and see the new store. It still operates, but deja vu!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/3391624818/

The current photo illustrates how far State Stores have come in 50 years. Most are much larger. But there are very few actually inside grocery stores. They are a very recent phenomenon. And this is the ONLY example of "duplicate" State Stores.

And bonus, the original Newtown Square Acme (next to an A&P!):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62355920@N00/4749130705/
Last edited by Ephrata1966 on 20 Oct 2010 16:31, edited 1 time in total.
Lenny
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Location: Limeport, PA

Re: Older PA grocery stores with a State Store attached

Post by Lenny »

This is all guessing on my part: I can remember the change to the name "Wine & Spirits" taking place at some point in the early/mid 90's (1994?), prior to that all the stores that I remember seeing simply had a generic "Liquor" sign on the front, nothing more. "State Store" seemed to be more of a slang term referring to the stores.
Served 10 years at Weis Markets (June 1995-July 2005)
Ephrata1966
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Re: Older PA grocery stores with a State Store attached

Post by Ephrata1966 »

Thanks for the reply!

That's funny... what town in PA do you live in? I know some of these stores like the Hazleton one were once called "liquor store" and that was it. But the Newtown Square photo proves they were once called "State Store".

This rectangular sign would have once looked the same, but the current sign looks pretty old: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musaeum/2121344747/

By the way, I believe this store was in West Philadelphia (very high crime) and is now closed. Store closings (not relocations) are very rare for them. The Folcroft store closed too.
rich
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Re: Older PA grocery stores with a State Store attached

Post by rich »

What's unusual about this? When Ohio had "State Stores", they were usually in shopping centers or other high traffic locations like urban neighborhoods. Often they were near a super market. In Ohio, liquor stores did not sell wine or beer, so they also tended to have beverage stores nearby. It makes sense that you'd be able to by mixes and other alcoholic beverages nearby, whom ever might be selling it.
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