Retail Forever

Weis #133, located at 2600 N. Willow Street Pike in Willow Street Pike opened in 1991 with the rest of the Kendig Square shopping center, which it anchors (along with the Kmart that closed in April 2021). A Beer Cafe was added to the store in Summer 2016, and in 2020 a Weis Gas 'N Go fuel station was added.  Quick Information: Opened: 1991 Address: 2600 N. Willow Street Pike Photographed: February 2021

For the history of this store, please go to  https://retailforever.blogspot.com/2021/03/glimpse-rite-aid-11034-willow-street-pa.html . The Willow Street Rite Aid's exterior remodel was completed back in April, and now I'll show you what the finished product looks like. Nothing has changed, nor will it probably ever change, on the back of the store; it still sports the signage added when this store opened. The interior still bears the 1996 Eckerd package's wall signage (from when Eckerd replaced Thrift Drug), and Rite Aid's Customer World aisle markers, added when Rite Aid opened in 2007.

Stauffers of Kissel Hill's Rohrerstown supermarket, located at 301 Rohrerstown Road originally opened in 1970, as the third Stauffers supermarket and garden center. It was razed by a fire in 1986 and was rebuilt. After the rebuild, it looked nearly identical to the new Lititz store, which opened in 1985. In 2008, the garden center was expanded to take up the entire area which was once occupied by it and the grocery store. In Fall, 2008, the expanded garden center and rebuilt grocery store opened. This store features many things the Lititz store lacks, such as self-checkout registers and a pharmacy.  Before any renovations were started, February 2021. During the remodel, March 2021 After the renovations, June 2021 Photo of the original Rohrerstown store F

A.C. Moore's Lancaster store, #17, opened in 2003 in a space originally occupied by Sears and Service Merchandise. It was closed in March 2020 when the whole chain went under, and it's been abandoned since then. Exit door, on the left side of the vestibule upon entering. Looking into the building near the checkouts. Entrance door, on the right side of the vestibule upon entering. Quick Information: Opened: 2003 Closed: 2020 Address: 1515 Lititz Pike Photographed: October 2020 / June 2021

Giant #6548, located at 106 Willow Valley Square in Willow Street, Pennsylvania opened in 2018 in a space formerly occupied by Darrenkamp's, which opened in 1998.  Unless you're from or have visited Lancaster County, PA you're likely not familiar with Darrenkamp's, so here's a quick history. In 1932, George Darrenkamp opened a small store at 719 Union Street in downtown Lancaster. The store was named "The General Store". In 1948, needing more floor space, George and his children (Dick & Jerry) relocated their store to 713 Union Street, and reopened under the name, "G. Darrenkamp & Sons". The business continued to grow, and in 1985; they purchased Dagen's Market in Willow Street, PA. In 1997, the first traditional Darrenkamp's opened in Mount Joy, PA. In 1998, a second location joined it in Willow Street, PA (the location this blog post is about) In 1999, the Union Street store was closed in favor of the new, larger, and more tradi

Pet Valu #5142, located at 1024 Lititz Pike in Lititz, Pennsylvania opened in 2013 or 2014, replacing a Wine & Spirits Shoppe in the Shoppes at Kissel Village (which relocated to a former Fashion Bug store a few doors down). It closed in January 2021 and was converted to Pet Supplies Plus #4403, which held its grand opening on May 22 & May 23.  Interior of Pet Valu. The flooring and fixtures have been held over to PSP, although the emphasis on pet food and treats has changed with the new store. (Photo from businessyab.com) Pet Valu #5142 (businessyab.com) In all, it's nice to see a new store opening, especially in an era where so many closing or going out of business entirely. Quick Information: Opened: Around 2013 / 2021 Address:  1024 Lititz Pike Photographed: May 2021

Save A Lot #60058, located at 222 S. Queen Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania opened on March 16, 1952, as one of ACME's "Tower" stores. That closed in 1982 when ACME exited the area. I'm unsure when it reopened as a Save A Lot, although it was likely in the 1980s or the early 1990s. This is the only Save A Lot store in Lancaster County. The next closest is in York . Quick Information: Opened: Unknown Address: 222 S. Queen Street Photographed: February 2021

For more background on the story, check out this previous blog post from March 26. Stauffers opened on May 19. Quick Information: Opened: 2021 Address: 945 E. Main St Photographed: May 2021