tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22710649369808913242024-03-18T23:05:44.406-04:00NY Retail RoundupA consumers take on shopping in Upstate NY and beyond.John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-9549839133615700662024-03-15T07:03:00.000-04:002024-03-15T07:03:14.769-04:00Former Price Chopper locations<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZN_XAlSIYyhGlEZDmN6rZE4kXT_vbZfDvW1eqKkJwFObR9fIQx3DjsGTceSbvV-a-sJRDOrjqQjoheclA5gbZF9o2H4oEHwYmtCo4DtpgiYVSWeOi7UXXpa_3rqp4k7qW9Fw03kTgXo/s1600/003_01A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Price Chopper on Erie Blvd. E." border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454862305707615106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZN_XAlSIYyhGlEZDmN6rZE4kXT_vbZfDvW1eqKkJwFObR9fIQx3DjsGTceSbvV-a-sJRDOrjqQjoheclA5gbZF9o2H4oEHwYmtCo4DtpgiYVSWeOi7UXXpa_3rqp4k7qW9Fw03kTgXo/s320/003_01A.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My usual store on Syracuses east side before being done up</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>
Here's where <a href="http://www.pricechopper.com">Price Chopper</a> used to be (all NY unless indicated): </div><div><br /></div><div>Framingham, MA </div><div>Schenectady (Sheridan Plaza) </div><div>Watervliet*/** (NY 32, now Dollar Tree)</div><div>Albany*/** (earlier store)</div><div>Oneonta* (NY 7)</div><div>Albany (New Scotland Ave.; Mini Chopper only; main store now Market 32) </div><div>Mechanicville*/*** </div><div>Pittsfield, MA*/*** </div><div>Glens Falls*/*** </div><div>North Troy */**</div><div>Lansingburgh (US 4)</div><div>Green Island*/** </div><div>Poughkeepsie (South Hills Mall) (US 9) (now ShopRite)</div><div>Shrewsbury, MA*
Oneida - later Herb Phillipsons* </div><div>Oswego (near Fort Ontario)* (now medical building)</div><div>Saratoga Springs* (earlier store)</div><div>Saratoga Springs (Price Chopper Limited downtown; now indie store)</div><div>Northampton, MA </div><div>Baldwinsville? </div><div>Fulton (NY 3)* </div><div>deWitt (Hechinger Plaza) - NY 5; later <a href="http://www.biglots.com">Big Lots</a> and <a href="http://www.stickley.com">Stickley</a> Clearence Centre; now Spectrum* </div><div>deWitt (kmart plaza) - NY 5; later OfficeMax, now Dicks* </div><div>Liverpool* (CR 57, Seneca Mall)</div><div>West Boylston, MA </div><div>Willowbrook </div><div>Colonie* (original store; current Colonie Plaza store to close when Market 32 reopens in former ShopRite down NY 5)</div><div>Plattsburgh* </div><div>Scranton, PA </div><div>Syracuse (Western Lights)* (original store)</div><div>Liverpool, NY (NY 31 as of 19/4/24)</div><div>Taylor, PA (as of 19/4/24)</div><div>New Hartford* (NY 5A)</div><div>Albany (Westgate)* (current store to close when Market 32 reopens in former ShopRite down NY 5)</div><div>Camillus (became Hills in 1982, then Ames in 1999 until chains demise in 2002; building and most of old mall and plaza demolished; Walmart Superecnter opened in 2005) </div><div><br /></div><div>*moved</div><div>**As Public Service Market</div><div>***As Central Markets</div><div>More locations TBD</div>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com2Schenectady, NY 12306, USA42.7956221 -74.00650914.485388263821157 -109.162759 71.105855936178841 -38.850258999999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-70080919772142527942024-02-15T05:59:00.001-05:002024-02-15T05:59:23.601-05:00Fingerlakes Mall<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjbers/52526446085/in/photolist-2o2yHPf-2o2xiT3-2o2xjm2-2o2yHQn-2o2xjgC-2o2A89J-2o2A8im-2o2A85L-2o2uVzW-2o2yJhu-2o2yJcj-2o2xjqA-2o2zLqM-2o2A8jd-2o2yHRp-2o2xjbC-2o2zLBo-2o2uVs1-2o2xj1x-2o2xjka-2o2A8fW" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bass Pro Shops (Fingerlakes Mall)"><img alt="Bass Pro Shops (Fingerlakes Mall)" height="333" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52526446085_114d5aac77.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bass Pro Shops, the last thing going at Fingerlakes Mall</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Fingerlakes Mall on NY 5 & US 20 in Auburn is a classic textbook example of a small town dead mall. The easternmost city of a wine-growing region which the city itself is best known for a prison, Harriet Tubman and John Walsh. The mall opened in 1980 and once had JCPenney, kmart, Sears, Radio Shack (one of the very last was across town, but that's for another day), CVS/pharmacy, Rex, Friendlys, Great Outdoors RV, FYE, TCBY and Chappells. Bass Pro Shops came in 2003 and was thought to be the catch of the day, but it is the one holdout as one of the few in Upstate NY; the one other in CNY being in Utica around the former Montgomery Ward in Riverside Mall in Deerfield off NY 8 & 12 in proximity to the Mohawk Valley, Adirondacks and Catskills. I used to go to the Auburn one now and again, but not in a few years since they had less of what I needed and is less convenient for me today.</p><p>In recent years, local events are held at the mall, but being the de facto event center for Cayuga County is not enough. It could be a real mall again. It could have Target, Ross Dress for Less, Barnes & Noble and Hobby Lobby. FYE could come back, and there could be a combination of local and national smaller stores in the hallway. Not everyone can go all the way to Syracuse or Rochester. The potential is right there in front of them, even with inflation and online shopping looming over all of us. Auburn isn't as tight a squeeze as other smaller communities. The sister plaza across the street could also have spots left. Auburn is not just another Rust Belt former factory town. Fingerlakes Mall is ready for a renaissance like their competitors in the next county.</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, NY 13022, USA42.9269714 -76.6400817000000114.616737563821154 -111.79633170000001 71.237205236178852 -41.48383170000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-62215737139586791742024-02-02T07:34:00.031-05:002024-02-02T12:00:08.274-05:00BiLo Foods<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq6Cbd5FmRbVdvKL1X9WN6Bz9wOzGrlTt4hBi_jg3As0-lVSW-iyp4kECLCdRmdKDW5Oqqikzl333jkyudU7hqHv5PLhejlMHwZhCg2cxpMwduIOXRHFgQeAZ78l2QoDnx8Qe0QW6vMYS2QPPdbjsNU6cEWAdyRNIUKkXd3g-ldsWvppeZDsuqXnYcQ/s382/BiLo%20Foods%20Butler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="382" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq6Cbd5FmRbVdvKL1X9WN6Bz9wOzGrlTt4hBi_jg3As0-lVSW-iyp4kECLCdRmdKDW5Oqqikzl333jkyudU7hqHv5PLhejlMHwZhCg2cxpMwduIOXRHFgQeAZ78l2QoDnx8Qe0QW6vMYS2QPPdbjsNU6cEWAdyRNIUKkXd3g-ldsWvppeZDsuqXnYcQ/s320/BiLo%20Foods%20Butler.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Butler County store; was also kmart (montage)</td></tr></tbody></table> <span> </span>BiLo Foods, no relation to BILO in the Mid-Atlantic (Tops' former sister chain, which we covered already), were P&Cs sister chain in Pennsylvania (except the Northwest in the Erie and Bradford areas where Penn Traffic had Quality from WNY, or P&C in Sayre). Some are closer to Pittsburgh, while others were across the Keystone State in the Northeast, mainly in Twin Tiers. Three former locations became Tops, the Renovo store is now Lingles (previously A&P and Weis), and Kens BiLo in Northern Cambria and Patton just retired their use of the BiLo name. A few other BiLos don't have their own sites, nor is their one for all of them. There is also a BiLo in Iberia Parish in Louisiana unrelated to either chain. One former store in Centre Country is now an Ollies Bargain Outlet. Numerous examples are scattered around and it can take all day to list them all since I'm not as familiar with this chain or state myself, and it's only because of the former parent company's ties to my area that this counts here, as well as the events of the 2010s tying the two BiLos together somewhat with the Tops purchase or the Ahold Delhaize merger in the Benelux and US East Coast (the Carolinas one survives through ALDI)..</p><p><span> The Pennsylvania BiLo are chiefly in small towns and are affiliated with Best Yet/C&S. I know I saw one off I-81 in Susquehanna Valley around Hallstead like the one I had a photo of in Canton with the '50s/'60s architecture. Maybe it was the one I saw. Anyway, BiLo and P&C are the last surviving remnants of Penn Traffic (not counting the Atlanta Big Bear or Krogers QFC for Quality). It's also another case of two or more things having the same name before the Internet was around to check (I just learned that bilo is a type of Filipino dish, and no I won't use that stupid catchphrase).</span><br /></p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0DuBois, PA 15801, USA41.107172899999988 -78.72494689999999212.796939063821142 -113.88119689999999 69.417406736178833 -43.568696899999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-20081213363974940312024-01-17T15:04:00.003-05:002024-01-27T07:03:41.415-05:00Charney's<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_feOrvJzaxsXF1UvEBzQwiuAtpMz5J6O11GSf5gEYUtaks24skDvYXFcRR9rULRYqCZ8f-mdLVgSLPMI4J2C9oOJ9ANoMVSdjwqmF0Yu-EcUryqhYcoc1cDBu8JMBV8ll4Y0w5msam__iNK3uwKwnpyEnTbtbu6SJ11p5Y5IuOqpF7gwMkgVdn_e0Hg/s4032/Charneys.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_feOrvJzaxsXF1UvEBzQwiuAtpMz5J6O11GSf5gEYUtaks24skDvYXFcRR9rULRYqCZ8f-mdLVgSLPMI4J2C9oOJ9ANoMVSdjwqmF0Yu-EcUryqhYcoc1cDBu8JMBV8ll4Y0w5msam__iNK3uwKwnpyEnTbtbu6SJ11p5Y5IuOqpF7gwMkgVdn_e0Hg/s320/Charneys.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only remaining store in deWitt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Charney's Menswear & Tuxedos in Syracuse is not just another mens big and tall store. They've been in business for over 70 years time. They have had several locations around town (a total of fourteen, according to co-founder Phyllis Charneys obituary in 2016). I haven't been in a couple years myself, since I can't afford much there anymore and it's not as convenient, yet like any local and/or small business, they would offer service and selection that few large stores ever would.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Syracuse (Eastwood) - NY 290, original store and flagship; demolished by 2006 for Walgreens</p><p>Syracuse (SU Hill) - 149 Marshall St; now Shirt World</p><p>deWitt (1) - NY 5, Shoppingtown Mall; closed by 2010s and moved to current location</p><p>deWitt (2) - NY 5, Empire Plaza, former Wheels Auto Supply?; present-day store (pictured)</p><p>Clay - NY 31 & 481 - Great Northern Mall; closed by 2009 and moved up the road</p><p>Syracuse (Fairmount) - Fairmount Fair; closed by 1980s and moved back to Camillus Mall</p><p>Camillus - Camillus Plaza/Mall; first store moved to Fairmount; second one closed by 2003</p><p>Cicero - Penn Can Mall; closed by 1994 and moved to Great Northern Mall</p><p>Syracuse (north side) - Carousel Center (later Destiny USA); now Green Mountain Sports</p><p>Liverpool - NY 31, COR Center; closed in 2017 and became a Spectrum store in 2021</p><p>Syracuse (Westvale) - NY 5, Westvale Plaza (you can get good tips on Facebook)</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0De Witt, NY 13214, USA43.0385133 -76.079800614.728279463821153 -111.2360506 71.348747136178844 -40.9235506tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-45743874294223325592024-01-16T20:18:00.001-05:002024-01-16T20:18:33.298-05:00Dollar stores<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2118471208_a7a4d392a4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="D&D Dollar Store" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2118471208_a7a4d392a4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 375px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Flickr grab.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Dollar stores are this generation's five and dimes. Who knows? A nickel or dime in Edwardian times is said to be worth just over a dollar in today's money when adjusted for inflation and the GDP. This ain't <span style="font-style: italic;">The Wall Street Journal</span>, so I won't bore you with that!
<a href="http://www.dollartree.com">Dollar Tree</a> are the <a href="http://www.walmart.com">Walmart</a> of dollar stores in the States. Almost every market has at least one. <a href="http://www.familydollar.com">Family Dollar</a> and <a href="http://www.dollargeneral.com">Dollar General</a> aren't dollar stores <span style="font-style: italic;">per se</span>. They're more in league with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._W._Woolworth_Company">Woolworth USA</a> and <a href="http://mckeesport.dementia.org/history/murphyco.html">McCrory</a> from the days of yore, but not quite as legendary!
All for a Dollar and Everything's $1.00, my first dollar stores, as well as Owego-based Dollar Depot and Dollar Bazaar closed years ago.
I'm trying to get Yankee One Dollar and/or <a href="http://www.justabuck.com">Just a Buck</a> into these locations:
Shoppingtown Mall, DeWitt
Great Northern Mall, Clay
Fingerlakes Mall, Auburn
Fairmount Fair, Syracuse
Northern Lights Plaza, North Syracuse
Homer Ave., Cortland
Hyde Park Mall
Former CVS, Delmar
Former Coconut's in Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany
Colonie Center, Albany
Commercial Drive, New Hartford
Former Rite Aid, Baldwinsville
Waterloo Premium Outlets, Junius
Former Smith's, Brewerton
Former Smith's Plaza, Cicero
Former Eckerd, Westvale
Former ShopRite, Poughkeepsie
Former Hackett's or Grand Union, Hamilton
Former Caldor, Flushing
I'm open to suggestions.
When I have the money, I could open a JAB franchise, as they have that option. YOD don't even have a website.John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Delmar, NY 12054, USA42.6076766 -73.85954914.297442763821152 -109.015799 70.917910436178843 -38.703299tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-13536055664725777242024-01-16T07:24:00.008-05:002024-03-15T07:49:19.982-04:00One Dollar Zone!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzyTXVUOZDSpY_nAzsdLnP3-_PjllMou0YnnGHcq2rmuprRBWFyRw-QhJELi8vvFYfrQbDjBgii-e2V8CuOUwuUEMvfvXc_w3oOrc_OvM1td680516PBklDGVgBxaAvE6Cki1ut0fOarJNP4QzAGe9yEkjnn2tqzQGOX4lMvssGDFTRmDMuQl1lnoUQ/s4032/One%20Dollar%20Zone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzyTXVUOZDSpY_nAzsdLnP3-_PjllMou0YnnGHcq2rmuprRBWFyRw-QhJELi8vvFYfrQbDjBgii-e2V8CuOUwuUEMvfvXc_w3oOrc_OvM1td680516PBklDGVgBxaAvE6Cki1ut0fOarJNP4QzAGe9yEkjnn2tqzQGOX4lMvssGDFTRmDMuQl1lnoUQ/s320/One%20Dollar%20Zone.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantasy location in Cortlandville</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> While looking up information on a store closing in Berks County, PA on Philadelphia indie station WFMZ 69, I found another in Easton of a chain called The Dollar Zone! (it's spelled that way). It seems like three chains (two co-owned) have a monopoly across the country, and I had to create a new tag since I have enough posts of this sort now. The real dollar store I grew up with is not dead and gone. It's the modern version of the five and dime of the early twentieth century like McCrorys and Ben Franklins. The closest one to me is downstate since the chain started in the Tri-State and is likely still based there and have stores across the Northeast. For this post, I simply copied the list from 99 Cents Only Store from the West Coast to save time, yet One Dollar Zone! from the East Coast is remotely more likely to expand inland.<p></p><p>Utica - Genesee St, former Eckerd/Rite Aid</p><p>Canastota - NY 5 & CR 25, former Family Dollar</p><p>Syracuse - NY 80 & 175, former Walgreens/Rite Aid</p><p>Auburn - NY 5, former Real Deals</p><p>Baldwinsville - Downer St, former Real Deals</p><p>Mattydale - US 11, former Fays/Dollar Tree</p><p>Cortlandville - NY 281, next to Grand Union (pictured) to extreme right</p><p>New Hartford - New Hartford Shopping Center, former Tuesday Morning</p><p>Albany - Wolf Rd, former Barnes & Noble</p><p>Liverpool - Electronics Pkwy & Old Liverpool Rd, former Carls/Fays/Thrifty Shopper</p><p>Cicero - NY 31, former Green Planet Grocery</p><p>Chittenango - Tuscarora Rd, former Dollar General (later in 2024)</p><p>Various - Closing Dollar Tree or Family Dollar stores</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Belleville, NJ 07109, USA40.7956149 -74.16509909999999212.485381063821151 -109.32134909999999 69.105848736178842 -39.008849099999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-45462300598376195052024-01-12T07:13:00.021-05:002024-01-16T07:31:30.637-05:0099 Cents Only Store<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MacArthur_Park,_Los_Angeles,_CA,_USA_-_panoramio_(49).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA - panoramio (49)" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/MacArthur_Park%2C_Los_Angeles%2C_CA%2C_USA_-_panoramio_%2849%29.jpg/512px-MacArthur_Park%2C_Los_Angeles%2C_CA%2C_USA_-_panoramio_%2849%29.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MacArthur Park store in LA before dark, sweet green savings, prices going down!</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MacArthur_Park,_Los_Angeles,_CA,_USA_-_panoramio_(49).jpg">Clotee Pridgen Alloc…</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons<p> With the dollar store market dominated by three chains, there is another primarily in the Southwest based in LA County called 99 Cents Only Store. With inflation, you'd think it'd be impossible for everything there to be that anymore, let alone from pricey California, when Dollar Tree has their base price at $1.25 (apart from select locations with Dollar Tree Plus or Family Dollar combos). Back on this end of the country, regional chain Real Deals Dollar Store just went out of business as a result, so some of those could be available now (North Syracuse became Dollar General, however).</p><p>Canastota - NY 5 & CR 25, former Family Dollar</p><p>Syracuse - NY 80 & 175, former Walgreens/Rite Aid</p><p>Auburn - NY 5, former Real Deals</p><p>Baldwinsville - Downer St, former Real Deals</p><p>Mattydale - US 11, former Fays/Dollar Tree</p><p>Cortlandville - NY 281, next to Grand Union</p><p>New Hartford - New Hartford Shopping Center, former Tuesday Morning</p><p>Albany - Wolf Rd, former Barnes & Noble</p><p>Liverpool - Electronics Pkwy & Old Liverpool Rd, former Carls/Fays/Thrifty Shopper</p><p>Cicero - NY 31, former Green Planet Grocery</p><p>Chittenango - Tuscarora Rd, former Dollar General</p><p>Palmer Township, PA (Easton) - 785 S 25th St; former One Dollar Zone! (only non-NY one I can think of, and the next post sorted)</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Commerce, CA 90091, USA33.9899979 -118.14999825.6797640638211533 -153.3062482 62.300231736178844 -82.9937482tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-36654001412291618762024-01-11T06:56:00.006-05:002024-01-16T07:32:00.962-05:00PayMore<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdBEwMBjIUUrw6y0lr6vt1MJTuHVvCBw1EWVPEyz65lb0PF8TRc91UAbYDLHwSrJDN6zhTvH7onj_jJlPKu3ZjNcxBiH-Y8stnVHylKCzNILmEvV5fZxy87GTWWQQAQoTatZ-2nf5EeGWTIiccvGB6WAPlrU8xWUF5Z-UnIPlK0XzL1cIMb0mVa2ptQ/s4032/PayMore.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdBEwMBjIUUrw6y0lr6vt1MJTuHVvCBw1EWVPEyz65lb0PF8TRc91UAbYDLHwSrJDN6zhTvH7onj_jJlPKu3ZjNcxBiH-Y8stnVHylKCzNILmEvV5fZxy87GTWWQQAQoTatZ-2nf5EeGWTIiccvGB6WAPlrU8xWUF5Z-UnIPlK0XzL1cIMb0mVa2ptQ/s320/PayMore.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantasy location in North Syracuse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> While trying to find a place to sell if not give away my spare TV without having to do it online waiting around for someone to buy it or having to bring it to them when they do if they can't come to me, or even resorting to a pawnbroker, which may not have the best reputation, I came across a chain called PayMore. The closest ones are downstate where they're from, so I now have to come up with ideas for ones Upstate (mostly CNY as usual). With the economy right now, there's somewhere people can go to take things they don't need for cash that they do. PayMore only need small properties, which is a challenge compared to larger ones.<p></p><p>North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights (pictured)</p><p>Syracuse (Lyncourt) - Shop City Plaza, former Cricket (even though Pawn King are there)</p><p>Westvale - NY 5, Westvale Plaza</p><p>Cortland - NY 13, Riverside Plaza or NY 281 next to Grand Union</p><p>Syracuse (downtown) - former Rite Aid/Woolworths (next to current DGX)</p><p>Auburn - NY 5 & US 20, Fingerlakes Mall</p><p>Canastota - NY 5 & CR 25, former Family Dollar</p><p>New Hartford - New Hartford Shopping Center, former Tuesday Morning</p><p>Chittenango - Tuscarora Rd, former Dollar General</p><p>Oneida - NY 5, former KFC? (less red tape than another restaurant)</p><p>Liverpool - NY 31, COR Plaza, former Charneys</p><p>Rochester - NY 96, former Subway</p><p>Syracuse/Nedrow - US 11, Green Hills Plaza</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0North Massapequa, NY 11758, USA40.666393 -73.47105412.356159163821154 -108.627304 68.976626836178838 -38.314803999999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-72574575568019634322023-12-07T07:45:00.021-05:002023-12-12T19:45:11.488-05:00CosMc's<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRNOpYp6LBfFiJw94Kt8Xm2wZUGbCjCDtPK6RPUKxixkjATq-6Y5YQFaK4uHQwcWn4SH5sFqGp6jz481f2G4Jlm10oPiLMPa58ZGmHo-q-WTewAiYaLwEnRJS53VkEnGbVuFkWQZo3k3smC3_ElEWkqaQXZKnqDQ-Bm7K21XK5lC3gGU4VqfEqw71iQ/s1097/CosMcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1069" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRNOpYp6LBfFiJw94Kt8Xm2wZUGbCjCDtPK6RPUKxixkjATq-6Y5YQFaK4uHQwcWn4SH5sFqGp6jz481f2G4Jlm10oPiLMPa58ZGmHo-q-WTewAiYaLwEnRJS53VkEnGbVuFkWQZo3k3smC3_ElEWkqaQXZKnqDQ-Bm7K21XK5lC3gGU4VqfEqw71iQ/s320/CosMcs.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CosMcs screenshot taken from a TikTok (I was desperate!)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p> McDonalds have just launched a new chain called CosMcs, named after a character from their kids' commercials from decades ago. It's supposed to be a coffee chain, competing with Starbucks and Panera. McCafé (the chain as opposed to the brand itself) is already a separate subsidiary outside the US, so the Chicago-based behemoth had to create another division with its own identity. The suburb Bolingbrook will have the flagship and ten will open in Texas. It won't be as big as the main chain, but maybe it could be franchised and work its way east. Closed McDs and competitors around the country can be putty in their hands. It's early days, so I couldn't even AI myself a CosMcs that I could use since I can't afford a flight to O'Hare or Midway right now. Some spots I put down would likely just be demolished and have the new store built from scratch, while others could be done up. A few things from the parent restaurants ménu like the quintessential Egg McMuffin will carry over to the new place while launching items exclusive to there.<p></p><p>Liverpool - Elwood Davis & Buckley Rds and 7th North St; former Burger King</p><p>Liverpool (Bayberry) - CR 57; former Arbys</p><p>Auburn - NY 5; former Tim Hortons</p><p>North Syracuse - US 11 and South Bay Rd, Northern Lights; former Hofmann Hot Haus/Salt City Dogs (would have to be demolished)</p><p>Oneida - NY 5; former KFC?</p><p>Cicero (1) - Circle Dr; former Jimmy Johns</p><p>Cicero (2) - NY 31 & Thompson Rd; former Eckerd/Rite Aid (since getting CVS in won't work)</p><p>Baldwinsville - Downer St; former Rite Aid</p>deWitt - NY 5; former CoCos/Korean restaurant (must be turned into building site)<p></p><p>Cortland - NY 281; former McDonalds proper</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Cook County, IL, USA41.7376587 -87.69755413.427424863821152 -122.853804 70.047892536178836 -52.541304tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-33929238420549137942023-12-04T21:54:00.004-05:002024-01-16T19:57:45.497-05:00Daves Hot Chicken<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daves_Hot_Chicken_LA_Koreatown.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gzagona, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Daves Hot Chicken LA Koreatown" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Daves_Hot_Chicken_LA_Koreatown.jpg/512px-Daves_Hot_Chicken_LA_Koreatown.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daves Hot Chicken in LA County, Koreatown</td></tr></tbody></table><p> After a tip from a relative (who confused todays topic with a previous one), I decided to do Daves Hot Chicken, a west coast chain that specialise in Davidson County style chicken. I was looking for another subject to even out the number of posts published to date, and it turns out to be another chicken place. I don't eat as much of it as I used to anymore, even at home. At first they were opening in Warren County, then closer to me in Cicero, then back down the Thruway to Albany, yet there's not another until Montgomery County of all areas. One of the fastest growing chains today, Daves could roost in your neighborhood next. I've never had Nashville chicken, yet these southern ones sound spicy (even KFC).</p><p><br /></p><p>New Hartford - Sangertown Square; NY 5 & 5A</p><p>Poughkeepsie - Poughkeepsie Galleria; US 9</p><p>Kingston - Hudson Valley Mall; US 9W</p><p>Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall; NY 5 & US 20</p><p>Watertown - former Titled Kilt; NY 3</p><p>Cortland - former kmart; NY 281</p><p>Ithaca - former Hobby Lobby; NY 13, 34 & 96</p><p>Binghamton - former Giant/Weis/Grand Union; US 11</p><p>Henrietta - former Savers</p><p>Williamsville - former Best Buy; NY 78</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Pasadena, CA 91110, USA34.1599999 -118.155.849766063821157 -153.30625 62.470233736178848 -82.99375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-6581029464777365822023-11-29T07:11:00.000-05:002023-11-29T07:11:19.513-05:00Price Chopper/Market 32 vs ShopRite<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Ye4JdlwmcxoI4ayqSTMFpOp2NSd1oKHzZAJdtdlfwJHPFUOSepeBI7BRTKbHp8_IJOGpNeRzrPIzeTnuUmu4mc-2qvUlAE3q-iByXMfq3IgJD8H2V5xGA-bTOONGEyFQRRrMa6uG8bs7lL7WomCKr9oYpcqLL9G7FsLwkqmiaFBsO2exx0EKiWLow/s640/Market32_in_Colonie,_New_York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Ye4JdlwmcxoI4ayqSTMFpOp2NSd1oKHzZAJdtdlfwJHPFUOSepeBI7BRTKbHp8_IJOGpNeRzrPIzeTnuUmu4mc-2qvUlAE3q-iByXMfq3IgJD8H2V5xGA-bTOONGEyFQRRrMa6uG8bs7lL7WomCKr9oYpcqLL9G7FsLwkqmiaFBsO2exx0EKiWLow/s320/Market32_in_Colonie,_New_York.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible new location in Colonie (collage of two Wiki-snaps)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> After a months time of agonising over the future of five shuttered ShopRites in the Capital Region, we learnt that their competitor Price Chopper/Market 32 have acquired them. There has been mixed reaction. While it's great that the properties won't be empty for long, others slated the sale for the Rotterdam-based company for having a monopoly by keeping out other chains (namely union ones, which ShopRite are). The Niskayuna and North Greenbush stores will be the first to become Market 32 stores in 2024 since they're not overlapping existing stores too closely. The Slingerlands store off NY 85 will sublease since there's a 32 a stones throw away (I've gone to both, but only the latter under the old name). The two on NY 5/Central Ave in Colonie and Albany proper will be the biggest challenge yet. Northeast have to sort it out with the owners of the ShopRite parcels. It's likely that Price Chopper could move out of Colonie and Westgate Plazas respectively and down the road. That opens of the possibility of rival retailers replacing real estate easily. It'd be nice if Grand Union came back to the immediate area after two decades away (more on putting them in other counties nearby in previous posts) so there'd be a UFCW employer again after a year of labor upheaval around the globe. The gas stations will be sold. Unless one is nearby each, a Sunoco franchise would make sense because of the longtime FuelAdvantedge scheme at Price Chopper/Market 32 (there was Mini Chopper at the Pine Hills store decades ago). While in the rural communities after buying remaining Grand Unions in 2013, Tops are unlikely to be brought in to either the old or new sites since Northeast may not want both chains at close quarters again like in Central New York and the Mid-Hudson Valley.</p><p>Now when I visit again, there'll only be a couple places I don't have near home yet (Hannaford have their own fish to fry in Fayetteville). At least it won't be like other vacancies that sit untouched for years or even generations. To think Rachael Ray has known Price Chopper forever and recently appeared at an event downstate sponsored by ShopRite!</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Schenectady, NY 12306, USA42.7956221 -74.00650914.485388263821157 -109.162759 71.105855936178841 -38.850258999999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-2404413571096931962023-11-14T07:43:00.003-05:002023-11-28T12:50:35.924-05:00The Fresh Grocer<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpdcF4xz9QZl6E2s7Qy8VpYte6azGqm1-BIhnSjCwbKRPqETUvrRVibkPfkrK8v54bU7xde9znvKJA4O9F9jBerDfuq4J6tamUEGZz1JwrPymuCxBC2hzS_fFfPV1KEVvVNKrct0Fv4pvHB2gPRyshABxZVDYTrmqn-cW6_S74M6IzkFwAoeMOh564w/s640/The%20Fresh%20Grocer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpdcF4xz9QZl6E2s7Qy8VpYte6azGqm1-BIhnSjCwbKRPqETUvrRVibkPfkrK8v54bU7xde9znvKJA4O9F9jBerDfuq4J6tamUEGZz1JwrPymuCxBC2hzS_fFfPV1KEVvVNKrct0Fv4pvHB2gPRyshABxZVDYTrmqn-cW6_S74M6IzkFwAoeMOh564w/s320/The%20Fresh%20Grocer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantasy location in Colonie, NY (Albany County)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The Fresh Grocer have been part of Wakefern for just over a decade, but may be overshadowed by sister chains ShopRite and Price Rite outside the Philadelphia area if not the Tri-State. The Fresh Grocer are opening a new store next spring or summer downstate in Oakdale in a former Best Yet Market (which had moved and is now a Lidl) and Fresh Food Market (short-lived unrelated indie). Back Upstate, ShopRite just closed a handful of stores in the Capital Region and one outside the Catskills. They could've stayed within the company, even though there'd be confusion with The Fresh Market in Latham with the generic use of "Fresh". A rebrand would mean less baggage and a new focus. Price Chopper/Market 32 bought the five, but will sublease one, working on two, and making a couple their own (which I had to delete).<p></p><p>Albany - NY 5</p><p>Colonie - NY 5 (pictured)</p><p>Slingerlands - NY 85 & Vista Dr.</p><p>Ellenville - US 209</p><p>Clifton Park - Wilton Mall</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Pilgrim Gardens, PA 19026, USA39.9518646 -75.300400911.641630763821155 -110.4566509 68.262098436178846 -40.1441509tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-72620093981974272082023-10-26T06:16:00.009-04:002024-02-18T08:03:28.121-05:00Sierra<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJak-NDyOLRgGDFCxrAMlvs55FutcnCAsW-xOShO52KNiRajAb30m1Py3yUD2SzJnU0wPeXdUGnH_yOc8mVTd5r2Sye4eBYFKy4VRsPyc1gL4cmABfqvpD3jO7dLRmcQKzLl60rJzKqNVJIoQ0xdk5-J1_pAbbaXqVVxxBMz-sL0qxUBFA8Xf_P1Qw/s3138/Sierra_Trading_Post_-_Hillsboro,_Oregon_(2019).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="3138" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJak-NDyOLRgGDFCxrAMlvs55FutcnCAsW-xOShO52KNiRajAb30m1Py3yUD2SzJnU0wPeXdUGnH_yOc8mVTd5r2Sye4eBYFKy4VRsPyc1gL4cmABfqvpD3jO7dLRmcQKzLl60rJzKqNVJIoQ0xdk5-J1_pAbbaXqVVxxBMz-sL0qxUBFA8Xf_P1Qw/s320/Sierra_Trading_Post_-_Hillsboro,_Oregon_(2019).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hillsboro, OR store; 2019</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Sierra, formerly Sierra Trading Post, part of the TJX conglomerate which includes TJ Maxx, TK Maxx (UK), Marshalls and Homegoods, are opening on NY 5A in New Hartford (in the old Bed Bath and Beyond, which is a good vacuum to fill for many other chains). They are considering Syracuse. I have heard of them, but wasn't sure if they could be that close to their sister stores. Off we go!<p></p><p>deWitt - NY 5, Marshalls Homegoods Plaza; former Bed Bath and Beyond</p><p>Albany (Colonie) - Wolf Rd.; former Bed Bath and Beyond/ShopRite</p><p>Cortland - NY 281; former Walmart</p><p>Ithaca - NY 13, 34 & 96; former Tops or Hobby Lobby</p><p>Binghamton - US 11; former Giant/Weis/Grand Union</p><p>New Hartford - NY 5 & 5A; former Macys; Sangertown Square</p><p>Watertown - NY 3; former Christmas Tree Shops, Salmon Run Mall</p><p>Auburn - NY 5 & US 20; Fingerlakes Mall</p><p>Amherst - NY 78; former Best Buy</p><p>Henrietta - former Savers</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Framingham, MA 01701, USA42.3240042 -71.453683514.013770363821152 -106.6099335 70.634238036178843 -36.2974335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-76607699963427206352023-10-20T21:47:00.058-04:002023-12-05T05:27:50.678-05:00Former ShopRite locations<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvkg5-pMk9fjsgJeOkg8q4L_20xr29ZrWDkhQTRqP9uS9Hjj6TMaHzPxGxv_gV2nSV8yKXbkRvFjxQQZLDZhcSUQc4uga66LveDpQAPUwkxp4tFAkHYsBQ_oZLwlLSom43_X37ISpLTEgbYD5dGrpnOTLkPPuJlqHFzW6UhyphenhyphenK9xCSU5kJEPytOju26w/s640/Shoprite_in_Colonie,_New_York.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvkg5-pMk9fjsgJeOkg8q4L_20xr29ZrWDkhQTRqP9uS9Hjj6TMaHzPxGxv_gV2nSV8yKXbkRvFjxQQZLDZhcSUQc4uga66LveDpQAPUwkxp4tFAkHYsBQ_oZLwlLSom43_X37ISpLTEgbYD5dGrpnOTLkPPuJlqHFzW6UhyphenhyphenK9xCSU5kJEPytOju26w/s320/Shoprite_in_Colonie,_New_York.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Colonie store. Courtesy Tyler A. McNeil/Wikimedia Commons.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I heard of ShopRite when I was younger through adverts on NYC TV stations on cable when they were indie (more on that on our sister blog). I didn't realise they were in the Capital Region in those days, being loyal to Grand Union, as well as being in Price Choppers backyard. It wasn't until I was away at school in between when I finally went on a regular basis. When I came back to CNY for good, I would later discover non-union sister chain PriceRite (covered years earlier here). I would go to ShopRite in the Tri-State the last two times I went before they were back up the Hudson over a decade ago. I just received the stunning news that a handful of O&Os in Schenectady, Albany and Renssalaer Counties are closing by the end of the year (the nail on the coffin lid was hit on 18 November, with Price Chopper/Market 32 getting those stores just ten days on). People started in on the W-word and all (wouldn't fit anyway, and they said it's not on). If I go to New York City again, I'll just go in that area, despite the plethora of competition in the boroughs alone. This is just a small list of NY and NJ stores as there as dozens more that aren't around any longer.</p><p>Montague, NJ - NJ 23</p><p>Wayne, NJ - CR 504</p><p>Slingerlands - NY 85; TBA</p><p>Ellenville - US 209</p><p>Drexel Hill, PA (moved to new store next door; sister chain The Fresh Grocer based here)</p><p>Albany (1) - US 20 (closed by late '80s)</p><p>Albany (2) - NY 5; TBA (maybe Market 32)</p><p>Colonie (1) - Wolf Rd. (closed by late '80s; later Bed Bath and Beyond; now vacant)</p><p>Colonie (2) - NY 5 (pictured); TBA (maybe Market 32)</p><p>Rotterdam - 1426 Altamont Ave (closed by late '80s; now plaza)</p><p>Menands - NY 32 (later Price Chopper; now offices)</p><p>North Greenbush - US 4 & NY 43; becoming Market 32 in 2024</p><p>Niskayuna - NY 146 & Nott St E (previously Grand Union); becoming Market 32 in 2024</p><p>Cortlandt Manor - US 9</p><p>Vestal - NY 434 & Rano Blvd. (later Giant [local chain, not Ahold Delhaize one]; now Weis)</p><p>Poughkeepsie (Arlington) - US 44 & NY 55; TBD</p><p>Newburgh (Balmville) - NY 32 (now Ocean State Job Lot) (current store down the road in Vails Gate)</p><p>Hyde Park (1) - US 9 (plaza store closed in 1998; now Stop & Shop in Hyde Park Mall)</p><p>Hyde Park (2) - US 9 & CR 40A (opened 1998; became Stop & Shop in 2001 and closed in 2012 when new store opened across the road. Old site demolished and is now park space. Meanwhile, ShopRite opened in North Poughkeepsie in 2021 at Hudson Heritage, past Culinary Institute of America and the City of Poughkeepsie across US 9 from Marist College. I left the Hudson Valley in 2000 and last visited in 2010, so I'm just catching up!)</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Keasbey, NJ 08832, USA40.5152454 -74.303021212.205011563821152 -109.4592712 68.825479236178836 -39.1467712tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-55562147788338358802023-09-18T07:37:00.022-04:002024-01-16T20:29:45.115-05:00Great American/Victory Markets<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/40718617664" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Victory Market, Main Street, Margaretville, New York (LOC)"><img alt="Victory Market, Main Street, Margaretville, New York (LOC)" height="349" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/885/40718617664_c766df6b9b.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margaretville Victory store, 1976. Courtesy John Margolies/Library of Congress.</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div> I remember Great American and Victory Markets from the old days. Wikipedia has no mention of when Leominster, MA-based Victory merged with Norwich-based Great American, which had stores from the Southern Tier, CNY, North Country, Adirondacks, Central Leatherstocking and Capital Regions, Mohawk and Hudson Valleys and close to the Catskills. Some had a distinct shape that can easily be recognised by those of a certain age group. Others still are open today or only just closed in recent memory while some are long gone. Hannaford and Big Y bought Victory locations in New England. Back in Upstate NY, at least one had been and another now is a Grand Union as well. More of them would be primarily in small towns. When they left, they would become rural food deserts (which can be worse than urban ones, being further away from anything comparable). Competition from P&C, Price Chopper and other chains meant Great Americans, like so many mom and pop operations (the latter day stores like Big M, Save a Lot, IGA and ShopRite are franchises [Victory acquired several ShopRite franchise stores in Albany and Warren Counties in late 1988, while ShopRite returned to the District in the 2010s with O&Os]), were becoming fewer by the day. I will list as many as I can, but only put highways for areas that I know because it can take all day, even for smaller ones. There may be even more, but this is the gist of it. Many have been lost to obscurity (and I don't where they all are, yet our partners at Groceteria have a treasure trove, and I just can't catch up!).</div><div><br /><p></p><p>Bridgeport (NY 31 & 298) - only one I ever went to as such; long since vacant</p><p>Fayetteville (NY 5) - also Victory; later Super Duper, now dance studio (still has distinct design)</p><p>Manlius (NY 173) - later Smiths, now Dollar Tree</p><p>Fort Plain (NY 80) - later Grand Union and Big M, now Save a Lot</p><p>Canajoharie (NY 5S) - now farm equipment business?</p><p>Sidney (BK5, recently closed)</p><p>Sidney (demolished, now Town Plaza)</p><p><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Greene – Victory Market – South Chenango Street (became a Great American BK5; now closed)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Groton – Victory Market – 1980 Main Street (never a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Guilderland – Great American – 1235 Western Avenue (US 20) (formerly Shop Rite)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Hamilton – Victory Market – 11 Eaton Avenue (became a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Hartwick – Victory Market – Main & South Streets (became a Peter Pumpkin)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Hancock – Victory Market –East Front Street (became a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Hankins – Victory Market - (never a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Herkimer – Victory Market – 232 West Albany Street (NY 5) (became a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Herkimer - Great American - (NY 5S?) (formerly Loblaws)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Hinsman’s Corners – Victory Market – 1318 Upper front Street (never a Great American)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Homer – Victory Market – (never a Great American) (US 11)</span><br style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span face="Poppins, "Lucida Grande", "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">Horseheads – Great American – Arnot Mall </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;">–</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 14.3px;"> 3300 Chambers Road (now Arnot Event Center)</span></p><p>Star Lake (NY 3) - previously IGA; demolished; now Dollar General</p><p>Syracuse (Eastwood) (NY 290) - Victory Video; later James Flowers; now vacant</p><p>Norwich (flagship and 82 N Broad St [NY 12]) former now ALDI?; latter now Walgreens</p><p>Norwich (cold storage warehouse on E. Main St.; later Tops; now Grand Union)</p><p>Utica (then-NY 5/8/12 and Bleecker St)</p><p>Albany (near UAlbany)</p><p>Ellenville (US 209)</p><p>Lake George (US 9)</p><p>Mexico (NY 104)</p><p>Glens Falls (Upper Glen Rd) - previously ShopRite</p><p>Bainbridge (NY 7)</p><p>Unadilla (NY 7)</p><p>Margaretville (NY 30) - pictured; Victory, now the Catskill Mountain Christian Church School</p><p>Schoharie (NY 30)</p><p>Oneonta (NY 7 & 28)</p><p>New Berlin (NY 8 & 80)</p><p>Binghamton (Main St and S Washington St)</p><p>Prattsville (NY 23) - last surviving store with ties to the chain (not counting any unrelated stores outside Upstate NY due to generic nature of the name)</p><p>West Winfield (US 20 & NY 51) - now Dollar General</p><p>Oxford - now Dollar General</p><p>Watertown (NY 3) - now a mental health facility</p><p>Boonville (NY 12)</p><p>Cairo (NY 23) - now Hannaford</p><p>Adams Center (US 11)</p><p>Alexandria Bay (NY 12)</p><p>Apalachin (NY 17)</p><p>Camillus (W Genesee St) - Camillus Plaza; later Price Chopper and P&C; now Tops</p><p>Canastota (NY 13)</p><p>Barneveld (NY 365)</p><p>Camden (NY 13)</p><p>Catskill (NY 32)</p><p>Chadwicks (Main St [now Oneida St?])</p><p>New Paltz (NY 299)</p><p>Afton (NY 7)</p><p>Cooperstown (NY 28 & 80) - later P&C, now Grand Union</p><p>Delhi (NY 10)</p><p>Fonda (NY 30A)</p><p>Liberty (NY 52)</p><p>Lyons Falls (NY 12)</p><p>Sherburne (NY 12)</p><p>Richfield Springs (US 20)</p><p>Tully (US 11 & NY 80)</p><p>Ilion (NY 5S)</p><p>Whitesboro (NY 69) - previously Loblaws</p><p>East Greenbush (US 9 & 20)</p><p>Hudson (US 9)</p><p>Catskill (US 9W)</p><p>Colonie (Wolf Rd)</p><p>East Stroudsburg, PA (US 209) (only non-NY store)</p><p>Syracuse (south side) (US 11) Victory; previously Johnsons; now Dunk & Bright?</p><p>Westvale (NY 5) - Victory; previously Johnsons, later IGA</p><p>Jordan (9 Mechanic St) - later Big M and Tops; now Family Dollar</p><p>Syracuse (east side) (NY 5)</p><p>Syracuse (downtown)</p><p>Jamesville (NY 173)</p><p>van Buren/Seneca Knolls (NY 48) - now Big M flagship (may be confused with next one up the road)</p><p>Baldwinsville (NY 48) - later ValuWay</p><p>Baldwinsville (Downer St) - Tri-County Mall, long since demolished</p><p>Dryden (NY 13 & 38) - now Clarks ShurFine</p><p>Grand Gorge (NY 23 & 30)</p><p>Clinton (NY 12B)</p><p>deWitt (NY 5)</p><p>Chittenango (NY 5 & 13) - later Smiths, now Kinney Pharmacy</p><p>Syracuse (east side) - Victory; previously Acme</p><p>Syracuse (east side) (NY 5) - Victory only</p><p>Syracuse (east side) (NY 5) - Victory; previously Giant Food (not chains from Southern Tier/MD/PA) and Johnsons</p><p>Syracuse (north side) (NY 298) - Victory; previously Johnsons; later Big M; now Diamond (cornershop)</p><p>Syracuse (NY 92) - Victory; previously Red & White (brand still exists)</p><p>Syracuse (NY 92) - Victory; previously Market Basket (not New England chain)</p><p>Cazenovia (US 20) - first in region; later P&C, now Tops</p><p>Cincinnatus (NY 26) - later Peter Pumpkin</p><p>Cherry Valley (US 20) - previously Oneida Supermarkets (1968-?)</p><p>Clayville (NY 8)</p><p>Conklin (NY 7)</p><p>Cortland (NY 13) - Great American and Victory</p><p>Cortland (NY 41 & US 11?) - Victory only</p><p>Cortlandville (NY 281) - also both</p><p>Deposit - Elm & Monument Sts.</p><p>deRuyter (NY 13)</p><p>Eaton (NY 26)</p><p>Edmeston (NY 80)</p><p>Jeffersonville (NY 52)</p><p>Kingston (US 9W)</p><p>Whitney Point (US 11)</p><p>North Syracuse (US 11) - Victory; previously Market Basket</p><p>New Hartford (NY 5A) - Tehan Plaza; previously Loblaws, Chicago Markets and Tops; now Hannaford</p><p>Syracuse (north side) - later Wegmans, now Tops</p><p>Menands (NY 32) - previously ShopRite, later Price Chopper; now offices</p></div>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Chenango County, NY, USA42.4972314 -75.62080879999999214.186997563821151 -110.77705879999999 70.807465236178842 -40.464558799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-52789204778869089522023-09-14T08:26:00.055-04:002023-12-14T05:56:58.702-05:00Switz's: 30 Years On<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="638" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUJNdOp76XQ1UBUNzaRLRYVnO5b1I4EHSFsc_W5vGU3B652kHNR8iORQYWEdTQFvVdZnVw1eHRjqk-FnH-pBSkfSNz33_NgBIYv2HIfkd_epwUhybddd38JLgBeQUEbKQKMP7ZaSPkCCOwrnHKUqxnCvVxnMO6GSLwTpf9NIZlzRLwUpAI3sN7NW6PQ/s320/Switz's.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switz's sometime between 1987-92 (no free image, but has no copyright)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Every year around this time, people in and/or from my area and generation remember Switz's, a variety store that was located in North Syracuse. It was originally founded in 1947 on Syracuses south side, and in 1954 across town, it was relocated to North Plaza up US 11 at Lawrence and S Bay Roads. Then in 1984, it moved to the building you see here that most CNYers reminisce about in the fall around the corner, a mock Tudor/Bavarian style building overlooking I-81 a mile from the airport. It was the place to go each Halloween for eight years' time. Tour buses would get off in Mattydale or E Taft Road depending on which direction they were heading. The owner purchased a .8 tonne, 5 yards tall ogre in then-West Germany named Oscar, who was more than a Grouch! There was a display of a graveyard and a band of skeletons. Switzs stocked the widest selection of costumes, makeup and accessories in the area. The last Saturday before the big day was like their Black Friday. The festive season also brought business to the store, but that gets overshadowed. By the early '90s, it was a textbook case of David and Goliath where Switzs became a statistic of another mom and pop that couldn't compete with the chains and malls. In this case, Walmart finally arrived in the Northeast (like we never missed), Shoppingtown had a store, and Carousel Center (now Destiny USA) opened in 1990 (can't recall if they had anything fancy dress in early days). The final nail in the vampires coffin lid was when the store moved to Penn Can Mall in Cicero a few miles away, but closed by summer 1993. Meanwhile, Oscars whereabouts remain a mystery to this day. Cablexpress (later CSX) moved into the S Bay Rd store, and have only used some of the property, and the inside is said to resemble little of what my age group know from childhood. Younger people who work there or those who aren't from Onondaga County may or will not know firsthand the legacy of this small business. Now CSX will move downtown to the former Sibleys/RKO Keiths (cinema from studio system/Old Hollywood era that closed during the postwar period). I'm sure one would like to bring Switzs back (had less trouble with something else that used to be around here, but that's different). You could even restore the Renaissance inspired façade or build a replica of Oscar and the "Touch of Grey" wannabes (one for you Deadheads!). It would be like rebuilding these local historic figures' homes on the city's east side from Victorian times that were demolished that could have been in the National Trust if the blueprints survive. It can never be the same. On top of that, Switzs might not make it in todays environment, despite the grassroots movement to support local so this doesn't happen to another neighborhood business because of amazon and other online sales, pop-ups and boring big box. I have trouble finding anything at the name places, and small ones can have something unique, which Switzs did. I was young when it was around, so my own take can be vague and even secondhand, but I know my family have gone there once or twice a year in those days, and perhaps yours as well.<br /><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: Crouse Health have acquired the building from current owner Bill Pomeroy, who donated the property to the hospital group in memory of his wife Sandra, who was his carer when he was taken ill. Crouse will convert it into a new multi-faceted health facility primarily targeting that part of Onondaga County. It will even have an event center that could host a few things I could come up with (story for another day). Maybe this is better anyway, as this is far more important, and it'd be impossible to recapture all of the magic of a long gone time and make it work in todays economy.</div>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0North Syracuse, NY 13212, USA43.1270971 -76.103000714.816863263821155 -111.2592507 71.437330936178853 -40.946750699999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-2553669928858838352023-09-12T05:51:00.000-04:002023-09-12T05:51:05.649-04:00Christmas Tree Shops<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajay_suresh/51787279032/in/photolist-5JrVNc-CFcdwV-94oSv7-2mUgkPf-E6W2p8-23HdjUL-29jUgGb-RcswF6-2exLb1v-2jGgiPC-7m372V-2oUJciF-dZdmbm-tHAsB-dZdmad-dZ7DTp-tHAvL-94kQXM-94kPy2-dZ7Efr-dZdmqm-dZ7Dn8-94oNKs-dZdmV5-dZdndh-7TL2Va-2oUJ4n5-2o3Pqtx-7TL2Yz-2nbjfH6-2ezpfZj-2o7JxJS-94oH3d-tHAqs-dZdnoA-dZdnjb-dZdmHj-7D5fBq-4bq7vs-7mStgx-7mWmEs-7m6Zgb-7m37DF-7m6ZRJ-7m71aU-iwjrwH" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Christmas Tree Shops"><img alt="Christmas Tree Shops" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51787279032_22467a6fc7.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macomb County location in Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Christmas Tree Shops were a unique kind of discount chain, but not a festive one <i>per se</i>. Like several others, I heard of it in the Capital Region. I found some of my CDs there. People from CNY would take road trips there. Then, they finally came here in a plaza that now has little to go on (that will get its own post another day). Harmon Face Values spun off with their generic health and beauty products, and had a location in Dutchess County. Christmas Tree Shops were once owned by Bed, Bath and Beyond, but now both have gone bankrupt and have closed their doors because people shop online and the economy is touch and go; same old story. If that wasn't the case, this would be just another run-of-the-mill list of where to open more, since they could have gone to Cayuga, Tompkins and Oneida Counties, but it's now too late for that. Instead, other chains can get past CTS locations, but I can only come up with ideas for the ones that I know, of course. Oh, Christmas Tree Shops, how lovely were thy branches!</p><p>Albany (Colonie) - Colonie Center, NY 5 & Wolf Road</p><p>North Syracuse - Northern Lights, US 11, former Builders Square</p><p>Henrietta - NY 252 (Rochester)</p><p>Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Middleborough, MA 02346, USA41.875212 -70.8357791999999913.564978163821152 -105.99202919999999 70.185445836178843 -35.67952919999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-37853710188613067152023-09-11T08:14:00.020-04:002023-11-28T12:59:36.481-05:00Market 32<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Market32_in_Fort_Edward,_New_York_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tyler A. McNeil, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Market32 in Fort Edward, New York 01" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Market32_in_Fort_Edward%2C_New_York_01.jpg/512px-Market32_in_Fort_Edward%2C_New_York_01.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ft Edward location on US 4 in Warren County from Cumberland Farms across the road</td></tr></tbody></table><div><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Market32_in_Fort_Edward,_New_York_01.jpg">Tyler A. McNeil</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons<p> Price Chopper have gradually converted their stores to Market 32, which is approaching its tenth year. Someone asked Newschannel 9s Your Stories when they'll all be done. Initially, it was most of their locations in their native Capital Region, working their way towards New England, Pennsylvania, and the Mohawk Valley. It may be too easy to rebrand the lot straightaway, or a right fortune, instead doing them up piecemeal over the course of a decades time. Latham instead have Market Bistro, which I've mentioned earlier, trying to emulate Wegmans (don't get me started!). Inside, the key differences include some of the décor and the carts are brown. 32 refers to 1932, when the chain were founded as Central Markets. They've been Price Chopper for fifty years, yet there's no anniversary just for that; last year being considered the milestone, while new sister chain Tops had their own.</p><p>The only current Market 32 I've gone to myself to date is New Hartford (none west of Oneida County just yet), although in their backyard, I've been to Slingerlands, Pine Hills and Delaware Ave. (NY 443 & US 9W) long before the name was coined, the last two in Albany proper. Other than that, it's pretty much the same and will distinguish it from the Price Chopper in Kansas, Iowa and Missouri. Our Price Chopper have been in CNY since the mid-'70s (Groceteria has more details). The name won't be retired fully, just reconfigured. Now if that could open on Syracuses south side since it's far enough from Western Lights and Erie Blvd E since it can be done as you head east. It might not work in Ithaca with Tops across town and Price Chopper never at that end of NY 13, and rural communities might be a challenge if the property is small and there isn't room to expand as well as concerns about traffic and codes. Still, Market 32 is more than a fresh coat of paint and a name change.</p><p>On 28 November, Price Chopper/Market 32 announced the acquisition of the five area ShopRite stores that closed ten days earlier, but only Niskayuna and North Greenbush will join the chain in the new year, while the rest overlap with existing locations, so we'll see how they get on.</p></div>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Schenectady County, NY, USA42.8493445 -73.98300290000001714.539110663821155 -109.13925290000002 71.159578336178839 -38.826752900000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-20144594527147592512023-09-10T08:39:00.005-04:002024-02-14T07:22:54.918-05:00Lou Malnati's<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/39530174460/in/photolist-23e9tE5-Sy4dnS-2nLsqGh-22nSywB-2om9FEo-2ooDRTT-2nPrPXJ-SpPr7z-2nNwMpu-2o4yuGu-2mci3KM-2hgLxHm-2jwzoTy-2kjhBhR-DPL54J-23Muqgx-2ixnyxo-2iSV83u-2mh8VqP-ZQauju-2jdJ3n2-RcXVFq-29GTy1p-WcV1Eq-Rxgs7c-MBSozV-87XAWS-GG4C6S-H4heqW-2khkfmn-bAAMMP-4YyRQh-TLtxeZ-6GSNWM-9rtHTG-b5pYc4-b5pToM-b5pP1a-H4hdy5-H4hdQC-H4he6s-H4hdp7-4YReQ9" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Coming Home"><img alt="Coming Home" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/804/39530174460_0c81accbce.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Coast, Chicago location (can't recall which one I visited since it's a big area)</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Here's a new one. The same relative who posted about Spaghetti Factory a few years back on Facebook now discovered something else Italian, but one that I have tried myself in the past, yet expanded since I went in their backyard on holiday in 2008. It's Lou Malnatis Pizzeria in the Chicago area. He and his dad used to manage Pizzeria Uno, which used to be in CNY themselves until recently, and we just got East of Chicago in Lyncourt. The younger Malnati broke out on his own in 1971, and has become a big name in the Windy City ever since. I remember the bits of tomato, but at least I can say I've gone. I was surprised to learn they were also in Arizona, as well as Milwaukee and (takeaway only) Marion Counties stretching further into the Midwest. While some may call it selling out by going out of state and even abroad, Malnatis next frontier could be the Northeast as you head east along the Great Lakes/I-90/I-80 corridor. They could possibly open in the Tri-State, even though New York City is proud of their own pizza (just ask Messrs Fieri and Portnoy!). I may just zero in on Upstate (CNY for a start since that's what I know best, of course), while other states on the east coast would follow. Even the West Coast doesn't have it yet, with Maricopa County being the closest to there, so you'd have to go from LAX to Sky Harbour if you don't want to have it come in the post with special packaging I suppose. Nothing beats having it there. Malnati would've wanted you to come in and enjoy his family's classic recipe, so may his spirit guide us there. Nothing like a Deep Dish.</p><p>Syracuse - Destiny USA, former Cantina Loredo</p><p>Albany - Wolf Road; former Bed, Bath and Beyond/ShopRite</p><p>New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A</p><p>Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, NY 5 & US 20</p><p>Greece - The Mall at Greece Ridge, former TGI Fridays, NY 104</p><p>Amherst - former Best Buy, NY 78</p><p>Cortland - former flea market, Riverside Mall, NY 13 (too big for small space near road)</p><p>Watertown - former Christmas Tree Shops, Salmon Run Mall, NY 3</p><p>Syracuse (Fairmount) - former Big Boy/IHOP/Good Buddys Pub, West Genesee St</p><p>Ithaca - former Hobby Lobby, NY 13, 34 & 96</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Cook County, IL, USA41.7376587 -87.69755413.427424863821152 -122.853804 70.047892536178836 -52.541304tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-83356725356981474102023-09-07T22:05:00.010-04:002024-01-16T07:26:41.681-05:00Tex's Chicken and Burgers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_ZB9_XzN67e7zymjWkLqCkZZSDYNdsxWZmxaKTN73-n21ThkupaKhFWOco7CEW-enuAIUoQiQCb_SE5lfzbVTeZ8961UFsr78UUqtgEmakB_YgTTvtgD-yhpXojQLz6ewv4DjNLEk1JJgBRuTRZzPx290u8y5NkOoWhs26SORxYVKJMEYQ4gnOIuZg/s4000/IMG_20230907_153658620_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_ZB9_XzN67e7zymjWkLqCkZZSDYNdsxWZmxaKTN73-n21ThkupaKhFWOco7CEW-enuAIUoQiQCb_SE5lfzbVTeZ8961UFsr78UUqtgEmakB_YgTTvtgD-yhpXojQLz6ewv4DjNLEk1JJgBRuTRZzPx290u8y5NkOoWhs26SORxYVKJMEYQ4gnOIuZg/s320/IMG_20230907_153658620_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonie location on NY 5 near Albany</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I was looking for a place to get dinner for my annual trip to Albany that was a chain not yet in CNY that could be (and there have been so many over the years), and discovered Tex's Chicken & Burgers (formerly Texas Chicken & Burgers), which is actually from downstate of all places (reminds of the Pace Picante advert!). Didn't eat there, but I got a look at it and it doesn't require too much space, which makes it a bit easier to find locations. Now to get them mosey on down here to these parts!</p><p>North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights Plaza, former Hofmann Hot Haus/Salt City Dogs</p><p>Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA, former Arbys</p><p>deWitt - NY 5, Marshalls Homegoods Plaza</p><p>Auburn - NY 5 & US 20, Fingerlakes Mall</p><p>Cortland - NY 13, Riverside Mall, former Naples Pizza</p><p>Ithaca - former Starbucks</p><p>Utica - former Popeyes</p><p>Rochester - NY 252, former Boston Market</p><p>Oneida - NY 5, former KFC</p><p>Clay - NY 31, former Subway</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY 10023, USA40.7769059 -73.980064512.466672063821157 -109.1363145 69.087139736178841 -38.8238145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-31891085166734471632023-09-05T07:15:00.004-04:002023-12-31T07:59:27.190-05:00Jimmy Johns: 40 Years On<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/southbeachcars/37896672616/in/photolist-ZJNmtb-6HvHZL-ZX5m3c-2ooV6hv-GdKWiH-R5xao9-Qd8i9d-qj4e3K-peo5xb-JexWyQ-U6gyxw-HmASSD-HRYuRd-JexWCh-HRYuWJ-cs3vVw-81JzpW-EwNCLG-JexWGL-448yPf-21NvB3-T9jS5G-eDgSKP-4XvBty-6PAMwq-5qMnrC-2d8SPY5-81JzLb-2j9LoWJ-HmASX8-5qMz6v-2h8zrsq-2na46yf-2oyK2Uo-GbPJoC-akfnUw-9xbS2K-2na9uH7-C42wBn-2ovNLXM-r22Fhm-2hFMv4w-bFa2kH-HRYuCh-2ooSYAQ-M2AzMW-2irLLr-PpaPnY-9xbSTk-f7eKPJ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jimmy John’s Ft Lauderdale"><img alt="Jimmy John’s Ft Lauderdale" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4473/37896672616_1778d09a69.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broward County location</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Jimmy Johns celebrate their fortieth anniversary this year. They were just sold to the owners of their biggest competitor Subway. Both have closed locations and are all but franchised, they couldn't be more different. While it's too easy to go to Subway (which now even outnumber McDonalds), Jimmy Johns are fewer by the day. All four Syracuse locations are closed, while two in the region fifty miles away each in a small town are alive and well, but it's likely the classic case of the franchise owner and corporate falling out, or maybe slow sales. I go to the Utica one when I'm that way and have time, while I found the Ithaca store at short notice, which saved time in an area I don't know as well. Back near home, someone else could take over the local rights and have another go since no one else touched most of them since then, even though I suggested other chains in previous posts like I always do. They can also open in other vacancies around the area like anyone else. It may be too soon to come back.</p><p><br /></p><p>Syracuse (SU Hill) - Marshall St (was various businesses over the decades)*</p><p>Syracuse (downtown) - W Fayette St (was Luna indie restaurant for a period)*</p><p>Cicero - E Circle Dr*</p><p>E Syracuse - NY 298 & Weighlock Dr (previously Starbucks)*</p><p>Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA, former Arbys</p><p>Cortland - Main St, former Deli Downtown</p><p>Auburn - NY 5 & US 20, Fingerlakes Mall</p><p>Watertown - NY 3, Salmon Run Mall</p><p>Oswego - NY 104 & 3rd Ave, former Subway (near SUNY)</p><p>Chittenango - NY 5 & 13, former Byrne Dairy</p><p>Oneida - NY 5, former KFC?</p><p>Clay - NY 31, former Subway</p><p><br /></p><p>*former location</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Champaign County, IL, USA40.2138865 -88.24611829999999211.903652663821155 -123.40236829999999 68.524120336178839 -53.089868299999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-14173452554292179152023-09-04T07:21:00.008-04:002023-09-12T20:20:34.849-04:00The Fresh Market<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/deilert/3427850463/in/photolist-6dUCw4-2hdvd1c-4if74r-rKtsYv-eZTzvM-4sRVZG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The Fresh Market"><img alt="The Fresh Market" height="335" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/3652/3427850463_d84c735f12.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Augusta, GA location</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> The Fresh Market are based in Greensboro, NC, yet have locations across the eastern seaboard and once were in the California Capital Region, and are in the NY one in Latham (I thought it was a few miles away in Colonie, but it was their competitor). Just when you think there couldn't be another one of these coming, they may open near you (they could even be considered a premium grocer like the "other place" [which I say so not to let the side down]).</p><p><br /></p><p>New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A, former Macys (while the New Hartford Shopping Center around the corner still has the former Herb Phillipsons available, Commercial Drive is far more suited for this type of chain in this area)</p><p>deWitt - Marshalls Homegoods Plaza, NY 5, former Bed, Bath & Beyond</p><p>North Syracuse - Northern Lights Plaza, US 11, former Builders Square/Christmas Tree Shops</p><p>Kingston - Hudson Valley Mall, US 9W; former Macys, Sears, or JCPenney (I haven't been to Ulster County since 2000, so I had to use Google Maps and Wikipedia to see what's there now)</p><p>Wappingers Falls - US 9, former Bed, Bath & Beyond</p><p>Amherst - NY 78, former Best Buy</p><p>Henrietta - NY 252, Market Square Plaza; former Bed, Bath & Beyond</p><p>Victor - NY 96; former Bed, Bath & Beyond (seems to be a cookie cutter vacancy that can get its own post later because of their bankruptcy and closure or brick and mortar)</p><p>Ithaca - NY 13, 34 & 96, former Tops</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Guilford County, NC, USA36.0899873 -79.82967437.7797534638211516 -114.9859243 64.400221136178843 -44.673424299999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-64059833323240928142023-08-29T15:15:00.019-04:002024-02-18T08:05:01.202-05:00Spirit of Halloween<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/29107804534/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Spirit Halloween Shop 2016, Former Sports Authority, Farmington, CT Pics by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Spirit #Halloween #2016"><img alt="Spirit Halloween Shop 2016, Former Sports Authority, Farmington, CT Pics by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Spirit #Halloween #2016" height="371" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8005/29107804534_138f943753.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmington, CT store (former Sports Authority location)</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Usually, pop-up chain Spirit of Halloween have temporary leases on vacant properties by now. There are usually an abundance of them in any given area, certainly in CNY. Several years ago, I wrote about their competitor, Halloween Express. One location they had in recent years, the former P&C/Bed, Bath and Beyond in Fairmount Fair, is set to become an Old Navy, so that means for west of Syracuse, it's either Westvale or Camillus. Also must make sure it's not too close to sister store Party City if it can be helped. I went to look for the latest here, but the closest so far are downstate, so I'm surprised at them for not being Upstate already. The internet can't replace going in person for everything. UPDATE: The site just didn't recognise my location properly as it did from the desktop, so all is not lost.</p><p><br /></p><p>Fairmount - Fairmount Fair, former P&C/BB&B (until Old Navy open later in 2024) (confirmed)</p><p>Liverpool - Old Liverpool Rd & Electronics Pkwy, Liverpool Plaza, former Carls/Fays/Thrifty Shopper (confirmed)</p><p>Mattydale - US 11, former kmart (Party City are across road at Northern Lights) (confirmed)</p><p>deWitt - NY 5, former Pet Supplies Plus (confirmed, where they've been the past few years)</p><p>Liverpool (Clay/Bayberry) - NY 31, COR Plaza; former Bed, Bath and Beyond</p><p>Auburn - NY 5 & US 20, Fingerlakes Mall, former Great Outdoors (confirmed)</p><p>Cortland - NY 13, former kmart</p><p>Ithaca (Lansing) - NY 13, next to Best Buy (confirmed)</p><p>New Hartford - NY 5 & 5A, Sangertown Square, next to Spencer Gifts (confirmed)</p><p>Colonie - Wolf Road, former Barnes & Noble</p><p>Amherst - NY 78, former Best Buy</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Atlantic County, NJ, USA39.5333379 -74.686881511.223104063821154 -109.8431315 67.843571736178845 -39.5306315tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-19442897464909208862023-08-25T19:36:00.100-04:002024-01-16T20:29:12.187-05:00Giant Markets of Binghamton: 90 Years On<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuHXixM1GmDqtH87UG8VH-iBnEHq9_LWqYiF5eIvUMywOq6G1F_hd7w8m7q8H3AHBhwgrKspjmFa8wqS7gRFgF3VzhkK2F1ih-aOQIdVEmNr8DSlRg53Alz3HwGgHy8Y6mwsB5P5TRTcamTJDCPn7G61Durt5jSNo-7hLgu0oYNBWUvGiszuoEhKCig/s963/Giant%20Market.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="963" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuHXixM1GmDqtH87UG8VH-iBnEHq9_LWqYiF5eIvUMywOq6G1F_hd7w8m7q8H3AHBhwgrKspjmFa8wqS7gRFgF3VzhkK2F1ih-aOQIdVEmNr8DSlRg53Alz3HwGgHy8Y6mwsB5P5TRTcamTJDCPn7G61Durt5jSNo-7hLgu0oYNBWUvGiszuoEhKCig/s320/Giant%20Market.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Endwell store in 1964 (counts as free image)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> My visit to Weis the other day got me wanting to write about Giant Markets, which dominated Broome County for over 75 years time. They were ahead of their time when they opened during the Depression, being a one-stop shop that was self-serve with baskets and later carts, before even downstate. They managed to compete with A&P, ShopRite, P&C, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Walmart and Grand Union. They managed to buy properties on Upper Front Street to keep some of these other chains out, while others left that part of town. It'd be too much work to find which generic brands they carried in those days as it's not always easy to tell with some indies, although Giant had their own with most common items, as well as some other private labels, and even their own warehouse. With the generic nature of the word "Giant", this is not the same Giant that is in Pennsylvania, Delmarva, the Virginias (including as Martins for the same reason; being Pittsburghs Giant Eagle, but that's different, as both of Ahold Delhaizes Giants themselves were separate animals at first). Even in Endicott back in the Southern Tier in the late '30s, there was once an unrelated Giant Market to boot, so it could also happen within the region at a time news moved slowly). That's a Giant headache! (I wrote about naming conflicts some years earlier as there was simply no way of knowing if a name was taken before the Internet if it wasn't a national company as we don't have a Companies House in this country <i>per se</i>).<p></p><p>Weis bought Giant in the Southern Tier in 2009. They initially kept the name like they did with Albany Public Markets up I-88, but maybe because of the confusion I just described, and since Weis are rivals with the other three Giants as you head down the Appalachian Trail, the Axels' Giant name was retired, yet the company are still a legal entity belonging to the family owning properties, some with their old stores. Several have a unique design familiar to people in Spiedie Country if built and/or remodelled in the late '80s up until the '00s. There are a Facebook group as one would expect like with other chains.</p><p>Here is a list of the locations they had in 1939 and 2004 (Archive.org can take too long, even on a good connection). Much older ones, like with other stores, are sometimes too ambiguous in nature to track down, even if I knew the area or had time to scour the history. Any that aren't Weis today will be noted (especially if they're too small, even though Weis' own flagship store in Northumberland County is).</p><p><br /></p><p>Binghamton</p><p><br /></p><p>307 Conklin Ave (NY 7)</p><p>50-60 Pennsylvania Ave (near hospital)</p><p>93 Pennsylvania Ave (closed)</p><p>56-58 Main St (now Family Dollar)</p><p>160 Robinson St (the one I visited; should have taken a photo so I could edit if I had planned this, but no need)</p><p>278 Robinson St (now a doctors office)</p><p>95 Chenango St (downtown between bus depot and Little Venice Italian restaurant; long gone)</p><p>279-309 Main St (NY 17C) (now vacant, but City Church are in the process of buying it)</p><p>184-186 Court St (first store; originally an auto garage; later local office for state tax and finance; now Lourdes Mental Health Youth Services)</p><p><br /></p><p>Vestal</p><p><br /></p><p>100 Rano Blvd & Vestal Pkwy W (NY 434) (previously Shop Rite)</p><p>925 Main St (off NY 26)</p><p><br /></p><p>Nimmonsburg</p><p><br /></p><p>1290 Upper Front St (US 11), Northgate Ames Plaza (Ames closed in 2002 [see earlier article])</p><p>1240 Upper Front St (US 11) - previously Grand Union, now vacant</p><p><br /></p><p>Johnson City (Westover) - 560 Harry L. Dr., Oakdale Center (now ALDI)</p><p><br /></p><p>Endicott </p><p><br /></p><p>West Corners - Giant (now Day Hollow) Shopping Plaza (NY 26 & CR 60) (previous two stores demolished and replaced by current Weis)</p><p>143 Washington Ave (now Allstate)</p><p><br /></p><p>Endwell</p><p><br /></p><p>800 Hooper Rd. (CR 33), Park Manor Plaza (previously Grand Union [until 1995] and Great American in the town of Union! All's well that's Endwell!)</p><p>860 Hooper Rd - opened in 1964; closed in 2002 (pictured)</p><p><br /></p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Binghamton, NY 13901, USA42.2014637 -75.876633313.891229863821152 -111.0328833 70.511697536178843 -40.720383299999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271064936980891324.post-57512432750052536832023-08-22T20:11:00.016-04:002023-08-28T07:14:20.119-04:00Weis Markets<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/virginiaretail/49462296903/in/photolist-2imPcCt-TxiPJG-Tcbnnf-jCRTsq-TzKFNX-TzKDcz-THypnu-THyqTL-SuEP7L-bteraV-SuEMSm-TzKB8K-THyoLj-oguVsr-9G87jt-s7ccjH-egtk3K-9Gb1c3-aicF8P-5FkoZ3-oTeTSA-6MwGvj-7rT1kq-aeAK5T-4BYVsX-2nxZibL-aifC9A-aicF1F-2kRxx6L-aicShz-aifutj-ahaDwr-aifuXw-aicCFP-aifrsA-aifw2h-aiczEi-dKVmsT-dKVnnn-aicRqD-aiczXD-aicFVp-aifu1d-aicQtX-aicBxp-aicAye-aicEC2-aicR4t-aicS4F-aicKV4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Weis Markets - Fredericksburg, VA (Tidewater Trl)"><img alt="Weis Markets - Fredericksburg, VA (Tidewater Trl)" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49462296903_b0f981327c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fredericksburg, VA location (ex-Bloom/Food Lion [due to Ahold Delhaize merger])</td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> Weis Markets are a chain from Susquehanna Valley. I first heard of them when I was in the mid-Hudson Valley, but they left just after I did! To boot, they had acquired Albany Public Markets up the river years before and perhaps I went to one of those (that would be a post all its own), although some of those became Grand Union (see earlier article). They entered the Southern Tier when they bought trailblazing local indie chain Giant in Broome County (not the same one owned by Ahold [Delhaize]), bringing them back to New York. I was in Binghamton on a bus layover between Ithaca and getting back to Syracuse. Knowing ahead of time I could squeeze it in (although I had to use a cab and Uber because I wouldn't have enough time for the local bus in an area I don't know that well), I decided to head across town after two long decades. It was a "Weis" choice. While they may not go north of 607, they could expand around the area code and Pennsylvania (I scrambled on Bing and Google, but some spots I found at first wound up being too close to existing locations and competitors, which explains why they're vacant, but I can only go so far with areas that are I may never be 100 miles of again, and other chains would have to fill that vacuum). Hope they do try to get at least one or more of these to materialise so there are at least 200 locations total.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ithaca - NY 13/34/96, former Tops</p><p>Cortland - US 11 & NY 41 - former Dollar Bazaar</p><p>Sidney - CR 23, former BK5 Great American</p><p>Horseheads - S Main St, former Ames (although it's 5 miles from existing store in Elmira, the only non-former Giant Weis in the state currently)</p><p>Greene - S Chenango St, former Ardees Great American</p><p>Somerset, PA - 313 Plank Rd & PA 31, former Bi-Lo (the former sister chain to P&C, not Tops [see earlier article on BI-LO])</p><p>Johnstown, PA - 2449 Bedford St, former Ideal Market, downtown</p>John Sposatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06539424629390934414noreply@blogger.com0Sunbury, PA 17801, USA40.8556407 -76.756736812.545406863821157 -111.9129868 69.165874536178848 -41.6004868