unexpected dollar tree
Syracuse, NY
This is the coolest dollar store I've ever seen! Does anyone have any knowledge -- or guesses -- about what this was before it was a Dollar Tree?
My guess is the circle on top could have once been a globe. Maybe a Norge location?
UPDATE: Thanks to Dean Jeffrey for the reminder that I should ALWAYS check Debra Jane Seltzer's always-helpful Roadside Architecture site! Here is what she has to say about this......mystery solved!!
"This building originally housed Mandy's Drive-in. It was built in 1964. The restaurant specialized in roast beef sandwiches. It was a walk-up stand with no car hops or indoor dining. The sign which is gone now, the roof, and the ball on top of the building were all turquoise at that time. The building was designed by Toby Nadel and Edward Fisher. Mandy's closed in 1969 and briefly became "Archie's Drive-in".
The box-like building was added later when the place was turned into "Kid's Town", a toy store. In 2003, the building houses "Record Theatre Audio & Video". It is now occupied by a "Dollar Tree" discount store. Dollar Tree removed the circular counter which I believe was original but left the wood ceiling. The ball on the roof is still illuminated at night."
unexpected dollar tree
Syracuse, NY
This is the coolest dollar store I've ever seen! Does anyone have any knowledge -- or guesses -- about what this was before it was a Dollar Tree?
My guess is the circle on top could have once been a globe. Maybe a Norge location?
UPDATE: Thanks to Dean Jeffrey for the reminder that I should ALWAYS check Debra Jane Seltzer's always-helpful Roadside Architecture site! Here is what she has to say about this......mystery solved!!
"This building originally housed Mandy's Drive-in. It was built in 1964. The restaurant specialized in roast beef sandwiches. It was a walk-up stand with no car hops or indoor dining. The sign which is gone now, the roof, and the ball on top of the building were all turquoise at that time. The building was designed by Toby Nadel and Edward Fisher. Mandy's closed in 1969 and briefly became "Archie's Drive-in".
The box-like building was added later when the place was turned into "Kid's Town", a toy store. In 2003, the building houses "Record Theatre Audio & Video". It is now occupied by a "Dollar Tree" discount store. Dollar Tree removed the circular counter which I believe was original but left the wood ceiling. The ball on the roof is still illuminated at night."