Ardmore - Main Line Today
Ardmore - Main Line Today
Ardmore - Main Line Today
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Special Promotional Section<br />
Take a Stroll Through Our Town ...<br />
The <strong>Ardmore</strong> commercial district has played a pivotal role in the economy of Lower Merion<br />
Township since its development in the early 19th century. In 1811, Dr. James Anderson called the area<br />
“Athensville.” The name was changed in 1873 to <strong>Ardmore</strong>, a Gaelic term signifying “high grounds or<br />
hills.” The various architectural styles in the downtown area represent <strong>Ardmore</strong>’s organic growth and<br />
development through the decades, a trend that continues today. Many business owners have been in<br />
town for years and love to share the history of their buildings with visitors. Most would be glad to have<br />
you stop in and ask questions. Churches may be open for viewing (and resting). But please respect<br />
the privacy of our residents.<br />
In addition to our historic architecture, <strong>Ardmore</strong> has 44 restaurants and more than 200 businesses.<br />
Copies of the <strong>Ardmore</strong> Dining Guide, Business Directory and Guide to Antiques and Resale Shops are<br />
available at the <strong>Ardmore</strong> Initiative office. Special thanks to Lower Merion Township, Jerry Francis<br />
and the Lower Merion Historical Society, Jean Wolf of Wolf Historic Preservation, and Tom Hayden<br />
of the Merion Fire Co. of <strong>Ardmore</strong>.<br />
West Lancaster Avenue<br />
(South Side)<br />
6 W. Lancaster Ave. was the former <strong>Ardmore</strong><br />
National Bank, which opened in 1925. Originally,<br />
it had a symmetrical, neo-classical façade.<br />
The lower level has been altered over the years<br />
for commercial use. It’s currently the home<br />
of Swain Tours.<br />
8-10 W. Lancaster Ave. is an early 20th-century<br />
Art Deco theater constructed between 1913<br />
and1919. The movie-house portion—known as<br />
the Palace Theatre—was added later, lasting<br />
only until Woolworth’s arrived in 1922.<br />
It currently houses PartyLand.<br />
14-28 W. Lancaster Ave. is known as “Colonial<br />
Row” because of its rooflines. Built between<br />
1900 and 1908, this block symbolizes the history<br />
of the downtown <strong>Ardmore</strong> district.<br />
30-38 W. Lancaster Ave., built between 1925<br />
and 1926, was home to the <strong>Ardmore</strong> Theatre.<br />
Note the concrete parapet inscribed with<br />
“<strong>Ardmore</strong>,” the urns, and the sunburst window.<br />
The building has been a historical and social<br />
landmark since its erection.<br />
42 W. Lancaster Ave. is an excellent example of<br />
an early-20th-century commercial building—<br />
one that retains its original appearance. The<br />
Bell Telephone Company constructed this<br />
building circa 1908 as a telephone exchange.<br />
<strong>Ardmore</strong> Avenue<br />
Built in 1917, <strong>Ardmore</strong>’s Masonic Lodge is at<br />
the corner of <strong>Ardmore</strong> and Athens avenues.<br />
Across the street is the <strong>Ardmore</strong> Post Office.<br />
The <strong>Ardmore</strong> House, subsidized apartments<br />
for seniors, now stands on the site of the old<br />
<strong>Ardmore</strong> Avenue School.<br />
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church—located at 36<br />
<strong>Ardmore</strong> Ave., across from the post office—was<br />
built by Furness & Evans in 1887. It contains<br />
three Tiffany Studio windows.<br />
West Lancaster Avenue<br />
(North Side)<br />
Built in 1928, 49-63 W. Lancaster Ave. is an<br />
excellent example of Art Deco design. Note<br />
the colorful pattern repeated along the trim.<br />
21-27 W. Lancaster Ave., a row of four brick<br />
structures with peaked windows and steep<br />
gables, was built as a single block in a Tudor<br />
Revival Style in 1908. It became known as<br />
the Henry Harrison block. The Harrisons<br />
were among the oldest and most prominent<br />
merchant families in <strong>Ardmore</strong>. The property<br />
is now the Junior League of Philadelphia’s<br />
headquarters and thrift store.<br />
Built about 1860 as a residence, 9-13 W.<br />
Lancaster Ave. is one of the oldest structures in<br />
<strong>Ardmore</strong>. A first-floor storefront was added to<br />
the front of the house, perhaps in the 1920s.<br />
Circa-1920 1-3 W. Lancaster Ave. is a tasteful<br />
example of commercial architecture.<br />
East Lancaster Avenue<br />
Located in the heart of the downtown business<br />
district, 7 E. Lancaster Ave. is a fine example<br />
of a Classical Revival bank. Built between<br />
1923 and 1925, the Merion Title and Trust<br />
Company was once <strong>Ardmore</strong>’s principal<br />
financial institution. Note the four pilasters in<br />
the front and the unique sundial on the right<br />
side. Home to Primavera Pizza Kitchen since<br />
the early 1990s, the bank was dedicated to those<br />
who fought in World War I. The downstairs<br />
vault is available for private functions.<br />
Just inside the entrance of 16 E. Lancaster Ave.<br />
(Plaza 16) is an interesting inner courtyard with<br />
a retractable roof. The atrium building is now<br />
architectural and design offices.<br />
Now Hunan Restaurant, 47 E. Lancaster Ave.<br />
was once the Lower Merion Federal Savings and<br />
Loan. A plaque still bears the inscription.<br />
Cricket and Station avenues<br />
Cricket Avenue contains a nice mix of 1920s<br />
commercial buildings. 47-55 Cricket are some<br />
of the earlier residences, built circa 1881-1895.<br />
13 E. Lancaster Ave./9-11 Station Ave. was once a<br />
corner apartment building. Now home to Radio<br />
HISTORICAL PH OTOS COURTESY OF TH E L OWER MERION HISTORICAL S OCIETY<br />
(From left) The Henry Harrison block in 1910; looking east on Lancaster Avenue; <strong>Ardmore</strong> Avenue School—built in 1875, destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1900—served students until 1963.<br />
Business Directory<br />
ACCOUNTANTS<br />
Christopher Murray, CPA, 10 Cricket Ave., (610) 649-8709,<br />
cjm@cjmurraycpa.com<br />
Gary Weisband CPA, 12 Cricket Ave., 2nd Floor, (610) 896-9579<br />
ADVERTISING/PRINTING/PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Athens Reproductions, 19 W. Athens Ave., (610) 649-5761,<br />
athensreproduction.com<br />
Fiore Design, 24 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 200, (484) 412-8291,<br />
fioredesign.net<br />
Hayden Printing, 206 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 642-2105,<br />
haydenprinting.com<br />
Scott Lewis Photography, 76 Rittenhouse Place, Suite 203,<br />
(610) 649-1650, scottlewisphotography.com<br />
SignalFire, 69 Cricket Ave., (610) 506-5258, signalfirebranding.com<br />
Signs by Tomorrow, 130 E. Lancaster Ave., (484) 592-0404,<br />
SBTBrynMawr.com<br />
We Promote U, 18 <strong>Ardmore</strong> Ave., (215) 888-8831, sportswearcollection.com<br />
ANTIQUES & RESALE SHOPS<br />
Browse Around Thrift Shop, 4 E. Athens Ave., (610) 649-9793,<br />
browsearoundthriftshop.org<br />
Happenstance, 18 Anderson Ave., (610) 348-5113, happenstanceshop.com<br />
Harry’s Treausres & Collectibles, 22 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 642-4775<br />
Junior League of Philadelphia Thrift Shop, 25-27 W. Lancaster Ave.,<br />
(610) 896-8828, jlphiladelphia.com<br />
Lucky Girl, 10 Anderson Ave., (610) 649-4901, luckygirlclothing.com<br />
<strong>Main</strong> <strong>Line</strong> Coin & Stamp, 16 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 649-7900,<br />
mainlinecoin.com<br />
<strong>Main</strong> <strong>Line</strong> Precious Metals, 1 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 991-3078,<br />
mainline-gold.com<br />
Majorie Schneider Antiquary, 4 Cricket Ave., (610) 645-5277<br />
Pennywise Thrift Shop, 59 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 642-7239,<br />
jeffersonhospital.com/womensboard/pennywise<br />
APPAREL/SHOES/BRIDAL<br />
DSW. Shoes, 62 Greenfield Ave., <strong>Ardmore</strong> Plaza, (610) 642-4103, dsw.com<br />
Foot Solutions, 28 Rittenhouse Place, (610) 649-3112,<br />
footsolutions.com/ardmore<br />
Isabel’s Gowns & Hair Design, 20 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 645-7971<br />
Janice Martin Couture, 41 Cricket Ave., (610) 645-4540, janicemartin.net<br />
Kid Shooz, 3 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 645-9445<br />
Nurture, 19 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 649-0424, shopnurture.com<br />
Rossi Shoe Service, 20 Rittenhouse Place, (610) 642-9464<br />
Sabrina Ann Once Worn & Never Worn Bridal, 24 <strong>Ardmore</strong> Ave.,<br />
(610) 642-6228, sabrinaann.com<br />
Shirley & Co. Swimwear & Resortwear, 42 Greenfield Ave.,<br />
<strong>Ardmore</strong> Plaza, (484) 416-3146, shirleyandco.com<br />
Sneaky Petes, 5 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 642-4470, sneakypetes.biz<br />
Stash Knits, 14 W. Lancaster Ave., (484) 416-3649, stashknits.com<br />
Styche, 57 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 645-6562, stycheonline.com<br />
APPLIANCES<br />
Gerhard’s Appliance, 204 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 642-3008,<br />
gerhardsappliance.com<br />
Oreck Clean Home Center, 16 Greenfield Ave., <strong>Ardmore</strong> Plaza,<br />
(610) 658-0728, oreckstore.com<br />
AUTO SALES & SERVICE<br />
AAA MidAtlantic, 30 Greefield Ave., <strong>Ardmore</strong> Plaza, (610) 649-9000,<br />
midatlantic-aaa.com<br />
A6 march 2013 l www.mainlinetoday.com
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