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OK everybody here is my point: much of Chester County and parts of Wilmington not far away are areas people would call ghetto... unlike Springfield... and their selection of retail is much better than Springfield has. You think the two AMCs in Delco don't look bad? You really need to check out any cinema in Chester County, Montgomery County, the Regal in Wilmington, or the Regal in Newtown Square. Even the HOYTS theater in Pennsauken NJ (right next to Camden) which sadly went out of business about 10 years ago (it didn't last) was MUCH nicer than the AMCs here. And these are in apparently poorer areas than Springfield except for maybe the Marville Regal in Edgemont. And don't get me started on how awful the Modell's in Clifton Heights looks compared to the one in Exton... you are really missing out. The Burlington next door hasn't seen a new coat of paint inside or out since its days as a Penn Fruit grocery store in the 50's 60's and 70's. And guess what... yes, in case you were wondering, that clothing chain is named after Burlington NJ which is a ghetto for lack of a better word. Heck even the Marple Crossroads Burlington (which was Levitz Furniture) is so much better, but it is new after all. This might sound silly but I like Ridley better than Springfield. Ridley has the charm of a small town and a Southern vibe. Springfield feels like the South Side of Chicago.
I've been to those places, thanks. I've also been to King of Prussia's and others. Neither Delco movie theater is ghetto/seedy and especially not Granite Run which is pretty damn nice. There is a difference between Regal and AMC. Both Delco theaters were established in the 90s at the latest. Oh, and Wilmington is a city so of course they have better retail. Retail in Delco is split up among many boroughs, townships, and CDPs. Springfield is a suburb, not a city or a tourist spot. They don't build giant movie theaters or other "city" type of things there because it's a suburban place. The AMC Marple 10 was built when there were movie theaters in Clifton Heights and at the MacDade Mall. It was big for the time period it was built in and for the area it was built for. It wasn't supposed to be the only other theater in Delco, just like Granite Run wasn't supposed to be, though Granite Run seems "grander" for some reason, maybe because of where it is. It's the same deal with the two remaining malls in Delco, which were built after MacDade and after the BaZaAr of All Nations was built (which was the first indoor mall in the US).
No, I'm really not. You're just a snob.
No way! You don't say! I'm pretty sure most people know it was named for Burlington, considering that's where the first one was and where the company is still headquartered.
Actually, it wasn't "Levitz furniture". It was DSW or something along those lines. Ridley's also not even remotely Southern. It's 100% Mid-Atlantic.
Springfield feels like the South Side of Chicago? Wow. You are officially discredited.
Last edited by couldntthinkofaclevername; 12-18-2011 at 12:38 AM..
To whoever said Springfield High School was built in the 70's, I've been to Springfield's historical society (which is in the SHS building) and learned SHS first opened in the 20's. Most of the current building is from the early 50's, part is from the 60's, and MAYBE part of it is from 1977 when they had a fire. There is a pretty big difference between 1954 architecture and anything from the 70's.
No, the AMC at Granite Run wasn't built in the 90's. The ribbon cutting was in 1986. My buddy saw Platoon there at Christmastime (just about 25 years ago today!) and it was the first movie they showed. The Regal in Edgemont was built in 1996 and that's considered old for a Regal! AMC Marple 10 is from the year 1990, and very similar to the Granite Run one. We can infer Marple 10 was planned/broke ground in the 80's.
The Burlington actually was a Levitz, I remember because they both were at basement level. Levitz didn't last. DSW is still open, but Filene's Basement closed and Marshalls had to move into that space from next door because Wal-Mart/Walmart needed the old Marshalls which was overdue for a remodel anyway. In fact the rest of the Filene's Basement chain (which is now owned by SYMS) is in the process of closing right now. Sadly this one didn't last much at all. They tore down the Frank's Nursery for it. Not 100% sure but I think the old Marshalls and a few other stores were a JCPenney before they built Granite Run Mall. And I think the Gaudio's/Frank's was an Acme. Personally I don't like malls or big department stores in general. They always seem to be magnets for crime. You should type "Dixie Square Mall" into Google to hear a horror story from the Chicago area.
To whoever said Springfield High School was built in the 70's, I've been to Springfield's historical society (which is in the SHS building) and learned SHS first opened in the 20's. Most of the current building is from the early 50's, part is from the 60's, and MAYBE part of it is from 1977 when they had a fire. There is a pretty big difference between 1954 architecture and anything from the 70's.
No, the AMC at Granite Run wasn't built in the 90's. The ribbon cutting was in 1986. My buddy saw Platoon there at Christmastime (just about 25 years ago today!) and it was the first movie they showed. The Regal in Edgemont was built in 1996 and that's considered old for a Regal! AMC Marple 10 is from the year 1990, and very similar to the Granite Run one. We can infer Marple 10 was planned/broke ground in the 80's.
The Burlington actually was a Levitz, I remember because they both were at basement level. Levitz didn't last. DSW is still open, but Filene's Basement closed and Marshalls had to move into that space from next door because Wal-Mart/Walmart needed the old Marshalls which was overdue for a remodel anyway. In fact the rest of the Filene's Basement chain (which is now owned by SYMS) is in the process of closing right now. Sadly this one didn't last much at all. They tore down the Frank's Nursery for it. Not 100% sure but I think the old Marshalls and a few other stores were a JCPenney before they built Granite Run Mall. And I think the Gaudio's/Frank's was an Acme. Personally I don't like malls or big department stores in general. They always seem to be magnets for crime. You should type "Dixie Square Mall" into Google to hear a horror story from the Chicago area.
I said "the 90s at the latest".
Well considering Springfield is absolutely nothing like Chicago, I'm quite sure there's really no need. The only thing that ever happened there was the crazy girl who was released from a mental institution and shot up the place in the 70s I believe. That's not really a "magnet for crime" sort of situation though, just like somebody getting stabbed in a domestic dispute doesn't make a place dangerous for random people.
You've spoken more than a few untruths about Springfield while insulting surrounding areas. The area has changed. It's more of a neighborhood type of place now, as well as a place where people from further out go to to shop or have lunch or go to the movies or other things. There's nothing wrong with that. It's actually a good thing. As for the theater, the last time I was there was early 2008 and I haven't gone back solely because of the sound issues with certain theaters in that complex. I think what really hurt both the Springfield Mall and Marple 10 and all of those places is that they are on the same bus route as Granite Run, as well as the fact that they are in the middle of a major road with tons of traffic and not somewhere people can just walk to without having to cross the highway. At the same time, being on the bus route from 69th street and other areas has really helped both the Springfield Mall and Marple Crossroads to continue to have a large customer base, as well as the fact that Springfield and other areas have a somewhat diverse mix of people without the crime problems that other diverse areas have. The people moving there are good people, not drug dealers or other lowlife types. The only trashy people in that township are people who grew up there and don't know their place. I know that for a fact, having grown up with more than a few kids from Springfield.
Everywhere peaks. It happens. Springfield peaked in the 70s-90s, and ever since then it's just been a normal, solid, middle to upper middle class suburb. I too remember going to places like Marple 10 and Springfield Mall and seeing them as these big, shiny palaces, and they still are. They've just aged and most importantly the stores have changed a lot since I was a kid. Also, BJ's is pretty much in Morton, which is also not even remotely a bad area.
The bottom line is that you asked us about Springfield and I'm telling you. I'm telling you as somebody who lives right by it, who grew up near it, who has been in every part of it quite often throughout his life and still is quite often. The only part I've never spent a whole lot of time in is the part near Swarthmore, though I did go there a bit as a kid, including to the Salvation Army store, which had Eagles jerseys at times. Springfield is not, never has been, and probably never will be seedy, ghetto, or shady. Just because kids from there can be spoiled and unbelievably disrespectful and can think that they're harder or more bad ss than they really are, does not mean it's a ghetto area. It means those kids need to be disciplined. I'm not talking about kids who are new to the area either.
OK everybody here is my point: much of Chester County and parts of Wilmington not far away are areas people would call ghetto... unlike Springfield... and their selection of retail is much better than Springfield has. You think the two AMCs in Delco don't look bad? You really need to check out any cinema in Chester County, Montgomery County, the Regal in Wilmington, or the Regal in Newtown Square. Even the HOYTS theater in Pennsauken NJ (right next to Camden) which sadly went out of business about 10 years ago (it didn't last) was MUCH nicer than the AMCs here. And these are all in apparently poorer areas than Springfield except for maybe Newtown Square and Malvern. And don't get me started on how awful the Modell's in Clifton Heights looks compared to the one in Exton... you are really missing out. The Burlington next door hasn't seen a new coat of paint inside or out since its days as a Penn Fruit grocery store in the 50's 60's and 70's. And guess what... yes, in case you were wondering, that clothing chain is named after Burlington NJ which is a ghetto for lack of a better word. Heck even the Marple Crossroads Burlington (which was Levitz Furniture) is so much better, but it is new after all. This might sound silly but I like Ridley better than Springfield. Ridley has the charm of a small town and a Southern vibe. Springfield feels like the South Side of Chicago.
And I had the misfortune of being invited to Liberty Lanes (which now is called Gehris Lanes) once this past summer. The place was filthy, the balls and pins looked like garbage, and the pinspotter kept knocking over pins it wasn't supposed to. When I was ready for my turn to bowl it knocked over pins by accident!
Two things. One, you consider "much of Chester County," the richest county in the state, to be ghetto? Aside from Coatesville, where else in in the county even approaches run-down?
Also, you got the name change reversed. When the name changed, I think the management did as well. Maybe it used to be a total dive, but the place is in perfectly fine shape now, or at least good enough that my pampered, insulated Penn Law friends don't seem to mind.
What are your thoughts on the following two scenarios?:
Springfield has a BJ's Wholesale Club. So does Downingtown. I have heard there are some nice houses in Downingtown. But it is generally understood that Downingtown is not a nice place. They had a massage parlor that got shut down for prostitution not too long ago. And read this (WARNING FOUL LANGUAGE): Urban Dictionary: downingtown, PA
Springfield has an AMC cinema. Both this one along with the Granite Run one are very seedy looking and I have heard they are both "hangouts for bad teens, druggies, and criminals". I heard from another person who lives in Collingdale (yuck!) that he doesn't let his kids go to AMC Marple 10 due to crime! The Painters Crossing AMC (not sure if it is in Glen Mills or West Chester) down the road further really is not far from Coatesville and it was closed for a rodent infestation a few years ago. And this place looks like paradise compared to the other two!
Please make up your mind when you talk about Downingtown not being a nice place. Are you referring to the borough (which is all of 2.2 square miles), where I'm fairly certain the massage parlor incident took place? Or are you talking about the surrounding suburban area (where there are LOTS of nice homes) which has a Downingtown postal address.
As an example, the BJ's you mention is not in Downingtown borough...it's in Caln township. And I can't believe you put so much credence into that posting on the Urban Dictionary, which was probably written by some 15 year old kid. Seriously, you can't paint all of the Downingtown area with the same brush.
And what do the Painters Crossing AMC and Coatesville have to do with each other? They're 24 miles apart...and not even in the same county!
My worries are based on personal experiences as well. The friend of mine I mentioned who is now deceased was a senior citizen. He lived a couple houses away from a teen who went to SHS. Now my friend put the "citizen" into "senior citizen" during retirement. He had to call the cops more than once when this kid had underage drinking parties, or was playing hookey from school. According to local parents, he told me the kid beat up another kid who worked at the firehouse with him. The "victim" in this scenario sounded like a loser too, don't get me wrong. First of all his parents were divorced, well whose aren't, but his dad was an unemployed alcoholic, and his mom took long walks around Chester at night for no reason. My friend had the misfortune of meeting this kid once, who he said smelled like a garbage can. And a girl at SHS who my old friend once met at a community event was a victim of beatings by heroin-addicted parents. She often went without food (yes I feel sympathy) because welfare ran out.
As for Morton, my friend told me it was always the butt of "ghetto" jokes by Springfield kids at the high school. One time my neighbor drove home to Springfield from Linvilla Orchards, and saw a group of about 10 thugs (for the record they were minorities) sitting in front of his neighbor's house with police questioning them. Apparently a few were from Morton, and a few were from West Philly. Also, the granddaughter of one of my friend's friends was a student at SHS not too long ago, and apparently a male from Morton at school (who was also a minority) showed her his condom collection in class. She was not amused. And he now lives in North Philly since he graduated.
Sylvia Seegrist was the woman who shot up Springfield Mall in 1985, and that was an oddity. But have you ever been to Granite Run Mall (not the theater) in the last five years? The place is almost all empty inside. And according to an online review, it has a "skeevy, trashy vibe that makes you feel like you might get mugged". Also, I heard Springfield has more than its fair share of teen pregnancies. The motels on Baltimore Pike are also known for their long-term welfare rents. And I have a friend who lives in Kennett Square and says Exton Square Mall is his closest mall. The place isn't that bad of a drive. And he said Coatesville types were making it a scary place. What do you think the closest cinema is to Kennett Square? 24 miles apart? Dixie Square Mall was 20 miles from Chicago city limits, and that was where all the trouble came from that ruined Harvey.
As for Morton, my friend told me it was always the butt of "ghetto" jokes by Springfield kids at the high school.
You confuse "ghetto" with "ghetto by comparison." Some dumb people in Lower Merion believe Ardmore and Belmont Hills are "ghettos" as well (and some of the dumb people who live in those "ghettos" actually agree with them them). Just because those neighborhoods are on the low end of the Lower Merion socioeconomic totem pole doesn't make them anywhere near a ghetto in the actual sense. Most suburban school districts are large enough to create a relative "right" and "wrong" side of the tracks, which, depending on the overall affluence of the area, can lead objectively middle class people into wrongly concluding they're richer or poorer than they actually are, with some of the "rich" putting on airs and some of the "poor" behaving thuggishly as a result. As couldntthinkofaclevername said earlier, just because kids think they're hard doesn't mean they actually are.
Last edited by HeavenWood; 12-18-2011 at 12:53 PM..
My friend's own grandkids had a Sabold Elementary phone directory, which listed the addresses and parents of every kid in the school. His grandkids asked him why "all the black kids lived in Morton". So my old friend gave them a real world talk and showed them the directory. They now observed that most kids listed under "Morton" had only a mother (often with a different last name) in the parents section. My friend was NOT a racist. In fact he led some civil rights events back in the day with other white Springfield people.
My friend's own grandkids had a Sabold Elementary phone directory, which listed the addresses and parents of every kid in the school. His grandkids asked him why "all the black kids lived in Morton". So my old friend gave them a real world talk and showed them the directory. They now observed that most kids listed under "Morton" had only a mother (often with a different last name) in the parents section. My friend was NOT a racist. In fact he led some civil rights events back in the day with other white Springfield people.
Ok, but that doesn't make Morton a "ghetto."
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