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The main differences that can be found on Main Street U.S.A. today, as opposed to looking at the land in 1972, is the shops that can be visited. In 1972 West Street housed the Greenhouse Flower Shop, Harmony Barber Shop, Hallmark Card Shop, and the Elgin-Helbros New Century Clock Shop. Currently, the Harmony Barber Shop is located in Town Square near the Car Barn, while the card, flower, and clock shops remain only in memory. West Street itself was annexed by the Emporium in 2001 as part of the shop’s expansion.
Other shop changes over the past 37 years include the House of Magic, Penny Arcade, and Tobacconist being refurbished into the Main Street Athletic Club. While I am pleased at the removal of the Tobacconist, the Penny Arcade and House of Magic are both cornerstones of my childhood that I greatly miss. I can remember many hours spent learning a new magic trick, or attempting to dupe friends and family into grabbing a stick of snapping gum, or plopping coin after coin into the turn of the century games of the arcade.
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When hunger set-in in 1972 hot dogs could be found across from the ice cream parlor, the Crystal Palace and Town Square Cafe offered enjoyable meals, and, of course, there was the bakery. These days, the names and sponsors may have changed, including the addition of the Plaza Restaurant, but the hot dogs, ice cream, and baked goods can still be found where they have been for all these years.
Entertaining groups like the Keystone Kop Quartet and the Crystal Palace Trio may only live in faded photographs now, but the street of Main Street U.S.A. is still bustling with life and music. With the introduction of streetmosphere characters, the bands and quartets feel even more at home in this land.
Main Street U.S.A. has undergone cosmetic and substantive changes, but has still maintained its welcoming ambiance and spirit inherent to its lampposts, locomotives, services, and spaces.
2 comments:
love main street
Love the line drawing for each attraction.
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