I totally dig the kismet of the internets sometimes- and our visit to The Very Best restaurant in Pottstown, PA is a result in the “lattice of coincidence” that my neighbor and pal Rich Wilhelm hipped me to. It was a Facebook post from Rich, reposting an article his friend Matt Simmons wrote extolling the virtues of “TVB” that was the catalyst for our recent visit to this little local restaurant.
In business since 1921 and at this location since 1972, The Very Best is a knotty pine paneled lunch room with a long counter in the front and booths and tables in the back. Pleased to see the place was filled with folks when we entered, we sat at the counter and perused the menu posted above the large mirrored wall behind the counter. Burgers and dogs, cheese steaks and sandwiches are the main draw here, so we ordered an “everything” dog and a burger with fries for good measure.
We had a perfect view of the busy grill, and our food totally hit the spot. Hooray! We’re psyched that we are now able to add The Very Best to our regular rotation of local places to grab a quick bite, and share it with you all on Retro Roadmap.
But now for the lattice of coincidence, part 2:
One of the great things about sitting at the counter is how easy it can be to strike up a conversation with the person seated next to you. So when I noticed a dapper gentlman wearing a sharply pressed button down shirt and tie sit next to us, I commented that he was very well dressed for a Saturday afternoon. He said that he was working, so I quickly ventured a guess and asked if he worked at Weitzenkorn’s Men’s Shop down the street, to which he replied, his family owned it!
Regular readers may remember how smitten we are with the Weitzenkorn’s – the 2nd oldest men’s clothing store in the country, with a beautiful neon sign. The sign was installed in the 1950′s and continues to this day to be a beacon on High street in the evenings. Isn’t this just a delightful sight?
We also love that the shop has been open “since Abraham Lincoln was president,” noted our lunch neigbor, Mark Weitzenkorn. When I mentioned that we were the folks who had written about his sign he mentioned their mural on the side of the building, as well as noting that there was a case of memorabilia located in the shop. We thanked him for this insider info and let him finish his tasty looking chili and steak sandwich and decided to pay a quick visit to his shop before we departed.
As you can see, the sign is still pretty impressive in the daytime, and the mural- based on an old photo of the store- adds to the vintage vibe of their building.
When we stepped inside the shop I was delighted to see the place neatly stocked with men’s clothing and a number of salesmen busy with customers, advising them on measurements and other tailorly delights, and made a note to come here next time Retro Roadhusband needs a new suit.
The glass case just inside the door held many treasures from the history of this family-owned business, from the hand illustrated notebook with sales tips,
to the jaunty Alligator lamp advertising Alligator All-Weather Coats:
(I LOVE THIS LAMP!!)
Finally, as we were walking back to the car I spied a sassy vintage Pan Am travel bag hanging in the window of one of the little antique shops on High Street. I’m pretty powerless to resist vintage travel items, so it’s now mine- despite what Margie seems to think!
(Margie says, “Obviously this should belong to ME!”)
So there you have it! A welcomed addition to Retro Roadmap, a reinforcement that one of our previous additions is doing well, and an unexpected vintage find – all because of Rich Wilhelm and his Lattice of Coincidence.
The Very Best
252 East High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464-5555
(610) 323-5224
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What a time that was! I’m really glad that Weitzenkorn’s seems to be doing well. Talk about survivors!
I love your Pan Am bag!
Lizzie- I should try and do a deeper piece on Weitzenkorn’s as it looks like they’ve got a lot of interesting history and current offerings. Maybe they could sell me a suit-! And the Pan Am bag was a total spontaneous purchase, but I couldn’t resist. Now just to figure out when to use it, I have SO many bags!
This is a wonderful piece. I don’t know where to start with the specific compliments, so I’ll just say “Thank You” for such a well-written post about topics that are so fascinating. I must say that your photography especially wows me, and at some point, I would love to hear more about your equipment and methods. Last but not least, thank you for referencing my recent ode to The Very Best, and I am so glad to hear that you had a pleasant experience there.
And another thing…you have inspired me to make more time to stroll Pottstown on my next visit. My visits to PA usually have such packed itineraries, that I’ve never really had a chance to explore Pottstown further than The Very Best or my Abandoned Luncheonette landmarks. Does one have to be big or tall to find apparel at Weitzenkorn’s?
Matt Simmons
Matt- thanks for the kind words, and you’re in luck – you needn’t be tall nor big to shop at Weitzenkorn’s. You can tell Pottstown was a thriving retail mecca at one point, it makes the current situation that much more disheartening, so I’m glad I have the opportunity to share what’s left of the area on Retro Roadmap. Let me know next time you’re in the area and I’ll give you a list of places you might be interested in that haven’t for one reason or the other made it onto the website.
I have coveted that alligator lamp at several Floridiana shows but it is a little pricey!
That makes two of us Rick – I was smitten immeditately with his wide mouthed grin and sassy demeanor!
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post. But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add.
So if you want to comment on this post all you have to do is email me at modbetty AT retroroadmap DOT com and let me know what you want to say and what post it goes with. I’ll make sure your info gets matched up and added to the conversation!
Thanks for understanding!
Your hostess, Mod Betty