Dear readers – as you may know one of my favorite places in the Philadelphia area is Sine’s 5 & 10 Store in Quakertown, PA. Since it’s that shopping time of year, I decided that Sine’s would be the perfect place to start my Christmas gift gathering – so off I went on a bright clear Saturday afternoon. Come along with me!
(Doesn’t it look like it popped out of a 1950′s postcard? Swoon!)
As I entered the store I could hear, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” playing over the store loudspeaker and I was immediately transported back in time, Christmas shopping at Woolworth’s when I was a little kid.
And just like the Woolworths in my old downtown, Sine’s has a lunch counter, where I sat to get my bearings – and a grilled cheese- before shopping. You can get lunch until 2 at the counter, and it’s cash only. (And the folks there are so cool that they won’t mind if you need to excuse yourself from the counter and go out to your car when you realize you forgot your purse in the car because you were too busy grabbing your camera and dashing across the street to get a photograph of the front of the store before cars parked there. Ahem. 
)
While spinning on my counter stool I chatted with Bill junior, one of the many Harr family members who were running the store today. I found out all sorts of interesting things – like Sine’s is looking forward to celebrating their 100th anniversary next August, we should stay tuned to their new Sine’s Facebook page for updates and that they’re open on Sundays for the Christmas shopping season.
Speaking of Christmas shopping! While I can’t tell you when I bought – for fear that the Retro Roadkids might stumble upon my post- I will say that Sine’s is a great place to pick up all sorts of toys, gadgets, decorations, and vintage-inspired Christmas items.
Not quite sure what I’m gonna do with a santa head on a stick, but I couldn’t resist these cheery “made in Japan” guys.
And I will admit to being totally hopeless when it comes to being crafty, so I’ll leave these bright red berries for someone else to use to decorate their wreath with. True confession I was more enamored with the different typefaces in the price signs than the decorations themselves!
While not everything in Sine’s is for sale, you can get all sorts of inspiration for gift-giving ideas and creative ways to display your own collections just by looking around, as there are collections of collections artfully displayed around the entire store, thanks to owner Bill Harr senior.
(This makes my coffee can of vintage rulers look positively anemic!)
A stop at the candy counter is a must, for stocking stuffers and the sweet tooth on your list.
And who can resist cookies during the holiday season? I love those red plastic cookie cutters, just like the ones I have in my collection.
I didn’t realize what luck I had in visiting Sine’s this Saturday, as I was able to also chat at length with 3rd generation store owner Bill Harr senior AND meet the 6th generation family member Jonas Harr. Here’s a photo of these two dapper gents – it was heartwarming to see the phrase “family owned and operated” in action.
You can see loads more photos from my trip to Sine’s here on the RetroRoadmap Flickr page, and know that these photos represent but a fraction of what is on display and for sale at Sine’s. It is truly a destination to seek out, whatever time of the year it is!
Sine’s 5 & 10 Store
236 West Broad St
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215) 536-6102
Sine’s Facebook Page is here!
View PA – Pennsylvania Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
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That last photo is such a keeper … just love that smile
Isn’t it a sweet one? Such a swell store and a lovely fam!
yay for sine’s! i grew up in qtown. actually just drove by sine’s last night and told myself i needed to stop in to get some stocking stuffers.
Tammy- thanks so much for swinging by Retro Roadmap – and make sure you swing by Sine’s – as you know, it’s a swell place for stocking stuffers!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting with us! The pictures are all great and we appreciate the plug. Looking forward to seeing you again, especially in August when we celebrate our 100th anniversary.
Bill Harr and family
Bill – it was a highlight of my season to be able to do my Christmas shopping in your 5 & 10 and to meet you and your family! Will definitely be there in August!
I’m really loving the mix of old and new. What a museum, I mean store!
It’s really a neat place! There were some of the old things I wish I could buy for sure
Too funny! We were just in there a few hours before, after Santa came to Quakertown on the train! We had coffee and pork roll sandwiches at the counter around 11 am…
Great minds think alike! Bummed I missed Santa, heard it was a great time
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