[ STORE MOVED 2019 NO MORE NEON ] Great Neon Sign at 2nd Oldest Men’s Clothing Stores in the US! Weitzenkorn’s Pottstown, PA

 

2019: Weitzenkorn’s moved from their original historic location in Pottstown, to Phoenixville. They did not take the sign with them.

 

2017 Update: The sight of that beautiful sign peeking through the bare tree branches on High Street in Pottstown made me pull over and pop into Weitzenkorn’s to check in. Happy to report things are just swell!

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap

I had a lovely chat with David, who graciously explained to me the latest in Men’s Suits (no pleat front pants, please!) and Sandy filled me in on what goes on in the lower level (see photos below). Since we last visited a 5th generation of Weitzenkorn (Aaron) has been added to the payroll, and they’ve got a spiffed up e-commerce website as a result.

But our heart belongs to this bricks and mortar location, as you’ll see why in these photos.

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap

Not in use but still usable are these pneumatic tubes (the gold arch in the photo below), that would send a customer’s payment to the office instead of handling the transaction at the counter. How cool!

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap
Happy to see my fave lamp is still there!

When in the lower level you’ll see the tubes running through the ceiling, like a Rube Goldberg contraption.

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap

Speaking of the lower level, it once was the Boy’s Department, but now houses their Tommy Bahama collection. Take a look at the staircase and banisters, made from long branches and split logs!

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap

While thankfully Retro Roadhusband hasn’t turned into a corporate suite-and-tie man, we now know that he can come here to rent a tux, or maybe one day splurge on some custom made shirts. Heck, Mod B would like some custom made shirts, look at all those choices!

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap

There are still plenty of vintage bits and pieces on display in the cases, testifying to their over 150 years in business.

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store - Pottstown PA - Retro Roadmap
Here’s to another 153 years in business, and thanks for keeping that glorious sign in good repair! 

Original 2011 Post:

I’ve loved this well kept neon sign of Weitzenkorn’s Men’s Store for years and am glad that Retro Roadmap gave me the excuse to pull over and snap a photo of it to share. How else would I have found out that the country’s second oldest Men’s store is located in Pottstown PA? Still family owned, the business began in 1864!

Weitzenkorn's Men's Store Neon Sign Pottstown PA

According to the Historic Pottstown Walking Tour plaque outside of the store, this location has been open since 1877 and the first electric lamp in Pottstown was installed in this store in 1889. The Weitzenkorn’s certainly know something about keeping the lamp light burning bright.

Weitzenkorn's Mural Pottstown PA
While Retro Roadhusband isn’t typically in the market for suits, next time he needs something formal to wear we’ll head over to visit this historic shop to have a looksee. I know it’s a place that my dad would have approved of  (Brooks Brothers is the oldest men’s clothing store in the country, dad certainly approved of them). If nothing else, I’d love to see the display case of memorabilia dating back to the 1890’s.

Weitzenkorn's Ephemera - Fitting A Shoe

My RetroRoadmap hat goes off to Marc and Gregg Weitzenkorn, for keeping this family business going strong, and their fabulous vintage sign in excellent shape!

Alligator All Weather Coats Lamp

Read More about Weitzenkorn’s and see some more photos on my writeup of the Pottstown Lattice of Coincidence!

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on email
Email
Archives

Add a Comment

  • thevintagetraveler
    February 22, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    It’s beautiful! It’s wonderful that the family still owns it.

    • Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
      February 22, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      Isn’t it lovely? They keep it in really nice shape, and unfortunately Pottstown is not the bustling downtown it used to be, so it’s really a beacon in the night.

      I’m so glad I stopped and checked it out more closely- had no idea that they were the 2nd oldest men’s shop in the US!

      It’s businesses like this we need more of. Now I wish RetroRoadhusband wore suits on more than 2 occasions (weddings and funerals)

  • John Young
    February 23, 2011 at 10:27 am

    Once again Mod Betty, you deliver the goods. Thank you very much! I and my cronies will plan a day around coming up to Pottstown, finding a place with wi-fi to do our work, and incorporating a suit-shopping expedition here.

  • Glenn Wells
    February 24, 2011 at 6:46 am

    Count me along with Cliff in the clothing department. And I even told the funeral director that I did not want to dress my Dad in a suit, because I wanted him to look the way I remembered him best.

    Great sign, but could they lose the Tommy Bahama thing?

chat
Add a comment
keyboard_arrow_up