[ RIP ] Burdick’s Hatboro News Agency – and Soda Fountain

December 2020: Burdick’s has closed 🙁

Original 2017 post:

Burdick’s  Hatboro News Agency in downtown Hatboro PA has something for everyone in the family – including a working soda fountain!

The Burdick family has owned and operated this shop since 1950, though the building itself was built in the 1860s (originally the home of an aptly named local stonemason Daniel Stone, before that it was the Hatboro Tin and Stoveworks.)

I can imagine a family entering this little shop and immediately making a beeline to the aisle of their choice. Indulge me as I over-simplify  – perhaps let’s picture them as The Three Bears!

Upon entering Burdick’s Papa Bear would turn to the left, to check out the large selection imported cigars, pipes and tobacco.

After perusing those manly delights he might linger at the register for a lottery ticket, throat lozenges or the local newspaper.

Mama Bear and Baby Bear would head straight into the shop, but Baby would go no further than a few steps in.

Here Baby would be caught between two happy places:

To her right, the aforementioned ice cream counter, with antique swivel stools and a menu offering shakes, ice cream sodas, egg creams and sundaes.

To her left there are shelves laden with candies of all sorts – many of the more common names, but also plenty of vintage inspired ones including Necco Wafers, Dots and Clark Bars.

Mama Bear would head back past the register to peruse the latest magazines or pick up a greeting card.

Or perhaps she’d take a few minutes to look at the Harlequin-romance-esque paperback books on display?

They’d all leave the shop with something that made them happy, and without spending a fortune.
So next time you’re in Hatboro (and there are a number of good reasons you should visit this little town) your visit won’t be complete until you stop into this quaint little shop, even if you aren’t a Bear family!