Vintage Sign Tour – Bordentown NJ [ 2018 Update ]

January 2018 update. My how things do change, and as we know, not often for the better. I'll start with the good, and end with the bad, and we'll all remember to

THE GOOD:

1. The Record Collector is still there, still selling records and doing shows. WOOT!
2. The sign for Mast Pharmacy is still there - BUT! That little tree grew, and now it's hidden by the foliage. Here's a screenshot from Google Maps August 2017
3. 
4. Anthony's Pizza Town is Still open!  AND In Looking at my photos of Anthony's interior from a 2014 visit (that I have no idea WHY I didn't Write up!) I am totally overdue for a visit and a proper post here! In the meantime here's a screenshot from Google Maps Aug 2017:
5. Lastly, the Laurel Notch Motel is still in operation, according to the interwebs.

Now for the Bad/Sad, according to Google Maps August 2017:

1. 1. The neon sign for App's Hardware at the Antique Store is no longer there
   2. The Northview Motel sign and building are still there, just looking worse for wear.
   3. The Edgewood Motel and sign were demolished, now there's a Holiday Inn Express there.
   4. Papp's Bowling closed shortly after their 50th year in business :-( Here are some photos from my visit in 2014, gosh that place was fab)
   5. The Travelette is still there, with its cute sign, but they've beiged up the place. If if were my place I'da kept it pink.

So there you have it! Gotta remember to visit all the places while they're here, because once they're gone, they're gone!

Original 2010 Post:

The theme of our short retro road trip to Bordentown New Jersey is signs, signs, everywhere, signs! Vintage motel signs, old neon signs, retro roadside signs, you name it, it's probably in this post about a little section of Route 130 just south of Trenton, NJ!

These places are located in historic downtown Bordentown, NJ:

The building (which used to be a bowling alley) the facade (looks like Miami Deco) and Neon sign may not be vintage at The Record Collector, but a huge collection of vintage vinyl ( records, 45's, LPs) awaits inside!

(Thanks to flickr4jazz on Flickr for the use of this photo = check out his great flickr set of some rarely seen interior shots of this cool music store!)

The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(609) 324-0880

click on the Drugs image to see what it looks like with the PINK neon all lit up!

Mast Pharmacy & Surgical Supply
338 Farnsworth Avenue
Bordentown, NJ 08505-1709
609) 298-7773

Apps Sign ( the place is now an antique store)
377 Farnsworth Avenue
Bordentown, NJ 08505-1760
(609) 298-0100

These places are on Route 130, I've put them in the order we came across them, vie 130 heading North from the PA Turnpike:

I love the low slung building, stone work, orange and aqua doors, and interesting screens dividing the rooms. Nevermind the great vintage motel sign, the vintage neon and even the fact that the soda machine is local brand A-Treat.

Unfortunately what I didn't like was that I could not find any info about this place as a motel online, and am thinking it's a place they rent rooms out to folks who live, lets say, a transient lifestyle.
Northview Motel
Rt 130
Bordentown NJ 08505

I did read some good things about Anthony's pizza, we'll have to check it out next time we're in the area. Just be ready for take-out and cash only.
Anthony's Pizza Town
252 U.S. 130
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(609) 298-0109

The Edgewood Motel sign is right before the entrance to Rt. 295:

Edgewood Motel Sign
195 U.S. 130
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(609) 298-2345

I seriously have a crush on this place- The NAME! The pink and black color scheme! The vintage graphic of the couple!

(I'm going to pretend they're a happily married couple going away for a weekend at the shore and not a pair of cheaters looking for a quick place for an assignation...and now that I think about it, one would rarely bring 2 suitcases with them for a quick romantic encounter!)

Just as a heads up, I did not have any problem stopping to take my few snapshots of The Travelette, but read online that someone else was chastised by the owner for snapping and not staying. Bummer! Perhaps if they let us snap, we'd be more inclined to stay. Maybe if I get my courage up next time I'll have Retro Roadhusband come in with me and we'll see if the folks are nice.
Travelette Motel
131 U.S. 130
Bordentown, NJ 08505-2217
(609) 298-2371

RETRO ROADMAP ASSIGNMENT!
While researching our finds I came across a wonderful vintage sign of another motel just down Rt. 206 that we missed. I'm putting it on the Retro Roadmap as a tentative Photo Op, as this isn't my photo, so I'm not sure if the place is still here or not:

Laurel Notch Motor Lodge
1043 U.S. 206
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(609) 298-6500

Have you seen the Laurel Notch Motor Lodge? Let me know if it should stay on the Retro Roadmap!

Also, we didn't get to bowl here but this place looks totally promising as well (apologies for the blurry photo, I quickly snapped it as we flew by on the highway):

Papp's Bowling Center
244 U.S. 130
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(609) 298-1317

Now doesn't all this make you just want to spend a day south of Trenton? I'm sold!