Posting abut the Plymouth Meeting Mall a few weeks ago made me remember Clover, the discount store chain by Strawbridge & Clothier.
There were two Clovers who were the mistresses in my life. The first one, in Andorra (the Philadelphia region, not the country you only hear about during the Olympics) was in the Andorra Shopping Center.
The snack bar in the front of the store was a standard feature at Clover stores. They sold about a dozen flavors of ice cream (bing cherry rocked the hizzy), Icee Slush’s (cherry was always best), soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. Maybe it was the experience of getting that treat when we were 5 or 6 or 8 or 9 years old, but those pretzels were so good – always warm and toasted and the Icee mixed so well with it.
When the Clover in Center Square opened in 1973, it was the second Clover in Pennsylvania. Back then they built “Clover Kitchens” in the back of the stores. It was a cafeteria serving hamburgers, hot dogs, soup, grilled cheese. A nod to the old five and dime lunch counter. The Clover Kitchen in Center Square shuttered in the early 90’s and sat dormant until all the Clovers went the way of the dodo bird when Strawbridge & Clothier sold out to the May Company in 1996.
I miss Clover and those snack bars. Clover Kitchen I do not remember enough about to miss it, but I do wish I could see it again. Every now and then I remind people walking through the housewares department in Kohl’s “there used to be a Clover Kitchen right here”.
I remember going to Clover Square back in the 70s/80s. I have great memories of Clover.
I remember the snack shop in the front of the store when I was little. That’s where we got soft pretzels and icees. My fondest memories of the clover store were around Christmas. Do you remember the Christmas trees on the walls? I remember sitting in the cart as a child pointing at them and saying that I want one. I remember shopping in Clover in 1993, and they still had the trees on the walls like they did in the 1970’s. Maybe one day I will find one on ebay.
Thanks for the pictures of Clover! I’ve been looking all over for one of these.
My name is Sue I worked at the Clover at Rising Sun Ave. It was fun to work their. I miss everyone who worked their. Sue
I worked at the Rising Sun location too. Was my first job at the age of 17, as a cashier. It’s what helped me (more tan anything else) pay for my senior year, as well as help prepare me for the “real world.” One of the best experiences of my life.
Clover Cottman was my favorite store back in the day. I would have to say back in the 80’s, most of my clothes came from Clover. My mom was a Clover addict…
of course when you dont have time to cook, fastfoods would always be the best option ,”
Actually the first Clover store in PA was Morrisville, it was Clovers 4th store, Center Square was Store #5. Clover got alot of its design and ideas from Target. When Clover first came to be, Target stores were only out West and Clover designers flew out there to get ideas. When you are in Target you can get the feel of Clover as some of the designs are very similar.
Yes, you’re right! I’ve corrected the post.