In 1960, when most of Robinson Township was still rolling farmland, the Scott family sold 100 acres of their vast farm to Acme Stores.
After almost three decades, those 100 acres became the Robinson Town Centre. The grand opening in 1989 was a huge deal, as proven by the overflowing parking lots. Until that time, Murphy’s Mart on Route 60 was the main store for most needs, and eateries were few and far between in the township. But all that suddenly changed.
Probably the biggest draws in the brand-new shopping center were Hills and PharMor, where you could usually find what you needed.
For lunch or dinner, choices included The Fig Tree (Greek or Italian cuisine), Pappans Family Restaurant (American food, “You gonna love it!”), and the North Park Clubhouse (typical bar food), the sports bar of its day.
Dahlkemper’s Catalog Showroom, state-of-the-art in its day, allowed you to browse their extensive catalog, submit a brief order form, and then watch as a conveyor belt delivered your item.
Camelot Music sold a vast array of all types of music on cassette tapes or the new invention called CDs. Paper Mart offered everything you might need for a party, including balloons and a wide selection of coordinated paper products.
For shoes and clothes, the many choices included the 9.99 Stockroom and Deb. Kids and parents loved the Children’s Palace, a “castle” that contained a world of toys. The large Sears Appliances store offered the latest Kenmore and other brands.
Today, those beloved stores are history, but a few pioneers from the grand opening remain, including TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and JoAnn Fabrics.
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