Scientific American ran a podcast recently suggesting that nostalgia is good for you. For the sake of your good health, can you identify the building depicted here? (Click "Read More.")
It's the Atlantic Thrift store, a cavernous discount warehouse chain that opened a store in Hybla Valley back in 1963. It was located in the spot now occupied by a string of shops anchored by Home Depot.
The owner of chain, Ralph Applebaum, founded a corporation called the Virginia Dare firm in 1901. Ralph Applebaum was renowned in the early 20th century for his shrewd business sense. One story often told about the happy-go-lucky speculator was when he wanted to ship 12 mannequins from one store to the other. The trucking firm he wanted to hire insisted that the mannequins be packed in boxes. Mr. Applebaum rented a dozen coffins and shipped his mannequins in them.
When the Atlantic Thrift store opened on Richmond Highway, it was the 45th store in the chain. Applebaum was 93 years old. Some thought his daring feats were a sign of fading intellect, but Applebaum cheerfully shrugged off the criticism. The sprightly Applebaum realized $70 million in profits that year, quite a sum back in 1963.
