Okaloosa County has already released an official video for the SS United States
The Florida county in possession of the SS United States has already released a video showing its travel to Alabama.
Wow, that was quick! Florida’s Okaloosa County which took possession of the SS United States from the port of Philadelphia, has already released an official video showing the ship being transported down the Delaware River.
The ship is en-route to Mobile, Alabama where it will undergo a few final steps of decommissioning before officially going to the coast off of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida where it will be sunk as an artificial reef.
One more video below!
The SS United States finally moves from Philadelphia port
The SS United States starts its journey down to Florida to be sunk!
Well, it finally happened! After many, many, many false starts, the long abandoned SS United States in Philadelphia has been moved by tug boat from its pier. The ship has sat at this port since 1996 after being nearly scrapped completely from the inside. That’s roughly 29 years of NE winters, summers, and all other natural elements!
Here’s a video of it being towed down the Delaware River to Okaloosa County, FL where it will be sunk as part of the world’s largest artificial reef!
Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia is closing for good
A final look at Macy’s Center City in Philadelphia as the store announces its closing. This location is home to the world’s largest pipe organ.
Sad news out of Philadelphia recently as Macy’s has announced the imminent closing of their Center City location. This Macy’s was a premiere location for the department store, occupying the historic landmarked building that formerly housed Wanamaker’s Department Store, one of the first department stores of its kind in the nation.
The building is notable not just for its architecture but for something quite special inside the covered atrium: a complete and working grand pipe organ, the largest of its kind in the world, that was original to the Wanamaker’s department store. This organ has been kept in great condition and is played twice daily.
A recent tour of the inside reveals the unsurprisingly state of the Macy’s corporation which has had trouble keeping up an upscale appearance while offering shoppers an affordable all-in-one outlet to shop. The company’s inability to compete with online retailers and their large physical store footprint nationwide is the main reason why Macy’s is downsizing and closing their locations, including this one at Center City.
The Macy’s Center City location is the epitome of this downfall, with drab and dreary decor and painted plywood facades that look cheap and uninviting. It’s a shame since the Wanamaker Building is so grand! As of now, the building itself is seeking a new tenant and thankfully the structure and the grand pipe organ are staying intact. Still, it’s hard to see such a prominent major department store like Macy’s go under in such a location. Reminds me of Sears’ downfall…
Check out some photos below and be sure to head there to see this place yourself before it closes in March.
The last Blockbuster in Philadelphia
The last Blockbuster sign in Philadelphia still exists.
If you keep your eyes up while traveling through West Philadelphia, you might catch a glimpse of a remnant of entertainment past.
Located at South 24th St and West Passyunk Ave is a 78-foot high Blockbuster sign that has been there since the closure of all Blockbuster locations way back in 2014. Today, the former Blockbuster store is a CK Real Beauty, but the Blockbuster sign remains, towering over the neighborhood like a watchful eye.
For whatever reason, the sign has never been taken down and you can drive by and see it today!
The Last Video Store in Philadelphia
The last video store in Philadelphia shuts its doors for good.
The doors are shut at Philadelphia’s Last Video Store
Underneath the SEPTA line on Frankford Ave at 4456 Frankford Ave is Philadelphia’s crowned “Last Video Store”. On my visit past it, the outside was spray painted with “CLOSING DOWN” but the front door was blacked out with a small CLOSED sign hanging in the window.
I really wanted to visit this place over the years but it always got pushed aside on my visits for one reason or another. It looks like my only glimpse inside will be via The Philly Captain’s video below just before it shut down for good this past week.
Some more photos here.
