Celebrating 100 Years! Sine’s 5 & 10 Cent Store
Sine’s 5 & 10 Cent Store
236-240 West Broad Street
Quakertown, Pennsylvania
I initially added Sine’s to my “to do” list when Mod Betty (Proprietress of Retroroadmap.com and maven of all things cool & retro) posted about doing her Christmas shopping there last year. A few weeks ago, she mentioned that they were celebrating their 100th Anniversary August 10th – 11th … and I thought, what better time for me to go!
Sine’s has been in business, and owned by the same family, since 1912. The current location is a little “newer” — it’s been in operation since 1926 đ Click the Sine’s homepage link at the end of this post to read their complete history.
So, this is how we’re going to do this: Not only is Sine’s a real working store (including a lunch counter); it’s also chock full of some gorgeous antiques and ephemera! In the interest of not blowing your mind all at once; I’m going to post a separate piece a little later that focuses on the ephemera/antique aspect and try to limit this one to the store in general. Are you ready???
Look – just LOOK – at Sine’s beautiful facade. It’s so cool that I nearly fainted (or I was just hot and delusional from riding my motorcycle for 2 hours wearing a leather jacket in 95+ degree weather… but, really, I think it’s just that fabulous)
As the door was opened for me, I could already hear the strains of several generations singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (I kid you not) along with organist Dale Sines (no relation – I’m told).
No room at the soda fountain today; but if you were to arrive on a normal business day you could order breakfast, lunch, ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and soda until 5:00 pm.
These lovely ladies were working hard! The entire time that I was there the line was at least 20 people deep.
Scope just one of the toy aisles. It makes you wonder how many kids over the years ran to Sine’s the minute their allowances hit their little pockets.
Look up! Is that a standard gauge model train running high above shopper’s head on 200 feet of track? Why, yes, it is! Click play – and please pardon my slapdash cinematography (first day with this camera)
You can find just about anything at Sine’s …. even Grandma’s slippers (and perhaps a Grandma or two as well)
I don’t know if I’ve even seen a larger selection of Culotte de Grand Mère!
Another good aisle for your allowance decisions. The candy aisle. I love that they still use this vintage display rack … long after many of the candies assigned to the spaces are discontinued
Need a spare key? They can hook you up!
Oilcloth and Contact Paper by the yard …
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the antiques from the merchandise. I rarely see pantyhose in stores any longer.
For the crafty shoppper …
 So, this is just a tiny fraction of what Sine’s has to offer. Make sure to put them on your roadtrip “to do” list so that they can have a 200 year anniversary one day!
–Â Â Visit Sine’s on the web
–Â Â Things To Do in Bucks County
So so happy you were able to make it to Sine’s for their fete – and I know exactly what you mean about almost fainting when you see the place, I felt the exact same way – I swear I almost cried when I opened the door to realize it was just like it had been for years.
Culotte de Grand Mère has just been added to my vocabulary!!
We should do a co-Roadside Wonders / Retro Roadmap ice cream social there sometime!
I thought it sounded slightly classier than “Granny Panties’ đ
Sounds like a plan!
“Culotte de Grand Mère!”
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Really – you aren’t kidding that is QUITE a selection!
::scribbles down address::
This place looks pretty great. Nude sandal foot knee highs and embroidery floss make me swoon đ
I’ll rename this section “Rachael’s Secret” đ
So cool that there are still places like this. I’ve seen places where the facade has been maintained but not preserving the variety of goods inside.
I know what you mean, Candace. That’s why Site’s is such a gem!
Lucky you! I’ve been wanting to go there ever since Mod Betty showed off the photos of her visit. What a place!
Great post, I hope I can visit this wonderful store someday!
I’m not sure which subway stop takes you to Sine’s, Marty đ đ
I just love places like this which remain earnest and homespun. There are similar historic “general stores” here in the Hudson Valley which have become so gentrified, and now sell upscale brands from their vintage display shelves. Not the same!
I know what you mean, Traci.
While I appreciate that people preserve the “look” if not the “feel” of some of these places rather than razing them… it’s so nice when you stumble upon something that remains the way it was meant to be đ
OK, I have indeed checked out all of the photos. What a shop! Somehow, in all my Pennsylvania travels, I don’t think I’ve ever actually *stopped* in Quakertown, which is crime. This certainly gives me a reason to do so. I watched your train video, too — very cool. Some should do a guide just for the model-train attractions in Pennsylvania. I am certainly overdue for a trip to Roadside America, a national gem whose future I fear for.
Yep, I have often feared for the future of Roadside America. It is such a step back in time.