Updated photos: What’s going on at Front and Girard?

PlanPhilly noticed finishing touches on a Deal$ chain store that has gone up on the old bones the Jumbo Theater in Fishtown. The last we heard, developer Avram Hornik pulled out from a project that would have refurbished the historically significant, century-old theater by creating a music venue and restaurant in the space. We tracked down the construction company – A.J. Lewis – who told us a Dollar Tree Store was planned for the site. Obviously that was wrong. Our old friend Michael Greenle sent us some updated photos of the deconstruction and the new store which will open soon. Deal$ is a growing company with stores located in shopping centers and malls throughout the United States. There are six in the Philly area. The stock includes party supplies, cleaning products, toys, food, housewares, health and beauty and seasonal décor.

In regards to the old theatre, some interesting brickwork, Philly’s version of the Alamo, no? By comparing the recent photos with the 1916 shot of the structure you can see the shadow of the old theatre on the new photos where facade was added.

Let me know if you know anything about this work or have stories about the old Jumbo Theater. mgolas@design.upenn.edu