The Automat

I pulled out my camera to review some of the recently snapped photos and came across some of a sign I noticed while strolling with the family last fall on Chestnut St in Philly. Did a little research and found that this sign had just recently resurfaced after being covered for over 45 years.

 I also discovered that the building and it long time tenant has a historic past. First built in 1868 by John Wanamaker for his upscale men's clothing store.

The original John Wanamakers - 818 Chestnut St

 Wanamaker eventually moved on to his mega department store across from City Hall and this building was then occupied by two restauranteurs John V Horn and Frank Hardart in 1902. In 1888 Horn & Hardart introduced Philly to the French Drip process of making coffee that was served in several of their popular coffee shops.

John V Horn and Frank Hardart

 They visited Europe in 1900 and discovered a new phenomenon: the automated restaurant; waiter less establishments where food and beverages were dispensed thru coin operated mechanisms. They decided to bring this new idea to the states and opened the first Automat at 818 Chestnut St. It was an immediate success and several more opened in Philly and by 1912 they expanded to New York City. By the 1940's they had 157 restaurants and about half were automats. Most of their establishments had similar art deco design, with chrome, brass, marble, stained glass and porcelain. For years they were the largest restaurant chain in America serving up to 800,000 people daily.

 I recall visiting automats as a kid, getting a handful of coins and choosing food displayed behind little windows. Here was a real life lesson in mathematics. You insert the correct number of nickels, turn the knob and lift up the window and pull out your dish of food. Some of the dispensers were heated, some cooled. Occasionally you would catch a glimpse of seemingly magic hands reloading the empty glass boxes. Coffee and milk came out of ornate dolphin head wall spigots. 

This automat closed in 1968 and became a drug store and later medical offices. A 35 foot section of the original automat was removed from here and put on display at the Smithsonian. The building is now unoccupied and for sale. In 1968 the original "AUTOMAT" sign was covered but now it's back!