The area where Main Street meets Springboro Pike/State Route 741 looked vastly different 60 years ago.
Across from WDTN Channel 2, this large building had businesses that changed hands multiple times through the years. This building at 4650 North Springboro Pike, now occupied by AAA and Kastle Electric, was once a popular Goldmans, Bargain Barn and then Moraine K-Mart (often referred to as the “Moraine Mall). This was an important place for Moraine residents to shop before malls and big box stores came into existence. On the west end of the building was the Donuts Inc. Shop, home of 52 varieties of donuts and the world’s greatest coffee. Local bluegrass and country jam sessions were held in the parking lot every Saturday night. Also, in the parking lot was Wishy-Washy Car Wash.
Next door at 4725 Springboro Pike, where Kyle’s Auto Mall now exists, former businesses that occupied that location were Goofy Golf, a Noble Romans Pizza restaurant, an Arnold Palmer Putt-Putt, a Burger Chef, and a pawn shop. Next door where the Waffle House is now, there was once a gas station, auto repair garage and long ago a Frost Top Root Beer stand.
Senior citizens will nostalgically remember that across the street at the western corner of Main Street and Springboro Pike in the 1950’s & 1960’s was the Pottery Barn, consisting of two old circa 1930 interurban railroad/trolley cars. The business sold pottery, colored glass globes, bird fountain stands, cement statues and lawn ornaments.
Many businesses have come and gone through the years, but their memories remain.
