Memory Lane #4

DOWN ROYERSFORDS' MEMORY LANE TO ... WEIKEL'S SPORT SHOP !   

This is the forth look back at the "Little Men & Women" that continued to build Royersford during the 50's and 60's. It is not a fact filled history lesson but just a nostalgic look back with a personal touch.  If you just discovered my blog, "Memory Lane", you may want to go back and catch up. At any rate, thanks for taking time to wander back down these roads.

I am sure there was a time, when Royersford was in it's very beginnings, that the country side was wide and wild. The growing pains surely invaded some of the pristine woodlands and fields that surrounded this young town. Even with the quickly expanding factories, small businesses and homes there remained plenty of wilderness for us to explore in the 50's and 60's.  The nearby Schuylkill River, small ponds and streams as well as numerous farms were home to many types of wildlife. In order to take full advantage of the opportunity at hand we needed a source for outdoor equipment.

The local businesses on Main Street catered to each and every desire that folks in town could want. It was there, on Main Street, that Mr. Weikel saw the need and opportunity to provide the area with a shop for the outdoor enthusiast. WEIKEL'S TOY & SPORT SHOP was located at 263 Main Street and featured "Everything for the Sportsman".  Here you could find Archery Equipment, Fishing Tackle and Fire Arms. I 'am not sure of the date that Mr. Weikel began his business but he was there to supply my needs back in the late 1950's.

One of the pictures will show a treasure that I found on EBay not long ago of a twelve inch wood ruler that was probably a "give away" item advertising his business in 1958. The prize now sits on my desk. It is a constant reminder of my youth and his contribution to many years of outdoor adventures. All my years of fishing, trapping and hunting in and around Royersford began with Weikel's Sport Shop.

It may be possible for Mr. Weikel to recall his two best customers being Rick Bennett and myself as we stood, drooling, over his selection of fishing lures. In the sense of being his "best customers" I mean probably the most frequent. Our funds were minimal but many a time we spent our last thin dime there. It was in his store that I purchased my first fishing lure. I remember trying to decide what color "Jitterbug"  to purchase. The display counters were filled with all the latest lures and it was a fishermen's dream to have it right there in town. I 'am pretty sure that my selection was a frog pattern and I had that lure for many years. As time went on I also purchased my first shotgun at Weikel's along with many other outdoor necessities. I also recall that Rick worked at Weikel's for a time during the mid 1960's. Mr. Weikel, like many other local stores, provided employment for the youngsters of Royersford.

Weikel's Sport Shop was the Cabela's of the time. It was the focal point for area sportsman and he eventually expanded his store to provide even a better selection for the growing needs of the community. I don't recall when he ceased doing business but each time I drive through town it is hard to believe the shop is gone.  Perhaps Mr. Weikel would like to comment on this memory with other details or dates.

"Memory Lane" is a recollection of the way I remember it. Never influenced by recent interviews with the proprietors of businesses mentioned. Once published here on PATCH your comments are welcome and even encouraged. Feel free to jump in with a correction, add a detail or similar memory. Just don't change the history books on what you read here!