THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE TIMES CHRONICLE ON JANUARY 27, 2021.

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By Ruth Z. Deming of Willow Grove, PA   

The word “iconic” is certainly overused. But not where Burdick’s News Stand is concerned. Nearly everyone around here is familiar with this imposing store on the corner of Byberry and South York Road.

Why, then, is Burdick’s closing its doors?

“We’re too old,” said Carl Hollis, 85. His wife Sandra is 80.

The store opened in 1950. Do the math and you’ll find it is 71 years old.

Once it was run by a real Burdick, Carl’s father-in-law – Francis.

Armed back then with my Polaroid camera, I took a photo of Francis – with a full head of white hair - standing in front of Herr’s Potato Chips, Snyder’s Pretzels and packs of beef jerky. The smell of brewing coffee was as fragrant as Chanel No. 5, one of the few things they do not carry.

Several years ago, I wanted to eat a bowl of ice cream. Immediately. I knew where to go.

I sat at a counter seat at Burdick’s and ordered a cup of vanilla ice cream, served in a fluted glass, with chocolate syrup on top.

Looking around, I saw a cooler filled with cans of soda. And heard customers popping them open.

Customers would wander in and stay awhile. The magazine section was very popular. They’d carry their purchases to the cash register and schmooze with Carl or Sandy, as if they were best friends.

And they were.

I brought home some free cigar boxes. Those made in Cuba cost money. Forget it, even though my late father served in Guantanamo Bay during the Second World War.

“I haven’t had time to think about what we’ll do in our retirement years,” said Hollis. He is relieved they sold the building but have no idea what the new owners will put in its place.

Hollis, whose folks hail from New England, has had many operations over the years. They read like a list of movies on Netflix.

Since Burdick’s is closed, where might we go for magazines, newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, Intelligencer, Daily Race Form, New York Times, and New York Post?

Or paperback books?

Hollis names similar stores that have closed down. He has been in touch with most of them. The store in Doylestown, for example, has closed.

“The woman passed away,” he said.   

“We sell a lot of candy,” said Hollis. “Kids love candy.”

Standing in front of the cash register, an assortment of candies and cough drops tempt the customer.

Reed’s root beer hard candy, or Mounds Bars, or Smith Brother’s Cough drops.

When I paid for my ice cream, I paid cash, less than $3 and told him to keep the change.

He handed me the change.

“How have you avoided getting the coronavirus,” I asked.

“Lucky, I guess,” he said.

He and every employee and customers wear masks. Industrial masks.

Years ago, the Inquirer was delivered by a white van from Burdick’s.

Thump, it would go on the driveway across the street from me. Today, some “thief in the night,” drops it off across the street.

What is the definition of a happy person?

To fulfill your dreams? To sit on your porch and listen to the sound of the birds? Or to think of all of the people – literally thousands – whom you have served and made happy.