Ardmore

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Much of Ardmore, Pennsylvania's history is tied to the two major transportation routes traveling through the town. First there's the SEPTA's Regional Rail R5 line, which is also widely known as the Main Line. Then there's the Lincoln Highway, which was the first highway to transverse the country.

The Main Line was constructed in the nineteenth century by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Along the route, stations were built for the wealthy elite who lived in the area's rolling hills yet worked in nearby Philadelphia's Center City. Today the Main Line is synonymous with the tony suburbs east of Philadelphia.

Then there's Lancaster Avenue which runs parallel to the Main Line through Ardmore. Otherwise, known as U.S. Route 30, the road was once part of the Lincoln Highway. It served as the Main Street for many of the towns along the way. Today, despite being a busy boulevard, the road still serves as Ardmore's Main Street, with numerous businesses and rich historical architecture. Although many of the businesses are service-oriented, there are also quite a few boutiques, antique stores, and thrift-shops to make the experience worthwhile.

However, the largest concentration of power shopping is located in Suburban Square, within walking distance of both Lancaster Avenue and the Ardmore station. Opened in 1928, Suburban Square became one of the first planned suburban shopping centers in the nation. But forget everything you know about generic "strip" centers. Suburban Square is a highly walkable mixed-use center with a wide selection of boutiques, cafes, and offices all tightly integrated in the surrounding business district. In fact, it's become a historic site in itself. Although the idea of Lifestyle Centers—walkable outdoor malls—seems cutting edge today, Suburban Square was way ahead of its time.

Most of the stores in the Ardmore area, particularly those in Suburban Square are chains. And many of these are high end. More unique stores can be found along or just off of Lancaster Avenue. Many of the retail stores are spaced out between other service-oriented businesses so the window shopping may be a little less intense.

Retail Hours

The shops at Suburban Square are open seven days a week. However, unlike regular malls, the shops usually close by 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays are an exception when the stores are open until 9 p.m. There are expanded hours during the holidays. Stores in downtown Ardmore are not usually open on Sundays.

Parking

Ardmore provides metered parking but it can be tight so give yourself time to find a good spot.

Restrooms

Restrooms for customers can be found inside the Macy's department store.

Tips

You can spend an entire day exploring the tony Main Line suburbs. Start at Paoli on the far western end and drive east along Lancaster Avenue exploring the different towns and historic architecture. Don't be afraid to hop off the beaten path to gawk at the many massive estates tucked away on tree-lined side streets. Ardmore is just one of the many towns you'll discover along the way.

Directions

Ardmore is about 10 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and about 100 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.

Like much of Philadelphia's Main Line suburbs, Ardmore's old downtown is located along Lancaster Avenue (U.S. 30).

From I-95, take exit 7 in Pennsylvania for I-476 north toward Plymouth Meeting. Take exit 13 for U.S. 30. Turn right on East Lancaster Avenue. Proceed about four and half miles until you start to see signs for Ardmore. Turn left on Anderson Avenue to get to Suburban Square.

Ardmore is also served by the R5 SEPTA regional rail line.

External Links

www.ardmore-pa.org
www.suburbansquare.com

Directory

Accessories

American Eagle Outfitters (49 St. James Place, 610-896-0104)
Banana Republic (61 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-3036)
Barbour by Peter Elliot (29 On the Square, 610-649-8450)
Chico's (60 Coulter Avenue, 610-645-0999)
Coach (55 St. James Place, 610-896-7394)
Eileen Fisher (48 St. Georges Road, 610-896-3600)
Free People (45 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-6780)
The Gap (100 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-4020)
J. Crew (53 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-6027)
Lucy Activewear (24 Parking Plaza, 610-649-2541)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Pierre Deux (92 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-2377)
Seidenburg Luggage (41 St. Georges Road, 800-670-5040)
Talbots (6 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-658-7253)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)
Victoria's Secret (30 On the Square, 610-896-6886)
White House/Black Market (66 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-6515)

Apparel

American Eagle Outfitters (49 St. James Place, 610-896-0104)
Ann Taylor (23 Parking Plaza, 610-642-4293)
Banana Republic (61 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-3036)
Barbour by Peter Elliot (29 On the Square, 610-649-8450)
Chico's (60 Coulter Avenue, 610-645-0999)
City Sports (51 St. Georges Road, 610-649-7497)
Coach (55 St. James Place, 610-896-7394)
Eileen Fisher (48 St. Georges Road, 610-896-3600)
Free People (45 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-6780)
The Gap (100 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-4020)
J. Crew (53 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-6027)
Josephine Sasso (37 Coulter Avenue, 610-658-9022)
Lily Pulitzer (49 St. James Place, 610-658-0387)
Lucky Girl (10 Anderson Avenue, 610-649-4901)
Lucy Activewear (24 Parking Plaza, 610-649-2541)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Priscilla of Boston (46 St. James Place, 610-896-8290)
Talbots (6 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-658-7253)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)
Victoria's Secret (30 On the Square, 610-896-6886)
White House/Black Market (66 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-6515)
Zinman's (68 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-0653)

Books

Ardmore Paperback Book Shop (14 West Lancaster Avenue, 610-649-4888)
Porter's Bookstore (24 Ardmore Avenue, 610-896-8913)

Bridal

Priscilla of Boston (46 St. James Place, 610-896-8290)

Children's

Gap Kids (68 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-7057)
Janie and Jack (8 Coulter Avenue, 610-645-5565)

Coffee and Dessert

Cold Stone Creamery (10 Coulter Avenue, 610-645-7717)
Milkboy Coffee (2 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-645-5269)
Starbucks (41 St. James Place, 610-896-7880)

Dining

Corner Bakery (2 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-0703)
Plate Restaurant & Bar (104 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-5900)
Primavera Pizza Kitchen (7 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-642-8000)
McCloskey's Restaurant & Bar (17 Cricket Avenue, 610-642-9280)
Ruby's Diner (5 Coulter Avenue, 610-658-3287)
Siamese Princess (36 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-896-2755)

Electronics

Apple Store (61 St. James Place, 610-726-9400)

Eyewear

Pearle Vision (74 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-0610)
Sunglass Hut (53 St. James Place, Suite 9-104, 610-649-3609)

Footwear

Aerosoles (6 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3516)
American Eagle Outfitters (49 St. James Place, 610-896-0104)
Banana Republic (61 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-3036)
Coach (55 St. James Place, 610-896-7394)
Eileen Fisher (48 St. Georges Road, 610-896-3600)
Free People (45 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-6780)
The Gap (100 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-4020)
J. Crew (53 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-6027)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Olly Shoes (4 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-5080)
Talbots (6 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-658-7253)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)
Victoria's Secret (30 On the Square, 610-896-6886)
The Walking Company (59 St. James Place, Suite 9-106, 610-642-3138)
White House/Black Market (66 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-6515)

Gift Shops

Harry's Treasures & Collectibles (22 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-642-4775)
The Paperia (43 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-0968)
Past-Present-Future (15 West Lancaster Avenue, 610-642-4040)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)

Health and Beauty

bluemercury (42 St. James Place, 610-642-5400)
Crabtree & Evelyn (51 St. James Place, 610-896-8989)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Origins (41 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-3441)
Victoria's Secret (30 On the Square, 610-896-6886)

Home Furnishings

Crabtree & Evelyn (51 St. James Place, 610-896-8989)
Josephine Sasso (37 Coulter Avenue, 610-658-9022)
Kitchen Kapers (90 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-6142)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Maleka Fine Linens & Home Decor (33 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-7181)
Pierre Deux (92 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-2377)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)
Williams-Sonoma (42 St. Georges Road, 610-642-5009)

Jewelry

Banana Republic (61 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-3036)
Chico's (60 Coulter Avenue, 610-645-0999)
Coach (55 St. James Place, 610-896-7394)
Dandelion (31 Coulter Avenue, 610-649-8303)
Free People (45 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-6780)
J. Crew (53 Anderson Avenue, 610-642-6027)
JE Caldwell & Co. (25 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-6400)
Macy's (40 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-645-1399)
Talbots (6 East Montgomery Avenue, 610-658-7253)
Urban Outfitters (117 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-3807)
White House/Black Market (66 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-6515)

Markets

Trader Joe's (112 Coulter Avenue, 610-658-0645)

Sporting Goods

City Sports (51 St. Georges Road, 610-649-7497)

Stationary

The Paperia (43 Coulter Avenue, 610-896-0968)