The Daily Ping: Ode to the Pennsauken Mart

January 27th, 2006<>

Ode to the Pennsauken Mart

I remember the first time my dad took me to the Pennsauken Mart, an indoor “mall” that was much more like a flea market than a mall. The floors were concrete, the place in general felt dirty, and the shops sold everything from electronics to knock-off clothing. I loved it.

In high school, there were months where I’d go there every weekend. At that time, there were three great sources in the Mart for records, including an award-winning store. I found most of my gems tucked away in the back of an electronics store, though, in crates and completely unsorted. Fortunately, a lot of DJs would end up unloading their stash of promos there, so I’d walk out with a handful of records for $1 that would be worth $30 or $40 ten years later.

There was also a movie store there that supplied me with all the hard-to-find cult films that I was looking for. My giant-box Wizard Video edition of Zombie came from there (with the puke green screengrabs on the back) as did Anguish, which I waited months and months for. Then there was the Filipino food stand with the sign that declared, “Not all Asians are Chinese!” and mispelled Phillipino/Filipino as Piliphino. Their fried rice was wicked good.

In recent years, the Mart had lost a lot of its flavor for me. Most food choices were out once I stopped eating meat and all of the good record sources disappeared. But I still enjoyed walking through once or twice a year and browsing through the movie store, now in a bigger location.

Unfortunately, the time has finally come. They fought it off for a while, but the Mart is closing just short of 50 years after it opened. Well, technically, they’re moving, but ask anyone that’s frequented the Mart: for all intents and purposes, they’re closing.

I’ll miss ya, Pennsauken Mart.

Posted in Miscellaneous

PROVY March 9, 2007, 9:38 pm

I’M AN OLD FAN OF THE PENNSAUKEN MART AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ADDRESS OF THE PENNSAUKEN MART NOW. PLEASE EMAIL THE KNEW ADDRESS. THANK YOU PROVY

Brian Schmidt November 10, 2007, 12:27 am

Though I have always liked the Berlin Mart a little better, I always made time once a month or so to visit the Pennsauken Mart. I loved the pizza from the guy down on the end or an elephant ear from the bakery. Always felt sorry for the puppies in the pet store, hope they all got good homes. The record stores had long since gone away but, the Trading Post always had a good deal on something. Then there were the soft pretzels freshly made that couldn’t be passed up. Too bad these weren’t the kind of people that made enough money for the Camden County Machine politicians. Perhaps a few good bribes would have helped save them.

Jackie March 12, 2008, 12:39 am

Since I discovered pensauken mart back in 1990 that was the spot for me. I also discovered the star dust ball room which I use to dance salsa every 1st sat. and last sat of the monthy. I’m really sad that place was closed down, but from what I hear it’s back in business and I would love to know where exactly it’s located. I miss my shopping days at the mart. So please be so kind and e-mail me the new address please so I can go shopping. LOL

MO April 9, 2008, 6:10 pm

Does anyone know where the shops moved to? I thought they moved somewhere else but I don’t konw where.

AZIMMM May 30, 2008, 4:22 pm

I truly loved that place my parents took me I took my kids and if they were still around i am sure they would take there kids to the infamous Pennsauken Mart. I heard they moved,please where are they located now? 6/30/08.

Karl August 25, 2008, 10:50 pm

They moved to Willingboro, it is still right off of route 130, just head north on it for an additional 20 minutes give or take and you should see it. Its now called the Festival Marketplace or something along those lines

GEORGE May 3, 2009, 12:04 pm

IT WAS ICONIC FOR IT’S TIME. WE HAD ALOT OF FUN THERE. WE MADE ALOT OF FRIENDS & MEMORIES THERE TOO, ON THE BUGETS WE HAD. IT WAS A PLACE TO GO WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO. WE’D WALK AROUND. THE PRETZEL STAND WAS THE BEST. WE WERE KIDS & THEN TOOK OUR KIDS. IT WAS A SIMPLER TIME. IT’S A SHAME HOW THEY WERE DEGRADED, AS HARD WORKING FOLK, AND WHAT THE TOWNSHIP HOODS DID TO THEM. THEY WERE JUST PEOPLE TOO.

Gary May 16, 2009, 4:19 am

As a child and then a teenager, I would venture for Hainesport to the mart FOR ONE THING, the pretzels. Being awed by anything techy, I would watch the people at the end twisting the pretzels and then they would convey down into the oil and get fried and then a thingamajig would sprinkle the salt on them. WOW were they good. At any rate, I am in TN most of the time and just miss the pretzels. Does anyone know who owned the pretzel place? I want the machine!

Buena June 3, 2009, 1:24 am

Vendors Who came from the Pennsauken Mart to the The Market Place in Willingboro, New Jersey
Gisone Photo Studio, Sox Place, Cho’s Clothing, Play with this Collectibles, Xiong Wei Chinese Massage, Fashion For You, Music Madness, IROCDIS, Wireless Shop, Marks Jewelers
The Source, Steak Place, Luggage, Bags, Clothes & Snacks & Gift Items, Fashion Forum, Growing Tree, Gold Crown Jewelry
Smokin Cats, See & Save Optical, A Barking Place, Smooth Graphics, Lucky Flower Toys, Sweet World, Bella Pizza
BBQ-Oriental Goumet, Tai Chan Steak Express, M & M Keys
Kerry’s Hot Dogs, Roman Jewelers, Airtime, Uptown Blues
Friendly Rugs and Pictures, Paintball Marshall Art Sporting Goods, Work Wear

Other Vendors in The Market Place in Willingboro, New Jersey

French Fragrances (USA), Inc 2 (closed), Lenny Beauty Supply
As Seen on TV Store, 99 cent Plus & Gift Shop, Dollar Discount, Tropic Smoothies, French Fragrances USA Inc 1
Amish Section of Stores, Bean’s Little Store, Fashion 4 Less
Mild to Wild, Flower shop, Platinum Select M & M Barber Shop
D & S Beauty Supply, Grand Vac and Sew, Betty Boop Heaven
Intimate Villa.com, Shin Brothers’ Jewelers, Tamina Shoes
Five Star Engraving, AQ Enterprise, Sinful Snacks, American Clothes, Sports Card Oasis, H & H Linen, Cornelius, Lady Rose – Women’s apparel, Rising Sons, Vintage Dressing Room
Chinese Massage, The Snake Pit, Mental Ltd Skates, Perfect Beauty Supplies, The Frame Shop, Never-E-Nuff, Grand News & Magazine Store LLC, Home and Body Essentials, Wireless Shop,
All Occasion Party Store, Inspirational Art and Accessories
J&K’s, Mediterranean Bistro, Palmas DelMar, El Taco Loco
Prince – Fish & Chips, Flamin Steaks & Burgers, Carlos – Shoe Repair, Jennys Fashion, Platinum Plus Hair Salon
Antoni USA, Pretzel Zone, Glitz & Glamour, Under One Roof
TMobile, Manufacters Factory Store – Kitchens, EQ Enterprises, Brian’s Good Scents, Express Auto Supply
Urban Cinema, Peach Blossom, Psychic Special Reading
Whats Up Fashions, Eve Enterprise, High Style, American Safari International, A-List, Unique Thangs, Faith is the Key, New Beginning, Suit city, Avon/Watkins/Stanley/Fuller Brush, Knives Deal, Gold Wing Apparel, Bolo’s Paintball Shooting Range, Brunswick Leather, Photo ID’s, Fashion Jewelry $2.00, African & Caribbean Markets – Rence’s
Mr. Good Deal’s Tools, Sneaker Store, All One Interior
Salcedo Children’s Palace, Whole Armour – Christian Apparel
Gamester, Nailery & Spa, Lilly’s Taylor & Embroidery Shop
Little Feet – Girls dresses and shoes, Urban Styles
Nadia’s Collection (women’s suits), Sarah’s Uniform Plus
Natural Selection International