Past Business-Pho 4 Seasons

Location: 1030 MacDade Boulevard

Hours of Operation: 7 days 10 am to 10 pm

Orders for take out or to reserve the banquet room: (215)808-7437

Speciality: Vietnamese Food

Founded: March 16, 2014

Founder: Vivenne Diep

A brief history: When Vivenne bought a house in Folcroft in the early 2010, she soon discovered that there weren't any authentic Vietnamese restaurants in the area. If anyone wanted to get some Vietnamese food, they'd have to travel into downtown Philadelphia to get in. That proved to be a hassle for some who wanted the food that they'd grown up with and the convenience of not having to travel that far to get good food. She decided to open a Vietnamese restaurant utilizing the experiences she gained in college and with the help of her parents who were excellent cooks. Other family members chipped in when they could.

When she first saw the building after Mena's restaurant closed, she fell in love with it. It was a great location and seemed to be a great fit for the community's fast growing Asian population. Surprisingly she also discovered a number of non Asians enjoyed the food, especially the Pho beef bowl.

With a large banquet room available for groups, this restaurant is a welcome addition to Collingdale.

Update: Business closed August 2017.

Organization-Joseph Marshall-Donald R. McKay VFW Post #5428

Location:  343 Oak Lane

Meeting times: Tuesdays 7:30 pm (Update 2016-Sunday afternoon

Founded: May 23, 1952 at the home of Harry T. O'Hagan, owner of O'Hagan's Tavern. Harry was named the 1st post commander and served from 1952 to 1953 and from 1958 to 1959. During Harry's tenure, bylaws and other activities were established. Harry offered to hold some of the meetings at his tavern and that became a favorite spot for the veterans to meet and swap stories. Fulfilling its mission to both help the community and promote democratic ideals, the VFW post participated in parades, fund drives and other civic activities.

A brief history: The post started as a way to honor Donald McKay and other fallen veterans who weren't getting the recognition they deserved for their service. The Korean War was going badly in 1952, and veterans coming home from that war weren't getting the services they needed. One of the members also wanted the post to honor Joseph Marshall, a Navy ensign, who some sources say was the first Collingdale veteran to die in WWII. Conflicting stories suggest that there was someone else from Collingdale who died earlier in the war, but nevertheless it was decided that Joseph Marshall should be honored as well with the naming of the post. During its early years the post met at O'Hagan's Tavern and at various homes in the borough. Don's parents, Mr. & Mrs. John McKay were instrumental in securing a permanent home for the VFW when they helped purchase land on Oak Lane for the new building. Groundbreaking occurred in October 1959 with both past and present commanders of the post in attendance. The skeleton of the building was completed by a local contractor, but the bricks and everything else was done by the VFW members themselves with help from the local community. A grand celebration in January 1960 christened the new building. Many dances and other social events happened at the hall during the 1960s. Three scout troops also used the facilities for their meetings during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Membership rolls reached a high of 220 in 1970, but declined steadily as the years passed. The scouts ceased to exist in Collingdale and no longer used the facility in the 1990s.

Looking towards the future: The VFW is looking to recruit younger members to the post. There are at the present time, various resources available for veterans. The premise of the organization is still geared towards veterans who have served in foreign lands which unfortunately excludes veterans who have served in support positions here in the United States. There is however no reason why someone can not help out in an advisory capacity. More information about the VFW can be found at Veterans of Foreign Wars National site. There are also educational programs the VFW sponsors that both children and teenagers can get involved with, such as the Voice of Democracy contest. The VFW has sponsored this contest in the past. If you know someone who has served overseas and would be interested in joining the VFW, please call Chuck Meehan at (484)574-3806.

Profile - Joe Bird, Collingdale's honorary borough historian

Role played in borough: Joe was a long time resident of Collingdale and lived in the borough almost all his life. He served in WW II as a member of the 686th Airborne Anti-Aircraft outfit in the Burmese jungle.His experiences in the China Burma India Theater which involved protecting B-29 bombers, spending time in the Pakistani desert, serving a radar crew chief. He returned to Collingdale in 1945, married and had six children. He and his wife Mary were actively involved in the Collingdale High School Alumni Association. Joe was particularly fascinated by borough history and considered it his mission to chronicle it for future generations.

Accomplishments: Joe researched the borough's history for over a decade before putting words to paper. The result was a series of articles in the ColHums newsletter in 2006. The articles were a great snapshot of the borough's history from its beginnings until the present day. He was awarded for his efforts by the borough which made him Collingdale's honorary historian.

What we are doing today to preserve Collingdale's history: Joe Bird's articles spurred others to take action to preserve local historic landmarks in the borough. On Saturday, September 14th, the Collingdale History Society will have a "Joe Bird" history tour as part of the Collingdale History Day at 4 pm. The tour will be based on the series of articles Joe wrote in the ColHums.

Business-Condon's Flower Cart

Location:  225 MacDade Boulevard

Hours of Operation:  Monday-Friday 9-6
                                Saturday 9-4


Specialize in: Flower arrangements for weddings, parties and other special occasions.

Founded: 1980 original location at Chester Pike and MacDade Boulevard. September 2003 at current location.

Founders: Steve and Marie Condon

A brief history: When Steve and Marie started the floral shop in 1980, there wasn't any floral shops on the south side of Collingdale. It was Steve's vision to fill that need that motivated the decision to open at the orginal location. Once open, it was both Steve's and Marie's efforts that drove their success in providing beauty to the community and serving the community. The decision to move their store further up MacDade Boulevard came with much deliberation as they served at their original location for twenty three years. It proved to be a good move for them, especially when the only remaining flower shop in Collingdale closed its doors in 2011.

Today the owners still enjoy working with flowers, especially wedding bouquets which are their specialty. For more information or to place an order,  visit...:Condon's Flower Cart

Church-Collingdale Church of Christ

Location: 519 Clifton Avenue

Meeting times: Sunday 11 am
Morning service
6 pm  Evening service
Wednesday 7:30 pm Bible study

Denomination: Protestant

Mission statement: To preserve one faith as taught by the Apostles.

A brief history: This is a new church, having held its first services here in late April 2013. On its newly created website Collingdale Church of Christ identity, it clearly states that it doesn't consider itself a denomination with its strict rules and regulations. Instead the congregation strictly adheres to the Word of God as its guidebook with personal interpretation of its passages forbidden. As a new church trying to fit into a community with a number of churches, it is struggling with being relevant while preaching the Word to a lost generation.

It is however a welcome addition to the community and has brought the soul back to the formerly abandoned First Lutheran Church.

Updated: Collingdale Church of Christ closed April 2015. Building vacant May 2016 and on the market.....

Update Two: Building sold....new Church: Deliverance Tabernacle Worship Center....Started May 2017

Organization-Collingdale Police Department

Location: 800 MacDade Boulevard

Hours of Operation: Office open 8-4 pm Monday -Fridays...patrols run 24/7

Founded: The police department was one of the six departments established in January 1892. For the first six or seven years, only one or two officers patrolled the streets. Much of the history of the department is still buried from the early years.

A brief history: It wasn't until September 1911 that it became apparent that the one patrolling officer needed help. Borough council member Andrew Voss and a few other council members decided to ask for volunteers to support the officer in his duties. It was a few years before a solid group was formed of dedicated men willing to serve their community in this manner. In the photograph seen here from 1915, members of the first police department pose for their picture. Isaac Diehl, second from left on first row, is recorded as serving as a police officer from January 8, 1912 to March 1916. The first chief of police, William Fitzpatrick, took charge of the first non-volunteer police force in January 1928 and served until his retirement in 1948. Under his leadership the department expanded its services and was able to implement community programs. Today the police department shows the same quality of leadership and integrity in keeping the streets safe. One of their many programs is the D.A.R.E. program that educates young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol

For more information: visit....Collingdale Police Department.

Profile-Charles McCloskey Johnston, 1st Mayor of Collingdale

Role played in the borough: Charles, his wife Florence and their children, Paul, Joseph, Nancy and Eileen were active in the community from the 1940's to the 1960's. Charles started running for public office during the Second World War when wardens were needed to support the war efforts. He helped establish a temporary headquarters (shelter in place) in the basement of the First Lutheran Church. Eileen has memories of performing errands for the headquarters which fortunately was never utilized during the war. His involvement increased in the 1950's when he became a member of borough council and was elected Burgess in 1954. A Pennsylvania state ruling in November 1961 changed the official title of the office to Mayor, and thus Mr. Johnston was the first Mayor of Collingdale until he left office in January 1962.

Accomplishments: Charles accomplished some improvements to the civic organizations in the borough and was supported by his wife, Florence and the whole family in his endeavors..She was elected president of the Collingdale Library Association in the 1940's and had been active in the Women's Club for many years. She actually was one of the founders of the Women's Club in 1936. Charles was known as a fair man and very stylish. Easter parades and other celebrations were his forte.

A brief history: The Johnston family had a stable foothold in the community during the 1930's and 1940's. Memories of their efforts on behalf of the library and other civic organizations are well known. What may not be known however is that Mr. Johnston's support of various events such as the annual Halloween Parade helped keep them going. When he left office, that support disappeared and was sorely missed.