Famous Philadelphia bubble gum factory to be demolished this week.
The Swell bubble gum factory soon will be no more. The longtime landmark is scheduled for demolition Wednesday, with a final farewell celebration at 11 am.
Board of Commissioners President Bill Wechsler, Seventh Ward Commissioner Jim McGarrity, Philadelphia YMCA President and CEO John Flynn, and other township officials will be on hand to say goodbye to the 18,850 square metre (200,000-square-foot) facility that for 55 years produced popular confections such as Swell bubble gum, El Bubble gum cigars, Cry Baby extra sour gum, Gold Rocks Nugget Bubble Gum and Joe Blo Giant bubble gum before closing its doors in 2003.
The factory became idle after Philadelphia Chewing Gum Corp. sold the business to Concord Confections.
YMCA officials plan to construct a 6,500 square metre (70,000-square-foot), state-of-the-art facility on the factory footprint, complete with two-story atrium lobby, wellness center, three swimming pools, oversized gym, child/family center, group exercise studios and parking area. The Y anticipates serving more than 20,000 area residents and says it will provide 150 new permanent jobs. Grand opening is slated for spring 2013, Flynn said.
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