A historic building at 10 Wallace Avenue is once again bustling with activity, nearly 80 years after floodwaters once surrounded its foundation. Thanks to the recent opening of Pandoughmonium Bakery, a beloved corner of Downingtown has returned to its culinary beginnings, bringing with it a rich story of transformation and resilience.
On August 9, 1942, Wallace Avenue was underwater following torrential rainstorms that caused some of the worst flooding the borough had seen at the time. A colorized image from that day shows a young man wading through the murky floodwaters. That historic moment stood as the town’s most significant flood event until the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Fast forward to today, and a second image from nearly the same location captures a very different scene. A crowd of eager customers lines up outside Pandoughmonium Bakery, a newly opened local favorite that is already drawing attention.
The building they occupy holds nearly a century of community history. Originally constructed in 1926 as an office for local businessman Chandler Roberts, the structure was expanded in early 1934 to include a restaurant operated by Charles W. Hess. Over the decades, the space changed hands and purposes several times. Chris Nichols opened Chris’ Grille around 1950, which later became The Colonial Restaurant under Herbert and Fay Moore. In 1956, Polly Swarner took over and ran it as Swarner’s Restaurant into the early 1970s.
The mid-70s brought a shift in usage when Joe Anderson transformed the space into a TV and electronics shop. Over the years, it served various other functions, reflecting the evolving needs of the Downingtown community.
Now, with the arrival of Pandoughmonium, the building has returned to its original culinary mission. Locals are once again gathering at 10 Wallace Avenue, not to wade through water, but to enjoy handmade baked goods and reconnect with a part of their town’s storied past.
For more fascinating stories like this, check out the Downingtown Area Historical Society.
Historical information and photographs courtesy of the Downingtown Area Historical Society. Visit them on Facebook for more local history spotlights.
