One great reason to visit the Granite Run Mall

Give the recent headlines, you might think there is little reason to visit the Granite Run Mall.

I beg to differ. I was there last night. Sure, there are a lot of empty storefronts. There are more questions than answers after last week's news that the mall had been sold to BET Investments for $24 million.

The firm, owned by regional housing magnate Bruce Toll, has said only that it wants to develop at "walkable mixed-use site" at the mall that likely would combine some combination of retail and residential uses.

The idea would be to put literally "populate" the mall area.

That would be a good idea. If there was one thing that struck me last night it's that the mall could use a lot more population. The place was almost empty.

But that didn't lessen my experience.

That's because I was there to visit one of this count's absolute treasures, especially if you happen to be a sports fan.

We took our weekly live-stream Internet broadcast, 'Live From the Newsroom,' out on the road again last night for a visit to the Mickey Vernon Delaware County Sports Museum.

If you missed the show, you can catch the replay here.

My thanks to museum curator Jim Vankoski, and board members Rich Pagano, Phil Damiani and Bill Mingey. You can check out the museum's website here. I'll make this easy. If you have even a passing interest in Delaware County's long and storied sports history, this place is a must visit. And here's the kicker: It's free.

You can visit Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

What will you see? It would be easier to tell you what's not there. How about a signed jersey from Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, the Chichester High and Widener grad who went to stardom in the NFL and is likely the man responsible for today's end zone celebrations after scores.

If you're a fan of the "Gentleman First Baseman," Marcus Hook's own Mickey Vernon, they have an entire section devote to the two-time American League MVP. Danny Murtaugh is there, as well as a complete listing of the amazing number of Delco athletes who have won Olympic medals.

Do yourself a favor. Clear a couple of hours and head to the Granite Run Mall for a visit to the Mickey Vernon Sports Museum. It's upstairs near Boscov's.

We here at the Daily Times like to consider ourselves "Delaware County's Sports Authority."

We gladly share that title with the museum, a true gem that still sparkles amid the uncertainty that reigns at Granite Run.

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