I'm pretty sure that even the original "magic carpet" pressure-plate automatic door systems were still in use, since I don't see any modern detection systems! These have to be super rare (at least in working condition) these days -- I can't imagine anyone has made replacement parts in decades -- and I believe this is the first store I've visited that still uses them (the only other place I've ever seen them in use is at one of the libraries at the UW, and I'm not even completely sure about that one).
Wow, this photo has a 'Welcome to 1985' type feel to them! I've used these types of doors many times before, but not so much in recent times. I can't even remember the last time I saw a store which uses these types of doors, but we may still have a few places where these doors are still in use. I certainly am reminded of getting in and out of Kroger Greenhouse stores with these types of doors though!
ReplyDeleteA few of the oldest Safeways I've visited still have similar doors, but they're extremely uncommon, and I believe all of the ones I've visited have had them modernized at least in part, so it sure is a blast from the past to see this!
DeleteI've seen a few entry doors like this with the modern "seeing eye" systems retrofitted on, but it's probably been about a decade since I last saw a fully operational magic carpet pressure plate door system in operating condition. That last place I saw one was at an old grocery store turned thrift store in Pennsylvania, where the system must have eventually broken down, as the thrift store eventually switched the doors to manual operation (and that's how they've been ever since).
ReplyDeleteSame here! Other than this store and the possible one at the UW, I don't remember ever having seen one of these systems in use. I'm sure at least one of the various old small-town grocery stores I shopped at on vacations as a kid had them, but I definitely haven't seen another store with them since I started really paying attention to grocery stores!
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