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Upcycling, reinventing and repurposing—everything and anything can contribute to a building’s new shiny life. Converting buildings is quite common and sometimes the change is quite radical: a gym that previously was a church, a mall that was converted into a school, or a Target turned Walmart. This one group on Reddit called /r/NotFoolingAnybody that has 21.2k members is dedicated to “photos of buildings that have been converted to other uses, yet still strongly resemble their former use.”

And deliberately or not, the new management chooses to recycle some details, like using the letters from the font of the previous business and sometimes even keeping the same logos. The funniest thing is that you can often tell that the masterminds repurposing the building or sign either had too much wit or too little fantasy. Either way, it’s pretty entertaining and below are the best examples of that, so don’t forget to vote for your favorite ones.

More info: Reddit

#1

Former KFC In Maiden, Nc Now A Mexican Restaurant. Col. Sanders Is Now Col. Sanchez

Former KFC In Maiden, Nc Now A Mexican Restaurant. Col. Sanders Is Now Col. Sanchez

Streetdoc10171 Report

Even though a place is converted to an urgent care center, the building decoration is still definitely reminiscent of a hut that used to sell pizza, and a church in this town adorned with UV lights and no more crosses is repurposed to be a nightclub. Usually the shape of the building that used to be a brand that follows the company’s specs is the main giveaway, but it also seems that some of the new owners of the places couldn't be bothered to remove the previous logos.

What is really impressive is the repurposing of shopping malls into schools, which, when you really think about it, can make perfect sense as there are large communal areas and what used to be retail shops that can serve as different classrooms. And what student wouldn’t like to have escalators to go from one floor to another?

#3

Dead Mall Turned Into College Building. Stores Were Converted Into Classrooms

Dead Mall Turned Into College Building. Stores Were Converted Into Classrooms

Maverick3458 Report

Quite a few submissions by people are pictures of former gas stations and car washes. Businesses such as Dunkin Doughnuts or Starbucks are taking advantage of the parts of the building that are suitable for a convenient drive thru. And let’s face it, going into an old flamboyant Art Deco building that is now a Walgreens definitely makes you feel at least a tiny bit more sophisticated.

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#4

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

cmdrxander Report

#5

This CVS In An Old Bank

This CVS In An Old Bank

Ferrari5746 Report

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Mer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I laughed at your comment more than I did at anything else on this thread! "Noice"! :)

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Theater Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Now I can feel classy while I buy holiday candy on sale.

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Batwench
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the fact they are using the original architecture and not just install a suspension ceiling.

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Sam Kunz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

CVS turned our gay club into a store. Was sad. Where you once went to GET Stds, you now go to get cures for stds

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Sue Clifford
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not, better than standing vacant. Old banks are cool inside so I think it would be fun to shop there.

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Charles Whyms
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to work on 14th street and 7th Avenue, so I shopped at this CVS frequently, and even knew the night manager; really nice guy.

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Ernesto Q
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a club in NYC called The Bank, classic old bank, looked similar to the one shown here. It had cool basement, coatroom was a former safe deposit box room.

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_Thirteen13_
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine walking in at like 2 am looking for tic-tacs and you see this. Surreal.

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Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a beautiful, huge record store in a beautiful old bank building. I have no idea what is now--if the trend continues, I'm guessing Vape Shop

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it was an artsy food store before that, but it didn't last...

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Helderder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have had a much better destination than yet another supermarket. I'm all for giving existing buildings new purpose but there are so many supermarkets allready.

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Diandra “Mss Didi” Blackthorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's another one on 96th Street & Columbus Ave in NYC - where that store is also located

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Guy MacGregor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to Google it so maybe it can help others: "CVS" is a pharmacy retail company (operating in the USA only)

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Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't look like it would be that useful. Not enough room. What do they do with all that 2nd story room?

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#7

A Church Converted To A Grocery Store

A Church Converted To A Grocery Store

KrispyKayak Report

#8

A Former Cricket Wireless Is Now A Chicken Restaurant

A Former Cricket Wireless Is Now A Chicken Restaurant

LollerskateDJ Report

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#9

Church Turned Into A Gym

Church Turned Into A Gym

KrispyKayak Report

#10

Former Gas Station, Turned Into A Subway With Outdoor Seating - Gypsum, Co

Former Gas Station, Turned Into A Subway With Outdoor Seating - Gypsum, Co

thespudbud Report

#12

Former Woolworths, Now A Walgreens. It Feels Like A Happy Accident That The Historic "W" Letter Still Works For The Building.

Former Woolworths, Now A Walgreens. It Feels Like A Happy Accident That The Historic "W" Letter Still Works For The Building.

methodwriter85 Report

#13

Dunkin’ Doughnuts Drive Thru In A Former Gas Station Car Wash.

Dunkin’ Doughnuts Drive Thru In A Former Gas Station Car Wash.

ICA2015 Report

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#15

This Starbucks Drive-Thru In An Old Car Wash

This Starbucks Drive-Thru In An Old Car Wash

quiet_musings Report

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Happy Daihatsu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't be rude to employees or you'll be getting a Grande chunk of soap in your Vegan Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte Mocha Frappuccino Macchiato

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#16

The Local College Bought A Walmart

The Local College Bought A Walmart

Oblivious_Paladin Report

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surprised pikachu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is more common than you think. In my area we have a charter school in an old home depot.

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#17

House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

retailsouth Report

#18

A Former Burger King Listed Online As A Townhouse

A Former Burger King Listed Online As A Townhouse

bluenowait Report

#20

Former Hot Topic Now Veterans Museum Denton, Tx

Former Hot Topic Now Veterans Museum Denton, Tx

hipsterdaddyo Report

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Becky Klebe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the mall gets decent foot traffic, a museum like this might get more visitors than it would as a stand-alone. If my local mall had something like this, I'd go in.

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#22

The Owners Ended Their Quiznos Franchise But Wanted To Run A Sandwich Shop Still

The Owners Ended Their Quiznos Franchise But Wanted To Run A Sandwich Shop Still

pfohl Report

#23

This CVS In Dc Used To Be A Movie Theater

This CVS In Dc Used To Be A Movie Theater

joey_p1010 Report

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#24

Former Movie Theatre, Now A Library

Former Movie Theatre, Now A Library

ForgingIron Report

#25

An Orthodontist's Office Used To Be A Blockbuster - Hinesville, Ga

An Orthodontist's Office Used To Be A Blockbuster - Hinesville, Ga

ilikepeople1990 Report

#26

A Wendy's In A Former Bank, Location Unknown

A Wendy's In A Former Bank, Location Unknown

KrispyKayak Report

#28

Nickelodeon Studios! It Has Been Painted Over But You Can Still Tell What It Used To Be

Nickelodeon Studios! It Has Been Painted Over But You Can Still Tell What It Used To Be

ZMONEY0823 Report

#29

Hollywood Video Converted To A Furniture Store

Hollywood Video Converted To A Furniture Store

KrispyKayak Report

#30

An Old Hollywood Video Is Now Hollywood Smokin'

An Old Hollywood Video Is Now Hollywood Smokin'

wgRTM Report

#31

This Dominos In My Home Town Of Keyser Wv Was A Phillip's 66 Gas Station And Garage In The Early 80's

This Dominos In My Home Town Of Keyser Wv Was A Phillip's 66 Gas Station And Garage In The Early 80's

[deleted] Report

#33

Former Target Turned Into A Walmart, They Painted The Target Orbs Yellow Instead Of Removing Them

Former Target Turned Into A Walmart, They Painted The Target Orbs Yellow Instead Of Removing Them

landofgay Report

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Baby Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love vaulting over the target balls lol i will never get too old for it

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#34

Old Hollister Now A Book Store

Old Hollister Now A Book Store

Bfloteacher Report

#35

Big Woodys Sports Bar (Bethlehem, Pa)

Big Woodys Sports Bar (Bethlehem, Pa)

ZMONEY0823 Report

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Joseph E Fasciani
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's perfect, absolutely perfect. One stop, slop till ya drop! Ya gotta love it all.

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#36

Classic Movie Theater Converted Into A Walgreens

Classic Movie Theater Converted Into A Walgreens

Atario Report

#37

Dollar Tree In A Former Church, Location Unknown

Dollar Tree In A Former Church, Location Unknown

KrispyKayak Report

#39

This Used To Be A Majestic Liquor Store. The New Owners Really Stretched Themselves With This One.

This Used To Be A Majestic Liquor Store. The New Owners Really Stretched Themselves With This One.

Hawksong Report

#40

Somebody Named Kg Bought A Local Gas Station

Somebody Named Kg Bought A Local Gas Station

KrispyKayak Report

Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.