Mazda Car Dealer Near Reading, PA

History of Reading

The town of Reading was established in 1748 by the sons of William Penn, Richard and Thomas Penn, as well as Conrad Weiser. Four years later, in 1752, Berks County was created, and Reading was named its county seat. During the American Revolution, the Reading area’s iron industry was booming. It even out-produced England with the amount of weaponry it provided to the colonies during the war effort. Reading would end up being a popular military depot for many future wars as well, including the American Civil War and World War II. In the early 1800s, efficient transportation of cargo became a priority for the growth of Reading’s economy. Between the years of 1825 and 1828, two major canals were created for that very reason. The Schuylkill Canal provided Reading with connections to Philadelphia and the Delaware River. And, three years later, the Union Canal connected the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers, thereby furthering Reading’s economic capabilities. This means of transporting cargo lasted until it could no longer compete with the efficiency of railroads such as the Reading Railroad that was established in 1833.

There was a period in Reading’s history known as The Gilded Age that spanned from 1877 to the early 1900s. During this time, Reading saw phenomenal growth in the iron and steel industries, as well as the introduction of textile manufacturing. Reading saw a continual growth in population until the 1930s. For much of the mid-twentieth century, Reading saw an unfortunate fall in its population and economic success. This was largely due to the decline of the railroad and iron industry that was paralleled by a national trend of decline in many urban industries. The town also endured some devastating floods in the later half of the century that took a toll on the community. After years of struggling, Reading finally saw its light at the end of the tunnel. In 2000, the town’s population spiked with an influx of residents from New York City. Over the next ten years, community leaders and supporters worked hard to revitalize the city. Crime rates dropped and the area’s real estate became much more desirable. Since then, Reading has continued to thrive as Pennsylvania’s fourth-largest city.

Food and Entertainment in Reading

In a city this size, there is never a dull moment. Reading is home to many museums and landmarks that embody the rich history of this beautiful city. Places like the Berks County Heritage Center, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, and the Reading Public Museum are all wonderful options to experience the city’s history. You may also be interested in the beautiful architecture of The Pagoda that is featured as the background of Reading’s official website. If you are looking for some family friendly activities to fill your day, Reading Rocks and the Fantasy Skating Center are some great places to start. The Unique Pretzel Bakery is also a fun place to explore, plus it comes with some delicious snacks. If you are a fan of baseball, you may want to head over to FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Fightin Phils, a local minor league team. You may just get a first look at some of the major prospects for the major league team, the Philadelphia Phillies. There are also various theaters for the art lovers out there including the Genesius Theatre and the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.

Looking to plan a night out with friends? The Santander Performing Arts Center has a full calendar of events including major concerts and performances. There is also a more unique option with the Reading Comedy Outlet. There you can enjoy some live comedy shows from various performers. As far as food goes in this city, there are plenty of options to choose from and enjoy. For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with some delectable crepes from Taste of Crepes, or choose from the many uniquely delicious items offered at The Farmhouse Kitchen. There are also a variety of lunch and dinner options in Reading as well. You may enjoy the locally sourced dishes at Cafe Sweet Street, or the classic American-style cuisine at places like Beckett’s, Cheers’ American Bistro, and Frank & Diannah’s Arbor Inn. If you are looking for a place to grab a bite to eat and have some drinks with friends, Reading has plenty of pubs and taverns that make up its nightlife. Some of the local favorites include Brewer’s Bar & Grill, The Barley Mow, Mike’s Tavern, and The Brick House Pub. Eleven wonderful restaurants later, and we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of what this wonderful city has to offer. It is nearly impossible to cover all of the amazing attractions here in Reading, so you will just have to come and see it for yourself.

Fun Facts About Reading

• The first known inhabitants of the Reading area were the people of the Lenni Lenape tribes, also referred to as the Delaware Indians.
• During the French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, Reading was a military base for a chain of forts that ran along the Blue Mountain.
• In addition to its material contribution to the American Revolution, Reading also took on the role of a detainment center for Hessian soldiers that were captured during the Battle of Trenton.
• William H. Luden, who was born in Reading, PA in 1859, was responsible for the original creation of the cough drop. His company, Luden’s Cough Drop is now a part of the well-known Hershey Foods Company.
• Starting in the year 2000, Reading’s population spiked and various community cleanup efforts were put into effect.Those factors, coupled with its proximity to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia, led to Reading being named one of the top four “Up and Coming Neighborhoods” in the U.S. by Barbara Corcoran on NBC’s Today Show in 2007.
• Reading is often referred to as “The Pretzel City,” due to the multitude of pretzel bakeries in the area.
• In the United States edition of the classic American board game, Monopoly, Reading Railroad is featured as one of four railroad properties on the board.
• Arguably one of the most famous musicians of this century, Taylor Swift, was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania. She even participated in musical theater, right here in Berks County, at the Berks Youth Theatre Academy when she was only nine years old.

Our Dealership

Here at Lancaster Mazda, we are well-equipped to satisfy all the automotive needs of our loyal customers in the Reading community. If you are looking to lease or purchase a new car, we have you covered with our diverse inventory of new Mazda vehicles. We also have various certified pre-owned models to choose from. There are many benefits to taking the certified pre-owned route when it comes to shopping for a Mazda vehicle that suits your lifestyle, so you won’t be disappointed either way. For those that are more money conscious, Lancaster Mazda offers an extensive selection of used vehicles. We know dollar signs can be intimidating, but we are here to help you every step of the way!

Not sure what the value of your trade is? Wondering what your payments will be, before you make a decision? Don’t worry, Lancaster Mazda has the answers you’re looking for! Drop by today and ask to speak with any of our sales and leasing specialists to get all the information you need to make the best decision for you! And, if you can’t make it in right now, you can get the process started from home by submitting a credit application via our secure portal.

We know our customers in Reading need fast and reliable vehicle service that will last, so our Mazda Service Department’s mission is to provide them with just that. Our dealership only uses genuine certified Mazda parts, helping to keep your Mazda running like a Mazda. If you are looking to have your vehicle serviced by top-tier technicians in the Reading area, the best place to start would be by scheduling service right here through our website. Rest assured, your vehicle will be in great hands!

We love serving our Reading community and believe that our customers within the greater Lancaster area deserve the best! Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you!