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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

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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.

#4

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

Church In My Local Town Converted Into A Nightclub

cmdrxander Report

#6

A Bank Converted To Mcdonalds

A Bank Converted To Mcdonalds

KrispyKayak Report

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Rachel Long
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only that, my grandmother was the first female bank president at this EXACT bank. Go Baba! Also, It had a really cool large metal waterfall in the center of it. Was pretty cool.

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EJN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they allow you to borrow for a hamburger set and pay over time, with interest of course?

Farid Red
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The secret ingredient of Big Mac is kept secret in vault..in a tiny bottle..

Bad Mole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a movie theater in San Francisco that used to be a bank, and I swear that's the same building, must've been the same bank using the same blueprints over.

Daniel Atkins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

would feel Strange putting you money on one of those bank drawers in the drive through and can they send the food through the tubes?

Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't think they were allowed to do this. I thought McD's had strict protocols about the appearances of their restaurants??? But this IS cool!

Nicholas Zaal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From my understanding, capitalism and working hard for profit is a Biblical principal. See Luke 19:12-27. Although of course, idolising materialism is also a sin.

Pascale Pierloot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to withdraw 2 cheeseburgers and a medium Coke please...

Noemie Houtekie-N'Da
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks suspiciously like a bank or something close to my house. It is not a Mc Donalds.

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Oh, sorry, we accidentally locked the ice cream machine in the vault."

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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

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#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

#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
3 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
3 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

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#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
3 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

#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

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#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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#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
3 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

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#41

Goodwill (May Have?) Used To Be A Circuit City - Savannah, Ga

Goodwill (May Have?) Used To Be A Circuit City - Savannah, Ga

ilikepeople1990 Report

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#43

Hollywood Flooring, Another Hollywood Video Conversion.

Hollywood Flooring, Another Hollywood Video Conversion.

KrispyKayak Report

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Liam Voss
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For only 199.99, you can have danny devito drop by your house AND have your floors replaced

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#45

Mall Church (I’m Pretty Sure It Used To Be A Victoria’s Secret)

Mall Church (I’m Pretty Sure It Used To Be A Victoria’s Secret)

dreemurthememer Report

#46

Pizza Hut Turned Into A Sketchy Restaurant

Pizza Hut Turned Into A Sketchy Restaurant

ohgodthellamas Report

#47

A Classic Movie Theater In Greenpoint, Brooklyn That Has Since Been Turned Into A Starbucks

A Classic Movie Theater In Greenpoint, Brooklyn That Has Since Been Turned Into A Starbucks

heresmyusername Report

#48

Little Caesar's Pizza In A Former Sonic Drive-In; Location Unknown

Little Caesar's Pizza In A Former Sonic Drive-In; Location Unknown

KrispyKayak Report

#49

Gas Station Turned Into A Boost Mobile - North Carolina

Gas Station Turned Into A Boost Mobile - North Carolina

JessTheGardener Report

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#50

An Abandoned Diner In New Hampshire That Just Left The Hollywood Video Sign Up

An Abandoned Diner In New Hampshire That Just Left The Hollywood Video Sign Up

ZMONEY0823 Report

#51

Dollar Tree In An Old CVS. Toledo, Oh

Dollar Tree In An Old CVS. Toledo, Oh

Dandan419 Report

#53

Five Guys In A Former Pizza Hut In Westminster, Md

Five Guys In A Former Pizza Hut In Westminster, Md

gavinthelaird Report

#54

Esso/Exxon Tiger Statue At A Bp Station

Esso/Exxon Tiger Statue At A Bp Station

22408aaron Report

#55

The Disney Store Of Inland Center In San Bernardino, Ca Is Now A Furniture Store. You Can Still See The Outlines Of The Film Reels Around The Entrance, And Mickey Shapes Etched Onto The Windows.

The Disney Store Of Inland Center In San Bernardino, Ca Is Now A Furniture Store. You Can Still See The Outlines Of The Film Reels Around The Entrance, And Mickey Shapes Etched Onto The Windows.

360inMotion Report

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Bacony Cakes
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A hidden mickey outside of Disney property. That's a rare sight.

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