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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

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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.

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    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

    #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.

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

    smart actually. collages are constantly in need for parking (at least in my area) and this would definetly help

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

    Give a new meaning to warehousing our students! Lower your costs with a big box college!

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

    I went back to my home town a few years ago. The Walmart had been turned into a church.

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

    Ohemgee, I think I recognize this place. It actually used to be a K-mart!

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

    There is an old Walmart turned into a School in West Memphis, Arkansas (1101 N Missouri St) in 2006. My husband went to the school years before they relocated to the former Walmart site. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Christian_School

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    #17

    House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

    House Converted To Burger King - Columbus, Ga

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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

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    #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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