Community Chat

[Grade1Teach]

I'm sure there are many, but I can only think of 2 right now:

Fortunoff's --- That was the BEST store ever! We registered there when we got married. They had everything one could imagine and more. I was so disappointed when they went out of business. I used to spend my Saturdays strolling around and picking out new things for my home. I guess I'm lucky to have had the chance to have many of my things be from there. There hasn't been a store around like it since...

Linens n Things --- I know Bed Bath and Beyond is pretty much the same thing, but there was something I liked about the simplicity of LNT. It was easier to navigate and had some items that I thought were better. That being said, I really do like BBB and have gotten used to shopping there.

[cindyinfl]

What a great memory thread!

I was born and grew up in a small town in east Texas. I cherish the memories of me and my great grandmother walking in town (about 6 blocks from our house) and we would always stop at the 5&10 Woolworths for a chocolate ice cream soda before starting home. Some weekends, we would drive into Dallas for a day. I loved Sterling Merchandise, Sanger Harris and Foleys ( both large dept. stores like Macys, only much much better). In fact, my mother bought a large sofa painting at Sangers when I was 9 years old. She paid $35.00 for it and thought that was so expensive, but she loved it so. Well, I am 65 now and have that same picture hanging over my rolltop desk, and when I had it appraised for insurance purposes several years ago, it was valued at over $500.00! But it is priceless to me and I treasure that picture because every time I look at it, it brings back happy memories of better times of all the fun me & mama had shopping at Sangers. And it is still in the original frame and looks as good as the day it was purchased.

I also miss Marshall Fields and their candy! And I remember Gibsons, an early version of K-mart, where I used to shop along with Albertsons.

Oh, for the good old days. I do most of my shopping now on the internet and rarely visit B&M stores. The good customer service and reasonable prices are no longer there.

Happy February to everyone!

[colliegirls]

On 1/30/2014 Georgie the 5th said:

On 1/30/2014 colliegirls said:

For all you Pittsburghers, I miss Kauffman's, Gimbels, and Hornes!! Shopping in downtown used to be such a fun day when I was growing up.

Also, I would give anything to have baked goods from Waldorf Bakery again!!

Do you remember the Jenkins Arcade across the street from Hornes? It was jammed with unique small stores. I had my wedding veil custom made in one of those stores on one of the upper levels. Bit of trivia - the Jenkins Arcade was the first indoor mall in the USA.

I remember all those wonderful bakeries in Squirrel Hill. I'm sure I'm spelling it wrong but we used to get a pastry called a kickel. It was similar to an elephant ear and fabulous.

Yes, I remember Jenkins Arcade!!! Did you eat at the Colonade???

[Luv2Decorate]

This thread makes me a little sad. It's a shame that so many great stores are no longer. Now all we have are big chains that sell the same stuff.

[shorelady]

All of the ""5 & 10"" stores. You could find most anything there. Plus having lunch at the counter was always a special Saturday afternoon shopping treat. Many try to equate the dollar stores of today with the 5 & 10's of yesterday. These dollar stores in no way compare to the quality and variety of the simple 5 & 10's.

[Moonlady]

These responses have been so interesting. There have sure been a lot of local stores that have disappeared, but we all remember the chains, too.

One recurring memory seems to be the lunch counters and in-store restaurants. Who doesn't remember Kresge's, Wooolworth (we'd go there after high-school classes and check out the makeup), Grants, etc., with their daily specials? And our department stores all had grand restaurants on the upper floors. One had a wonderful cafeteria with the best cheesecake.

What great memories!

[Catitude]

On 1/31/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:

In northern NJ, Bamberger' s. My grandmother would take me shopping for school clothes there, and then we always had a hamburger and Apple pie for lunch in their restaurant.

Epstein' s was another dept. Store I remember in NJ.

When I got older (17), my friends and i would drive to Rockaway Mall. One of our favorite stores was Hahne' s.

i shopped at Bambergers! Do you remember Alexander's?

[stevieb]

Yep, miss the lunch counters, in-store restaurants and the candy counters... I remember when all the department stores had a candy counter and almost every mall (or shopping center) had a candy store... Now, just try to find any of them!

[sailor_moon]

Weinstock's

Walden books

[Preds]

Harvey, Cain Sloan, Tandy Leather, Ben Franklin 5&10, Woolco