remember department stores ? - Page 9

CLEM · ‎03-09-2010

I grew up in suburban Philadelphia. For us it was John Wanamaker and Strawbridge & Clothier. The flagship store was in the city with branch stores in the suburbs. I loved taking the train into the city with our Nana and her sister for breakfast with Santa.

@abbeythe 8th

I have lived in Philadelphia now for about 5 decades and I also miss John Wanamaker, Strawbridge & Clothier, Litt Brothers, Gimbels, etc.

Macy's is now in part of the John Wanamaker building and even though I live just a few blocks from there I hate to go in there so when I want to go to Macy's, I go to the King of Prussia Mall and do my shopping there.

The very famous Wanamaker organ is still there and at Christmas time it's played the same way as it was decades ago with the light show and all. You can still meet your friends by the Eagle. They wanted to remove both these icons, but everyone was up in arms about it so it all remains.

MacDUFF · ‎05-29-2015

...This site -- The Department Store Museum -- is a delight. Check it out!
http://www.thedepartmentstoremuseum.org/

@just bee

Thanks for the link! This was interesting...I'm sure my grandmother had one of those Charge coins. Note the 1943 date on the Charge-a-Plate...

Before the Charge Card, there was the Charge Coin...:

Abraham & Straus
Brooklyn, New York, New York

Later, stores issued Charga-Plates, often in a leather pouch. THe store notched the metal edge of the plate to indicate validity for a particular month. The rough edges of the notch were known to rip fabric and run nylons!...

The Lasalle & Koch Co.
Toledo, Ohio

~~~ I call dibs on the popcorn concession!! ~~~

MacDUFF · ‎05-29-2015

@js0717

Welcome to the forums...

~~~ I call dibs on the popcorn concession!! ~~~

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

I remember being really little and going to downtown Denver and seeing all kinds of animatronic Christmas displays in the windows. It was so fun for me as a little girl. That is the only place I remember seeing things like that (I was really little so can't remember for sure if other places had them). I now walk down the city streets in various big cities and some barely even have lights up! I think we are getting so PC these days that so many businesses are afraid to put anything up anymore so they don't offend anyone.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

@CLEM wrote:
I grew up in suburban Philadelphia. For us it was John Wanamaker and Strawbridge & Clothier. The flagship store was in the city with branch stores in the suburbs. I loved taking the train into the city with our Nana and her sister for breakfast with Santa.

@abbeythe 8th

I have lived in Philadelphia now for about 5 decades and I also miss John Wanamaker, Strawbridge & Clothier, Litt Brothers, Gimbels, etc.

Macy's is now in part of the John Wanamaker building and even though I live just a few blocks from there I hate to go in there so when I want to go to Macy's, I go to the King of Prussia Mall and do my shopping there.

The very famous Wanamaker organ is still there and at Christmas time it's played the same way as it was decades ago with the light show and all. You can still meet your friends by the Eagle. They wanted to remove both these icons, but everyone was up in arms about it so it all remains.

So happy to hear this is still there.

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

What a fun thread. I'm really enjoying the department stores from various parts of the country. I was born and raised in New York City which tranforms into sheer magic at Christmas time. I recall my mom and I walking up and down 5th Ave. looking at the stunning window displays and going inside to shop. We'd go to Lord and Taylor, Saks, Best and Company (gone), Bergdoff, Bonwit Teller, F.A.O. (can't believe they're gone), and Fortunoff's (also gone). The very best part was meeting my dad who treated his 'best girls,' as he called us, to lunch. It was always my choice and I would either choose the Horn and Hardart Automat where I loved looking at all the food behind the glass wiindows and putting the money in to get the food. Another favorite choice was Schraft's where we'd not only get a meal but a huge (to a little girl's eyes and tummy) ice cream sundae. I know my parents would have preferred a more upscale restaurant but since it was my choice they had to abide by it. My parents are both long gone now and I miss them terribly but am so grateful for the beautiful childhood filled with love. I thank all of you for this nostaligic trip down memory lane. docsgirl

MacDUFF · ‎05-29-2015

@nomless

Must have been a wonder sitting so close to that huge tree! LOL about the watch...I'm assuming mom wasn't fooled? TV trays...like these?

~~~ I call dibs on the popcorn concession!! ~~~

italia8140 · ‎10-24-2015

@missy1 wrote:
@GCR18 wrote:
I've been to many Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart is a discount retailer. A department store is generally thought of as an upscale store.

Walmart is upscale in my book.

Far from it.

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

Hey ladies, the dept stores you all describe sound like so much fun! I wish there were stores ike that still around. Everything is so cookie cutter and boring now. What you all describe sounds like what they show on that movie ELF with Will Ferrel. I'd love to shop in stores like that.

italia8140 · ‎10-24-2015

@italia8140 wrote:
@missy1 wrote:
@GCR18 wrote:
I've been to many Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart is a discount retailer. A department store is generally thought of as an upscale store.

Walmart is upscale in my book.
Far from it. LOW end is more like it.