Comments on: The Christmas List of Surviving U.S. Downtown Department Stores http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/ America's authority on legacy brands. News and comment on classic brands and advertising. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:31:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Gale Shafer http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-10847 Gale Shafer Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:58:18 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-10847 I am looking for information about a department store run by Edward Meyers in Chicago in the late 1920's and early 1930's. There is a story that he drowned himself in Lake Michigan after the stock market collapse. I am looking for information about a department store run by Edward Meyers in Chicago in the late 1920′s and early 1930′s. There is a story that he drowned himself in Lake Michigan after the stock market collapse.

]]> By: Dave Park http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-10417 Dave Park Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:10:39 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-10417 In Canada a few large dept stores remain. Victoria has a Bay store, Vancouver has the Bay, Sears and luxury brand Holt Renfrew, Edmonton has the Bay and Holt Renfrew, Calgary has the Bay (huge and historic) and Holt Renfrew spent millions restoring the old Eatons. Regina and Saskatoon both have the Bay and Sears in city centre malls, Winnipeg has a big old Bay store, Toronto has a massive historic Bay which was once Simpsons, Sears in the old Eatons, a second Bay and Holt Renfrew. Ottawa has the Bay and Sears, Montreal has the Bay and wonderful Ogilvys and Holt Renfrew plus Simon and Les Ailes. In Canada a few large dept stores remain. Victoria has a Bay store, Vancouver has the Bay, Sears and luxury brand Holt Renfrew, Edmonton has the Bay and Holt Renfrew, Calgary has the Bay (huge and historic) and Holt Renfrew spent millions restoring the old Eatons. Regina and Saskatoon both have the Bay and Sears in city centre malls, Winnipeg has a big old Bay store, Toronto has a massive historic Bay which was once Simpsons, Sears in the old Eatons, a second Bay and Holt Renfrew. Ottawa has the Bay and Sears, Montreal has the Bay and wonderful Ogilvys and Holt Renfrew plus Simon and Les Ailes.

]]> By: hobart smedley http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7938 hobart smedley Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:22:06 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7938 Umm...somehow you haven't mentioned that there are a Macy's, Nieman-Marcus, a Nordstroms, and a Bloomingdales in downtown San Francisco. Umm…somehow you haven’t mentioned that there are a Macy’s, Nieman-Marcus, a Nordstroms, and a Bloomingdales in downtown San Francisco.

]]> By: Paree Roper http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7713 Paree Roper Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:18:36 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7713 The newly-rebuilt Santa Monica Place mall in downtown Santa Monica, California has Nordstrom and Bloomingdales as anchors. There is also a Sears located nearby in a cool Art Deco-styled building. The newly-rebuilt Santa Monica Place mall in downtown Santa
Monica, California has Nordstrom and Bloomingdales as anchors.
There is also a Sears located nearby in a cool Art Deco-styled
building.

]]> By: Gene http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7396 Gene Sat, 01 Jan 2011 02:06:51 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-7396 I had been looking for anything on old American Department Stores and was really pleased when I came across your list of surviving downtown stores. The responses you received were excellent and one fellow seemed to know just about all the locations! I especially enjoyed the posts about the areas of Minnesota and Iowa as these are places one would hope and expect to weather the storm better than perhaps other regions. We had a store here in Wooster, Ohio which had operated since about the 1880s up until just 2008-09. That was Freedlanders Department Store downtown, and when they closed they listed it as the last surviving independent department store in America. Here in Ohio, Cloeveland had some well known ones in its day including Higbees. From what I understand, a certain amount of furnishings remain inside the now closed store, including the famous Silver Grille restaurant and its related utensils and perhaps cooking equipment remains too. The Nordstroms in downtown Indianapolis is a great benefit to the active feeling one gets when there. Other active shops remain there too; some dating back over 100 years. I find it hard to believe we cant support these great stores today. I go out of my way to shop downtown as much as possible. I believe we all know the one store who is most responsible for the big box mess we are in today. And on the subject of surviving great downtown stores, if you're ever even remotely close to it, I would urge you to visit Madison, Indiana. They have a downtown that I believe approaches or exceeds 100 stores, and not just the typical ones, they really have a variety of stores just as in the days when downtown shopping could provide you with everything! It is like a step back in time and I think every state should have at least one city such as this; what a difference that environment would make compared to the 4 lane blacktop and endless strip mall world we see too much! I had been looking for anything on old American Department Stores and was really pleased when I came across your list of surviving downtown stores. The responses you received were excellent and one fellow seemed to know just about all the locations! I especially enjoyed the posts about the areas of Minnesota and Iowa as these are places one would hope and expect to weather the storm better than perhaps other regions. We had a store here in Wooster, Ohio which had operated since about the 1880s up until just 2008-09. That was Freedlanders Department Store downtown, and when they closed they listed it as the last surviving independent department store in America. Here in Ohio, Cloeveland had some well known ones in its day including Higbees. From what I understand, a certain amount of furnishings remain inside the now closed store, including the famous Silver Grille restaurant and its related utensils and perhaps cooking equipment remains too. The Nordstroms in downtown Indianapolis is a great benefit to the active feeling one gets when there. Other active shops remain there too; some dating back over 100 years. I find it hard to believe we cant support these great stores today. I go out of my way to shop downtown as much as possible. I believe we all know the one store who is most responsible for the big box mess we are in today. And on the subject of surviving great downtown stores, if you’re ever even remotely close to it, I would urge you to visit Madison, Indiana. They have a downtown that I believe approaches or exceeds 100 stores, and not just the typical ones, they really have a variety of stores just as in the days when downtown shopping could provide you with everything! It is like a step back in time and I think every state should have at least one city such as this; what a difference that environment would make compared to the 4 lane blacktop and endless strip mall world we see too much!

]]> By: Does Your City Still Have A Large Downtown Department Store? - City vs. City - Page 6 - City-Data Forum http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-6830 Does Your City Still Have A Large Downtown Department Store? - City vs. City - Page 6 - City-Data Forum Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:33:51 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-6830 [...] Interesting list of surviving "large" department stores>>>>> Surviving American Downtown Department Stores | BrandlandUSA [...] [...] Interesting list of surviving "large" department stores>>>>> Surviving American Downtown Department Stores | BrandlandUSA [...]

]]> By: Dan Sys http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4977 Dan Sys Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:11:01 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4977 Vancouver, B.C. has two surviving downtown department stores (down from four when I was a kid). The heritage Bay store at Georgia & Granville and Sears at Robson & Granville. Sears took over the old Eaton's store when that chain folded in 1999. Both The Bay & Sears downtown are very vibrant, I can't see them going anywhere in the near future. At one point last decade Nordstrom was planning to expand into Canada by taking over the main post office building in downtown Vancouver and converting it into a department store, but the deal fell through. Vancouver also has a rare downtown Costco store, but that doesn't quite rank with the traditional stores. Vancouver, B.C. has two surviving downtown department stores (down from four when I was a kid).

The heritage Bay store at Georgia & Granville and Sears at Robson & Granville. Sears took over the old Eaton’s store when that chain folded in 1999. Both The Bay & Sears downtown are very vibrant, I can’t see them going anywhere in the near future.

At one point last decade Nordstrom was planning to expand into Canada by taking over the main post office building in downtown Vancouver and converting it into a department store, but the deal fell through.

Vancouver also has a rare downtown Costco store, but that doesn’t quite rank with the traditional stores.

]]> By: Chris http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4769 Chris Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:34:53 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4769 White Plains, NY has Sears, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom downtown. Stamford, CT has Macy's and Saks downtown. Greenwich, CT has a Saks and maybe something else. Garden City, NY has a Lord & Taylor and a Sears downtown. Westfield, NJ has a Lord & Taylor downtown. White Plains, NY has Sears, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom downtown.

Stamford, CT has Macy’s and Saks downtown.

Greenwich, CT has a Saks and maybe something else.

Garden City, NY has a Lord & Taylor and a Sears downtown.

Westfield, NJ has a Lord & Taylor downtown.

]]> By: henry d. bliley http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4641 henry d. bliley Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:02:20 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4641 Here are the names of the great department store that I recall from years past: In Norfolk: Smith& Welton, W.G. Swartz, Ames & Brownley, and Rice's. In Richmond: Miller and Rhodes and Thalhimer's. In Washington DC: Garfinkle's, the real Lord and Taylor, Hecht's, and the great Woodward and Lothrop. In Cincinnati: the lovely Pogue's, the legendary Closson's, Shillito's, and McAlpins. In NYC: Best and Co, Bernard Altman, Lord and Taylor, Gimbal's, Rogers-Peet, and Ohrbach's. Here are the names of the great department store that I recall from years past: In Norfolk: Smith& Welton, W.G. Swartz, Ames & Brownley, and Rice’s.
In Richmond: Miller and Rhodes and Thalhimer’s.
In Washington DC: Garfinkle’s, the real Lord and Taylor, Hecht’s, and the great Woodward and Lothrop.
In Cincinnati: the lovely Pogue’s, the legendary Closson’s, Shillito’s, and McAlpins.
In NYC: Best and Co, Bernard Altman, Lord and Taylor, Gimbal’s, Rogers-Peet, and Ohrbach’s.

]]> By: michael http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4574 michael Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:17:19 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-4574 downtown seattle also has a 300,000 square foot macys used to be the bon marche flagship store and the flagship 400,000 squarefoot nordstroms in downtown downtown seattle also has a 300,000 square foot macys used to be the bon marche flagship store and the flagship 400,000 squarefoot nordstroms in downtown

]]> By: frank richardson http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-3095 frank richardson Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:50:29 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-3095 Trenton NJ S P Dunhams, Sears, Lit Brothers, Nevius Voorhees, Arnold Constable, Yards, and Hurley-Tobin were all in downtown. Dunham's lasted the longest (mid 1980s). Only Yards (now small stores), Sears (state gov't), and Nevius (offices) buildings are standing. The Capital Center at State and Broad is still known as the Dunham's block although the building(s) were completely razed. Part of the Hurley-Tobin store is standing. In Allentown PA, H. Leh and the great Hess store closed in the 1990s. The Leh store was gutted and converted into offices while Hess's was completely torn down. In Bethlehen PA, Orr's was gutted and successfully converted into a mini-mall. In Easton PA, Orr's was gutted and converted into Two-Rivers Landing and the Crayola Factory. Trenton NJ S P Dunhams, Sears, Lit Brothers, Nevius Voorhees, Arnold Constable, Yards, and Hurley-Tobin were all in downtown. Dunham’s lasted the longest (mid 1980s).

Only Yards (now small stores), Sears (state gov’t), and Nevius (offices) buildings are standing. The Capital Center at State and Broad is still known as the Dunham’s block although the building(s) were completely razed. Part of the Hurley-Tobin store is standing.

In Allentown PA, H. Leh and the great Hess store closed in the 1990s. The Leh store was gutted and converted into offices while Hess’s was completely torn down.

In Bethlehen PA, Orr’s was gutted and successfully converted into a mini-mall.

In Easton PA, Orr’s was gutted and converted into Two-Rivers Landing and the Crayola Factory.

]]> By: frank richardson http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-3094 frank richardson Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:41:43 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-3094 Binghamton NY Boscox's on Court Street Wilkes-Barre PA Boscov's both are located within old traditional downtown buildings Binghamton NY Boscox’s on Court Street
Wilkes-Barre PA Boscov’s
both are located within old traditional downtown buildings

]]> By: Jarrett http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2801 Jarrett Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:24:38 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2801 Augusta, GA still has a local downtown department store Ruben's, and Spartenburg, Union, and Laurens, SC all have outposts of the local John Graham chain, along with Waynesville and Forest City, NC. These stores go by a variety of names such as Carolina Cash Co, Graham Cash Co, and John Graham. Augusta, GA still has a local downtown department store Ruben’s, and Spartenburg, Union, and Laurens, SC all have outposts of the local John Graham chain, along with Waynesville and Forest City, NC. These stores go by a variety of names such as Carolina Cash Co, Graham Cash Co, and John Graham.

]]> By: Chris http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2671 Chris Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:52:51 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2671 Hackensack, NJ has a big Sears downtown. Hackensack, NJ has a big Sears downtown.

]]> By: Blaine http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2656 Blaine Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:15:37 +0000 http://www.brandlandusa.com/2008/12/07/the-christmas-list-of-surviving-us-downtown-department-stores/#comment-2656 Wisconsin - Continued Wisconsin Rapids: Just across the river from downtown, and within walking distance, the Rapids mall holds JC Penney and Younkers Appleton: Now closed, Younkers was part of the Avenue Mall downtown until the mid-2000’s. Prior to that, the building housed Marshall Fields. Green Bay: The region’s largest mall – Port Plaza – was located downtown and was vibrant through most of the 90’s, although it is now closed along with all of the department stores. It was attached to aYounkers (Ex-Prange) dating to the 1920’s, mall adding a Boston store and a JC Penney. Osh Kosh: also had its primary mall located downtown on the waterfront into the early 90’s. Park Plaza had a Sears, JC Penney and a Younkers (ex-Prange), all now closed. Sheboygan: The Boston Store still has a freestanding department store downtown Sturgeon Bay: Younkers has a freestanding store downtown Milwaukee: The Grand Avenue, a downtown mall created out of a historic arcade, has both a Boston store dating back decades and a newer TJ Maxx. Until the mid 90’s Marshall Fields was also located in the mall I’ll try to take on some more states later Wisconsin – Continued

Wisconsin Rapids: Just across the river from downtown, and within walking distance, the Rapids mall holds JC Penney and Younkers
Appleton: Now closed, Younkers was part of the Avenue Mall downtown until the mid-2000’s. Prior to that, the building housed Marshall Fields.
Green Bay: The region’s largest mall – Port Plaza – was located downtown and was vibrant through most of the 90’s, although it is now closed along with all of the department stores. It was attached to aYounkers (Ex-Prange) dating to the 1920’s, mall adding a Boston store and a JC Penney.
Osh Kosh: also had its primary mall located downtown on the waterfront into the early 90’s. Park Plaza had a Sears, JC Penney and a Younkers (ex-Prange), all now closed.
Sheboygan: The Boston Store still has a freestanding department store downtown
Sturgeon Bay: Younkers has a freestanding store downtown
Milwaukee: The Grand Avenue, a downtown mall created out of a historic arcade, has both a Boston store dating back decades and a newer TJ Maxx. Until the mid 90’s Marshall Fields was also located in the mall

I’ll try to take on some more states later

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