Know of any old-fashioned department stores still around?

[megoapesnut]

They are based out of Reading, PA and expanded quite a bit during their heyday. Most have closed, but there is one in Lebanon and one near Harrisburg and, of course, the main store in Reading. Not sure how many others survived, but the store in Lebanon is very popular. I buy most of my clothes there.

[Mr.Krusher]

Woolworth and Newberry's were my fantasy worlds...

This Newberry's had a luncheonette, a pet area that sold these small turtles, and a back entrance that brought you THREE floors down to street-level...the brick corridors were always cold...like walking into the subway....then you would start smelling hot dogs on the grill and hearing people chatter.... One year they had life-sized standees of Spock and some hideous alien thing, MAN did I ogle those - I asked the lady working the toy section if they were for sale! The toy areas in these two stores were legendary - roughly 7 partial aisles filled and peg-hooked with things that I'd die to be able to own now. Their 'allowance money section' had $1-$3 stuff galore - from those stupid pull cars, to playset figures, to hanging Azrak Monsters and Ben Cooper jiggling freaks!
Even the way these stores SMELLED was a whole different world for me as a kid and a young adult....sad they are all gone now...

Man, Wal-Mart sucks.

[jwyblejr]

They are based out of Reading, PA and expanded quite a bit during their heyday. Most have closed, but there is one in Lebanon and one near Harrisburg and, of course, the main store in Reading. Not sure how many others survived, but the store in Lebanon is very popular. I buy most of my clothes there.

I think,not entirely sure,the one in Binghamton,NY is still around.

[Duncan]

I think,not entirely sure,the one in Binghamton,NY is still around.

Been to that one, too, but not for 2-3 years. It's kind of attached to this little downtown mall with, I dunno, 30 stores? I remember getting some really good marzipan candy in the mall, but not much else.

[Duncan]

Woolworth and Newberry's were my fantasy worlds...
...then you would start smelling hot dogs on the grill and hearing people chatter....
Even the way these stores SMELLED was a whole different world for me as a kid and a young adult....sad they are all gone now...

It's funny you should mention this. Last week I was whining at work that I wanted a Woolworth's hot dog, mainly b/c I remember the smell.

It's the same with Sears - I'd walk in and be hit with the smell of fresh popcorn. I'll give Target plenty of credit for having hot dogs, popcorn, Icee's & Starbucks at most of their stores near me. I just wish the smell was stronger.

[Adam West]

We have a local chain of stores called Boscovs. The owner and founder is Albert Boscov. They are your old fashion department store. They used to have their own cafe, but closed that many years ago. They do get a Santa for a few days at Christmas time. And, they have a toy section!

There is a Boscovs open in my hometown in Maryland. I think it has been open for close to 10 years (give or take). The one here is anything but old fashioned. It is upscale and reminds me of Macy's.

My own personal experience has been that people seem to want smaller scale stores to shop but when and if one does open; they continue to shop at Wally World and Home Depot because they are cheaper than anyone else. Small shops can not compete with price and it seems that most people are unwilling to pay a premium for personalized service which a small shop can offer over a bigger store.

[Mr.Krusher]

There is a Boscovs open in my hometown in Maryland. I think it has been open for close to 10 years (give or take). The one here is anything but old fashioned. It is upscale and reminds me of Macy's.

My own personal experience has been that people seem to want smaller scale stores to shop but when and if one does open; they continue to shop at Wally World and Home Depot because they are cheaper than anyone else. Small shops can not compete with price and it seems that most people are unwilling to pay a premium for personalized service which a small shop can offer over a bigger store.

^ I agree with this sir. As much as I love to support local businesses that I care for, (The Comic Interlude - Big shout out to Kevin!) I cant really afford to spend $100 on an item that I could get for $35 on-line.....

[Mikey]

I have a question for you local (Pa area guys) ... Like Boscovs we also used to have another big store called Hess's ... Mine went out of business maybe 20 years ago ... Anybody else remember them ?

[megoapesnut]

Anybody else remember them ?

Yes, I remember them well. I purchased my first camcorder from them 25 years ago. Ours closed at least 15 and probably closer to 20 years ago.

[Duncan]

I have a question for you local (Pa area guys) ... Like Boscovs we also used to have another big store called Hess's ... Mine went out of business maybe 20 years ago ... Anybody else remember them ?

Yeah, they were in Plymouth Meeting for a while.

Also, I have a memory from...probably 1974, or so. I want to say I was having lunch in the cafe in a Hess's store near Allentown. Anyhow, they brought my food out in a little toy stove & fridge, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

[Mikey]

Yeah, they were in Plymouth Meeting for a while.

Also, I have a memory from...probably 1974, or so. I want to say I was having lunch in the cafe in a Hess's store near Allentown. Anyhow, they brought my food out in a little toy stove & fridge, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Speaking of Allentown that reminds me of another long gone big store .. Wanamaker's

[Duncan]

Speaking of Allentown that reminds me of another long gone big store .. Wanamaker's

Yeah, I loved the one in downtown Philly. Great lights, a tree, Santa, and a little kid shopping area. I bought my dad some plastic zoo animals in there one year. However, my mom saw right through my cunning plan, and made me go back in and get him something else.

[jwyblejr]

I have a question for you local (Pa area guys) ... Like Boscovs we also used to have another big store called Hess's ... Mine went out of business maybe 20 years ago ... Anybody else remember them ?

We had them in upstate NY too. Was more money for stuff but great for looking toys you couldn't find anywhere else. Kinda like Kohl's is today.

[HardyGirl]

I had a Hess truck when I was a kid. Y'know like the toy semis that department, grocery and hardware stores would sell during the holidays w/ the store's name on it? I don't remember if I ever went to one, though.

[torgospizza]

Anyone ever been to a Pamida store? There's one in the town I grew up in and I hear it's like a Mattingly's/Matco/Ben Franklin kind of place, but I've never been in it. Those places and K-Mart were where I got all my toys growing up.