Sears: The Cadillac Store Of The South
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1341914359_tdXkzQS-M.jpg)
Metro Jacksonville revisits a long-lost retail landmark downtown and ponders what it will take for downtown to get back on retail's radar.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-sears-the-cadillac-store-of-the-south
Really fantastic, well researched story.
The cycly of life is funny. Its like Regency killed downtown retail and Regency is being killed by the Avenues and SJTC, RCMP. That photo of DT in 1960 is amazing.
Even more now does it seem strange to see fields of parking lots on the most expensive property around...hopefully one day i can go downtown for all of my shopping needs..it's only 5 mins away...why can't we get even a small national store downtown..maybe a mini full service Target?...or even a Sears again...that would be cool....the new hip modern sears in downtown..
Speaking of parking lots, i'm working on a graphic now that visually compares the amount of surface parking lots in downtown Jacksonville to surface parking in a variety of cities across the US and Canada. I thought it was going to be a quick process, but we have more than I originally imagined, so it will take me the rest of the week and through the weekend to finish the Jacksonville map. When that article runs sometime next week, you'll clearly see what we're up against in our effort to spur walkability and life in downtown. In the meantime, here's one of downtown Pittsburgh:
(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1933/unled1um.jpg)
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=5303339&postcount=51
Such a great piece! I remember going to the Downtown Sears (and May Cohens and Ivey's) as a kid. My aunt worked there and it was always such a treat to go meet her for lunch with my mom and grandmother.
Great article and what a delight to see all of those photos, many of which I'd never seen before. It is always a pleasure to learn more about the history of Jacksonville retail.
Once again, looking to the past to rejuvenate ideas and models that are not going to work in the modern age with malls and town centers are a waste of time.
Increasing foot traffic might bring more retail, but in order for that retail to in turn increase foot traffic it needs to be something customers cannot get elsewhere and more conveniently. Pouring tax dollars into this model is also wasteful, and should be better spent on encouraging development and removing obstacles to allowing locals to create this environment.
The exception, as some point out, is parking. This needs to be addressed and planned significantly better than it has been. I am not sure what keeps some of these places closed at night, but it doesnt make sense.
Trying to to score some branded retailers is bogus. What we need to do is remove restrictions and hurdles that keep local people wanting to do business in downtown out of business. There are plenty of other department store locales. We need to create a Jacksonville identity, that people want to experience and go downtown for, then the big guys will follow the crowd.
I hope the new mayor is serious about these efforts and not just creating a new resource drain and more committees. We need: Better Public transportation. Perhaps more street vendor licensing. Tear down condemned buildings, offer incentives for restoration or occupancy. Offer the same kind of assistance that RAP does to homeowners for businesses in the areas, perhaps partner with building owners to provide assistance directly to renters. A better homeless solution. Sanitation has improved but some places still need work.
Quote from: Gravity on June 22, 2011, 11:28:59 AM
Once again, looking to the past to rejuvenate ideas and models that are not going to work in the modern age with malls and town centers are a waste of time.
That's not the purpose of looking at and understanding the past. You do that to understand how to repair your natural organic economic model. The bells and whistles stuff like tourism, retail, etc. are byproducts of what that base economic anchor system generates. So at the end of the day, sometimes a site like the JEA or Shipyards may be better off for downtown being industrial, maritime or logistics related instead of tourism and luxury residential? Maybe we should be looking at how to expand places like Maxwell House and North Florida Shipyards instead of hoping they can be replaced by condos, green space and marinas?
QuoteIncreasing foot traffic might bring more retail, but in order for that retail to in turn increase foot traffic it needs to be something customers cannot get elsewhere and more conveniently. Pouring tax dollars into this model is also wasteful, and should be better spent on encouraging development and removing obstacles to allowing locals to create this environment.
The exception, as some point out, is parking. This needs to be addressed and planned significantly better than it has been. I am not sure what keeps some of these places closed at night, but it doesnt make sense.
Trying to to score some branded retailers is bogus. What we need to do is remove restrictions and hurdles that keep local people wanting to do business in downtown out of business. There are plenty of other department store locales. We need to create a Jacksonville identity, that people want to experience and go downtown for, then the big guys will follow the crowd.
I hope the new mayor is serious about these efforts and not just creating a new resource drain and more committees. We need: Better Public transportation. Perhaps more street vendor licensing. Tear down condemned buildings, offer incentives for restoration or occupancy. Offer the same kind of assistance that RAP does to homeowners for businesses in the areas, perhaps partner with building owners to provide assistance directly to renters. A better homeless solution. Sanitation has improved but some places still need work.
Overall, if you really want to turn downtown around, you do the things necessary to create and stimulate the growth of a organic economic anchor. Most likely, it should be something where it won't be cost effective to one day pick up and move to another area of town or to a completely different city. Think medical (places like Baptist and Shands aren't going anywhere), government (COJ isn't relocating to Cecil or SJTC), education, maritime (the river won't be moving to Tinseltown), etc. Build around that structure and you'll discover the byproducts will come on their own dime.
Quote...the redevelopment of the site into the Enterprise Center and Omni Hotel, both of which remain in this location today.
Which have to be two of the ugliest structures ever built downtown.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 22, 2011, 11:52:41 AM
So at the end of the day, sometimes a site like the JEA or Shipyards may be better off for downtown being industrial, maritime or logistics related instead of tourism and luxury residential? Maybe we should be looking at how to expand places like Maxwell House and North Florida Shipyards instead of hoping they can be replaced by condos, green space and marinas?
This is a great point. I always thought the suggestions to move Maxwell House out of downtown were completely off base.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 22, 2011, 11:52:41 AM
Overall, if you really want to turn downtown around, you do the things necessary to create and stimulate the growth of a organic economic anchor. Most likely, it should be something where it won't be cost effective to one day pick up and move to another area of town or to a completely different city. Think medical (places like Baptist and Shands aren't going anywhere), government (COJ isn't relocating to Cecil or SJTC), education, maritime (the river won't be moving to Tinseltown), etc. Build around that structure and you'll discover the byproducts will come on their own dime.
This is my point, Currently there are more favorable conditions elsewhere. You cannot regulate businesses, successfully, to locate a specific place. You have to deregulate, intelligently, so people make the decisions themselves. Anything else is a false market economy that will vaporize once laden, such as the recent housing market bust. We have enough buildings... and a lot are falling apart.
The exception, as i said, is parking and of course public transit. Solve these problems, people will come to what is being built. Customer bases will expand, business will thrive, on its own dime. We also need a better homeless solution. I do not want to take my daughter downtown and have belligerent obscenity hollering or aggressive panhandling. It is less sightly, but more family safe to go to the mall. And in most places in this city it is closer.
We need an identity... unique and marketable.
QuoteYou cannot regulate businesses, successfully, to locate a specific place. You have to deregulate
'
Current auto-centric zoning downtown does not encourage infill and pedestrian-scaled development. It was 'de-regulated' years ago and what we have today are suburbanized, auto-centric building projects that have been stuffed in an urban environment like a child in kindegarden tries to stuff a round peg into a square hole.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 22, 2011, 08:57:18 AM
The cycly of life is funny. Its like Regency killed downtown retail and Regency is being killed by the Avenues and SJTC, RCMP. That photo of DT in 1960 is amazing.
so true! we are quite fickle and we contribute to the decay of our city by chasing the next new, shiny thing to the detriment of everything else...
BTW, stopped in and made a purchase at Icon yesterday(in between Burro Bar and Poppy Love Smoke)
You should stop in. It's a cool, unique store... stuff you can't get anywhere else in town.
Rents downtown are starting to get very attractive for small business growth.
Quote from: fieldafm on June 22, 2011, 12:40:55 PM
Current auto-centric zoning downtown does not encourage infill and pedestrian-scaled development. It was 'de-regulated' years ago and what we have today are suburbanized, auto-centric building projects that have been stuffed in an urban environment like a child in kindegarden tries to stuff a round peg into a square hole.
so that was deregulated, un-intelligently or re-regulated un-intelligently, not what i am talking about. You still have other regulations: business, occupancy and zoning regulations that prevent the kinds of businesses that have rebuilt other downtown areas. The "auto-centric" is one example, but people have cars, especially in this town, and you need a place to put them unless you fix public transportation.
We do not need another committee
I think the "organic economic anchor" point is different from the "identity, marketable, parking, policy angle." I see those as more ground level band aid solutions that will definitely have a positive impact on DT at street level that make suburbanites feel good about vibrancy. However, the "organic economic anchor" is something that sustains, generates growth, employment long term and creates a neighborhood vibe of its own. For example, take a look at Seattle's waterfront. Its not pristine and completely lined with luxury condos and green space. Its littered with thousands of people and activity generated from ferry terminals, port terminals, fisheries, etc. All that activity in a compact setting, creates viable business opportunities for attractions like Pike Place and support businesses like restaurants and retail. That activity, then creates a unique urban experience where people want to come visit, which then brings hotels into the mix. At that point, you now have people willing to pay hundreds of thousands to live in infill luxury housing to be in the middle of the vibrant atmosphere.
We basically had the same logistics based organic economic model in our downtown. We removed the industry, maritime businesses and railroad and still wonder why the DT environment sucks for places (retail, residential, hotel, tourism, etc.) that are really a byproduct of the anchor system we took out. So, from a bird's eye view, let's try and address the basic premises of a built-in economic anchor, based on the physical and locational characteristics of the context (environment) already in place. With this in mind, something like a new convention center or amusement park may not be the one trick economic pony some make it out them out to be. It just may be giving up some waterfront or land to expand or attract a maritime related or blue collar oriented business instead of a riverfront park, aquarium or floating ship museum. On the flip side, it could also mean utilizing existing assets like Baptist or Shands as anchors and selling DT as an urban medical district instead of throwing away incentives on financial companies that will most likely merge, reduce office space and lay workers off as technology advances.
Quote from: finehoe on June 22, 2011, 12:09:34 PM
Quote...the redevelopment of the site into the Enterprise Center and Omni Hotel, both of which remain in this location today.
Which have to be two of the ugliest structures ever built downtown.
I'm curious to know what you dislike about the Enterprise Center?
I wholeheartedly agree with Gravity, but respect the counter response by Lakelander. But let's face facts, as we all have somewhat agreed on one thing in this thread; in today's world, you MUST have people living within close proximity and the confines of retail, stores, etc. in order for them to be successful. Many of the Urban Cores and Downtowns, not only in Jacksonville but in the majority of ALL of our major cities, just don't have the population and residential numbers and base that would support not only one huge store, but many stores of different types selling a myriad of products. Gotta get the people back downtown and then we can lure Walmart, K-Mart, Sears, Jewelry Stores, expensive restaurants, fast food chains, furniture stores, etc. back to the Urban Core and downtown.
"HU"
I don't dislike the Omni or the Enterprise Center, but what I don't like is that if I remember correctly, when the buildings that now constitute the Enterprise was built, there were supposed to be more office buildings (skyscrapers) built and they never were; i.e., the Enterprise Center never lived up to its initial and full potential (as every other project or development envisioned for downtown Jacksonville).
"HU"
Quote from: heights unknown on June 22, 2011, 02:39:10 PM
I don't dislike the Omni or the Enterprise Center, but what I don't like is that if I remember correctly, when the buildings that now constitute the Enterprise was built, there were supposed to be more office buildings (skyscrapers) built and they never were; i.e., the Enterprise Center never lived up to its initial and full potential (as every other project or development envisioned for downtown Jacksonville).
"HU"
Yes that is correct. I think it was part of the downtown master plan from back then. And it was supposed to be some huge project that never came to past. Article like this also explains why the skyway goes nowhere. If you look at a map, you will see that the skyway is on our old retail route. Sadly, but the time is was built the retail was gone. The skyway just too long to manifest.
Quote from: heights unknown on June 22, 2011, 02:36:17 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with Gravity, but respect the counter response by Lakelander. But let's face facts, as we all have somewhat agreed on one thing in this thread; in today's world, you MUST have people living within close proximity and the confines of retail, stores, etc. in order for them to be successful. Many of the Urban Cores and Downtowns, not only in Jacksonville but in the majority of ALL of our major cities, just don't have the population and residential numbers and base that would support not only one huge store, but many stores of different types selling a myriad of products. Gotta get the people back downtown and then we can lure Walmart, K-Mart, Sears, Jewelry Stores, expensive restaurants, fast food chains, furniture stores, etc. back to the Urban Core and downtown.
"HU"
At the very core, if you want the people and you don't want to susidize them, you need an organic economic anchor. In general, the things we tend to focus on regarding downtown vibrancy are all byproducts of a missing organic anchor. People populate in places for certain organic reasons. In Tampa, it was the cigar industry. In Detroit, it was the automobile industry. Orlando bloomed with the Disney and ancillary businesses that came with that. DT Jax boomed because of the activity associated with the meeting of the railroad and maritime industries. Looking into the future of DT Jax, what's the next anchor that will attract all the little things we tend to pay more attention too like residential, retail, entertainment and tourism?
Quote from: heights unknown on June 22, 2011, 02:39:10 PM
I don't dislike the Omni or the Enterprise Center, but what I don't like is that if I remember correctly, when the buildings that now constitute the Enterprise was built, there were supposed to be more office buildings (skyscrapers) built and they never were; i.e., the Enterprise Center never lived up to its initial and full potential (as every other project or development envisioned for downtown Jacksonville).
"HU"
Imo, of course they'll never deliver what people claim they will. They aren't organic economic anchors. They aren't places that breed hundreds of well paying jobs or spur support businesses and services. My guess is a new convention center, movie theater, amusement park, another Landing or public park won't either. To get to the root of DT's problems, we've got to look at things, plan and implement from a more holistic level.
Most of the Sears store is still located on that corner. Story is that they filled the basement in with rubble from the building. It is still there.
What industry would use the river yet not pollute it?...imo our downtown could do well if the river was used for making money...on any given day that river is almost empty...why are we missing this opportunity for some reason...how about a boating school...hmm...wonder what kind of cash that makes...i had the idea of a monthly kayak race down the middle of the bridges...sounds like fun...good luck downtown...I've got my fingers crossed for you.
Quote from: heights unknown on June 22, 2011, 02:39:10 PM
I don't dislike the Omni or the Enterprise Center, but what I don't like is that if I remember correctly, when the buildings that now constitute the Enterprise was built, there were supposed to be more office buildings (skyscrapers) built and they never were; i.e., the Enterprise Center never lived up to its initial and full potential (as every other project or development envisioned for downtown Jacksonville).
"HU"
I think the Enterprise was supposed to be four towers (including the hotel) and so was Renaissance Place, the project proposed for the City Hall Annex/Courthouse area that was never constructed due to a protracted negotiation over a Skyway extension followed by the recession of the early 90s.
I remember visiting the Sears store when I was a kid. I was impressed by the store and the location, being right near the river. It's amazing how things change!
The property was purchased from the Seaboard Air Line RR, not the SCL. The SCL did not come into being until the late 1960s. This was also the site of the old SAL Hogan Street rail yard that operated in downtown until the property was sold. It is my understanding that most of the boxcars were moved at night to avoid traffic problems. Good article.
What is Enterprise Center?
The highrise on the corner of Hogan and Water Street. Wachovia was the major tenant but after being taken over by Wells Fargo, they're in the process of moving to Independent Square.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 22, 2011, 02:10:48 PM
I'm curious to know what you dislike about the Enterprise Center?
I dislike that it is anti-urban with it's raised, multi-level sidewalks, no street-level retail and adjacent surface parking lot. It looks like something that should have been built in a suburban office park rather than downtown.
Quote from: finehoe on June 23, 2011, 10:23:51 AM
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 22, 2011, 02:10:48 PM
I'm curious to know what you dislike about the Enterprise Center?
I dislike that it is anti-urban with it's raised, multi-level sidewalks, no street-level retail and adjacent surface parking lot. It looks like something that should have been built in a suburban office park rather than downtown.
Sadly all of those features was part of the downtown master plan back then. It seems that was around the time leadership lost its vision in this city. And it has been a downward spiral ever since.
Quote from: finehoe on June 23, 2011, 10:23:51 AM
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 22, 2011, 02:10:48 PM
I'm curious to know what you dislike about the Enterprise Center?
I dislike that it is anti-urban with it's raised, multi-level sidewalks, no street-level retail and adjacent surface parking lot. It looks like something that should have been built in a suburban office park rather than downtown.
Ah, I understand what you mean. It's possible that the adjacent surface parking lot was anticipated to be removed at the time the building was constructed, though, because I know four buildings were planned for the Enterprise Center site and I guess that lot was considered the likely convention center site, too, before those lobbying for the train station site won out. I wonder if all four would have been interconnected the way the Florida National and the Omni are.
Sadly, Jacksonville has some worse offenders in this vein. The 80s Prudential building in particular. And really, even other buildings with ground floor retail do not interact very well at the street level (Barnett, Independent, Southern Bell) (yes, I refuse to adapt to the modern names for the buildings).
Going back to what DuvalDude said, it's my understanding that the former Atlantic Bank (BB&T) building was essentially designed to interact with the planned skywalks of the 70s rather than at ground level?
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 23, 2011, 10:39:59 AM
Quote from: finehoe on June 23, 2011, 10:23:51 AM
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 22, 2011, 02:10:48 PM
I'm curious to know what you dislike about the Enterprise Center?
I dislike that it is anti-urban with it's raised, multi-level sidewalks, no street-level retail and adjacent surface parking lot. It looks like something that should have been built in a suburban office park rather than downtown.
Ah, I understand what you mean. It's possible that the adjacent surface parking lot was anticipated to be removed at the time the building was constructed, though, because I know four buildings were planned for the Enterprise Center site and I guess that lot was considered the likely convention center site, too, before those lobbying for the train station site won out. I wonder if all four would have been interconnected the way the Florida National and the Omni are.
Sadly, Jacksonville has some worse offenders in this vein. The 80s Prudential building in particular. And really, even other buildings with ground floor retail do not interact very well at the street level (Barnett, Independent, Southern Bell) (yes, I refuse to adapt to the modern names for the buildings).
Going back to what DuvalDude said, it's my understanding that the former Atlantic Bank (BB&T) building was essentially designed to interact with the planned skywalks of the 70s rather than at ground level?
You are right about the Prudential buidling. I was downstairs in Cafe plaza last week, and I was wondering why there wasnt some type of side walk cafe. There are doors on the outside and a sign near the side walk for the resturant, but it was still poorly excecuted. In stead of a sidewalk cafe, the seating is in the inside. Its really weird. It is literally outdoor seating inside. I have been working here for 6 years and can not figure out why they are tried to remodel that cafe. It has not changed since the building was built. It looks very retro in there. LOL
As far as the DT masterplan, I will try to find the metrojax article that was done on it. I just remember in particular that the elevated side walks were part of it. Hemming Plaza is also in its current state because of the masterplan as well. I dont know what they were trying to accomplish, but they really jacked up DT. Hemming Plaza used to look like a park. Now its a concreate plaza. Just as the fountain, I think Hemming plaza should be our next park restoration project.
Here's the link
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jul-downtown-frankenstein-revisiting-the-1971-masterplan
That's the article I was thinking of. Thanks.
I guess at that time, elevated walkways and separating pedestrians from vehicles were really in vogue. I know it worked in Minneapolis for climate reasons but in other places it was senseless, wasteful, and destructive. My hometown of Rockville, MD tore up its walkable, human-scaled downtown to put in high-rises, a shopping mall, and mounds and mounds of concrete, all set up to separate pedestrians from roads (elevated walkways, destruction of the street grid), and it was a disaster to say the least. Now it has torn down the mall and some adjacent projects, restored the street grid and constructed lower-rise buildings, and basically replaced the structure it had originally, but with overpriced upscale chain retail and restaurants.
The Prudential building is photogenic and attractive from I-95, but really has a glaringly suburban setup. I didn't even realize there was a sign for the restaurant on the outside of the building.
I think we may have to the same thing Wacca. Were going to have to reverse everything that was done. Luckily they stopped so there is not much to reverse. Tearing up all that concrete and restoring Hemming Plaza to its original glory would be the first step.
As far as Pru, I think set up can be changed to urban rather easily. The problem is that there are only walkable sidewalks on the side of the building (the side facing the MOSH). However, the side walks are exteremely wide.
I never really understood how turning Hemming into a concrete festival really enhanced the idea of creating a mall-like connection between the then-existing department stores.
As Lakelander has covered on here, the MOSH could stand to interact with the street better too.
Hemming Plaza in far better days, back when it was still Hemming Park....
(https://fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269584_154860844586347_125312910874474_346424_3161314_s.jpg)
I agree that the conversion of Hemming from Park to Plaza was another of the great blunders of downtown development. (I also remember reading a Times-Onion editorial praising the transformation as something befitting a major metropolis.)
The biggest disaster with the park-to-plaza conversion, of course, was closing off the streets and sucking the life out of the remaining retail in the process. But even if it had been a model of efficiency, I still don't see how it made a bit of sense or created a more inviting shopping atmosphere in any way. I'm not averse to Hemming Plaza - I like the fountain, the statues, et al. and don't find it unattractive - but it was a lot more appealing in park form, and getting rid of shade trees in a warm-weather state seems the opposite of creating a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
I wonder if some of the motivation for the park to plaza conversion had something to do with concerns about birds. I read that the trees in the park had become attractive to starlings who annoyed pedestrians either with their aggressive behavior or with their bathroom habits, I'm not sure which.
By the way, I'm glad I'm not the only one who says Times-Onion.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 24, 2011, 10:53:19 AM
By the way, I'm glad I'm not the only one who says Times-Onion.
I think that's an insult to the far superior publication, The Onion!
Good points were made by previous posts about how Hemming Park's transformation into Hemming Park was very harmful to downtown retail. IMHO, downtown was already fighting a losing battle if it was trying to replicate the suburban mall experience. Why go to a fake suburban mall when you can go to the real 'burbs and get the real experience? Besides, shutting down Hemming to waste all of that money for a fancy, fake plaza was for naught in the end...
I disagree about Hemming Plaza and remember well the park and the buses that circled around it. Frankly it started off without any trees and as a military parade/camp groud in a defeated, burned out, occupied city.
People would cut corners in the old park and with the heavier pedestrian traffic or at least the newer folks that ignored the rules it would have become the Hemming Sand Pit.
I would not have closed the restrooms, I'd of arranged with a rehab center to employ 2 full time attendents around the clock, accepting tips and allowed to sell small perfumes and toilet articles...
The fresh hot nuts that the old Sears Store had are my fondest memories. I don't know how or where they came from but those big bulk glass boxes held the sweetest cashews, peanuts, walnuts, and pecans in the world, and scented the entire store with a sweet perfume.
OCKLAWAHA
The candy and nut counter was one of my fondest memories as well.
Amen on the candy and nut counter. I also remember going there in august each year to buy school clothes and being fascinated by the vacuum cleaner set up to blow and suspending a beach ball in mid air.
I remember that vaccuum cleaner display and standing in front of it trying to "see" the air currents that held that ball in the air. That might have been my earliest consideration that air has volume and weight and fairly constant motion.
As for the candy and nut counter, as I recall it was an island near one of the entries to the store. You'd walk in and ZAP that sweet scent would attack your senses and the visual's became irresistable. The concept was brilliant because today's big box stores smell like a combination of stale popcorn, body odor and cheap floor cleaner. Makes me miss Colombia where the big box stores and even the metro platforms are buffed and shined to perfection.
OCKLAWAHA
I was born and raised here in Jacksonville and am now 54 years old. I have seen alot of changes to this city since I was a child, some good and some not so good. I remember going to Friendship Fountain back in the 60s at night and watching the lights change different colors every few minutes. I don't know how many of you remember the old tv tower that channel 4 use to have but every Christmas they would televise the lighting of the Christmas lights on the tower and they would stay lit until the first of the new year. You could see the lights from miles around. As a teenager I use to go to the downtown Sears building and go to the basement where the tools use to be. Recently I came across a website where people who use to live here and people who still live here talk about the old days and the places they use to go to that are no longer around. I'll post the website and hopefully you can log onto it and maybe you can give your thoughts about what it use to be like back in the good old days:http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacksonville/148758-gone-but-not-forgotten-jacksonville.html
I forgot about the vaccum cleaner and beach ball. Thats a hoot.
I was just thinking. Sears has been at Regency for 30 years. That is insane!
Quote from: duvaldude08 on July 11, 2011, 02:11:25 PM
I was just thinking. Sears has been at Regency for 30 years. That is insane!
Yeah but they no long have any NUTS!
I asked a manager what they did with Roebuck and he just looked at me like WTF? I told him not to worry that I had it on good information that the old boy was tied up in a basement of one of the stores in Chicago. OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Ocklawaha on July 11, 2011, 09:36:14 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on July 11, 2011, 02:11:25 PM
I was just thinking. Sears has been at Regency for 30 years. That is insane!
Yeah but they no long have any NUTS!
I asked a manager what they did with Roebuck and he just looked at me like WTF? I told him not to worry that I had it on good information that the old boy was tied up in a basement of one of the stores in Chicago.
OCKLAWAHA
Ha! :D
In 1969 I was 16 years old and had a job with Colonial Stores at Regency Square. (brand new grocery store) I had purchased a new 1969 Datsun station wagon from Obie's Datsun on Atlantic Blvd with $500.00 down. All they required was a quick signature from my mom. I rode my bicycle to the dealership and drove the car home. The next day I drove downtown to Sears and applied for a credit card. The manager took me in his business office and interviewed me. I told him I had a job and a car and I did extra work on the weekends to earn additional money. He asked me why I wanted a credit card. I told him I wanted a 3hp outboard motor for my 10 foot john boat. He asked me to make a downpayment and to make 3 additional payments while the motor was on hold and he would issue me a credit card in 3 months. I went back in 3 months and the manager introduced me to a guy in accounting and they gave me my card. Here I was barely 17 had a car, a boat, and job to boot. I'll never forget the professionalism and the genuine interest the manager from Sears showed me back then. I t was a great store but a different time than today.
Great post! I recently did some research on an old Sears store in Tampa (probably the most in-tact Sears building from the mid-century expansion era) http://tampaniatampa.blogspot.com/2010/06/sears-surprise.html (http://tampaniatampa.blogspot.com/2010/06/sears-surprise.html) . Sears underwent a major building and expansion campaign throughout Florida in the late 50s and early 60s. They hired the prominent architectural firm of Weed, Johnson Associates, begun by the father of Florida Modernism, Robert Law Weed. Thanks for posting pictures of the old store.