Dahlkemper's Christmas Wish List

Dear Santa,
I have been a good girl this year. Well, most of the year. Please bring me these items from the Dahlkemper's Christmas catalog. I will leave cookies for you if my sister does not eat them all.
Thank you,
Debbi

1) Yamaha keyboard (I hope this is the one that makes the lion noise)
2) Yamaha drum machine so I can bang on the drum all day
3) Uniden Bearcat Scanner. I can listen to the police calls
4) Cobra 40 channel mobile CB radio to call the truckers on I-90 and I-79
5) JVC 4 head VCR. I can record my favorite music videos on MTV
6) JVC 31" remote color TV. So I don't have to get up and change the channels
7) Sony color watchman. I wonder what TV channels I will be able to watch
8) Symphonic 13" color TV/VCR combo. I bet this will last forever!

P.S. I found all these items in the Dahlkemper's Christmas 1991 catalog!
P.S.S. I would also like a few rolls of Kodak Gold 35mm color film

Enjoy more fun facts and photos of the history of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

Wolff's Store on 13th and Parade

Wolff's Department Store was located on the northwest corner of 13th and Parade Street in Erie, PA. Nathan Wolff established the business in 1898 and it was later run by his sons, Max and Herman Wolff. This discount retail store still existed in 1963. 

"The Wolff Brothers have in addition to the 13th and Parade store opened the giant surplus stores in Erie and have used all the excess space in the Parade St. store for warehousing, which is now bulging with first quality merchandise, including all the heavy winter needs necessary to all of you for Erie's long winters."

The sale items included oxfords, sport shirts, chino slacks and children's dresses for 99¢ each; Dungarees, rugs and flatties for $1.44 each; work pants for $2.57 and work shirts for $1.99. They also had ladies' dress heels for $3.99 and men's work shoes for $2.77. Need a pair of work gloves to haul scrap metal or build a shed in the backyard? Those would set you back 33¢ per pair in 1963.

The building that housed Wolff's Department Store at 1228 Parade Street was demolished. It is now a vacant lot just south of a Country Fair store and gas station.

Enjoy more historical facts and pictures of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

Hills Department Store Layaway

Every year around Thanksgiving hopeful kids would scour the ads in the Sunday newspaper and compile lists of presents that they wished to receive for Christmas. One of their parents would then go to the store, list in hand, and pick out toys, sweaters and jeans for their kids. 

If they did not have enough money to pay for the merchandise, they could buy the items on credit. There was usually a long line of people with cartfuls of goodies waiting at the layaway window at Hills Department Store on East 28th and Elm Street. This was back in the 70s and 80s, when stores actually ran out of things, before you could find practically anything on eBay and the Internet.

Here's how layaway worked:
Merchandise was held for 60 days to give the customer time to pay for the items. The clerk at Hills placed your items in bags or boxes and they were stored behind the counter in the layaway department.

A minimum deposit of 10% of the total purchase price or $1 (whichever was larger) was put toward the bill.

The total price of the merchandise had to be at least $5.

You had to bring your ticket and cash register receipt with you to make payments or pickup your merchandise.

A small fee was collected with each payment. In 1983, the fee was $1 per transaction.

If you failed to pay for your items within 60 days, the merchandise was returned to open stock, and you forfeited the service charge and handling fees. 

If you had items in layaway, your kids couldn't snoop around the house and figure out what their gifts would be. 

Enjoy more fun facts about Erie PA at: Old Time Erie

Boston Store Charge Card

It seems like there is a card for everything these days. One for insurance, the library, the bank, Master Card, Visa and one for each grocery and department store...your wallet is probably bulging with cards. But, before there was plastic, there were aluminum cards tucked into a hard plastic carrying case. These were issued by large department stores like the Boston Store and Trask's here in Erie, PA. Customers would give this card to the cashier when they wanted to put items on their account. The cashier would put the card in a machine and pull a handle down to emboss the name and address on the receipts, one original and one carbon copy for the customer. There was a paper card tucked into the back of this Charga Plate Credit Token with the customer's signature on it.

Chuck Hess found this Boston Store Credit Token, along with the steel wheat penny, while he was hunting with his metal detector recently. I'll keep the location a secret so he can go back and look for other items, but I will say that he found it in the City of Erie. 

This card was issued to Mrs. A. C. Locke who lived on West 30th Street in Erie. The Boston Store issued these in the thirties, forties and fifties. Customers would carry them when they went shopping in Downtown Erie. I will have to do some more research to narrow down the time frame for this one.

Enjoy more interesting historical facts and photos at: Old Time Erie

Dinner at Kresge's for 59 Cents

Remember when you could head to Downtown Erie on a Saturday afternoon, do some window shopping, then stop at Kresge's for a complete meatloaf dinner....for 59 cents? 

SS Kresge's had sales at the beginning of June in 1959 to celebrate their 60th Anniversary. They advertised a number of items that sold for less than 60¢ to draw people into the store. In this instance you could saddle up to the lunch counter or cram into a booth for a meal and a free Pepsi. Oh, and the dinner included the "good gravy."

Kresge's was one of the places that kids liked to hang out when they had a few minutes to spare while waiting to transfer to another bus route after school. It was on the corner of 9th and State in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Enjoy more fun facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

The Wish Book- Dahlkemper's Catalog

The Dahlkemper's catalog was one book that teenagers would read without complaining. The giant Wish Book that would barely fit in the mailbox. We would spend hours looking at every item, page by page, making a mental list. Heck, I just spent an hour looking through one of the catalogs, reminiscing about the old days.

You could get everything at Dahlkemper's. A ring with your birthstone, an lcd watch, kitchenware, a Sony Walkman, Black & Decker tools. Furniture, folding card tables, a Packard Bell 386SX computer with 1 MB of ram and a 2400 Baud internal modem. Giant Bell South cordless phones, Cobra CB radios. A Sony Watchman portable TV player. DP exercise machines. Tents and sleeping bags. Presto electric heaters. Every board game imaginable, including Monopoly, LIfe, Scrabble and Clue. Lots of Little Tikes toys for kids. 

I had to chuckle while looking through the 1985 catalog, where I saw a Sunbeam toaster that we still use everyday. I also saw a Hoover Decade 80 vacuum cleaner that lasted for 24 years. A Pentax K-1000 35mm camera that probably still works (along with various other pre-digital camera gear that I haven't used in several years).

Dahlkempers had a number of stores at its peak. The corporate headquarters was located at 5120 Peach St. in Erie, Pennsylvania and they had retail stores in the Eastway Plaza and the Millcreek Mall. It's too bad that this retail department store is no longer in business because it was a fun place to shop. There were sample items on the sales floor. If you found an item that you wanted to purchase you would grab a clipboard from a pillar, fill in the order number of the item on a pick form, and take it to the sales counter. You would get paged when the item was pulled from the warehouse. 

Joseph B. Dahlkemper founded the Dahlkemper's chain.

Enjoy more facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Warner Bros. Top Retailer 10th and State

Warner Brothers Dry Goods and Carpets was located on the northwest corner of 10th and State in Erie, PA in 1888. Their business was located in the Scott Block, an ornate building owned by W. L. Scott. 

Edwin L. and W. S. Warner began their career in 1852 as clerks for Cadwell & Griswold. The men then partnered as Griswold & Warner, then Bell & Warner (in 1860) and Warner Bros. in 1866.

"The front portion of the magnificent first floor store-room is devoted to the display of dry goods of every description, for which the house is famous- silks, woolens, linens, cottons, laces, ribbons, embroideries, trimmings, ladies' and gentlemen's furnishing goods, notions, etc. The rear is utilized for cloaks and curtains, which are shown in endless variety. The basement, tastefully arranged and perfectly lighted, contains at all times the largest and most valuable stock of carpets, rugs, floor oil cloths and kindred goods in this market, embracing everything salable, from the cheapest American to the most gorgeous Persian and Turkish fabrics."

Edwin L. Warner, who was born in Oneida County, NY, died on September 27, 1905 and was buried in the Erie Cemetery.

The Scott Block, at 930 State St., was five stories tall with a footprint of 60x150 feet and was said to be fireproof when constructed. This building played a prominent role in Erie history. It was later home to the W. T. Grant Co., which held its grand opening on November 8, 1924. Fireproof? Not quite. Grant's lost $300,000 in merchandise when the Scott building went up in flames on Dec. 20, 1944

Enjoy more Erie PA history at: Old Time Erie

Al Singer's State Street Market

Ad in Erie Morning News, April 26, 1972.

Al Singer's State Street Food Market was located at 1013 State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania for many years. Owner Albert Singer offered a wide variety of fresh meat and produce along with pre-packaged cans, cookies, paper towel, soap and other household items. 

Singer's Market was located on the first floor of the old Forman Building, which still stands. 

Specials in April of 1972 included ground chuck for 79¢ per pound, spareribs for 59¢ a pound, boneless rump roast $1.19 per pound, center cut pork chops for 69¢ per pound and whole or half hams for 69¢ a pound.

Enjoy more fun facts about Erie PA at Old Time Erie

Boston Store Records and Cameras

Boston Store Cameras & Records photo ©John E. Baker 2013. Used with permission.

The Boston Store held many treasures within the aisles of its many departments. The record and camera departments were side by side on the first floor of the Boston Store when John E. Baker captured this amazing shot around 1960-61. Elvira, the woman to the left of the post, was the manager of the camera department. Customers had a wide range of photographic products from Kodak, Argus and Polaroid, as well as motion cameras and projectors manufactured by Bell & Howell. Some of the records that are visible include albums by Wanderin' Mark Dinning, Brazen Brass, and the soundtrack to GiGi. You could purchase jazz, country and western and Rock 'N Roll LPs and 7" kiddie records. Pop hits were 88¢ per 45. I think there's even a rack of ViewMaster reels on the right side of the photo.

The Boston Store was a retail department store located at 718 State Street in Erie, PA. The building still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Click here to see a photo of the Boston Store clock: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/02/meet-under-clock-at-boston-store.html

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Mace Electronics West 8th Street Store

Mace Electronics had a retail 'super store' at 2631 West 8th Street in Erie, PA. The store had its grand opening on September 19, 1968. This postcard was mailed June 16, 1977 to let a customer know that their cassette recorder had been repaired and they could pick it up at their earliest convenience. I'm not sure when this photo was taken, but you'll probably recognize some of the old cars parked out front. The Colony Plaza sign is visible in the reflection in the window above the red car.

Here is an article about the Grand Opening Sale: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/mace-electronics-grand-opening-w-8th-st.html
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Shopping My Closet- Boston Store Bag

I guess I should clean the closet more often. I did not find my sweat pants, but I did find three pairs of shorts and this cool bag from the Boston Store in Erie, PA. 

I think you could fit a small child in this bag. I can't imagine lugging this thing on a city bus either. Unless it held a comforter or a stuffed lion. 

So, my question is, What is the biggest thing you ever bought at the Boston Store? 

If you would like to leave a comment, click on the title of the post above. Then type your comment in the white box near the end of the article. 

"The Boston Store, In the heart of downtown Erie, Where you choose from more."

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Meet Under the Clock at the Boston Store

Old Time Erie photo of the Boston Store by John E. Baker, used with permission.

I'll meet you under the clock at noon. If you grew up in Erie, PA, you know the exact location of "The Clock." The clock was on the main floor of the Boston Store at 718 State Street. The ultimate retail shopping experience. A place where you could go with your mom or grandma. A place where you could meet your friends for a quick bite to eat. You could take the escalator to the mezzanine and watch all the people scurrying about on the main floor. 

The incredible photo shown above was taken by former Boston Store employee John E. Baker around 1961, looking east toward State Street. The Boston Store had multiple entrances, and when it was raining or snowing people often cut through the store to get to the opposite street. The main floor had a high ceiling with incandescent lighting, which is captured in the picture of the store. The pillars were identified by letter, starting with "A" near the State Street entrance. Each department had a sales person and a cash register.

The Boston Store is on the National Register of Historic Places.

What do you remember about the Boston Store? If you would like to leave a comment, click on the title of the post above. You can then type your comment into the white box near the end of the article. Can't wait to read your memories!

Here's an old Boston Store shopping bag: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/02/shopping-my-closet-boston-store-bag.html

Reminisce about Downtown Erie at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Free Groceries and Drugs at O'Neils in Erie PA

Old Time Erie -ad in Erie Dispatch-Herald, May 7, 1939.

Did you ever read something and do a double take, thinking you misread the text? That's what I did when I saw this ad.
"Free! Basket of Groceries & Drugs" 

The fine print says this offer is limited "to the first 100 people entering our store whether you make a purchase or not." 
O'Neils was a retail discount store at 1024 State Street in Erie, PA. 

Other bargains in this 1939 ad include:
Lifebuoy Soap 5¢
Bed Sheets 39¢
Silk Hose 9¢
Electric Razor 88¢
Men's Shirt 48¢
Curtains 12¢ per pair
Mattresses $3.99
Baby Food 6¢ per can
Card Tables 69¢
Pot Cleaners 3 for 5¢
Shoe Polish 2¢
Dish Towels 3 for 5¢
Blankets 38¢
Women's Sanitary Belts 3¢
Camels 2 packs for 25¢

O'Neils bargain store at 11th and State is long gone. Northwest Savings Bank currently occupies this site.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Scott Block and Grant's Store 10th and State Street Erie PA

The Scott Block on the northwest corner of 10th and State Street in Erie, PA.

The Scott Block was built by William L. Scott in 1875 on the northwest corner of Tenth and State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The building had a number of cool features, including a mansard roof and unique sets of windows that were different on each floor. The Scott building had a number of tenants over the years, including the Warner Dry Goods Company and Erie Insurance Exchange.

The W. T. Grant Company moved into the Scott Block in 1924, holding its grand opening on November 8, 1924. Grant's leased all five floors of the building. The facade was green Vermont marble and burnished copper. The building was 62' wide on the State Street side and 142' deep along West 10th Street.

"One side of the store is also a great row of show windows, giving the store one of the largest display areas in Erie. Polished copper edging on the windows, lavish lighting effects and the brilliant gilt sign of the W. T. Grant Company make this front one of the brightest in the city...Its new highly polished walnut fixtures, surmounted by sparkling plate glass bins in which the merchandise has been neatly laid out...Above the shelving the walls are finished in cream color with a panel effect, the ceiling is snowy white...The wide and easy stairway leads to the lower sales room...The offices are located on a mezzanine across the rear of the main floor so situated that the entire floor can be supervised from the office." -Erie Dispatch-Herald, November 7, 1924.

Grant's moved into the Scott Block after vacating its original store at 909 State Street. The building was previously occupied by the Warner Bros. Dry Goods store The grand opening of this store, number 24 in the Grant's chain, took place on April 22, 1916. The John Scarlett Company was located at 909 State before Grant's.

So, what happened to the Grant's store at 10th and State? Fire ripped through the building on December 20, 1944, causing extensive damage to the Scott Block and loss of merchandise to Grant's.

Several surrounding businesses were damaged by the Grant's fire, including Pulakos confectioners at 926 State Street and the Strand Theater at 922 State Street. The Scott Block was rebuilt with a different style roof; the building was remodeled once again in the mid-fifties, when blue and white porcelain panels were used to cover the facade. The Scott block was demolished in 1969.

Grant's moved to Peach Street after it left the Scott Block at 928-932 State Street.

Here is another view of the old Scott Block, looking east from 10th and Peach Street

Enjoy more facts,  photos and Erie memorabilia at: Old Time Erie