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Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (1904)
1 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois
1 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois
STATE STREET STORE DIRECTORY 974,000 sq. ft.
Lower Level
The Honey Bear Shop • Tartan Tray Cafeteria • Carson's Budget Store
First Floor
State Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Fashion Watches • Handbags • Dress Accessories • Umbrellas • Hosiery • Gloves • Millinery • Blouses • Slipper Bar • Cosmetics • Wig Bar • Sunglasses
Wabash Leather Goods • Luggage • Wabash Shoe Shop • Cameras • Books • Stationery • Adult Games • Coins & Stamps • Optical Shop • Amlings Flower World • Men’s Sportswear • Men’s Active Sportswear • One Plus One • Isle of Man • Men’s Dress Furnishings • Men’s Furnishings • Chicago Shop
Second Floor
State Bed Linens • Bath Shop • Closet Shop • Sewing Center • Fabrics • Art Needlework • RSVP • Daytime Lingerie • Bras • Body Fashions • Leisurewear • Junior Lingerie • Smart Spenders Lingerie • One Step Ahead Intimacies • Maternity Shop • Marimekko Shop
Wabash Men’s Suits • Men’s Outerwear • Men’s Sport Clothing • Student Shop • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Clothing • New Dimensions • European Design • Casual Sportswear • University Shop • Boys Clothing • Boys Furnishings • Boys Prep Warehouse
Third Floor
State Smart Spenders Sportswear • Smart Spenders Dresses • Young Smart Spenders Dresses • Daytime Dresses • Casual Dresses • Women’s Smart Spenders Dresses • Women’s Sportswear • Boys Shop • Girls Shop • Girls Accessories • Sugar n Spice Shop • Children’s World • Young Teens • Preteen Shop • 1 to 6 Shop
Wabash Millinery • Casual Shoes • Shoe Salon • Women’s World • Beauty Salon • Canned Ego • Ice Cream Parlor • Photographic Studio
Fourth Floor
State Ms. Dresses • Ms. Sportswear • Ms. Suits • Ms. Jeans • Leather and Suede Shop • All Weather Coats • South Room Coats • Miss Carson Shop • One Step Ahead Coats • One Step Ahead Dresses • One Step Ahead Sportswear • The Rage • Better Sportswear • Better Blouses • Avenue Shop • Ascot Shop • Six O’Clock Dressing • Young Designers • North Room Coats • Fur Salon • Inner Circle
Wabash Icelander Shop • Junior Savvy Sportswear • Active Sportswear • Junior Attitude • Kenzo Shop • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Bus Stop • Moderate Sportswear • Teen Shop • Wabash Dresses • Wabash Coats
Fifth Floor
State Lamps • Furniture • The Scandinavian Shop • Yuletide Shoppe • Rural America Shop
Wabash Sleep Shop • Concept • Lay-a-way • Customer Service • Toys
Sixth Floor
State Custom-Made Draperies • Decorator Pillows • Decorator Bedspreads • Ready-Made Draperies • Casual Furniture • Rugs and Carpeting • Clock Shop • Major Appliances • Stereos • Records • Hardware • Toys • Sporting Goods • Pictures and Mirrors
Seventh Floor
State Table Linens • Silverware • Dinnerware • Crystal • Decorative Accessories • Bar Shop •
Housewares • Electrical Appliances • Lamps • Floor Care Center • Pet Shop • Bulk Housewares
Eighth Floor
State Highland Room • Heather House • Epicure Shop
Wabash Carson’s Grill
Ninth Floor
State 36 South Restaurant
BRANCH STORES
Evergreen Plaza (1952/64)
Evergreen Park, IL
239,000 sq. ft.
The Highland Room
Tartan Tray Cafeteria
Woodmar (1954)
Hammond, IN
110,000 sq. ft.
The Heather Room
Edens Plaza (1956)
Wilmette, IL
212,000 sq. ft.
The Buffet
Hillside (1956)
Hillside, IL
125,000 sq. ft.
Chicago Heights (1959)
1560 Otto Blvd.
60,000 sq. ft.
Randhurst Mall (1962)
Mt. Prospect, IL
198,000 sq. ft.
Gateway, Chicago (1967)
120 N. Riverside Plaza
11,000 sq. ft.
Yorktown (1968)
Lombard, IL
230,000 sq. ft.
Casa de los Brezos Restaurant
Marquette Mall (1969)
Michigan City, IN
81,000 sq. ft.
Lakehurst (1971)
Waukegan, IL
231,000 sq. ft.
The Heather Room
Image courtesy Gruen Associates
Lincoln Mall (1973)
Matteson, IL
164,000 sq. ft.
The Heather Inn
North Riverside Park (1975)
North Riverside, IL
180,000 sq. ft.
The Heather Inn
Pierre Moran Mall (1977)
Elkhart, IN
85,000 sq. ft.
My partner remembers eating at the Restaurant in O'hare airport. Anyone have pics, or rember the name of that Restaurant. He know's it was part of Carson's.
ReplyDeleteMickelberry's
DeleteI recall a Tartan Tray cafeteria at O'Hare in one of the round bits attached to the main terminal -- hadn't realized there was a restaurant...
DeleteThe restaurant upstairs was Seven Continents. There's a story about the building with a restaurant picture here...
Deletehttps://chicagomodern.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/chicagos-jet-set-modern/
The cafeteria downstairs was the Tartan Tray. There's a picture in a story here...
There's a story about the building here...
https://preservationchicago.org/newsletter_posts/threatened-preservation-chicago-nominates-for-chicago-landmark-status-the-ohare-rotunda-building-by-gertrude-kerbis-and-historic-jackson-park-northwest-chicago-historical-society-nominates/
Carson's had all the restaurants at O'Hare in those days. It's was an entire division.
DeleteIn the 70's they did an international theme week at the state st store where every floor had a specialty food served that could be sampled as you shopped. On the 5th floor they were Doing chili using chunks of tender steak; that was one of my favorites.
My mother had an amazing career there from 1955 to 1987 and is credited for many of the 1st's in retailing progressions.
Gretchen R. Hannan. Executive V.P.(to facilitate many critical ground breaking advances or needs throughout the company.
I worked there from 1979 to 1989 and I remember Gretchen Hannon very well. She One of the first people I met when I started of course. She was a great part of Carsons, a lovely lady and a good friend. She was missed when she left Carsons.
DeleteI remember Gretchen Hannon very well. She was one of the first people that I socialized with when I started the company 1979. I worked there through 1989. She was an integral part, as you say absolutely, and a lovely lady and a good friend. She lived about a mile from me, so that was also cool and when she left Carsons, I certainly missed her.
DeleteThey had a branch at the Prudential Center that closed during the '80s. Any other info on that?
ReplyDeleteIn the 70s, I saw a reference to the Prudential store, but I have had a hard time finding any reference to it in The Chicago Tribune. I would assume it was a small store catering to office workers at the time, much like the Gateway branch.
ReplyDeleteBAK
Carsons aquired the 20 door Block & Kuhl Co. (1865-1960) of Peoria in 1960....B & K had a great history......................
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the book " What Makes Shopping Centers tick"
ReplyDeleteThe author says that Carsons had 8 stores by 1960.
Downtown, Prudential and 6 branches. You have 5 listed prior to 1960. Does anyone know where the 6th one was located?
Carson's had additional stores, in other Illinois cities, including Aurora, Peoria (CPS purchased Block & Kuhl 1n 1959) and the article could be referring to one of these. When I am able to research the Bock & Kuhl Co., the answer may become clear.
ReplyDeleteAfter Carson's purchased Block & Kuhl, most of those stores formed a separate Peoria-based division from the main Chicago chain. The Aurora and Meadowdale stores were integrated in the Chicago division. The Meadowdale store was destroyed by fire, just a day or two before JFK's assassination.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the signature bread CPS served at its restaurant at Honey Bear Farm in Powers Lake, WI - It was the best bread ever and I would like to try to recreate it- Was it an applesauce bread with apple butter or what?
ReplyDeleteIs this the old Rau or Raus Store in Chicago Heights?
ReplyDeleteChicago Heights (1959)
1560 Otto Blvd.
60,000 sq. ft.
My Mom used to shop there in the 50's
refoxx@cox.net
Hello Roger:
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. Carson's acquired it in 1959 and converted it to Carson's. I believe that the original name was The Rau Store. At first, I looked at the address on Bing Maps Aerial, but it appears to be gone. Later, I found a picture.
A store could never get away with a hanging sign, such as is shown in the picture, in this day and age of regulations. I assume that it was later changed to Carson Pirie Scott & Co.; I plan to make an exhibit of the former Block & Kuhl stores Carson's bought at the same time. Pictures of these show a vertical, three-block Carson's logo as signage on these stores and I assume that the Chicago Heights store was similar, even though it was a part of the Chicago, not Peoria, division which operated stores all over Illinois and adjoining states.
Bruce
Would you care to look more info about the Aurora location that CPS acquired from B&K?
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother Blanch Collins worked there downtown in the budget lady's dresses for 35 years. They gave you a pin for certain many years you worked there. I also have her ID card. She passed away in the 70's. I would take the El downtown and surprise her and she would take me to the Tartan for lunch. Great memories..
ReplyDeleteWe shopped a few times at the downtown store, but we used the Marquette Mall store in Michigan City frequently. I still have the huge crystal punch bowl set, I gave to my mother in the early 1970's. Still as impressive as when I bought it for her. Quality products.
ReplyDeleteCarson's had a large store in downtown Kankakee for years - I believe late 1950's to 1990, when it moved to a mall in Bradley where is still exists today.
ReplyDeletePlease credit your image sources. The Lakehurst image is owned by Gruen Associates and was loaned for use in my flickr photostream.
ReplyDelete--JR
I have many, many fond memories of eating in the cafeteria with family and friends from our suburban neighborhood in the 1950's; I remember the napkins had their emblem "CPS"; the hot open-faced roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes were superb, and there were many items from which to choose, all favorites of the times; I am saddened that CPS and Marshall Field & Co. are both gone.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the shoe department on State Street for two years in 64 and 65. Then I became a secretary to three buyers in infants, girls acessories and childrens furniture. Their names were Shirley Powell, Betsy Ross and Rich Rudy I was there for awhile and transfered to Basic Stock with Mr. Becker. We would wrote orders for all the stores for the basic merchandise that was sold. I got married at this time and bought my furniture in the Scandinavian Shop. Modern furniture came in style then. They also had an Israel Dept. with all wonderful things made in Israel. My husband also commented that I never came home a day without a CPS purchase in my hand. I took the IC from the South Side of Chgo and a CTA bus to work. I used to eat at the store or Walgreens across the street. What wonderful memories and I am so excited that I found this site.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the memories - I need to update this page with more information that I have found; I am preparing a page for the Carson's stores in outstate Illinois purchased from the Block & Kuhl Co. in 1961. Stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Bruce
My dad was an electrician at the State St store. As a kid I remember going through the bowels of the building, riding the service elevators and seeing all of the odd little offices and workrooms...more mysterious and exciting to me then than any video game odyssey of today.
ReplyDeleteYou have an excellent site here.
I grew up in the State Street store and would love to find a menu from the Heather House. Any ideas? Thank you for a fabulous site! Such a trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane! We were reminiscing and found this: https://chuckmanchicagonostalgia.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/menu-chicago-heather-house-restaurant-carson-pirie-scott-inside-1969/
DeleteThe original Carson's restaurant at Edens Plaza was called the Edinburgh Clock. It had a hand-painted mural of the city of Edinburgh on it's back wall and was a full service restaurant.
ReplyDeleteIn 1963, when I was 16 years old, I applied for and got a job as a sales representative at Marshall Field's downtown store. I sold fabric yardage. I bought a Singer sewing machine for $99.00with my first paychecks. I still have and use that machine. I loved working at Field's. I usually had a hotdog and shake for lunch at the basement counter but at the holidays my friends would meet me at the Walnut room for a meal. My friends and I always met at "The Clock". I have never shopped at Macy's.
ReplyDeleteCarsons' Elkhart store closed in 1980. Carsons would indirectly return to Elkhart via a re-branding of an Elder-Beerman store into a Carsons.
ReplyDeleteCarsons also took over the former Wieboldt's store @ Harlem-Irving Plaza after the chain went bankrupt in 1987.
Additionally, Carsons took over a 63,000 sq ft store formerly occupied by Edward C. Minas until it closed its doors a year or two ago.
The Woodmar store was originally a 66,000 sq ft two level store. In the mid-sixties, a third level was added and additional space connecting the store to a enclosed mall structure was erected, bringing the square footage to 110,000.
Hi my name is Lisa Walker and I am not familiar with the department store everyone is talking about, but i was reading all the posts and the memories everybody has shared are truly amazing. My reason for leaving a comment is because; on Christmas Eve I was lucky enough to observe this gentleman throwing a sewing machine in a dumpster. Of course I quickly rushed over to inquire about said sewing machine. He was kind enough to jump in the dumpster and retrieve it for me. When I took the lid off, I was rather amazed by the excellent condition of this sewing machine. It looks like it has only been used a few times. As I was trying to figure It out, I noticed a round gold sticker on the neck of it "Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co; Chicago, IL". So, of course i had to Google some information about the company. I was hoping to maybe find out how old it is and most important find an instruction manual on how to operate the darn thing. LOL. The top of the sewing machine is an olive green and the bottom is white. If anyone has any information on this particular item, please don't hesitate to email me. lwalker1968@gmail.com. Sorry to have rambled on and on, but I am 45 yrs old and this is my first sewing machine. I'm excited!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank You,
Lisa
find the patent #. Look that up and go from there.
DeleteHello! I am looking for more information about my Grandma, she was an illustrator for Carson's during the mid 40's to 50's. Do you know where I can find out information?
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Diane, and I was given a set of very old wooden nesting tables. On the under side of the smallest one there is a gold tag that says Made in England Expressly for Carson Pirie Scott And Co. Would anyone have any idea how old they might be, or what their value might be?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have the recipe for the Heather House Pie that they served at the restaurant?
ReplyDeleteI worked as a waitress while putting myself through college. I started there in high school. My first job. The Heather House pie was basically baked Alaska. It had a graham cracker crust, filled with vanilla ice cream. They froze the pie and then made a meringue. The frozen pie was topped with that and quickly placed under the broiler to toast the merengue. Then back into the freezer. The sauce was serve hot over the pie and it was butterscotch sauce. You'll use an ice cream sauce and just warm it.
DeleteThat was Mom & my favorite place to go for lunch and Heather House Pie for dessert. Mom's been gone for many years now. Thanks for the memories!
DeleteIf anyone would like to see Carson Pirie Scott captured on film, watch "Rent a Cop" with Burt Reynolds and Liza Minnelli. Some great behind-the-scenes shots as well as the expected sales floors.
ReplyDeleteI miss the flag ship Carson Pirie Scott store on State Street. That location was the most upscale store of all Carson's. CPS & Co. should have never sold the landmark building and have kept it and maintained it to it's original elegance. It's sad that is no longer Carson Pirie Scott. Now it's a Target discount store.
ReplyDeleteI found a hard cover black journal:
ReplyDeleteCarson Pirie Scott & Co
Adams, Franklin and Market Streets
Chicago
The Great Central Market
Deparments
This Store Directory refers to each floor having - West Room, North Room and Main Room
Jewelry was on the fifth floor
Who was Fred E Clark
I found a hard cover black journal:
ReplyDeleteCarson Pirie Scott & Co
Adams, Franklin and Market Streets
Chicago
The Great Central Market
Deparments
This Store Directory refers to each floor having - West Room, North Room and Main Room
Jewelry was on the fifth floor
Who was Fred E Clark
I found a hard cover black journal:
ReplyDeleteCarson Pirie Scott & Co
Adams, Franklin and Market Streets
Chicago
The Great Central Market
Deparments
This Store Directory refers to each floor having - West Room, North Room and Main Room
Jewelry was on the fifth floor
Who was Fred E Clark
I began my retail career at Carson's as an assistant dept manager in 1975 at Yorktown and was promoted into various depts. By 1977, I was promoted to Assistant Store Manager of the Aurora store which was located in downtown Aurora. It was the old Block & Kuhl store and it was quite interesting to work there. We had a different mix of people who shopped there so we brought in merchandise that was not normally seen in the other Carson's stores. We would have Moonlight Madness sales that were held late at night and attracted some very strange customers. We also had a wonderful restaurant in the store and an old elevator that was run by an attendant. It was very unique! That store closed long ago and the building is still there and is now vacant.
ReplyDeleteIn 1979, I was promoted back to Yorktown as an Assistant Store Manager. Our sales volume at that time was $26 million per year and I was the youngest Assistant Store Manager in Carson's history.Carson's was a wonderful employer and I have many fond memories of the State Street store, too. We would go to State Street for meetings and to pull merchandise for the Yorktown store. I loved the State Street store especially the lovely columns on the first floor.
Someone asked about the Prudential store. It was very small and similar to the Gateway store. It only sold women's clothing and accessories. Carson's would use both of those stores to train new managers and then transfer them to either the buying office or to other branch stores as assistant managers. The Prudential store was closed in the 1980's. Gateway remained open, but I don't remember when it was finally closed. Glad I found this site!
I too have fond memories of the downtown store and eating at the Tartan Tray on special trips downtown with my sister and mother. I liked it so much I worked at the downtown store in Juniors after High School and then a few years later worked at the Prudential store. I never stepped foot outdoors some days I took the IC to the Randolph Station and walked upstairs to the Prudential Building. It closed in 1984 because of construction happening to the Prudential Bldg and they choose not to reopen. Then I started my career at the Holiday Inn Lakeshore drive as a Reservationist (remember the Pinnacle?) That too is history the hotel is a W now.
ReplyDeleteI purchased an old santa and reindeer sleigh set that was historically displayed in the Aurora Dept store...was hoping to get more information on it. it's almost life-sized...fiberglass I think. Reindeer are on cast iron posts...if anyone has info please share
ReplyDeleteI remember a large display Santa and sleigh that we used in the windows at Christmas in the Aurora store in the 1970/s when I was the Assistant Store Manager. What was so unique about Aurora was that we had large display windows that went around the outside of the store and we had to change them often. We had a display room full of props and it was fun to design the windows. It was a collarborative effort between the managers since there was no visual merchandising dept at that store. I have no real info about your santa and sleigh except it was probably purchased just for that store from a vendor who sold props for display in retail stores. I'm happy to know that you own it and it didn't end up in a landfill. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Edens Plaza Carson's part time from 1984-1999. They remodeled it in the mid-90's. Before the remodeling they had a restaurant and their designer wear was called the Rotunda. I worked in the Customer Service Dept and have some great memories of the store and it's history. I was able to walk through the second floor during the remodeling and there were this great wall murals which looked like it would have been in the children's dept, that were covered up from what I could only assume was a previous remodeling. When I started in 1984 I had to work a switchboard that you would see in the 1950;s that you wore headphone for and wires to connect the outside calls to phones in the store. It is still one of the nicer Carson's but it not the same store as the store I worked for all those years ago,
ReplyDeleteI have a Walnut Dining Room Set that I brought back to IL decades ago from my grandmother's in KS; when she wanted a smaller set. I remember all my family dinners using the table with my Great-Grandmother and Grandparents. My family still laughs at me on holidays but one those childhood memories; I just can't part with. To move it from home to home; the table has to be remove in order not to scratch. When doing so on one of the lower leg sides on the top center is a Carson Pirie Scott Shipping Tag (Ticket Number) from Franklin & Adams Chicago to KS. I'm pretty sure the original building is gone but could tell me when Carson Pirie Scott was in business at Franklin and Adams or possibly had a warehouse there?
ReplyDeleteThe “Old” Rau store in Chicago Heights burned rather thoroughly in 1939 or 1940. The new store was the largest in town and included a merry-go-round (I think, I don’t remember which way it rotated) on the second floor as part of the Christmas doings.
ReplyDeleteTomO
Does anyone remember the wonderful Christmas displays inside the store by pictures with Santa. I have a number of memories and am trying to find info to confirm. One memory is Santa's workshop where you started the line by receiving a Christmas stocking and then proceeded through the line filling it until you reached Santa. Another memory is the year they did Animals of the North Pole. I recall various animals being in the line to Santa. (this is the one I am trying to confirm because many think I have made this up) PLEASE HELP, thanks
ReplyDeleteDo any of the current Carson's stores still have in-store restaurants?
ReplyDeletehello, looking for old photos of the carson pirie scott department which was located in ottawa,il. looking for exterior and interiors photos especially the restaurant. please reply and send me you email to reply directly. thanks
ReplyDeleteI can be reached by e-mail at bakgraphics@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteI have not seen pictures of that store.
-Bruce
I grew up with Carson's. My grandmother was a computer operator in their early data canter downtown. She brought home her programming card stacks because she was somewhat of a hoarder of information. Because she was a retired employee later, all my clothes were bought at Carson's with her discount. We would spend many long days at the Evergreen Park store which always included lunch at The Highlands restaurant. Their Highland Pie is one of my favorite childhood memories. At Christmas, we would always make a trip to the downtown store to see the decorations and eat at the restaurant there. My mom packed most of her own personal Christmas decorations in Carson's boxes of many sizes and vintage. We saw many of them again as we helped our parents move last year. Thank you for the page!
ReplyDeletehi I my first Job at 16 was at a restaurant on the 8th floorof carsons called the mens grill! at that time they only let men in,and the ladies would go to the heather house restaurant... wow how time have changed! after the early 70s they changed the policy and everyone could come in... if anyone has pic of that restaurant, please post. Thankyou all
ReplyDeleteThe 6th pre 1960 could be the tiny Winnetka, IL store.....
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a photo of the rotunda located in front of the restaurant inside of the Edens Plaza Carsons when it had live turtles and water? Probably 1960's. Thank you. Later it was covered and had women's sportswear.
ReplyDeletewonderful to read all your comments. I worked for Carson for 24 years, State street, Edens, Randhurst, Lakehurst. It's sad to see the Going Out of Business signs.
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot about the Winnetka store
Carson's also had a store in Park Forest back when Park Forest had a shopping center. I believe it was an original tenant when Park Forest was built just after WWII.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but Park Forest had only Fields, Sears, and Goldblatts.
Deletethe Winnetka store was a Block & Kuhl store..B&K had Chicagoland stores in Winnetka-Meadowdale-Aurora-Elgin-Joliet-Kankakee & Ottawa...along with 12 other stores plus the big downtown store in Peoria
ReplyDeleteHow would I find an old menu from Carson Pirie Scott. I'd like to duplicate a roast beef sandwich they had.
ReplyDeleteI Came across these, and I need help identifying what they are.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it might be part of a uniform. Made in Italy for Carson Pirie Scott & Company. They are red & white with embroidered blue and green flowers, I belive they maybe epaulettes. Does anyone recall such a thing? Thank you in Advance.
Are there any photos of the Scandinavian Shop? I loved that area so much? It was like going into another world. I looked on the site of the Chicago Historical Musuem. They have all these photos of the Trend Shop but none of Carson's. There was nothing like the Scandinavian Shop!
ReplyDeletetrying to find out a year on a cabinet e mail me if anyone can help!
ReplyDeleteAnyone know if there was an executive at CPS with the last name of Spangler. Mom said we were related and trying to do some family history. Thanks for any help
ReplyDeleteI would still love to see a photo of the Scandanavian Shop. I see from your Carson's Directory that it was on the fifth floor. When I was a teenager, I would take the elevator up to five and have the most wonderful time looking at all the gorgeous furniture displays. I remember beautiful area rugs, long, low,luxurious beds. Everything there seemed to be so inviting and carefully planned. Who were the designers for that floor?
ReplyDelete