Opened in October of 1947, the new Foley's was built
as a six-story building. The old Foley's at 407 Main Street
was reopened as Joske's first store in Houston one year later.
as a six-story building. The old Foley's at 407 Main Street
was reopened as Joske's first store in Houston one year later.
In 1957 the store was expanded by four floors.
Foley Brothers Dry Goods Co.
1111 South Main Street
Houston, Texas
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY (788,000 sq. ft.)
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Fashion Accessories • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Gloves • Scarves • Hosiery • Rainwear • Notions • Cosmetics • Drugs • Shoes • Pacesetter Blouses • Pacesetter Sweaters • Pacesetter Sportswear • Men’s Accessories • Lion’s Head • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Dress Shirts • Men’s Sport Furnishings • Men’s Sportswear • Stationery • Commercial Stationery • The Bakery • Candy • Gourmet Shop • The Brown Bag
Second Floor
Men’s Clothing • Men’s Sport Clothing • Men’s Outerwear • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Hats • In Gear • Turning Point • Men’s Leisurewear • Men’s Grill • Sleepwear • Daywear • Loungewear • Robes • Understatements
Third Floor
Pacesetter Dresses • Pacesetter Coats • Ms. Pacesetter • Willowick Dresses • Willowick Coats • Willowick Sportswear • Ms. Willowick • Shoe Salon • Better Shoes • Better Handbags • The Place • Point of View • Signature Shop • Signature Sportswear • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats
Fourth Floor
Children’s Accessories • Infants • Infants’ Accessories • Infants’ Furniture • Toddlers • Boys 3-7 • Boys 8-20 • Girls 3-6x • Girls 7-14 • Teens • Young juniors • Toys
Fifth Floor
China • Silver • Glassware • Crystal • Gifts • Tabletop Shop • Decorative Accessories • Candle Shop • Bath Shop • Linens • Lamps • Pictures • Mirrors • Azalea Terrace Restaurant
Sixth Floor
Fabrics • Sewing Machines • Art Needlework • Draperies • Bedspreads • Curtains • Beauty Salon
Seventh Floor
Furniture • Sleep Shop • Floor Coverings • Rugs
Eighth Floor
Housewares • Cookware • Small Electrics • Clock Shop • Garden Shop • Home Improvements • Lifestyle Furniture • Sporting Goods • Luggage • Cameras • Books
Ninth Floor
Major Appliances • Sound Center • Records • Televisions • Customer Services
Parking Garage
Lunch Express Deli • Foley’s Auto Center
BRANCH STORES (through 1980)
321,000 sq. ft.
212,000 sq. ft.
308,000 sq. ft.
308,000 sq. ft.
263,000 sq. ft.
309,000 sq. ft.
Austin, TX
207,000 sq. ft.
Foley's also had a "Budget Store" in all locations up until the early 1980's. The Downtown Budget Store location included 2 city blocks of the combined basement level of the main store and parking garage. The Budget Store concept was abandoned in the early 1980's.
ReplyDeleteAfter a successful opening at Highland Mall in Austin in 1979, Foley's expanded to several other cities in south Texas and was merged first with Levy's in Tuscon and then with Sanger-Harris in Dallas in the mid-80's.
In 1987, after having already acquired Allied Stores, Canadian real estate developer Robert Campeau bought Federated Dept. Stores in a LBO (Leveraged Buy Out) and sold off the Foley's and Filene's divisions to May Department Stores, to help finance his acquisitions. His was the first major wholesale acquisition effort in the department Store industry and ultimately Campeau failed in his attempt to make a success in the department store industry. Campeau Corporation and Federated Department Stores filed for bankruptcy in 1990 and Campeau Corporation failed to survive.
Over 250 successful department stores were acquired by Robert Campeau during the mid-1980's. Most of these are now part of Macy's.
In 2007, Macy's bought May Dept. Stores and converted Foley's along with 106 other department store "name plates" (most of whom are listed in this museum) to Macy's.
First off, anonymous, Macy's didn't convert 106 nameplates, it converted about two dozen over the course of 2005-2006 (not 2007).
ReplyDeleteAll Foley's became Macy's unless otherwise stated.
Hmm..."Memorial City" wasn't a stand-alone location: it was opened in Memorial City Mall, with three pre-existing anchors (Lord & Taylor, Montgomery Ward, and Sears). That particular Foley's moved to a new location within the mall 2001 or 2002, and the old store came down for a new wing.
"Sharpstown", also a mall (Sharpstown Mall) stayed with the mall, expanding several times (it wasn't 300k+ from the start). The other anchor in the mall was Montgomery Ward, it was joined by JCPenney in the mid-1980s with a second level. Couldn't save it, though, as the neighborhood fell into disrepair, it became Sharpstown Center to try to stay viable, and it closed in 2008 after it became Macy's in 2006.
"Pasadena" was initially stand-alone and built into an enclosed mall (Pasadena Town Square) in 1982.
The Northwest Mall location closed in 2008 after Hurricane Ike, but the Macy's sign is still up.
Other Foley's locations include Post Oak Mall (built in 1982 with the rest of the mall), and San Jacinto Mall (1981). Corpus Christi got a Foley's in 1986 in Padre Staples Mall (now La Palmera)
I'd like to ultimately finish the list of locations here, but some of them are Sanger-Harris locations, which I'll write/elaborate on in that thread.
Foley's was a wonderful store. I worked for them in high school in 1984-1986 and again after the May takeover in 1989. The store had its own identity during the Federated years (1947-1988) and cared for its customers and employees like a family. Some of the campaigns included "Foley's is magical, unpredictable, sensational..you know you want Foley's!", "At The Heart of Texas - Foley" and "Foley's...of course!"
ReplyDeleteDowntown was built in 1947 and is still open, though just a shell of what it was under the Macy's banner. Sharpstown was the next branch store to open with Pasadena, Almeda and Northwest following in the 1960s. San Jacinto, Memorial City and Greenspoint were next. Greenspoint was the largest store besides Sharpstown and Downtown. There were 18 stores (all in Texas - Houston, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, Bryan/College Station and Corpus Christi) prior to the merger with Sanger-Harris of Dallas (a Federated sister store) in 1987.
When Campeau was selling off Foley's (the largest division in Federated) to pay for his junk bond takeover there was a private investor group out of Hong Kong that bid for them. I wish they would have succeeded. Macy's and May cannibalized Foley's from what it was.
The departments that were eliminated included the following:
All restaurants (including The Grill, The Azalea Terrace, Bakery, Brown Bag and cafeteria downtown and The Greenhouse at the branch stores)
Fur salon and Fur Storage
Personal Shopper
Travel Bureau
Photo Studio
Draperies
Carpets
Design Studio
Candy (including the fresh goods shipped from the downtown store to the branch stores and Godiva selections)
Toys
Books
Records/Tapes
Stereos/Televisions
Lamps
In Store Cooking Demonstrations
Watch Repair
Estate Jewelry
Hair Salons
Designer selections
Childrens furniture
Junior accessories
Mens Big and Tall
Game Shop
Decorative Pillows
Stationery
Decorative Accessories
Fine China and Crystal
Orrefors, Swarovski
Fine Silver
Table Top Shop
Carpet and Drapery Cleaning service
Sponsoring of citywide events and charities
The Foley's Academy (special school downtown for troubled kids)
Federated had already eliminated major appliances, the garden shop and the Budget Store (and budget basement downtown) to move the store more upscale prior to the takeover.
Na
DeleteYou have done such a great job on this site! Here is a link to some Foley's commercials:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zlsr_foleys-department-store_lifestyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDuwtsYz6g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orI24F4c5g8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEcCPq2m_cg&feature=related
I wish you could obtain photos of more of the branch stores. Thanks again for doing such an awesome job! I input the comment above on Jan7th.
Richard in Houston
Dear Richard:
ReplyDeleteI hope to have worthy illustrations of the branches, before too long. The problem is, that, at the moment, I can only access newspapers that are at area libraries, or available (for a fee) online. Houston, Minneapolis, San Francisco, St. Louis, Denver, and a few important others are not accessible at the moment, but I have hope that they will be before long. If I cam manage turning this blog into a book (which is a dream of mine), the advances may cover me traveling to do such research at local libraries. I want to include all of the major stores on my list, and as many illustrations of the branches, and any other material I can find. Obviously, Sakowitz and Joske's of Houston should be included also, but at the moment, I don't have access to information sources to make that a reality.
Thanks for your comments, and keep watching . .
BAK,
ReplyDeleteYou might try the University of Houston archives.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00451/cah-00451.html
http://www.uh.edu/news-events/newsrelease.php?releaseid_int=113
Richard
Thanks, Richard, for the links. I had seen the photos before, and they should certainly be of interest to anyone who remembers Foley's. I would like to contact the archives which have been donated, in order to see if I can acquire some photos of the branch stores.
ReplyDeleteBAK
BAK, this is wonderful!! I was in management with Sanger-Harris after graduating from Texas A&M in 1982. I grew up in Irving, TX, so am partial to the Plymouth Park location! What is so incredibly wild is I only knew about this site because my sister found it and knew I'd be interested....and when I clicked on your full profile, I found that you live in Shelby Township, MI. Three guesses as to where I now live???!! Incredibly small world, huh??? Thanks for the memories!! KW
ReplyDeleteDear KW:
ReplyDeleteI agree - - and I am reminded of what a small world it is everytime I work on this project. Also, without the internet, much of this information would be sitting in a box in my garage. (Which is in the vicinity of 24 & Hayes) I have wondered how many local people (the overall traffic is tremendous) view it.
How do you get used to this cold & snow after growing up in Texas?
BAK
My dad, Lasker Meyer, and I are having a book on Foley's published in May.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what the main telephone number for the downtown store was.
Deletesms, have you decided on a title yet? Should be a fascinating book! I've been trying to put together a website about Sanger Harris for a while but haven't had the adequate time for research, pix and stuff. I thought about a book instead but I'm not sure if it wouldn't be more difficult for me than a website. So, how is your dad these days?
ReplyDeleteJohn (sangerharristribute@hotmail.com)
My Grandmother, Robbie Robertson went to work at Foley Bros. In 1947-48 when my mother was in high school. She retired from there in 1983. My mothers white organdy wedding gown (hoops and all) was purchased at Foleys for the grand sum of $ 150.00 in '53. The first stitch of clothing put on my naked newborn body came from there in '57. I wore the wedding dress myself in 1976. I made the pilgrimage there to shop for a layette for my first grand daughter in 2000. As the family of an "associate" we were allowed to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parades from an advantageous balcony at the parking garage. Oh! Don't forget those wonderful windows with the animated scenes during the Christmas season. Robbie Robertson was my grandmother and Mrs. Brovinek (sic) was her co-worker that we heard about most. Foleys was a fixture in my family and no purchases were made elsewhere until we looked there first.
ReplyDeleteWow, I look forward to the book on Foley's by Lasker Meyer. I began my profession career at Foleys as an Executive Trainee in Feb, 1970. I was an Assistant Buyer in the Gift Dept working for Marilyn Macari. I was a Group Sales Manager at Sharpstown in the Mens Area and then promoted to Sr. Asst. Buyer in Housewares working for Tom Hass. My first buying job was in Fashion Fabrics, following on the heels of Jim Waxenberg. I was then promoted to Housewares Buyer working for Ed Friedman. Later Lowell Whitlock became the DMM. I left Foleys in 1978 to take a DMM position at Joskes-San Antonio. I look back on those great years at Foleys under the guidance of such great merchants...Milt Berman, Stewart Orton, Lasker Meyer, Don Stone, Don McNaught, Ed Friedman, and so many more. My ultimate success in the retail world was totally enabled by the experience I received in my years at Foleys.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the Name of the bakery that was inside this foley's! We loved their lemon pies
ReplyDeleteI just found this website looking for Lasker Meyer's book. I was fortunate to spend 13 years at Foleys starting as an Executive Trainee in 1974 and departing after the Sangers consolidation in 1987. It was the best retail experience of my life. I am really looking forward to reading Lasker's book having reported directly to him for 2 years. He was truly a great merchant and wonderful mentor.
ReplyDeleteI love this site. It brings back many warm memories of childhood visits to those grand old department stores.
ReplyDeleteI am, as so many on this site, saddened that Macy's tossed aside all the proud names that identified a city. Somehow, outside of Manhattan, Macy's doesn't mean much to people who patronized these lovely old stores. Something stable, familiar and comfortable has gone away...
Thank you for taking the time to comment, and reinforcing my own feelings, which prompted me to create "The Department Store Museum."
ReplyDeleteWhen I lost my wife in 1996, I can recall the less-than-helpful comments made by some people, but I hold dear those comments which have stayed with me, and gave me some true comfort. My brother, Patrick, simply states "We'll keep her alive in our hearts."
Regarding your comment, I guess all we can do is keep the "stable, familiar, and comfortable" in our own hearts, and if ever asked, I'd say this was the mission of The Museum.
Bruce
I think you have accomplished your mission. And we readers are grateful for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sir.
Very kind of you! Thanks - I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteBruce
The producer of Foley's commercials from 1984 thru 1987 has posted them. They are from the "At The Heart Of Texas" and "..of course!' campaigns. I thought I would never see some of these again:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q4vaachJJI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVM5XOH3b30&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1P9Su-AUFQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHLMO-VUDuQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd_LGaynJXo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgwQIEg0KfM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYJDsiUJr3k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dif9bnixRE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqJO6rPwD7E&feature=related
Richard in Houston
The reunion was great. Jeanette Spivey did a fabulous job. The book is out and the feedback on it is really good. I think it brings back a lot of memories. Berings, several Walgreens and Barnes and Noble in River Oaks have the book I think a few more places do too. Or contact my dad. Arcadia has been slowly getting it in stores.
ReplyDeleteMy dad has been working on another book , which is more of a behind the scenes book on what made Foley's what it was. Should be good.
I was born in 1948, lived 7 blocks from Foley Brothers and walked there as a child when it was the only Foley's in Houston. Spent "all day" just looking. I still remember it, the hat counter on the left as U went in. Mama could always find me by driving down Main St & looking for my dog. One hot summer day she slipped in, I went into panic mode when I couldn't find her (I was about 7 yrs old) & the lady at the hat counter had let her sneak in & huddle up in the corner where it was cool till we came looking for her. I smiles & was a very happy child! Thanks for the memories :o) God Bless my friend!
ReplyDeleteInteresting links and comments. I worked at Foley's from 1982 thru 1988 in the Special Events and Advertising areas. It was a great place to work and launched my career into the world of computers and information systems. I have a lot of very fond memories (and stories) from those days and the people I worked with. While in Special Events I found a key - and finally found the door / lock that went with it. It was an old room on the 5th floor behind the Mens' restroom. In that room were file cabinets full of old photographs, memorabilia, and extra "souvenirs" that had been handed out starting when the store on Main Street first opened. It was quite an archive. Most of it was fairly unorganized and I quickly used my library science training from undergrad school to put some order to the room. Not sure what became of it after I left.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, Foley's was still full-line up until the May merger (though the Sanger-Harris merger effectively ended the "classic Foley branch" era). Even though the Budget Store was eliminated, the stores were still full-line. Post Oak Mall (Bryan-College Station), I'm not sure about, because it was a relatively small store (103,000 square feet!)
ReplyDeleteFoley's grew to be quite the branch of May Company later, taking on stores from Louisiana to Colorado. Highly diluted, but at least a solid store.
@Psuedo3D: You are correct (if I'm reading correctly)about the merger ending both Foley's and Sanger Harris individuality. Foley's had gone out of the budget category(I think it was called 'Value')at the end of fiscal 1986 as I remember relocating from Dallas and seeing the basement level of the downtown Foley's empty..and it stayed that way for a few months. Many of the more extraneous departments (records, toys, art needlework, garden, books) had floor space downtown, but I'm not sure about the branches. Corpus Christi opened around March 87 and was not planned for the businesses I just mentioned. Over the course of 1987 and the complexities of the merger, those departments referenced above were eliminated. January 88 brought the Campeau bid for Federated: Foley's and Filene's were bought by May in May 88, so about the time the merger dust had been settled, another parent company came in. I'd left at the end of 87, transferring to Bullock's, so I had the Macy's experience. I hope my notes were of interest.
ReplyDeleteFoley's was somewhat lackluster compared to the other Federated gems. Sakowitz was smaller but more interesting. When the other Texas stores lIke Neiman-Marcus and Joske's entered the market things got more interesting. When May took over Foley's became another May Co. clone. Walking into a Foley's was no different than walking into a Filene's or any other May unit.
ReplyDeleteWhat was interesting in the Houston area is, for many years, when a mall had a Foley's, it did not have a Joske's. Same thing with a Wards versus a Sears or Penney's. They both competed head to head. Greenspoint mall was the first major mall in Houston that had all anchors - Foley's, Joske's, JCPenney, Sears, Wards as well as Lord & Taylor. Walter Pye's, Battelstein's and Palais Royal were the Jr department store anchors.
ReplyDeleteFoley's was a beautiful store. Some of the branches were nicer than the downtown store as the suburbs grew. What was a hindrance was Foley's decision not to put a Foley's in The Galleria. They felt the Sharpstown and Northwest stores were close enough. This proved to be a major error due to the explosive growth and international presence of The Galleria. Marshall Fields, Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, the original Macy's and eventually Nordstrom all went in The Galleria over time. It was not until a few years before Macy's takeover that May finally put a Foley's in The Galleria. Of course, by then it was not the Foley's we had grown up with.
ReplyDeleteBy the time May took over, Joske's had been taken over by Dillard's. Sakowitz went out of business shortly thereafter as did Walter Pye's, Craig's, Isabell Gerhart, Everitt-Buelow and all the other local department stores. Battelstein's and Frost Brothers had also gone out of business. Once the new Macy's (nothing like the original RH Macy we had in the 80s) took over, Foley's was the last of the regional stores left.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 comments above were from Richard in Houston. Thanks for all your work on this site! BAK, thank you for the video about Jacobson's. It was very enjoyable. Did you hear about Retro Department Stores buying the expired trademarks of stores Macy's took over? They are trying to bring back 9 of them. I have been talking with the president and trying to get him to purchase Foley's as well. Of course, Macy's has now filed suit. No surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe downtown store was soooo Moderne and sleek. It is now, as a Macy's, a shell of its former self. They have reduced the number of floors used. I am surprised that the store is still in operation.
ReplyDeleteThe Foley stores all looked so well stocked and displayed---ready for business. Macy's went in and cut all the large displays down to eye level, making the stores look very empty and uninviting. I learned from my past in retail that "you can't sell from an empty wagon." Even in slow times, you make your displays big (sometimes with empty boxes and props), which encourages the customer to want to shop. A feeling of success has a big effect on making customers patronize your business. The somewhat empty-looking Macy stores look like they are about to close. I am baffled that the powers that be don't get this!
Outside of the famous Manhattan store, Macy's really doesn't mean much to the rest of America. How sad to obliterate our old shopping palaces which truly identified our cities. Thanks for keeping the memories alive!
You are very welcome, and I appreciate your kind, informative & valuable comments. Funny, the Macy store's I've been in in the north seem overcrowded with merchandise - the aisles can be difficult to negotiate - and it doesn't make the atmosphere too pleasant, in my opinion, nor does the lack of interesting and enticing displays.
ReplyDeleteBruce
Being retired from the retail and customer service industry, I look back at my initial training received from the old Hickory Farms of Ohio specialty stores. It was a wonderful family-owned business (until 1981), that made the effort to personally train each manager of their stores. I learned the basics of accounting, inventory control, product safety, personal selling, packaging, store cleanliness, lighting, and store display. It was their philosophy to never, ever present a less-than-full store--ready for customers with dollars in their hands. During slow seasons, when we didn't want a lot of perishable or expiration-sensitive product on display, we used specially made "dummy' boxes and jars, and even meats and cheeses. The real items were placed on top of or in front of the dummies to give the illusion of fullness. So, starting in January, we would have, perhaps, a store with only 25% real product. The customer never caught on to our little trick. As the special seasons came and went, you would adjust the amount of "dummies" versus real product, with of course, a completely "real" store by the time Christmas rolled around. We were always encouraged to build displays using our own enginuity--as long as we kept an eye on budget and overall customer appeal. It was from Hickory Farms that I learned that "you can't sell from an empty wagon." Today, when I go into a store and I see half empty racks, jars and boxes pushed to the front of empty shelves, and burned out lights (my absolute pet peeve), I want to scream! It's like there is no respect for the customers or even their own employees. This is what I saw in the Houston Macy's stores. That may just be the display method used in the South. But, it sure isn't what I was taught. And, I think I was taught correctly!
ReplyDeleteBruce,
ReplyDeleteTo assist you in your research for Sakowitz, you might read "Blood Rich". It covered the trial that ensued when Sakowitz went under between the family members.
Richard in Houston
I worked for Foleys for many years in the seventies and early eighties. My last job was as a divisional sales manager of hard goods in the downtown store. Over all it was a great job. I made many friends. When I moved to San Diego I worked for May Co. and lasted 6 months--that management was awful. I retired four years ago after 20 years with Nordstrom. Foleys was a class act in the old days! ST
ReplyDeleteI have an old foley's credit card that I bought at an estate sale. It says Foley Brothers Dry Goods Company. Houston Texas. It's very small and in a little leather case. I don't know if it's worth anything but it's kind of neat to have a piece of history from Foley's.
ReplyDeleteI never lived in Houston, but when I was a small boy I would spend part of the summer about an hour north of the city at my grandparent's home in Goodrich, Texas. At some point in during those long summer breaks, usually a few weeks before returning home, my grandmother would take my sister and I shopping for our back-to-school clothes at the downtown Foley's. We would leave mid-morning, usually on a weekday, and make the drive up Hwy 59 into the big city. The Houston skyline in the mid 1960s was quite a sight to a young boy. We would park in the garage across the street and walk to the store through the underground tunnel that exited into to "bargain" basement. Before going up to the main floors we would do a little shopping "downstairs" and then break for an early lunch at the cafeteria. I remember there were graphics on the wall featuring portraits of silent movie stars like Charlie Chaplin. Among my favorite things to get for lunch were mashed potatoes, and for desert, Jello cubes—orange was the best! After lunch, we would get a couple of pairs of dress slacks and some shirts for me, and then my grandmother would go off and shop for herself. I would ride the escalators up and down all nine floors, endlessly—taking long breaks to walk through the toy department on the 4th floor, or watch some daytime TV department on the top floor. Around 3 o'clock I would rejoin my sister and my grandmother in the "fine dining" cafe on the 3rd floor. The tables had white tablecloths. She would have coffee and my sister and I would each get a chocolate eclair. It was heaven. LAst minute shopping would be finished after our break. We would leave in time to get back to Goodrich for dinner, but not before I got a bag of candy (Swedish fish) from the candy counter on the ground floor. The summer after 4th grade my grandmother bought me my very own hardback copy of "Charlotte's Web" in the Book Dept. It was terribly expensive, $3.95! I still have it to this day. I was in Houston last April (2012) for a wedding and we all stayed at a downtown hotel. I walked over to the old store, and although the inside has changed a lot, and the upper floors were closed off, it still seemed very familiar to me. I rode those same escalators again after 44 years and I felt like a boy again. I almost expected to see my grandmother look up at me as I descended onto the first floor, waving me on and saying, "Come on Ronny, we need to back home."
ReplyDeleteThose are tremendous memories . . . and they serve to prove that these were more than just stores, i.e. in the big-box sense we know now. They were institutions which became a part of people's lives, had the power to inspire, and, as a matter of fact, still do: a mere visit conjured up images of your dear, unforgettable grandmother!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your charming story!
BAK
Does anyone know where I would find foley memorabilia. I have a 1928 foley bros. dry goods co. coloring book that I am wanting to list on ebay. If anyone has any information about it please email me at marichards12@aol.com, please in the title put foley color book.
ReplyDeleteI went to Incarnate Word Academy downtown and my brothers went to Annunciation School in the early 60s and every school day we rode the shoppers special bus down Main street to the Foleys to buy chocolate rock cookies at the bakery, two each religiously every school day. all our birthday cakes came from there and they had a whipped cream cake with strawberries like I have never seen or tasted. tonight reading these post I was there again and I tasted those cookkies and my youth again, thanks for the memories. If anyone knows any of these recipes I would willingly pay for them,.
ReplyDeleteMy mother first took me to Foley's on my 5th birthday in 1949. After that we went every birthday until my 12th. We went to the toys and I got a Madam Alexander doll and lunch at Azalea Terrace. As I got older and started working downtown (Southern National Bank across from Woolworths) I always went to Foley's for my clothes and shoes. I never bought my shoes on the first floor always bought them in"Better Shoes". I can still see the layout of the store and even tho l do not live in Houston any longer I still charish my memories of downtown Foley's. ALSO THE TURKEY ÀND HAM ROCHAMBU (SP). I have tried to recreate that for years.
ReplyDeleteSad news! The Macy's in downtown Houston will close this spring and the 1947 Foley's building will be demolished.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I saw it at least once, even though the upper levels were closed and it was a run-down Macy's.
Finally, someone remembers the Houston Foley's cafe with the black/white film strips with stars photos on the wall!!! It was my great-grandmother's fav place to eat! I loved running over the "hill" floor in the basement. That culture of family shopping fun is long over I'm afraid!!
ReplyDeleteTo me, it is ALL about the Hot Apple Pie with Rum Sauce!!! There isn't now, nor will there ever be again ANYTHING to compare, and it was served in Foley's The Terrace Restaurant, in downtown Houston! It was served piping hot in a clear glass bowl and I can almost still taste the sweet, yet tart apples, rich, flakey and shortbread like crust and buttery rum sauce! I'm sure the Chocolate Rock cookies, Chocolate Eclairs and the Turkey & Ham dish must have been delightful as well. Another fond memory was meeting (The Odd Couple) Tony Randall and Jack Klugman there when their record album came out. They autographed it for me and I still have it today! I agree with the comment about the displays - they should look FULL and prosperous to encourage us to buy! (I did displays for Joske's in the 70's.) Lastly, the 1st Christmas gift I ever bought for my husband was a blazer from Foleys! Very SAD that the building will soon be gone :o( I hope someone will post one last photo!
ReplyDeleteLoved going to Downtown Foleys! My dad worked as security for the store beginning shortly after leaving security for the shipyards at the end of WWII. He first started at the Warehouse as security then was moved to the downtown store in about 1947. He retired from Foleys in 1967 at the age of 71. What a grand place the store was.
ReplyDeleteDuring WWII my father worked as security for the shipyards in Houston. When the war ended he went to work for Foleys at the warehouse on Harrisburg. After a year or so he was moved to the Downtown store shortly after the new building was completed. He worked security from 1947 until he retired at the age of 71. I remember how much we loved to shop at Foleys. It always had such a comfortable atmosphere and, of my, when the windows were decorated for Christmas ... the highlight of the year for my children because their Papaw was going to take them to see the decorations. It saddens my heart to see this landmark disappear with all of the memories it brought.
ReplyDeleteI began my career at Foleys in 1959. First on a fur truck, running to the customers door to pick up a fur for cleaning and storage. Promoted to sales in the Men's Store, I soon was recommended for executive training by Jerry Franzen. This led to Head of Stock for Milt Diamond in Radios and Records, Asst. Buyer and then Buyer for Lanny Glick in Housewares which included Christmas Decor, and Buyer of Lamps,Pictures and Mirrors. Added to those mentioned were Robert Kiam and Carol Johnson--all were exceptional mentors to this young and uneducated kid from Austin.
ReplyDeleteThanks to this wonderful retail foundation, I went on to become Sr. VP of Neiman Marcus, Director at Smithsonian, Vice President of The National Wildlife Federation and owner of my own business, Rubicon Designs.
Retirement in Atlanta has been terrific these last 10 years.
I've so many wonderful memories at each of my jobs, but Foleys, and the outstanding people there hold a special place in my heart.
It's very sad looking at those pictures. I worked for Foley's and now for Macy's, most of the houston stores shown are closeor totally remodeled/rebuilt. I also use to always complain about going downtown for meetings but had to help close the building and cried on my way home knowing that we were loosing a bit of history.
ReplyDeleteThe Beauty Salon in Downtown Foleys....I can't remember what floor it was on and I don't see it listed on here...I can't remember, did it go by a different name?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that the Beauty Salon was on the first floor but I am not 100% sure on that. I got my first haircut there. My grandmother Bonnie Booty managed the salon for many years and then when the salon closed down she moved to work on the jewlery counter on the first floor. She retired from the downtown Foleys in the late 80's or early 90's and passed away about 10 years later. The day that the building was demolished was a sad day...a friend of mine who is HFD was there that day and was able to get me a brick from the building.
Deleteanyone know the recipe for Foley's chicken salad?
ReplyDeleteI used to eat at the Foleys restaurant in Sharpstown mall all the time. I was in love with the Frisco Grill sandwiches. I'm pregnant and can't stop craving them. Does anyone remember what all was on it? Especially what kind of cheese was it? :-D
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to see a piece of mid-century architecture leveled . It really was a good looking building. Just enough detail to make an elegant statement.
ReplyDeletei use to work in The Brown Bag 1971-1972. I sure would like to see photos when pictures
ReplyDeletewere taken of us when The Brown Bag was opened.
I ran away from home in February 1976. Caught a greyhound bus from La Marque, Texas to downtown Houston with $88. --- my life savings! Realizing that this amount of money wasn't going to land me an apartment, I had to contact my father and fast! I went into Foley's and talked to a salesman about my situation. He allowed me to use a phone in the furniture department to make arrangements for my dad to pick me up. I'm sitting on a sofa talking on the phone while a couple shopping listened to my desperate plea for help! At the time it was a crisis, but today I find this memory at Foley's quite amusing.
ReplyDeleteIsabella McGee worked in The Crystal Room at Foley's on Main Street in Houston Texas. I understand that she was the First Black Sales Lady and Model for Foley's in the 1960's. I have several photos, newspaper articles, office Memo's, check stubs, badges and serveral articles of clothing from The Crystal Room. Isabella McGee was my mother. If there is anyone that can share more information with me I would greatly appreciate it. My email is 1ginamcgee@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteI'm searching for help to find more information about my mother Isabella McGee who worked in The Crystal Room at Foley's downtown Houston in the 1960's. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. I can be reached at 1ginamcgee@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember or have current info for Barbara Horn. She was a hosiery/socks buyer at Foley's Houston in 1996,1997. Any info would be greatly appreciated - would love to reminisce!
ReplyDeleteThank you-
Thank you so much for your dept store page! I believe the downtown Houston Foley's store was designed by the famous industrial designer Raymond Lowey of Studebaker fame.
ReplyDeleteActually, the downtown store was designed by Kenneth Franzheim who also designed many other Houston landmarks like Bank of the Southwest. (Richard in Houston)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chron.com/life/food/article/Kitchen-to-Kitchen-Crab-cakes-are-tops-with-1627752.php Scroll down to Rochambeu recipe.
ReplyDeleteI worked as an ADM in Computer Operations in the late 70's/early 80's. The 9th floor always had a peculiar odor to it. I think it was the cleaning solution they used to clean the floors, but it was a really distinctive odor.
ReplyDeleteFoley's was a very nice dept store when I worked there. The employees really cared about the customers back then. The mix of goods they carried were of a good quality. When Macy's took them over they dumped a lot of the name brands that Foley's used to carry for cheaper ones. I never shopped there again. It just wasn't the same.
I have fond memories of going to Foley's during my childhood in the 60's. We would go get all of our school clothes there. We lived about an hour away from Houston so we would be gone all day, but Foley's was the only store we would go to. I also remember the candy counter, if my brother and I were good we would get a treat from the candy counter. My favorite was the peppermint bark. I have been trying to find that same bark, but nobody makes it like that anymore. Can you tell me anything about it...the company that made it...anything?
ReplyDeleteFoley's downtown was the first place I ever saw Christmas Windows [.ca 1965]. And, of course, I would head off to the toy department (whereupon my mother would get "lost" and I would have the help desk page her!). And the restaurant! Great food and setting and wonderful staff throughout the store - it nearly broke my heart when they demolished it . . .
ReplyDeleteI've had worked for Foley's at Deerbrook Mall, located in Humble, Texas. It was a three story level store. I've worked during the mid-80's until 1998, I decided to leave and went to college. I've worked within the Young Men's department, I've also had the Men's Clubhouse department, which was on the first level of the mall, just as you walk into the store from the mall. I've also covered the Luggage's department area too. Such wonderful time, but now, it's gone. I really do missed Foley's !!! (Macy's is now in that location)
ReplyDeleteI saw a previous inquiry about Barbara Horn (1996). Would love to talk old times. If she and/or family would reach out it would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJl3815@gmail.com
Wondering if there was ever a cookbookof the recipes from ie: Azalea Trace in Foley’s. What a treasure that would be.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I would love that too. If you ever find one, please let me know. My email address is retta@satx.rr.com. Thanks so much.
DeleteI would love that too, if you ever find one please let me know. My email is retta@satx.rr.com Thanks
DeleteHas anyone heard of a store called Ken-Eds Dallas? I have a vintage clothing store in Dallas & this is a new name for me. I just acquired a hat with the Ken-Eds Dallas label and have yet to find any history on the name. The hat is probably from the 40s-50s, based on the other items I acquired from the estate. I do love this website & reading about people's stories & recollections from the past
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ReplyDeleteJohn Ball, I think I was in your training class in February 1970. Just saw this post. I worked as an assistant buyer in wigs/hats under Mr. Cohn, then later in dresses under Dorothy Shields. Became a buyer for junior lingerie. Then I left, back to Oklahoma. It was quite an experience for a small town girl.
ReplyDeleteI have a new never worn sweater from Foley's that I would like to sell. How can I find if there is any interest?
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother, Nell Durbin, worked at Downtown Foleys at the first location on Main, and then, the beautiful new store on down Main as a gift wrapper for many many years. She took us to the the Azalea Terrace several times. My cousin, Harold James Drawe, as an Assistant General Manager for 30 years and retired from there. Wonderful people at a fabulous store.
ReplyDeleteI worked at downtown Foley's in 1961/62. My first real job after a few weeks at the original MacDonalds on Main Street (not the chain). I worked on 9th floor in the Research Department under James T. Baker. Ida Fuchs was the secretary and Simone ?last name was research person as well as Ken Wise and Carol Ballon. We researched automobile traffic near malls that we were going to place stores. We used stop watches to study wait times at Package Pickup and other areas. We checked cleanliness of bathrooms. The dish I liked at Azalea Terrace was a hot dish with hot baked cheese sauce over sliced turkey and toast served in the baking dish. I was fresh out of high school and those ladies taught me so much. Great place to work. I took home $37.50 a week which seemed fine to a farm girl from Missouri.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother, born 1895, immigrated with her parents to Houston about 1903. Her mother died about 1907, and in 1908, my grandmother began working at the original (pre-Cohen family) Foley Brothers on South Main. Her job was to wrap the items purchased by the customers. In her spare time, my grandmother would write poetry on the wrapping paper. She saved some of it, and I have it in our family archive.
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