Joske Bros. (Joske’s)
Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, Texas
STORE DIRECTORY (551,000 sq.ft.)
Lower Level
Fountain Room Buffet • Joske’s Budget Basement
Main Floor
Costume Jewelry • Diamond Salon • Silver Salon • Fine Foods • Joske’s Baker • The Chuck Wagon • Stationery • Social Stationery • Luggage • Notions • Sporting Goods • Drugs and Sundries • Optical • Fashion Hosiery • Almost Shoes • Shoe Salon • Shoe Bazaar • Casual Hosiery • Neckwear • Leathergoods • Handbags • Umbrellas • Gloves • Famous Toiletries • Cosmetics • Misses’ Sweaters • Misses’ Blouses • Plaza Sportswear • Lingerie • Men’s Dress Furnishings • Men’s Sport Furnishings • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Hats • Men’s Clothing • Oxford Shop • The Male Bag • I.D. Shop • Boyswear • Corral Shop
Second Floor of Fashion
Coat Center • Fur Salon • Rainwear • Suits • Millinery • French Room • Contempo • Signature Shoppe • Sun Country Sportswear • Career Girl Dresses • Career Girl Shoes • Daytime Dresses • Sports Center • Bride’s Shop • Coiffures Americana Beauty Salon & Wig Salon • Plaza Shop • Pin Oak Sportswear • Pin Oak Dresses • Daywear • Silhouette Shop • Loungewear • Sleepwear • Maternity Shop • Junior Center • Junior Sleepwear • Pacesetter • Focus Shop • Young Juniors • Teena Texas • Girls’ Center • Infants • Toddlers • Boys 4-7 • Girls’ Sleepwear • Children’s Shoes • Jean Sardou Photo Studio
Third Floor
Crystal • China • Gift Shop • Housewares • Hearth Shop • Garden Shop • Hardware • Paint Center • Appliance Center • Linens • Fashion Fabrics • Art Needlework • Toyland • Stereo • Television • Records • Auditorium
Fourth Floor
Lamps • Draperies • Carpeting • Patio Shop • Pictures • Custom Fabrics • Young Modern Shop • Furniture • Dual Sleep • Piano Salon • Camellia Room Restaurant
BRANCH STORES
79,000 sq. ft.
214,000 sq.ft.
Star of the North Dining Room
Austin TX
200,000 sq. ft.
The Highland Room
132,000 sq.ft.
Ingram Park Mall (1979)
143,000 sq.ft.
Joske's bought out the Titche's Department stores in Dallas and had locations in Downtown Dallas (which later became their corporate offices) as well as NorthPark Center in Dallas which is now Dillard's. Also in Dallas at Red Bird Mall (now Southwest Center), Town East Mall, NorthEast Mall, Irving Mall, Richardson Square Mall and strip center locations in Wynnewood Village and Preston Forest Village. Joske's as well had stores across the street from the Houston Galleria which is now known as Dillard's Post Oak and Willowbrook Mall as well in the Houston area. Joske's in it's hay day was titled as "The Biggest Store in the Biggest State"
ReplyDeleteJoske's had stores at the following malls in and around Houston:
ReplyDeletePost Oak (The Galleria)
West Oaks
Willowbrook
Town & Country
Deerbrook
Baybrook
Northline
Westwood
Greenspoint
San Jacinto
Beaumont/Parkdale Mall
Lake Jackson
Foley's and Joske's were longtime rivals in Houston. For many years, if there was a Foley's at a mall, there was not a Joske's and vice versa. It wasn't until Greenspoint was built in 1976 that Joske's and Foley's were co-anchors.
Richrd in Houston
It is interesting to note that Joske's had three divisions until the 1980s. They had Joske's San Antonio (where the first store was located), Houston and Dallas. All had their own headquarters and buyers. Allied Stores consolidated them in the 1980s.
ReplyDeleteRichard in Houston
San Jacinto Mall never had a Joske's. It was planned but never went in. Mervyn's opened where Joske's was suppose to be.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a Joske's at Gulfgate Mall in Houston in the 60's...?
ReplyDeleteYes, there was; I plan to cover Joske's Houston stores separately.
ReplyDeleteBAK
The Joske's San Antonio division (commonly known as Joske's of Texas before the 1984 merger with Titch's of Dallas and Joske's of Houston) also operated one store in El Paso at Cielo Vista Mall and briefly two stores in Phoenix at Metrocenter and Camelback Malls. These were all acquired in 1978 when parent company Allied Stores purchased portions of the Liberty House chain. Frost Brothers bought the one in San Antonio which was at Wonderland Mall.
ReplyDeleteWhen Joske's celebrated its centennial in 1973 there was a 13-page insert in the San Antonio Light of April 15 detailing the history of the San Antonio-based company. It was written by Lois Burkhalter and is entitled "The Enjoyable Joske's Story". The ad campaign that year used "enjoy" and "enjoyable" extensively; the credit card was called the "enjoyment card" for several years afterward. I have a photocopy of the entire insert; if anyone is interested I can try to scan it and post.
ReplyDeleteI certainly would love to see it! I wish I could have been in San Antonio when it was Joske's but unfortunately, I was too young, and when I finally got to San Antonio it was already gone...
ReplyDeleteJohn:
ReplyDeleteSorry that I didn't respond about that earlier; I would love to post it here. You could send an e-mail to bakgraphics@comcast.net
Thanks!
(I subscribe to some newspaer archives - and will try to find it there.)
Joske's was so important to a young married couple from Baltimore in 1956. My husband had been posted to Fort Sam as a motor pool specialist and for a big night out we'd go eat at Joske's and then go to The Aztec to catch a film if we could come up with the money. After I worked for USAA it got easier. We bought a Colt 45 at Joske's and used it to target shoot on base, and hit cans along the river near Matagorda with Tommy and Carolyn Cain, our friends and shrimp boat owners. I bought big Mexican paper flowers there for decor, towels and sheets, clothes, in addition to the gun. It was a great place to be in 1956-58.
ReplyDeleteI,sure did enjoy going to the Camellia Room Elegant Restaurant,everytime I,went to the downtown Joskes of San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone comment on the quality of diamonds sold in their diamond salon?
ReplyDeleteI was in several television commercials for Joskes in the 1970's, probably 75-80 or so. I would really love to find out what happened to the reels from the old commercials and if they were possibly retained anywhere or just destroyed. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI have one of their old sewing machines labeled with their nameplate on the front. The machine is an old rotary (White Mfg) from the late 40's. It is from a home here in CT.
ReplyDeleteJoske's of Texas , downtown San Antonio
ReplyDeletealso had a Camera department. 1st floor.
Mgr. was Rudy Filipone.
At North Star Mall , Doris Vauter.
Long shot but does anyone know Jim F. from the the creative design area? Window dressing? Probably about 1985/86? Always wanted to get back in touch with him. Thanks. Mark
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather worked at Joske's at the Las Palmas location in the 70's. I remember getting a bunch of stuff they carried from the newley released Superman Movie from Joske's.
ReplyDeleteJoske's Alamo Plaza Store was a unique shopping experience for any age. Remember when Hemisphere started its real expansion? The NE Entrance of the store opened to a big parking lot that started with some super slides. Before all of that, does anyone remember the blue tile with the white letters JOT inlaid in same. An Architectural protege won a contest with that design. He is still a famed Architect working in Texas and was a groomsman in my wedding in 1956 and I in His in 1973.
ReplyDeleteA must see timeline, with some photos, from the San Antonio Express-News on the Alamo Street Joske's: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/item/Timeline-A-history-of-Alamo-Street-Joske-s-18226.php
ReplyDelete