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| Read the history of Woodward & Lothrop exquisitely presented in Michael Lisicky's authoritative book. |
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| Woodward & Lothrop "The Store Fit for the Nation's Capital" |
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| The older building on the 'G' Street side extended from 10th to 11th Streets. |
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Woodward & Lothrop's North Building,
acquired from Palais Royal in 1946.
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| The North Building and Main Building sat on opposite sides of 'G' Street. |
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The First Foor decorated for Christmas -
unfortunately, the photo does not show the beautiful bas-relief
plaster detailing on the square columns, which gave the store
tremendous character.
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| Woodward & Lothrop's renowned Tea Room as a favorite Washington eatery. |
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"Where Quality and Service are Traditional"
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Woodward & Lothrop
1025 'F' Street NW
Washington, D.C.
DIstrict 7-5300
First Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Better Jewelry • Small Leathers • Gloves • Handbags • Scarves • Belts • Hosiery • Cosmetics • Fragrances • Blouses • Cosmopolitan Sportswear • The Shoe Center • Shoe Bag • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Accessories • Men’s Personal Furnishings • Stationery • Calculators • Candy • Clocks • Coins & Stamps • Optical Shop • The Silver Room
Second Floor
Men’s Clothing • Formal Wear • Men’s Slacks • Men’s Outerwear • Men’s Rainwear • Washingtonian Shop • Men’s Tailored Sportswear • Men’s Action Sportwear • Men’s Related Separates • Quadrangle • Projections • Clubhouse • Shaver Shop • Body Shop • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Hats • Shoe Salon • Columbia Shoes • Millinery • Wig Salon • Beauty Salon
Third Floor
Point of View • Young Attitude Shop • Club House • Designer Sportswear • Sportique • Designer Coats • Fur Salon • Perspective • Potomac Dresses • Potomac Coats • Columbia Dresses • Columbia Sportswear • Columbia Coats • Cosmopolitan Dresses • Cosmopolitan Coats • Chandelier Room • Designer Room • The Walnut Room • Miss Woodward Shop • Lady Lothrop Shop • Active Sportswear • Lingerie • Foundations • Robes and Loungewear • Daywear • Sleepwear
Fourth Floor
Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Better Junior Sportswear • Junior Lingerie • Infants Corner • Toddlers • Girls 4-6X • Girls 7-14 • Girls’ Accessories • Girl’s Sleepwear • Genesis • Little Boys • Boyswear • Boys’ Accessories • Teen Shop • Children’s Shoes • Children’s Furniture • Snak Shak
Fifth Floor
Crystal • China • Rosenthal • Table Linens • Bed Linens • Pillows • Towels • Bridal Gift Registry • Bridal Salon • Maternity Shop • Columbia Dresses • Columbia Coats • Columbia Career Shop • Columbia Casuals
Sixth Floor
Furniture • Mattresses • Connoisseurs Gallery • Interior Decorating Service
Seventh Floor
Luggage • Gifts • Williamsburg Shop • The Liberty Shop • Draperies • Pillows • Pictures • Lamps • Buffet Corner • The Dining Room • English Pub • Tea Room
Eighth Floor
Fashion Fabrics • Notions • Art & Needlework • Closet Accessories • Floor Coverings • Area Rugs • Credit Adjustments • Cashier
Ninth Floor
Personnel • Alterations • Executive Offices
NORTH BUILDING
Metro Level
Appliances • Easy Living Shop • Fireplace Accessories • Trim-a-Home • Christmas Wrapping
First Floor
Radio & TV • Paints • Hardware • Artist’s Supplies • Housewares • Cutlery Bar • Small Appliances • Bar Shop • Decorative Housewares • Bath Accessories • Gourmet Food Shop • Bakery Counter • The Book Corner
Second Floor
Toys • Hobbies
Third Floor
Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service • Dry Cleaning • Mending Shop • Repair Center • Photo Studio
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| Pentagon The Concourse December, 1943 8,000 s.f. (acquired from Palais Royal) |
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Chevy Chase
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
November 2, 1950
140,000 s.f.
The Fountain Room
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Alexandria
615 N. Washington
November 28, 1952
33,000 s.f.
The Potomac Room
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Seven Corners
Falls Church, VA
October 3, 1956
100,000 s.f.
The Fort Buffalo Room
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Wheaton Plaza
Silver Spring, MD
February 5, 1960
150,000 s.f.
The Montgomery Room
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Annapolis
Parole Plaza
October 1, 1964
90,000 s.f.
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Landmark
Shirley Hwy.and Duke Street
Alexandria, VA
October 11, 1965
151,000 s.f.
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Prince Georges Plaza
Hyattsville, MD
August 1, 1966
149,000 s.f.
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Iverson Mall
3731 Branch Avenue
Hillcrest Heights, MD
July 31, 1967
144,000 s.f.
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| Tysons Corner McLean, VA July 25, 1968 153,000 s.f. |
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| Columbia Mall Columbia, MD 1971 123,000 s.f. The Patuxent Room |
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| Landover Mall Landover, MD May 11, 1972 160,000 s.f. The Chesapeake Room |
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Montgomery Mall
Bethesda, MD
March 25, 1976
152,000 sq. ft.
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Lakeforest Mall
Gaithersburg MD
1978
150,000 sq. ft.
White Marsh Mall
White Marsh, MD
1981
Coming in due course.
Wow! What a great store Woodies was. Whatever I needed, even if I tried finding it elsewhere, I could find it there. Truly one of the greatest department stores and one that I miss very much.
ReplyDeleteAs a child growing up in Washington DC this was my fairytale happy to spend time in shopping, with my family store. Truly great memories, I so dearly miss this place. ☺
DeleteWoodies had the best Christmas windows ever, and the Secret Santa shop, where kids could do their Christmas shopping was so cute. I miss Woodies so much.
DeleteMemories abound. I remember the underground parking, with an entrance into the basement bakery department. There, Wellesley Fudg cupcakes were in the display case - the icing so thick and rich that a child could not eat the entire cupcake.
ReplyDeleteThe animated Christmas store window displays were a major area attraction. On Thanksgiving, each year, we would pile into the family car and drive to Woodies to see the windows. There would be velevet ropes to facilitate the crowds and keep the wating lines orderly.
As an ex-Buyer for Woodies all I will say is this...no retailer tried harder to go out of business than they did. All upper management were rejects (fired with cause) from other larger and more profitable stores. This may have been the single most poorly run company in America.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Was brought in from the west coast to help turn advertising around & it was too late. Very siloed management & they were sold off the following year.
DeleteI was hired as a management trainee straight from college. This was a horrible work experience. The upper management, I was under Mrs. Lyons, Store Manager, and others, were more political than our government. They treated the management in a sub- human manner. The newer stores were beautiful and they seemed to have talented buyers. As an entrepreneur now, I still use many skills from my training there. We were not valued as employees and that led to their demise.
DeleteDid you know James "JT" Kitchen that worked at the warehouse for Woodies off I-95?? How was he a reject if you did?? He was damn good at his job sorry you feel that way about my father.
DeleteWhat a great store this was, it had so much to offer. The Fudge Cupcakes w/nuts were delicious, it would cost about $10 each today and that would be cheap, compared to a dipped strawberry @Godiva's. The people who worked there had pride in their jobs, & it showed with their customer service. Remembering Christmas, how we got to see their window display was eye opening. My friend from NY thought all the stores here were small town, except for Woodies', that one is comparable. It was one of our more upscale everyday stores. A standout was when we got married, our friends came back & told us how nice they were @the registry, helpful & personable even relaying personal stories they've heard from others. But all good things come to an end and Woodies was one of those remarkable stores that did.
ReplyDeleteI have in my possession a "Golden Anniversary Diary - 1880 - 1930, Woodward & Lothrop Wahington. Inside front cover is a 1930 calendar. Book is golden in color and is in what I would call perfect condition. It has never been written in. Inside back cover are two calendars, 1929 and 1931. Please advise if of any $$ value to your museum. My E-mail address is phjones67@cox.net Thank you. I contacted a Mrs. Garcia back 1990 at the store's 100th anniversary, when it was located at the Pentagon building (I think). She had indicated their archive department would definitely be interested in the book, but I never heard from her again. Any response you might provide will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fascinating. Because the museum is totally unsupported by any type of funding, I can not make acquisitions. The reason that the store's archive department never answered, is that they are no longer in business. If you wish, you can find out if these archives have been saved at any location (such as a museum) and donate it there.
ReplyDeleteBAK
Do you know the name of the health food store that was across the street from the dc location
DeleteI remember the bakery at Woodies and boy was that ever good. Perhaps the fudge cake was Wellesley Fudge cupcakes like the ones sold at Hutzlers Dept. Store? I remember the chocolate cupcakes with coconut frosting. Does anyone have the recipe for those? How about the yellow cake also? Was the bakery contracted out? Would love to know the details.
ReplyDeleteWhat happen to the Security Staff from 1980 until 1990 ? We were the best there was in any retail store.
ReplyDeleteIn the early to mid 1980's, the family sold Woodies. While any residual presentation and marketing might have remained for a brief time, Woodies' light pretty clearly went dim at a rapid rate after that point.
ReplyDeleteI think I hear an echo in here!
ReplyDeleteI remember what my family called "Woodie Cookies" but were really called English Drop cookies, raisins held together with butter and brown sugar! Does anyone know of a recipe??
ReplyDeleteI cried the day Woodies closed in WDC, but not as hard as I did when Garfinkel's Department Store in WDC closed. I may still have a Woodies shopping bag and if I find it I'll send you a photo of it to add to your collection. I came to WDC in 1972 from Charleston, WV were the Diamond was my favorite store. Thank you for your website. I will return often when I need to reminisce.
ReplyDeleteI was the Warehouse Sale Coordinator at the Woodies Service building in Springfield, VA from 1981 to 1989. My office was located in the furniture Clearance Center (Store #73). The store occupied the northern quarter of the Service Building and sold scratched and dented furniture, discontinued pieces, lawn furniture and occasional furniture and in my early days there, TV's. The memory of those crazy sales and the tremendous public response was unforgettable. It took a week to set up the one-day extrvaganza sale and a second week to recover from it! My entire career at Woodies spanned from 1972 in the Tysons Corner Men's department to 1989 when my position at the Clearance Center was eliminated and me along with it.
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to work at that warehouse. I would go with him every Saturday to work. I loved. It there. From his office you could see almost the entire warehouse filled with stuff. His name was James "JT" Kitchen, don't know if you remember him or not. I also loved his secretary too. She was very nice and pleasant to be around.
DeleteI joined Woodward & Lothrop in 1958 as a sales person in the camera department. After 30 days I was approached by the personal department to join their union,I refused to join. The next day I was summened to personal who wanted to know why I did not want to join the union. They liked my reason and asked me if I would consider becoming part of management and was with the store for 15 years. When I left I was qualified for retirement which was 500.00 a year. I held many positions, Manager to assistant buyer. I was a manager of the budget store, assistant buyer of the budget store, boys department. Manager of House wares, Chevy Chase store where I met my future wife. Back to the main store to be assistant buyer of mens clothing, linnens and bedding departments. My last position was the ware house on 1st and M streets as manager of checking & receiving. Was a shame it was ruined by the last CEO.
ReplyDeleteThere was an Eastover store as well but that was closed before the Landover store was opened (I think). A great organization that fell to the big bang theory of retail management. I think the Wannamaker acquisition contributed but the stores were both instrumental in setting the standard for retail operations in the early part of the 19th century. It should have been a match made in heaven...damn Taubman was in it for the money not the history.
ReplyDeleteNo unfortunately that portion of the County (Eastover as in Indian Head) did not have such a Devine store. I remember we had to go over to Landover Mall to get to the closet Woodies back in the early 80's. That store was so high end and filled with items that made you Awe. #bestmemoriesever
DeleteI remember going to Woodies when I was a child in the 50s. I loved walking in the G Street entrance and looking at the store from the balcony, especially at Christmas. Everything was so beautiful and smelled so good from the cosmetics counters. When my children were young, we would make a special trip at Christmas so they could look at the windows and do their Christmas shopping at The Secret Shop. There was a window where parents could peek in to see their children shopping, but I never did because I wanted to be surprised on Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the corporate security staff, I can say that it is true the group was well known by other security and law enforcement throughout the metropolitan area as professionals. This due to Lew Shealy's oversight.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to Velatis Chocolate made in the NB? Also, remember the Rum Buns in the Tea Room?
There is a "Vatores" the real family name, in Salisbury, Maryland. It's owned and run by members of the original family, and the recipes are the original "Valatis." It's still just as delicious today!
DeleteI remember the basement bakery as that was the only place interesting for a 7 year old. I can't find anything that resembles my memories :)
ReplyDeleteiwas a employee for 25 years. i managed and sold shoes. i help close the seven corners store an dlandmark. i worked with a lot of managers of the stores and i was asst buyer in books fo a while
ReplyDeleteI have an original watercolor done for a W&L display (titled: Susan with Muff by Helene). Probably circa 40s - 50s. Can anyone tell me more? Thx!
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather worked for Woodward and Lothrop for 32 years before retiring in 1989. He started out at the drycleaning department at the warehouse in DC before becoming an engineer for the company. I remember as a child going to the Seven Corners location (now a DSW Shoes on the upper level and a Ross on the lower level) and the Landmark location (now empty, and the Service Warehouse in Springfield. My grandfather passed away in 2008 and I really miss him. This site has allowed me to reconnect with him in a way. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou omitted a location. Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Va. It was the BEST department store. I still miss it.
ReplyDeleteThis is WONDERFUL! I remember every inch of the Washington store. I am a 7th generation Washingtonian. My mother shopped there regularly. Do you have any idea if anyone has the recipe for their English Drpo Cookies? They were so good. I think of them often and wish I could recreate them at home.
ReplyDeleteI have the following and would like to give it to whoever is in charge and/or appreciate them: copies of the "Woodlothian" from 1988 - 1991; "Regardies" magazine dated November 1988 with Ed Hoffman on the cover and the cover story titled "What the Hell Happened to Woodies?"
ReplyDeleteI was employed in several departments starting at Iverson Mall in 1972, retiring in 1988 from the Systems department in the Alexandria office.
Shirley Mihursky
Dear Shirley:
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting your comment. If you would e-mail me at bkopytek@comcast.net, I can help you find a good home for these items.
Bruce
At the risk of appearing to be self-serving, Let me mention that I have written a short history fo Woodies, which appears on my Washington DC blog at http://www.streetsofwashington.com/2010/11/woodward-lothrop-sentimental-favorite.html. One of the things Woodies did in the course of its history was to acquire the old Palais Royal department store, which I have also written up on my site. Finally regarding archival records for Woodies, they were donated to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., which has them nicely organized and available for researchers.
ReplyDeleteJohn DeFerrari
Thanks, John for the links to your beautiful and informative articles. I am sure many visitors to this site will enjoy reading about Woodies!
ReplyDeleteWill you be so kind as to contact me at bakgraphics@comcast.net? It is regarding research about Woodies and an opportunity I may have for you.
Bruce
I never heard of this store until I was at the flea market and found a full three mink scarf. Im trying to find out how much it is worth. all of the fur and parts are still here but they are starting to fall apart.
ReplyDeleteYes interesting reading,i helped open the Eastover store in i believe the fall of 1963 and met my wife there before working down town in the engineering dept until 1 left in 1070.
ReplyDeleteThe bakery was in house and on the 8th floor as i remember,the german choclate cake was to die for and my favorite.
I enjoyed working there and met a lot of good people,but glad i left when i did .
Just before the downtown Woodies closed, I took my son to tour the store and to have lunch in the Tea Room. I have wonderful memories of shopping there with my Grandmother and my Mom, especially at Christmastime with the beautiful decorations and visiting Santa in the Toy Department.
ReplyDeleteWhen my wife and I were freshmen in college we applied to work in a department store - she applied at Woodies and I applied at Hechts...as fate would have it - I got a job at Woodies and she at Hechts. My first job was at the PG store in the toy department..several promotions later I left in 1986 as the MErchandise Manager in the Mens Dept at Chevy Chase. I went to work for Macys - but came back to Woodies in 1989 to my favorite job to date as Training Manager at Metro Center. I left Woodies in 1994 after working as Customer Satisfaction Administrator at Fair Oaks. Some of my very best work memories came from my days at Woodies. Christmas still doesn't seem the same -- not working in retail any longer!
ReplyDeleteI grew up steps from the Wheaton Plaza store. So many memories are forever blazoned in my mind. It was the ultimate suburban store with bargain basement and every imaginable department. I remember Notions and Books. Things you would never find in a contemporary Macy's. The restaurant was the Brass Pony in the 70s. I loved going there. My friends and I went to see Henry Winkler (the Fonz) and Don Most (Ralph Malph) in person there. I was the only one that wanted Don Most's autograph. One of my earliest retail memories was being in the cosmetics department with my mother and noticing the clerks all has clear plastic purses. My mother said that's so they don't steal anything. That was a shock. Steal? They might steal? To this day, my siblings and I call any transparent pouch a "Woodies Bag".
ReplyDeleteI managed several Woodies restaurants during the 10 years I spent at Woodies, including Columbia's Patuxent Room where we served Sunday Brunch and had a huge salad bar where all the salads were made in house. Then I worked at Landover, Wheaton Plaza, White Marsh Mall, and the last 2 years managing the Tea Room in Washington. I remember meeting Tony Curtis and being asked to find him his favorite snack " Lady Fingers " and a bottle of Tang Gin. I stayed through the liquidation sales and was the last restaurant manager to be layed off. That was a sad day, I loved the old building and its history. Also the fun serving the kids during our annual Breakfast with Santa.
ReplyDeleteEvery year at Christmas time my parents would take me and my sister to the Mall in D.C. to see the National Christmas Tree, then we would head to Woodies to see the mechanically animated window decorations. They were always entrancing. Hecht's and Lansburgh's also had similar windows, but not as many, and never as extravagant. This activity was always one of the highlights of the Holiday season for me. I only wish I could take my grandkids. I truly miss Woodies. One of the finest retail establishments ever.
ReplyDeleteWheaton Plaza had a Woodies at one end and a Monkey Wards at the other. The more well-to-do you were the closer you parked to the Woodies end. :-) That was about as high-class as we ever managed when I was a kid. There was something about either the florescent light ballasts or the alarm systems on the jewelry cases, but there was this really painful right-on-the-upper-edge-of-human-hearing squeal that just drove me nuts whenever Mom dragged me in there. But it had to be endured if you wanted to get someone something really *nice* for Christmas: the pecking order of shopping elitism kinda went Sears and Wards, Penneys and Hecht's, and Woodies at the top of the totem pole. :-)
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know when Woodward & Lothrop did custom picture framing? In doing some research on 2, what appear to be very old prints, and not finding much information, I decided to check into the framing. They both have a blue and silver oval shaped decal that says "Custom Picture Framing, Woodward & Lothrup, Washington" I find the all of the history behind Woodies fascinating!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember having lunch in the Williamsburg Room? I have so many wonderful memories going there. Big step up to the "food courts" of today!
ReplyDeleteI worked in the wheaton store along with my mother and brother I have the gold 100 years coin with the date of 1880-1980 on the one side other side reads 100 years encased in block of one inch acrylic anyone ever see this? jm
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody have ANY more information on English Drop Cookies? ANY recipe? ANY thoughts? More detailed description?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Michael
I am British and we don't "do" cookies. Perhaps you are referring to drop scones. If you think that might be what you are looking for google and there should be loads of recipes.
DeleteFor your information, it likely has nothing to do with the nomenclature used in Britain. At the store, they were referred to as "English Drop Cookies." It may not be accurate from your point of view, but that is how the cookies were marketed to Wodward & Lothrop's customers.
DeleteThank you Sir!!!! They were wonderful "cookies" not scones!!! and who could forget the wonderful Velatis Caramels! I worked Table Linens and lamps with Mrs. Pugh for years and loved working for W & L, always a go to place for almost anything, miss them dearly!!
DeleteIn 1959/60, I worked in the window display/interior decorating dept. as an "apprentice" in the main downtown store. What a fun job! Christmas decorations were the best! At various times, we displayed live animals in the big windows on F and G streets -- from alligators, to penquins, to deer, and one of my jobs was to feed them. Sadly, the live animal displays ended one Christmas when a deer attempted to jump through the big glass window on G Street.
ReplyDeleteAllen Hounshell
Fairfax, VA
I worked at all of the Woodies during my employment there. I originally was a third party contractor doing their cash register repair. When Woodies dropped the contract and started their own in house service center I was the only one of 22 techs from the contract asked to join Woodies...which I did and stayed with them until the lights went out some 15 years later. Although originally hired to do cash registers it soon branched out and a department of maybe 8 to 10 managed to do all of the cash registers, printers, crt's, eventually PC's and telephones for all of Woodies and then Wanamakers as well. Great group of people to work with. They should never have been sold.....the buyers were not merchants and were only interested in the property Woodies sat on.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the budget store on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda?
ReplyDeleteWow. The commercial jingle ring fresh in my mind as if it were only yesterday: "Make your world...beautiful at Woo-dies!" Anyone else remember? I loved the display windows at Christmas. Thanks for reminding us of better times.
ReplyDeleteI have a lovely little luncheon/dessert-sized Wedgewood plate that is marked on the back " ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR WOODWARD & LOTHROM BY JAMES SCOTT THOMPSON LIMITED EDITION WEDGEWOOD BONE CHINA MADE IN ENGLAND. The pattern is a white background with lovely apple blossoms twining around the center section, with what I believe are 4 Japanese letters/characters around the rim. It is in the original box, wth the original price tag of $50.00, sale price tag of $39.99. It was a gift, but I don't remember the giver or the timeframe. Does anyone remember these plates or know where I can check out these special Wedgewood editions. So far, I can't find anything online.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
I am a historian writing a history of the effort by Woodward & Lothrop employees to form a union in the late 1970s. I am interested in speaking with former W&L employees from this general time period. I am interested in hearing all stories and opinions. If you are interested in sharing your experience of working at Woodie's, please contact me. I can be reached at awindham@umd.edu -- Lane Windham
ReplyDeleteI was their first and only male telephone operator working out of Tyson Corner. Lets not forget the warehouse sale at their warehouse on I95 north of Springfield VA
ReplyDeleteAugust 12,2013...I worked at Woodward & Lothrop for about 15/16 years in Charge Authorization and then Accounts Payable in the Washington,DC store and moved with them out to 2800 Eisenhower Ave.,VA(Accounts Payable) until they were sold. I loved the Christmas times of great displays. My son enjoyed them too. Our department worked the sales floor at Christmas times. Enjoyed working with the public. Does anybody know were any of the business offices are located? My job has been cut and Social Security gave me an address, but that office is no longer there-400 Town Center ste500 Southfield, MI., 480751406.Send message-twymanbj@verison.net
ReplyDeleteReply
I hope you see this. My dad worked there too. His name is Glenn Grady. Do you know him?
DeleteI remember that fabulous jingle, Make your world beautiful at Woodies. On TV it was Starry night by Van Gough painting itself ending with a sparkle. I can play it on my keyboard. I remember all those jingles, even Hechts. Hecht, Hechts exciting Hechts, imaginations everywhere!
ReplyDeleteDo you of any recording on YouTube or anything of this commercial jingle.I LOVED this commercial it was so beautiful. Please let me know
DeleteI LOVED that version of Van Gogh's Starry Night used in the Woodies TV ad. I can't remember exactly how the jingle goes...I really wish I could track down that Starry Night. As a child I got confused as to whether the real Starry Night had lights all over the tree, as it did in the Woodies ad!
DeleteI worked at the Woodies in Annapolis (Parole Plaza) in the early 80's. I met my wife who also worked there. I started part-time on the Platform. Remember the spiveys? Then went to the Men's Department. Worked there as an assistant to Patty B. Got out before it got bad. My wife stayed a few more years. I miss the store (replaced by a huge towne centre, it's now a Target for God's sake).
ReplyDeleteI miss Woodies so much! Anybody that I know that grew up in the DC area feels the same way. I was in Indiana for grad school when they started having problems; by the time I moved it back, it was gone.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Falls Church and my mom, sister, and I shopped at Woodies, 7 Corners. My prom dresses were purchased there in 1958-59 and I shopped there for many years and loved their fabrics and their children's clothes. We purchased our Magnavox 'stereo' there as well as a sofa, and had two large paintings framed at Woodies -- it was a wonderful store.
ReplyDeleteI have a Woodward & Lothrop hat box that belonged to my mother-in-law that I love, and a Woodward & Lothrop red plastic letter opener from 1959
ReplyDeleteI have a copper coin that says 'Woodward & Lothrop' 1880-1980 on one side, and on the other side it says '100 years'. It is about the size of an Eisenhower Dollar coin and is copper. Does anyone know what it might be worth? If anyone has any information on it's worth, please email me at oneredheadmom@yahoo.com Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks (NOT!) to Alfred Taubman for demise of Woodward & Lothrop ("Woodies") and John Wanamaker. Don't shop at the malls his company manages: Fair Oaks Mall and Lakeforest Mall.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was VP Marketing from 1975-1981. He turned the job down initially, not wanting to leave Atlanta, but was convinced to bring me up for the grand tour. I'm a native Atlantan and thought there was no store in the world that could compete with my beloved Rich's. Well, I was wrong! Things were beginning to change when we left in '81, but the time we were there was magic. Loved that store and everything about it, including management team and wives. Our daughter joined as an executive trainee right after college in '85 and became a buyer. She went through the Wannamakers transition and some rough waters, but she learned a lot. Both daughters worked there during high school. The downtown store when closed for parties was a magical place! Store openings meant long hours and great excitement. We may have come for the final chapter of Woodies, but it was still a special place to work, shop and play. Great memories. Somebody, please write a book!!!
ReplyDeleteThey did! Check back tonight and I will put a link up to it.
ReplyDeleteBruce
No info on any value of your 100 years "copper" coin, but that was one of the things he was responsible for during his tenure at Woodies. I asked, but he doesn't remember how many were produced, but probably a few thousand at the most. We have several. There were also lapel pins for the 100th--less of those.
ReplyDeleteI, too, shopped at Woodies in Annapolis, MD and purchased a Wedgwood Plate commemorating the Queen's visit to Washington in 1976, Limited Edition No. 9 of 12 in FIVE COLOURS. It has been packed since 1976 and I recently moved and just unpacked it. I have not been able to find anything about it - even from Wedgwood. Anyone know anything about why Woodies sold it, what happened to the other 11? I am curious. Carolyn (carolynamm@aol.com Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteI was an Asst. Buyer in Housewares at the Downtown D.C. store and then, years later, I was a Chauffeur in the Queen's motorcade when she was in D.C. I researched a little and found Many possibilities on Etsy, eBay, etc. One "Key" to finding the year may be that it was the USA "Bicentennial"---the reason for her visit! Good Luck!
DeleteI can't find that commercial anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAre there any "Teen Board" Models from Woodies in Landover Maryland?
ReplyDeleteHi! I am a former Teen Board Member from the Lake Forest Store. (1993'-95')
DeleteLoved being a part of it!
The wrong address is listed for Woodies in Chevy Chase. It was located at 5400 Wisconsin Ave. 7201 was the W&L Bethesda Budget Store.
ReplyDeleteI so loved working at Woodrow downtown $ That was my first job since moving ro the DC area. I was hired in August 1978 but left to work for the DC govt in 1982. I had two beautiful girls while working there and we always called them Woodies Babies. We had great times back then, drama was unheard of and coworkers would cover your station for you if a bathroom break was needed. I work leather gloves, umbrellas, scarves or where ever I was needed. I remember when Donnie Simpson would come through to spin a few records during special events, but the most spectacular event of all was Christmas!! Simply Devine and stunning decorations. Sure wish I would reconnect with my best friends/former coworkers Annette and Doretha. Loved those two ladies. We were not only coworkers but good respectable friends too!! Miss Woodies!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a native Washingtonian, now retired and living in Florida. Woodies College Board, summer jobs, then assistant buyer in the early 70s. Left when I married and moved away. Haven't been home in years. As both a child and an adult I remember the magic. Christmas windows, glamorous ladies in cosmetics, regal ladies who set the tone working in the tea room, the bakery, and that last deer who broke out of a Christmas window. Did those lovely people who retired ever get their pensions after it all folded?
ReplyDeleteI recommend the book "Woodward & Lothrop": A Store worthy of the Nation's Capital by Michael Lisicky. It's outstanding. I think Woodies would still be around if it wasn't some guy
ReplyDeletewho shall remain nameless (he's not worth naming) and Alfred Taubman.
I loved Woodies, I still talk about it to this day, the sales, the bakery in the basement and the Dinning Room, just loved their homemade breads. During lunchtime when I had nothing to do, I would just walk to Woodies and just browse the floors, sometimes seeing other people I knew doing the same thing. When we meet up, we still talk about Woodies, no other comparison. Loved their Harvest sale, no other department store sale could beat them, Hecht's tried, but no comparison to Woodies.
ReplyDeleteAs with Woodies, we also lost Hecht's, to this day I still call Macy's Hecht's, I can not stop talking about the wonderful service we received from both Woodies and Hecht's.
I treasure my old Woodie's chargeplate and the few bags with their name on them.
Velatis caramels and chocolates are available at the store located at 8408 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 20910 301 578-8612 or 1-888-483-5284. Also available online at www.velatis.com
ReplyDeleteSome Woodies Washington Post ads from the mid-1990s can be seen here: http://www.joebroderick.com/woodies.htm
ReplyDeleteI loved downtown DC Woodies was the headliner, at Christmas everyone came downtown to see the shop windows and hear the singing, we wanted to see who was the best between Woodies and Hecht Downtown had a flavor Chandlers I Miller, Rich's shoes L Franks the Blue Mirror Woolworths Hahn shoes Jelleffs Murphy's I could go on and on does anyone remember the health food store across from Woodies? you could go in and sit at the counter and have home made fresh soup and beautiful salads with the home made salad dressing with wheat crackers I wonder where did they go? well tears are in my eyes I will never forget I am leaving DC going to AZ I will carry my memories
ReplyDeleteI remember that health food store. It was called Vita Foods.
DeleteIn 1983-84, I worked at Woodies at the Columbia Mall in the candy/stationary departments. It was terrible. The hot lights in the store melted much of the chocolate out on the shelves. The management did nothing but make up unless busy work for us. Many employees were lazy knucklesheads who had been their for years. I remember one employee who spent her entire shift every day prank calling other departments. Another had worked their for nearly a decade and couldn't weigh candy or work the registar. She would sit back and let me do all the work, queitly chuckling under her breath. I eventually was fired for "throwing" a bag at a customer. I never threw anything, the bag merely slipped from my counter (because I was rushing) and she caught it. She interpreted that as a "throwing." I explained this but they fired me anyway. Retail of any kind treats employees badly. What they really should of fired me for was going in the back where the stock was kept in a large refrigerator and eating the very expensive chocolate, which I did nearly every shift (but I was still only 103lbs).
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the Woodies Christmas Reindeer? I have a few.
ReplyDeleteI have a portrait of a Welsh Corgi painted by an artist named Frank Mullin. The only information that I can find about him is that he painted the mural at the Tea Room at the Friendship Heights Woodies done in the Impressionist style. I was a devout customer at the downtown Woodies spanning several decades before they closed, but I don't recall ever seeing the mural at Friendship. Does anyone have any information about the artist Mullin? Any intel would be very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMy great aunt worked in the Woodward and Lothrup department store in Washington D.C. in the 1940s. While working there she purchased a beautiful mahogany bedroom set that I have since acquired. The manufacturer's stamp on the back says 3-16-49. I have one dresser, one chest, one singe bed, and a night stand. There is a metal plate inside the dresser that says Georgetown Galleries. The furniture is in excellent shape. I would like the furniture to go to a home that would appreciate it's value and origin. Please email be at hbenson@isd599.org.
ReplyDeleteMy great aunt worked at the Woodward and Lothrop Department Store in Washington D.C. in the 1940s. While she was there she purchased a beautiful mahogany bedroom set. The plate on the inside of the dresser says Georgetown Galleries. The stamp on the back of the dresser says 3-16-49. I have since acquired the furniture which includes: a dresser, chest, single bed, and a nightstand. I want the furniture to go to a home that appreciates its value and origin. Please email me at hbenson@isd599.org.
ReplyDeleteI was an artist that designed many of the newspaper ads. I was there from 1975-79. I still have many of the layouts
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather, William Joseph McMahon, was employed by Woodies in Washington, D.C. for 56 years as a floor manager. I have a copy of an Evening Star article dated 1947 honoring him. He was "Poppy" to me and a real hero to his family!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was a very talented artist and created three-dimensional pictures with felt flowers. On the backof the frame was a small metal tag "Fantaisie Florale Hand Embroidered. They were placed in a gold frame and sold through Woody's.
ReplyDeleteThis site is a fascinating. I miss shopping in Chevy Chase at high end stores. NThis was before Baltimore City, Towson, Maryland and Columbia, Maryland retained high end stores.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed working there. Does anyone know were any of their officers are-applying for Social Security? twymanbj@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have the recipe for the raw vegetable sandwich which was served in the basement?
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Jackie Robinson I worked in Public Relations, Men's Buying Office, Security and the Construction Department from 1977- to 1988. I am having problems tracking my pension after Woodies Bankruptcy does anyone have information now that I am 60 years old I need my pension benefits. rosesarered0328@yahoo.com. Love everyone at Woodies, great memories but the PBGC is acting like they can't remember the Bankruptcy. I have the lawyers name Mr. Marc Abrams but he says all the money is gone and was given to the retirees in 1996, I told him their are plenty of former employees that are now retiring and the pension was suppose to be kept in a Pension Trust. Does anyone out there know anything, God Bless
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will help. From the New York Times, 1995: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/10/business/company-news-woodward-lothrop-workers-get-pension-guarantee.html
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will help. From the New York Times, 1995:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/10/business/company-news-woodward-lothrop-workers-get-pension-guarantee.html
My family moved to the DC area in the early 1950s. Woodies was THE store for my mother who was used to upscale department stores in Philadelphia. I can still recall when the receipts came back to you in the brass pneumatic tubes. Others have mentioned lunch in the tea room where there would be models parading the latest fashions while we ate. We looked but I think many of the outfits were beyond our price range. I almost always had a cream cheese & olive sandwich. Olives seemed so very exotic! After lunch, we 'parked' my grandmother in a chair in the balcony over the F street entrance or so my memory locates it while we did our serious shopping often buying fabric so that my mother and grandmother could make my dresses. Christmas windows were another wonderful reason to make the drive in from Prince Georges county. While we often went to Hechts for household items, most of our shopping was done in Woodies. Lansburghs was only when my mother was getting used to DC and Kahns didn't merit a visit in her mind.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in Anacostia and remember eating cream cheese and olive sandwich there . 58 years ago for my 10th Christmas my mother put a 10 dollar gold coin on lay a way there , coin cost her $50 and I still have it today , now worth over 1000 bucks but its priceless to me , Austin B
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a trunk for my daughter that has a brass Woodward and Lothrop plate on the top. It has brass and leather finishes. Does anyone know anything about them? I've tried Google but haven't found anything. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy mother worked at the Friendship Heights store for many years. They would not hire her until 1956, because they did not hire Jews. She sold shoes - first in the children's shoe department (Stride-Rites) and then in the women's department where she was consistently the top salesperson. I loved Woodies, especially being able to take advantage of the 20% employee discount.
ReplyDeleteHello - we might have met back then. My parents and I were frequent shoppers at the FH Woodies in 1966-67 and my mom was often shopping for shoes. As a little boy I relished buying a few old coins at the coin counter. Once my dad - who had been in the service during WW2 - actually spotted General Omar Bradley.
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ReplyDeleteI was an employee in the stationary dept. at Woodies directly across from the Stamp and Coin Dept there. I know the names of the employees in that dept when I hear them, but it was 50 + years ago and I forgot a lot since then. I was there in 62 – 63 and made many friends there. I ended up going in the Marine Corps and Vietnam after that. Birdie was one of the supervisors that I worked with there. I remember Alice Kunk and Marie in security, as they always summoned me to help them when they needed manpower. Woodies was one of the best places back in the day. When I got out of the Marines years later, I went into retail security management and on to law enforcement. I managed many security depts. around the metro area... Hechts, Zayers, Giant, and a couple of PI company's as an investigator and security manager. Ah...great times.
Tom Lucas
My grandmother Ella Harvey was there about that time!
DeleteI loved Woodies while growing up in the DC area. I was thrilled to be picked as one of 2 girls to represent Wheaton High School on Woodies Teen Board at the Wheaton Plaza Store during the 72-73 schoolyear.�� Miss it!
ReplyDeleteI was on the Teen Board too but I represented the Lake Forest store 1993-95. Loved every minute of it.
DeleteI have so many fond memories of Woodies. The Woodies photographer, Alphonse (?) photographed my wedding April, 1989. Does anyone know if the photos are warehoused somewhere? Now that I can afford it, I would like to purchase all of the photos. efp@epollardmd.com
ReplyDeleteHi, My mom worked at the downtown Woodward and Lothrups in 1962-1963. I am trying to find pictures and any info about Harry C. Manderson, Jr., who was the silver engraver for over 50 years. He passed away in 2004 so I am digging through hay stacks. I was wondering if you could help me find photos or any info about him?
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Debbie
Hi, I am looking for info about Harry C. Manderson the silver engraver at Woodies. My mom worked at Woodward and Lothrups downtown branch in 1962-1963. I'd appreciate any info you could share about him.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Debbie
He was my neighbor when I was young in Rockville MD..He passed away several years ago.
DeleteHi sorry it took me so long to respond. Did u know Harry Manderson well? I’ve been trying to find people who could tell me more about him!
DeleteI have been looking everywhere, and haven't been able to find and information to help me discover more about this table my grandmother left me. The tag I have says: Woodward & Lothrop 38
ReplyDelete1706 Lamp Table (722-090)
It's very pretty, and has a pull out drawer. I can't find anything like it online anywhere. Would anyone by chance have an idea of what it is worth, and what it's story is? Or even be able to tell me what the numbers on the tag mean? I could greatly appreciate it!
Thank you,
Amy
Hi , My name is Sue Smith and I worked at Fair Oaks, stores 128 & 141 1989 -1995 and Landmark for a short time primarily in the cash office. Gift wrap at Fair Oaks in 1985. From 1970 - 1995, my mom was Barbara Smith Security manager at Tysons, Fair Oaks and Landmark, back to Fair Oaks before closing the doors for good in 1995. My sister is Kathy Smith married name Schulin), juniors and juniors buyer downtown and a variety of other departments.
ReplyDeleteSeeing if anyone on this site worked at Fair Oaks
Thanks so much!
Suzy Smith
I am a former woodies Assistant Buyer (1975 t0 1977) (Women's Swim and Better Sportswear), and reported to Isabel Lyons, the Buyer, and a former Department Manager in Chevy Chase. Does anyone know if Mrs Lyons is still around; likewise, Dave Smith, a former Merchandise VP and Store Manager for Tyson's Corner?
ReplyDeleteI remember David Smith at Tysons. He came to Saks as the Chevy Chase store manager. A nice man.
DeleteHi! My Great Aunt left me a few wonderful things. Many of which I will keep forever. However, I'd like to know where to find a collector who may want to purchase the black hat box, a few womens gloves and hankies that still bear the tags? They are such wonderful pieces that I would hate for them to go to just sit here any longer and not be displayed or used. She was such classy lady. Her husband, my dear, worked as a carpenter for them in their basement back in the 1950's-60's. Until he moved onto carpentry at the treasury department. Please feel free to email me at donnamariec9@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis might be the Woodies Cookie or English Drop Cookie recipe. http://bit.ly/1OnQG5E
ReplyDeleteI used to work at Woodies. I loved that store. I wish they were still open. I used to go downtown with my family sometimes, and that store was beautiful. I loved going into the tearoom.
ReplyDeleteWhile in high school (1963 - 1968) a girlfriend and took a day off school every year and took the bus downtown to shop. Woodies was always on our list. We always used the escalator, didn't even know where the elevators were. In later years, when I worked at 11th and L Streets, N.W., I'd walk down to Woodies and have lunch in the Tea Room ... the first place I ever had a Cobb Salad. During the holidays I went downtown with her parents where we looked at the beautiful windows. I miss it so much. I got Lisky's book and was very, very disappointed. Not only was it written in a confusing manner (it went back forth through the books between the years of Woodies), but I thought it never captured the HEART of Woodies ... the inside. I'm still looking for a better book about Woodies.
ReplyDeleteI emigrated to Washington in 1968, from the UK, and remember being taken to see the gorgeous Christmas window displays. I just found a sweater I bought in Woodies which is kept for sentimental reasons as it's a bit tight ! I also have a lovely full length black dress that was much coveted by those who saw me in it. I shall be buried in it. My husband and I bought our bedroom furniture, bedlinen, pictures, etc. in Woodies and despite few if any African Americans shopping there then, he was treated with the utmost courtesy. Sadly we split up, but he called me a year later and said that he was working there. Therefore it is particularly sad for me that the store has closed with so many good memories.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was a buyer for Woodies for many years. At the Pentagon and on 7th St. Mostly at the Pentagon as my grandfather worked for the Department of the Army there. I am getting ready to order your book now. Such good memories of shopping there! Christmas was amazing and I have several years of photos with Santa from there. Thank you for putting this together!
ReplyDeleteIn 1947-48 my Dad worked at the "F" st. store in the men's dept. My mom I believe in Cosmetics. They met and married. Mitch and Betty,anyone knew them?
ReplyDeleteUnknown21 November, 2017 05:15
ReplyDeleteI was hired as a management trainee straight from college. This was a horrible work experience. The upper management, I was under Mrs. Lyons, Store Manager, and others, were more political than our government. They treated the management in a sub- human manner. The newer stores were beautiful and they seemed to have talented buyers. As an entrepreneur now, I still use many skills from my training there. We were not valued as employees and that led to their demise.
_________
Margie Lyons from the Montgomery Mall store?
I remember Woodies as a child back in the 60's. My father had started with Woodies after college and the service. I believe he was in Toys at one time and Appliances at another, but he went on to become a Buyer in Stationary. There was lunch with the Easter bunny in the Tea Room, sitting on Santa's lap, the really neat store window displays, and plenty of excitement and hustle especially on the first floor where Stationary & Gifts was located. As a child I remember the Tea Room had terrible sound acoustics and I high level of noise. Sadly I seemed to remember him growing dissatisfied with the direction things were heading which led to his change to another great department store (Sibley's in Rochester). At Woodies in the 60's things were different than today and a buyer would leave for Europe on buying trips for the store so there was also memories of Dulles Airport too. Shame it's all gone now. Woodies was a beautiful department in another time, a time not replaced by shopping malls or that horrid thing called Walmart. But then from what he said the writing was already starting to be written on the wall before the sale of Woodies, the explosion of shopping malls on the landscape, or the strangling by Walmart happened; and our family moved to a place outside of Rochester, New York.
ReplyDeleteI knew Marvin Himelfarb of the big Washington advertising agency Abramson and Himelfarb. Marvin was the creative side of the agency. They did the radio and TV commercials for Woodies in the mid 80's. Marvin came up with the jingle, "Woodward, Lothrop, better than ever".
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember if the Woodies at Prince George's Plaza had a restaurant for any length of time? If so, what was it called? Was it the Tea Room like the DC store or did it have another name?
ReplyDeleteAt the prince georges plaza location in late 60s i saw the largest rat in the bushes along the wall there. It was the size of a small dog.I was a kid and after that i was terrified of those bushes. There was a grand union grocery across from it and a praying mantis clamped onto my finger so that whole area was childhood trauma. The woodworth and lothrop was a fun store to go in.
ReplyDeleteLove the sight, grew up in Arlington, VA. To bad you don't have photos of the stores Christmas windows. In December my mom and I would ride the bus downtown to shop a little and see all the decorations … the windows and stores were awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in DC. My heart was broken when Woodward & Lothrop closed! As a child I was thrilled to go "downtown" and enjoy the Christmas windows at Woody's and, at that time, the other department stores along "F" street and 7th Street. I often talk about that time with my grown daughters - how magical the area was! It is both a wonderful memory, and a sad memory - we've lost so much to the "modern" era! Thanks so much for sharing this site!
ReplyDeleteI liked this store but it was not the same in the later years. I can remember arriving by escalator on a deserted upper floor at F Street and finding two employees, a man and a woman,battling each other. They were rearranging displays and the woman was apparently late. My appearance on the floor did not calm them.
ReplyDeleteYears before I can remember being with my family and wondering into the millinery department. My father bet my mother she couldn't pick the most expensive hat on display. My mother looked at the hats and picked one from the hat tree. These were the hats on display which customers could touch without assistance. My mother turned the hat upside down to look at the tag. I can't remember the exact price but it was a three digit number. We couldn't believe the price and couldn't believe the hat was on a hat tree instead of in a display case. We quickly returned the hat to the tree.
Vita Food. I remember it well.
ReplyDeleteThe best store ever. I would walk up 12 Street from Penn Ave on my lunch hour. Pick out several dresses and ask the sales lady to hold them for me. They worked on commission. I would go back after work and pay for them. The Tea Room was heavenly. When we secretaries ate in the Tea Room, we felt we had arrived. Needless to say, when it closed I was heartbroken along with hundreds of others.
ReplyDeleteI used to work for Woodies in PG Plaza. My mom, brother and I used to go downtown to Woodies to look around and eat in the tearoom. I miss Woodies.
ReplyDeleteWasn't the basement level at F Street known as Down Under? I remember Down Under appearing on the elevator buttons.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite floor was the one with the notions. One of my favorite memories was one evening during the holiday season just before Christmas. It was snowing and the quaint lights in the center islands on F Street made everything look magical. Brentanos, Beckers, Garfinkels, Jelleffs, Lerners, Campbells and Jordan Kitts Music, and the Federal Bakery with the fabulous strawberry shortcake.
ReplyDeleteMy mother Betty Clymens and her twin sister Geraldine Clymens both worked at the downtown DC store. Mom worked in the China / Silver departments and my aunt worked in Linens and another department. This was back in the 1940's. Mother waited on Mrs. Roosevelt several times. She and her daughter shopped there often. Mom said that Woodies was "THE" department store where all the upper society shopped. She told me how the big display windows had huge velvet drapes and that every Saturday evening they would pull the drapes so you couldn't "Window shop" on Sundays. My how times have changed. She raved about their tea room too. But they couldn't afford to eat there.
ReplyDeleteLandover Mall had a wonderful restaurant called the Pub.I worked for Woodward and Lothrop until Hechts bought them.
ReplyDeleteI was a Woodie's Teen Board member from 93'-95 and I represented the Lake Forest store. I loved being a part of it. I remember modelling the Junior fashions for/participating in the big fashion show at the Tysons Woodward and Lothrop. Eric Nies from MTV's 'The Real World' hosted and Jenny Garth from 'Beverly Hills 90210' as well. Super cool.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Seven Corners store for five years and for the Wheaton Plaza store for five years. Loved working there first in women's shoes then in men's suits. The years were 1978 to 1988. I left to start my career with Montgomery County Public Schools. I had great friendships in both stores.
ReplyDeleteDon G.
I grew up in a working class family, and when I graduated from college I had to wear suits. I used to shop the clearance racks at the White Marsh store in the 1980's and thought I was "hot stuff" in my Woodies shirts and ties. I used to love their silk ties. I also worked in retail at Bon-Ton in Pennsylvania during high school and college, and always appreciated nice Department Stores. Whenever I was in DC, I used to go to the Metro Center store and loved the architecture on the first floor. They remodeled that store in the mid-80's and I used to just like to go there to admire the details of the aesthetics. There was a bakery as you came off the metro in the lower level that had the best chocolate chip muffins. Live in Chicago now, and miss the grand old stores like Woodward & Lothrop and Marshall Field's.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished reading this column of reflections about Woodward & Lothrop, where I was employed for 33 years in their Display department. As I was reading the column it brought back the memory of that day in September 1995, when my boss and I walked up the G street steps for the last time, to exit the store for ever. When we reached the G street balcony, both of us Instinctively turned to look back at the "main aisle" one more time. How many hours, in the combined total of 75 years of service, did he and I spend planning, designing, purchasing, building and installing the seasonal décor and special promotions in that aisle? And then the display windows, (especially the Christmas Windows).....if you ever worked in one of those un air conditioned glass boxes, I need to say no more. I could go on.....but the real purpose for writing this is to express to the many talented display people of Woodies, that if you ever felt, as I did at times, that what you did there meant nothing, you would be wrong. Take pride in the fact that while the public will never know any of us personally, they do remember our work. Ask any Washington native who shopped at Woodies what he remembers about the store and "display" will come up. Read the many comments in this column and see.
ReplyDeleteMy great aunt was a seamstress for Woodies during the pre, and post-WWI era. During WWI, Woodies acquired a government contract to produce the wool troop uniforms. My aunt sewed them, along with a team of ladies. She recalled walking off the job with the other women, marching out to Pennsylvania Ave & picking up signs on that historic day of women demonstrating in a parade for the right to vote. After the parade they walked back to Woodies & went back to sewing! I have what is described as "Doll Furniture" sold at Woodies. They are wooden exquisite pieces, a desk, a sideboard, two chairs, 2 overstuffed chair/sofa pieces and a random rolling pin. I donated them this week to my county's historical society, since the children's display area shows items from the 1890-1920 era. Ironically, my great aunt paid 97 cents for each of the pieces, and that was BEFORE her employee discount! As a young pre-teen, my greatest joy was being treated to Woodies' Tea Room.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where the Woodward and Lothrop archive materials are
ReplyDeleteStephen Hosmer
stephenhosmer12@gmail.com
The Historical Society of Washington D.C.
ReplyDeleteI was little but I remember going to the warehouse every weekend with my dad in Springfield, VA. He worked for Woodies for years. I remember being in his office and looking out his window into the warehouse at all the neat stuff. If any of you remember him his name was James "JT" Kitchen. Going to work with him was the highlight of growing up, I really miss him and miss doing that.
ReplyDeleteI recall the name, but that's all, sorry.
DeleteMy first "real" job was at the Washington DC Service Building. It was a great experience & I do remember JT Kitchen. My interactions with the Industrial Engineering Dept. were always helpful & freindly. Carl
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