Auerbach's on the corner of State Street and 300 South in Salt Lake City
Auerbach's Street Floor
The Third Floor of Auerbach's main store
F. Auerbach & Bros. (Auerbach’s)
State Street and 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah
DA 8-8188
SALT LAKE STORE DIRECTORY
Downstairs
Tea Rooms • Snack Bar • Auerbach’s Bargain Basement
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Jewelry • Hosiery • Slipper Bar • Cosmetics • Cosmetics • Handbags • Gloves • Scarves • Accessories • Street Floor Sportswear • Candy Corner • Camera Shop • Men’s Shop • Men’s Sportswear • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Shoes • Town & Campus
South Mezzanine
Housewares • Hardware • Gift Wrap Desk
Second Floor
Dress Salon • Town Shop Dresses • Coat Salon • Town Shop Coats • Fur Salon • Sportswear • Foundations • Lingerie • Slimwear • Custom Fashions
Third Floor
Salt Laker Shop • Salt Laker Coats • Salt Laker Hats • Daytime Shop • Sorority Shop • Jr. Realities • Young Colony • World of Fashion • Fashion Galleria • Crystal Room • Maternity
Fourth Floor
Holiday Trim Shop • Silver • China • Glassware • Gift Shop • Gourmet Center • Notions • Domestics • Draperies • Fabrics • Wall Decor • Stereo & TV • Records & Radios • Stereo & TV • Record Bar • Books
Fifth Floor
Children’s • Infant’s • Girl’s • Boy’s Shop • Pre-Teens • Miss Teen • Children’s Shoes • Toys • Sporting Goods • Stationery • Sporting Goods • Trophy Room
BRANCH STORES
Ogden (L. R. Samuels 1968)
Murray
110,000 sq. ft.
As a child, my Mother would to take me to Auerbach's many, many times over the years growing up. I feel like I know every square inch of the store spending so much time there tagging along behind my Mother as she shopped, and later shopping there myself. I haven't thought about this store in many, many years and I was thrilled to find these photos online. They bring back many memories of happier days spent with my Mother. Thank you for making these images available.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments. It pleases me to know that people remember places like this. There are more photos of Auerbach's on line, but I have misplaced the address. I will post some more here, in hopes of enriching your memories. Check back in a week or so.
ReplyDeleteMany of us have similar memories of our local shopping experiences with parents, and memories of how these stores enriched our daily lives. I never visited Auerbach's, but it seems as though it was quite unique and I for one am glad people remember it fondly.
I, as well, followed behind my Mother as we shopped at Auerbachs. To a little girl in the fifties and sixties, that store was a dream. The plush carpets, the pillars, the stunninly beautful women who worked in the Chrystal Room. Even an elevator girl! How many times did I have cream cheese and datenut sandwiches in that tiny, long, narrow snack bar? Thanks for the photos. Please let me know where to view more. Auerbachs is truly one of my fondest childhood memories!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to all the Depts shown above were those “behind the scene”. The fur vault, Victory basement, addressograph, management offices, lay-away, employee cafeteria, advertising, billing, window display, quiet room, receiving and delivery docks, shopping service, personnel, etc, etc. Anyone care to reminisce and fill in those areas and services I didn’t write. I worked at Auerbach’s back in the 1960s and the most important part of Auerbach’s success were the employees’. Can anyone contribute names and depts. worked, Memorable moments; humorous, scandalous; benevolent; epic romance or failed/tragic romance; marriages; gripes, satisfaction; intrigue and so on. My name is Brett Fossett and I was proud and happy to work there. Back in those days it seemed that half the people in SLC had worked there at one time or other.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother, Hannah Pennock is the woman who taught Auerbachs how to make authentic English Fish 'n' Chips. Evidently she ate there, was dismayed by their orignal version, and marched right back into the kitchen to show them how to do it right. She used halibut, never cod. Hannah had emigrated from England to Salt Lake City, and was a prominent society woman and accomplished cook. OF COURSE we always had to stop at their restaurant and have some. My aunt, Thora Sorensen, was the adorable, smiling lady in the package pickup area for years. Thora and her brother, Bill, were the only two of 8 children born in England. Auerbachs is a dear memory! Joni Hilton
ReplyDeleteDear Joni:
ReplyDeleteThank you for the very, very interesting story. I have a friend who was born in England, and his family members whom I have met sound like your grandmother and aunt. Such personalities were an integral part of the allure of our lost department stores . . . something that really couldn't be conveyed in newspaper ads or even the archives that remain. I am very grateful for people like you who have shared these memories with everyone.
BAK
Oh how I loved Auerbachs first floor at Christmas time! The hustle and bustle of everyone, walking through the doors into cosmetics, beautifully decorated for the holidays is one of my favorite memories. I loved going to Auerbachs, my grandma, Merle Conners, worked there for years in Ladies Dresses. She would take us to lunch in the basement restaurant, buy us Stride-Rite shoes, and always slipped us a quarter or two for candy. There were always Auerbachs boxes under our Christmas tree - and I have one small Auerbach box that belonged to my grandma that I have kept - it's a treasure!
ReplyDeleteIn the 60's my mom would take me downtown to Auerbach's to buy something special. Later I worked at the Auerbach's at Fashion Place the summer between high school and college. Because I was a seasonal employee, I was assigned to the most obscure department, luggage. I learned everything there is know about Hartman luggage! I loved Auerbach's and miss this type of department store along with ZCMI.
ReplyDeleteAround Christmas time this year I was reminiscing with a friend about how wonderful shopping was as a girl in downtown SLC. No malls, of course not. My Mom would take my sister and I on a special trip downtown for Christmas. Of course her and my Dad would do the "santa" shopping without us, but there was always one day before Christmas when she would take us. We would walk from Auerbachs to The Paris and look at all the beautiful decorations. She would take us to lunch and then as it was getting dark in the late afternoon a trip to either Woolworth's or Kress's and she would let my sister and I pick out a toy or something special for ourselves apart from the loot we would get under the tree. Then it was a stop at one of the old nuthouses...for those that remember there used to be little shops that sold freshly roasted nuts. My favorite were the cashews. The city was alive with Christmas decorations. The song Silver Bells always brings back these memories for me. It makes me sad that we have lost that time. It was magical. Anyway, I thought about this again tonight and did a quick google search and found this site. Thanks so much for the pictures. It brought everything back to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I miss the days of downtown department stores. Going with my babysitter to the 'door crasher' sales on Saturdays. Having the datenut cream cheese sandwiches for lunch. My mom worked for a brief time in the restaurant downstairs. I myself worked in jewelery for a time in the late 1970's. I happened upon this site and as I was reminiscing, my daughter happened by and commented on how beautiful the pictures were. Alas, my poor children never knew those great times.
ReplyDeleteAbbey, your comments are echoed by many people across our country when the topic of the great metropolitan department stores of our past comes up. It would also seem that Auerbach's is exceptionally well-regarded, concerning the number of comments that have come in to this site. This is remarkable, considering Auerbach's wasn't extremely large or famous. My supposition would be that it was simply highly regarded among its patrons. It would be hard to imagine a "big box" of today being remembered like that in the future, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI have to happily echo the comments and memories of so many here. I, too, remember my mother taking me there as a child and young teen. They had a parking garage, didn't they? I also remember in the very early 60s when my cousin and I (she was so much older - by 2 yrs.!)would take the bus from 4th So. and 4th East "downtown". We always ate at the Tea Room (tuna fish sandwiches were a fav) and I have always remembered to this day those water pitchers! They were Fiestaware and now I have two replicas of them just b/c of this memory! Then we'd "bum around" (my grandmother's phrase) at The Paris Co., walk over to Woolworth's and Kress's and buy penny stuff, bobby pins, "lipstick" little coin purses, etc.from that wide counter where the staff stood inside - then often we'd catch a movie and then take the bus back home - once we walked! All this on less than $5.00. Auerbach's was Center Stage though and so beautiful - the red carpeting, the chandeliers, and all the pretty women who worked there. They had "lay-away" and those little metal embossed "charge cards". I am sure the prices were quite different from what we know today, too !! I was fascinated by the women who wrapped gifts and learned to love doing that myself all b/c of watching them!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for these pictures and comments. I've lived away in NY for well over 30 years (and hadn't been downtown SLC for several before that!) now and so wish there was a Time Machine where we could revisit and be flys on the wall of these wonderful places from our past just to "see" it all again with our eyes today.
I have wonderful memories of Auerbach's, especially their "Christmas Windows"! We, too, rode the bus from 13th South and 9th East to 'downtown' to Christmas shop. Auerbach's bargain basement was perfect for making our baby sitting money stretch far enough to get something for each of our 9 siblings and both parents. Wonderful site...thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I both worked in the Display Dept. at Auerbach's. My husband's biological father owned the Restaurant. Such happy memories of Auerbach's. I agree, our kids have missed the wonderful opportunity of downtown shopping at luxurious stores. We would start shopping at ZCMI and walk down Main, through Kresses and stop for lunch and then to Paris and end at Auerbach's. We were always dressed up, which was part of the glamour.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comments. It seems as if Auerbach's is really, really missed, if the number and sentiment of the comments received are any indication.
ReplyDeleteI am currently a work on a book about another sorely missed store, and it is so interesting, and ultimately saddening, to hear how people loved their jobs, or enjoyed the relationship they had with a store and its offerings, be they restaurants, events, employees, etc. We just don't have that anymore, nor the "experience" of shopping as it was when these places flourished.
I miss it, too.
BAK
What a treat to find this site. I sit here overlooking the city I grew up in so many years ago. I look to where Auerbach's once stood to simply remember. My father, Charles (Chick) Morzelewski, worked for Auerbach's for over 50 years, he was their carpenter and I imagine built many of the cabinets shown in the photos. My mother also worked there in the marking room where they tagged all the merchandise coming into the store. My sister worked in the boutique and I worked in wrapping one Christmas season. We grew up in Auerbach's, it provided for our family. I am grateful to have the memories of such a fine establishment, and to has this opportunity to reminiss.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your memories, Lonnie! I continue to be amazed, at how many people fondly recall Auerbach's. This in spite of the fact that it is not exactly a household name, and it was probably one of the smaller department store companies worthy of remembrance. It must have been really special, and also, your comment about the store "providing for your family" is apt. No one can say that about working in retail today with much confidence.
ReplyDeleteMy own family had a similar relationship to The Champion Spark Plug company, with relatives on both sides working there for many years, and my father even taking over his brother's job after he retired, and my dad had lost employment with the firm he was with for over 31 years. The Stranahan family, who owned "Champion's," as it was known, had to be one of the most honorable and generous owners of such a large scale operation. They provided me with a merit scholarship to attend university, and at my mom's funeral, a friend told me "Mr. Stranahan told us, if we worked for him, he would take care of us. I did work hard, but now, I couldn't ask for anything more in retirement. He did what he said."
It is interesting to me, that your last name is of Polish origin . . . I had an uncle (whose name was Czeslaw) but was known as "Chick" to everyone.
Again, your comments are appreciated.
Bruce
If you follow this link, you will find more pictures of Auerbach's interior. I like the exquisite millwork, and this must have been your father's artistry as well? Perhaps you've seen it already, but it's always worth a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=all&CISOBOX1=auerbach%27s&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP2=exact&CISOBOX2=&CISOFIELD2=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP3=any&CISOBOX3=&CISOFIELD3=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP4=none&CISOBOX4=&CISOFIELD4=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=/UU_Photo_Archives&t=a
Bruce
ARGGGHHHH I just wrote the longest comment ever and lost it.
ReplyDeleteI will try again. LOVE your site here. I used to work at Auerbachs in the display department and I loved every minute.
Christmas was beautiful at the store, and it took months to accomplish, starting in June when display staff spent every break and lunch crafting either wrapped boxes for escalator and cabinet top displays, christmas ornaments for the Crystal Room trees (styrofoam balls covered with velvet, satin, beads, pearls, etc), covering panels with velvet that fit exactly in the center most part of EVERY column. EVERY. COLUMN. )On Halloween evening the minute the store closed we started decorating beginning with the top and basement floors which were relatively simple.
The second floor required a lot of work-the two trees at the base of the Crystal Room staircase were decorated with the contents of two appliance sized boxes full of the ornaments mentioned above. Each ball had to be securely wired to it's branch with absolutely no touching of a branch at the bottom. These trees were spectacular when Escalator ramps were decorated with trees and packages.And the columns with the millwork had their velvet panels attached.
The first floor required garlands hung at the ceiling and draped across each aisle. These garlands started out as simple green garlands, over 6 grouped together to form a very fat base. Each garland had many many many boxes of white, red, and the color of the year's panels of shiny 6" and larger balls, hundreds of white glittered twigs, bows, and wheels of ribbons draped round and round the garland.
The discouraging thing was after all this work to hear the customers say "WHAT??!! CHRISTMAS???! ALREADY????!!!"
Little did they know. We just managed to get every floor, nook and cranny of all three stores, not to mention all of the trees for the parade of trees and the trim the tree shops, AND all the store windows finished just before Christmas. The day after Christmas EVERYTHING had to be removed in two days! Then we spent until February repairing, replacing, and repacking everything for the next year. This is one reason no one in the display department had their own trees at home taken down until March. No Time! No Time!
It was a stellar store. I miss it even now.
I, too, must add my remembrances of Auerbach's (and Paris and Kress's. My mother took me shopping at Auerbachs basement for school clothes when I was in Junior High. My first "independent" shopping trip was done when I was about thirteen and took the bus into town (from Bountiful) to shop.
ReplyDeleteRemember the lady with the mantilla's? She always had her hair back and beautiful combs in her hair.
And that crazy parking structure, where the ramps went round and round. Quite challenging to a 'new driver,' but so much fun.
My aunt worked in the cosmetics department and after her death, I found a booklet that Auerbach's created for their 80 year anniversary. It's really nice to look at. It has 1864 - 1944 on the cover. Inside are loads of historic pictures from Fred Auerbach's first store in Rabbit Creek, CA to Brigham Young's bath house and more, up to 1944 in Salt Lake. Brings back the memories.
ReplyDeleteI have heard many stories of Auerbach's from my mother and grandmother. My grandmother Nettie worked in management if I remember correctly. My mom working in gift wrapping and the young men's department I believe. My mom and aunt both had modeled for advertisments also, i have a large copy of one of the black and white photos of my mom as a model, I love it! The had very fond memories of working in such a great place. When the store closed my family needed up with some of the decor that is still cherished. An old tobacco refrigerator from the old original Auerbach's, many crystals from the chandeliers, and matching chair and settee. My mom also has a few photos, including all the ones on this site, it was an anniversary book they had put together with many photos of different departments. I would like to send them in if they could be added to the blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer. I would love to include them! you may contact me at bkopytek@comcast.net, and we can discuss how to go about it. Based on the number of comments, Auerbach's was very respected and is sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteBruce
One of my favorite things to do was to go "shopping" in Salt Lake City in the '60s, and Auerbach's was more or less the cornerstone of the trip, in that we always parked there and wandered out to Main Street, after going to Pembroke's, the Paris, and wonderful Yardstick Fabric Store. There was so much beauty in the windows of all these shops, and all along Main, clear up to ZCMI. I always thought it would be wonderful if a store such as Nordstrom, with so many "boutiques" within it, could have made a new Main Street shopping district by housing the separate boutiques in all the old stores, such as the pretty old jewelry and watch stores, and the place where Adrienne 'n Emilie were housed. A downtown is just not the same without window shopping, walking, and of course, lunch in Auerbach's Tea Room!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to locate any information on a shop located opposite of Auerbach's called Salt Lake Trunk Factory. I have a trunk from them and I am trying to find some history on it. If anyone has any information please email me at stacywhittum@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteRE: the lady with the Mantilla---she worked in the cosmetic department and talked about being the reincarnation of Carmen Miranda. Loved. Her.
ReplyDeleteThe parking garage was used along with the Pink Room for a movie shoot (Harry Never Holds)
and along with all the depts above and the ones added to by a poster, there was also the sign shop.
What a wonderful site. Brought back a flood of memories. As an eleven year old child I was mesmerized by Auerbach's in Salt Lake City. I distinctly remember their parking garage as well. Auerbach's was usually the where we went after spending some time at the ZCMI Center Mall in downtown Salt Lake City.(ZCMI Center was only one year old at that time) and oh so beautiful inside. Each August from 1976 to 1980 a week long trip was spent in Salt Lake City. Auerbach's was so elegant. I distinctly remember their logo and how that logo was printed on their shopping bags. Shopping in downtown Salt Lake in the mid seventies, what memories. After Auerbach's it was on to the Sears store also on Main street, then out to Fashion Place Mall.
ReplyDeleteI’ll comment here too about Auerbach’s. I grew up in Sandy, Utah and still remember going “downtown” with my parents to go the Sears store on 8th South and State( or 9th South)? And then on to Auerbach’s because my Aunt, Leona Hansen, was a seamstress there for many years. She was the “ritzy” part of the family but I have memories of short visits with her there since in the store since we weren’t allowed in the backroom. She was old enough that she had retired by the time the store first went into Fashion Place and I remember her saying once that it would never be the same.
ReplyDeleteAs I got older, in my teens, I would ride the bus with a friend to downtown and we’d go to the Uptown or the Rialto to see a movie and hit all the stores, Walgreen’s, Kress’s and a great music store that I’ve forgotten the name of.
I miss those days, but to be honest, don’t miss shopping at malls.
I remember my mom always taking us to the basement cafeteria and having fish & chips served with coleslaw. It's strange how I can still remember going down the escalators and getting so excited.
ReplyDeleteI ran away from home once when I was about 11 or 12. Went to Auerbach's for Cream cheese and datenut bread- served in kind of a waxed paper- up in the narrow little snack bar. You could go all the way through and get to the beauty shop. I bought a dress for the junior prom using my Mom's little credit card.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this article. My mother worked for Auerbachs when I was younger and I have fond memories of the store. That was so long ago. Its hard to imagine that its not here anymore. I used to enjoy so much just walking down the isles as a kid and playing in that enormous place. In my book its the most important furniture store in Salt Lake City and part of a rich history. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the Salt Lake Area. My first memories of Aurbach's are from when I was very young. Sometime in the mid to late 40's we lived in Midvale. I would wake up in the mornings to the smell of bacon frying and the sound of the Orange Blossom Special coming from the radio. It was the theme music of Cousin Ray's Record Bar being broadcasted from the mezzanine of the Aurbach's Department store in downtown Salt Lake City. One of many fond memories of those times.
ReplyDeleteAfter I graduated from Jordan High School I started attending the University of Utah. When my money ran out in February of 1962, I got a job with Edison Brothers Shoes selling ladies shoes in the Third Floor shoe department in Aurbach's. It was hard work for little pay but it kept me going. I have many fond memories of the place. It was an elegant and beautiful store. I was there in the summer of 1962 when the Salt Lake area experienced an earth quake that shook the building pretty well. I was just walking through a doorway from the stockroom to the selling floor when the doorjam suddenly hit me in the shoulder and knocked me back and forth in the doorway a couple of times. At first I thought I was dizzy or something. Then I realized I could hear the whole place rattling and I heard a scream from the floor above us and dishes breaking. It was all over in a couple of seconds and there was no major damage but it sure got our attention.
I joined the Air Force in October of 1962 so that ended my days of working at Aurbach's. After I returned in 1966 I worked at the Telephone Company a few blocks north of Aurbach's and shopped there occasionally until I moved to California in 1973. I have lived in Michigan since 1984, but everytime I hear the Orange Blossom Special I think of what a lovely place the Salt Lake area was back then and that beautiful, dignified department store that I had the privilege to work in for a brief time.
Thank you for keeping it's memory alive.
Thanks for your memories, Ken. That's why I maintain The Department Store Museum - these "beautiful, dignified" stores deserve to be remembered. Auerbach's, in the grand scheme of things, may not have been the biggest or most famous famous of North American department stores, but as your comment, and those above it, attest, it was appreciated way out of proportion to its size.
ReplyDeleteI will be improving the exhibit before too long with new images and information sent by a contributor.
Bruce
I remember the lady with the combs and mantillas! Her name was Mary or Maria. And after Auerbachs closed (what a tragedy that was), she worked at the Castleton's up on Foothill Boulevard. She was a lovely person.
ReplyDeleteBruce, your blog is a delight! I was writing an email to some friends about Christmas gifting in our family and mentioned Auerbach's, which I googled and found your site.
ReplyDeleteA particular Christmas memory of my family's "traditions" was a gift box from Auerbach's which was used for re-packaging gifts for many years. They made boxes sturdier in those days. Each year, it was like a secret raffle to see whose gift was wrapped in the infamous Auerbach's box. I might not remember the gift, but I'll always remember that box. Knowing my family, someone still has it, buried somewhere in the house.
Shopping used to be a grand adventure. I wish stores like Auerbach's, ZCMI, and even Granite Furniture were still around to relive those childhood memories of watching the Christmas window displays.
Thanks for helping me remember "the good ol' days".
Thanks so much for this article. My mother worked for Auerbachs when I was younger and I have fond memories of the store. That was so long ago. Its hard to imagine that its not here anymore. I used to enjoy so much just walking down the isles as a kid and playing in that enormous place. In my book its the most important furniture store in high point nc and part of a rich history. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI echo many of the comments posted here. I, too, have very fond memories of shopping at Auerbach's with my mom as a little girl. I am now writing my mom's history and it would not be complete without mentioning Auerbach's. I was looking for some photos to add to my story. Thanks for posting this and bringing back many more memories... love the good old days.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered that my grandmother managed the Auerbach's sewing machine department about 1904, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteIs Auerbach's Salt Lake City any relationship to Beatrice Fox Auerbach's family in Hartford, CT.?? (The famous G. Fox Department Store family).
Yes, they were from the same family.
ReplyDeleteBruce
Can you give more information regarding L.R. Samuel's and Auerbach's?
ReplyDeleteDid the Auerbach's Co. purchase the L.R. Samuel's business and/or building?
Years later, they changed the name to Auerbach's at Ogden location.
You did point out (above), L.R. Samuel's as the branch store. Do you happen to know what the initials stand for? (Just curious.)
Thanks.
Sharon Anne
Back in the 1940's, when the Ogden location was known as L.R. Samuel's, my mother was one of their prominent Junior fashion models.
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed to have about a 100 photos of her modeling photos. Half are print ads, with the L.R. Samuel's Logo. The rest are professional shots the ads came from.
We've put together a 7 min. video w/ fun 40's music. To this day - the clothes are still mesmerizing - people say they love the video, and we think our mom is just beautiful.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2K-tLh5_pO3UjJYbXlvbi1mLXc/edit?pli=1
Enjoy!
Sharon Anne
http://sharealikecooking.blogspot.com
Hello, Sharon Anne!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to your fascinating video. Your mom is lovely indeed, and I know that readers of this blog will enjoy seeing her model clothes from L. R. Samuels.
Bruce
I will try to find more information about L.R> Samuels, but it may take a while. Check back!
ReplyDelete