T. A. Chapman Co. (Chapman’s)
407 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
EAST TOWN STORE DIRECTORY
Parking Level
Thrift Avenue Shops • Books
First Floor
Cosmetics • Accessories • Neckwear • Handbags • Jewelry • Hosiery • Notions • Stationery • Books • Shoe Salon • Millinery • Wig Niche • Sportscorner • Shops for Men • Action Shop • The Innovator Shop
Second Floor
Corsets and Girdles •Lingerie • Robes • Budget Dresses • Budget Coats • Dresses • Sportswear • Career Dresses • Town Shop • Contemporary Sportswear • The Knittery • Miss Chapman • Young Wisconsin Shop • Chappy’s Place •Young Tempo Shop • Inner Circle Shop • French Room • T. A. C. Shop (the advance collection) • Coats • Fur Salon • Infants Wear • Girls Wear • Boys' Shop • Children’s Shoes
Third Floor
Silver • China • Glassware • Housewares • Gifts • Christmas Trim Shop • Linens • Golden Thimble Sewing Center • Chatterbox Tea Room
Fourth Floor
Lamps • Decorative Wall Accessories • Draperies • Rugs • Furniture
BRANCH STORES
65,000 sq. ft.
Bay Shore Mall (1966)
Glendale
Brookfield Square (1968)
Brookfield
For a short time 1973-1974m Chapman's had a store at Northridge Mall. It was located on the upper level near Gimbels.
ReplyDeleteYes, the store at Northridge was called Chapmans II.I also think there was one at Southridge.
ReplyDeleteI was the hardline illustrator and layout artist for TA Chapman's from around 1972 or 73 until 1978. I remember the little office that was tucked way back on the 3rd floor at the downtown flagship store.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great place to start my career in art.
Mr. Reed would come in to our office to read the newspaper almost everyday.
I still talk to the children's buyer from that time, and remember with fondness many of the people I worked with. I had worked with many at Smartwear Emma Lange which had gone out of business years before, where I worked in the display department when I was going to school.
I'm old enough to remember shopping in downtown Milwaukee was an experience and a great one! T.A.Chapman's was the nicest department stores there and it was always fun to go there. The architecture was something to be seen..the layout of the store and how it was set up was something you don't see now. An aisle was just that, not something you have to wade your way through! I still miss the store.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous 07, 2012
ReplyDeleteI to remember the downtown shopping experience. I'm trying to find someone who remembers the toy departments at the Boston Store and Gimbels during the Holiday shopping seasons. I distinctly remember a monorail train hanging from the ceiling that children could ride on..I think it was Boston Store but I can't find any information about it. Can you help?
I remember Chapman's at Bayshore before it became an enclosed mall in the 70's, but not sure of the dates. I think it was part of the enclosure when that came about. What happened to the structure? Was it assimilated into the current configuration? Anyone have any memoires of dates or pictures? Also, did it become Prange's or Younkers at some point?
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog. From 1945 to about 1957 I lived 2 houses away from the Lange family. The children David and Jim were great kids and friends. I remember David had one of the first home made go karts in the early 50s. Good times. The nieghborhood was called Clovernook and was just south of a large farm near the Milwaukee River. Thats where Nicolet Highschool
ReplyDeletewas built.
I was the Advertising Manager at Chapmans...back in the third floor corner area...from around 1978 until about 1982 (my dates are fuzzy). I loved that room with the high iron windows and southern exposure. We introduced Calvin Klein bed linens, Gloria Vanderbilt visited the store to introduce her jeans and fragrance, and we sold disco dresses and glorious, well-made American sportswear as well. I was young for my job and loved all the people i came into contact with. I learned so much. Every afternoon around 2, all of the management would go into the tea room to be waited on by women wearing black uniforms with starched white aprons. it seems astonishing to think about now...
ReplyDeleteI modeled for T. A. Chapman and Barry Bell was their fashion coordinator. Those were the days of beauty and charm in department stores. How I miss them. The city lost wonderful store and when Barry Bell died they lost the best fashion merchandiser/coordinator in the world. It would be so much fun to see a reunion with the Chapman Family. They were wonderful. Cher
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