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| The Neo-Georgian brick and stone exterior of Davison's on Peachtree Street |
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| Davison's was the work of note retail architects Starrett & Van Vleck of New York City, who also produced Lasalle & Koch's similar facility in Toledo around the same time. |
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| Davison's, at 180 Peachtree, was sandwiched in between the ill-fated Winecoff Hotel and a movie palace. |
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The high-ceiling, columned first floor of
Davison's flagship store |
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| In 1949, Davison's expanded to the rear with a modern extension. |
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| An illustration from a grand-opening ad in 1927 capitalized on the entrance detail of the store. |
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| "Davison's of Dixie" |
180 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
JAckson 2-7612
Lower Level
Davison's Budget Shops
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Silverware • Stationery • Books • Cameras • Luggage • Notions • Cosmetics • Beauty Spot • Drugs and Toiletries • Gloves • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Scarves • Hosiery
Davison's Men’s Store Men’s Accessories • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Dress Shirts • Men’s Ties • Men’s Separates • Men’s Sportswear • Men’s Clothing • Men’s Outerwear • Men’s Hats • Men’s Shoes • Habersham Row
Youth Centre Davison's Boys' Store • Grad Shop • Infants • Toddlers • Girls' Wear • Girls' Lingerie • Children's Underwear • Children's Shoes • Teen Shop • Young Sportswear Shop
Fashion Mezzanine
Career Sportswear • Career Dresses • House & Town Shop • Career Coats • Career Suits and Knit Shop • Career Women's Shop • Career Shoes • Career Fur Salon • Tress Bar • Epicure Shop • Callaway Gardens Country Store • Davison's Candy Kitchen • Charl-Mont Bakery • Charl-Mont Restaurant • Quickie Bar
Second FloorMisses' Dress Shop • Knit Shop • Sportswear Shop • Contemporary Misses' Shop • Carriage House Shop • Mrs. "D" Shop • Coat Salon • Suit Shop • Fur Salon • Town & Country • Miss Davison Shop • Georgian Room • The Boutique • Bridal Shop • Millinery Salon • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Junior Couture Shop • Shoe Salon • Foundations • Loungewear • Sleepwear • Robes • Foundations • Beauty Salon • Wig Salon
Third Floor
Radios • Records • Televisions • Vacuum Cleaners • Major Appliances • Small Electrics • Housewares • Hearth Shop • Garden Shop • Domestics • Bath Shop • Closet Shop • Tableware • Linens • China • Silver • Glassware • Fabrics • White Sewing Center • Art Needlework • Customer Service • Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service
Fourth Floor
Carpets • Draperies • Bedroom Ensembles • Lamps • Pictures • Mirrors • Gift Shop • Photograph Studio
Fifth Floor
Corner Shop • Beacon Hall Galleries • Furniture • Modern Gallery • Charm House • Slumber Shop • Shelf Shop
Sixth Floor
Terrace Restaurant • Men’s Grill • Executive Offices
(588,000 sq. ft.)
864 Broad Street
100,000 sq. ft.
(Acquired Saxon-Cullum
Company 1944)
March 21, 1949
417-21 Cherry Street
(Acquired Union
Dry Goods Co. [1899]
November 5, 1944)
Columbia SC (1946/71)
1519-23 Main Street
125,000 sq. ft.
(Acquired Cullum's
June 30, 1946)
Columbus (February 14, 1949)
Broadway & 12th Street
63,000 sq. ft.
320 E. Clayton St.
56,000 sq. ft.
(Acquired Michael Bros.)
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Sea Island (1947)
The Cloister
Sea Island Road & First St.
3,000 sq. ft.
|
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Lenox Square
August 4, 1959
184,000 sq. ft. |
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Columbia Mall
Decatur
May 14, 1964
141,000 sq. ft.
Peppermint Snack Bar |
Cumberland Mall (1973)
162,000 sq. ft.
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Northlake
Tucker
October 6, 1971
160,000 sq. ft.
|
Macon Mall (1975)
156,000 sq. ft.
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Southlake
Morrow
October 6, 1976
165,000 sq. ft.
|
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Augusta Mall (1978)
152,000 sq. ft.
|
Davison's had another store in Columbus at Cross Country Plaza (an outdoor strip center). I'm not sure if was open at the same time as the downtown store or replaced it. In Atlanta, Davison's had a store at Shannon Mall. I think one if not both of the original Macy's stores at Town Center Mall and Gwinnett Place opened as Davison's. The original Davison's in Downtown Atlanta (before the 1925 store) was located much futher south on Peachtree Street near the downtown Rich's store. For decades, it was Kessler's department store and is now the Kessler's lofts.
ReplyDeleteThere was also a smaller dress shop on Sea Island.
ReplyDeleteDavison's was bought by RH Macy in the 1920's
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Cumberland Davison's is not accurate...probably Columbia Mall. Perimeter Mall opened in about 1983 shortly after Gwinnett, both as Davison's. Athens store moved to Georgia Mall in late 70's/early 80's. Town Center at Cobb def. opened as Macy's.
I worked for Macy's from 1980-1988; the funnest years of my life!
I found one of their store reciepts in a copy of Then and Now by W. Somerset Maugham. Apparently she paid 2 dollars for it in Atlanta in 1946.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny...I remember radio ads in the 50s for "Kessler's, Whitehall at Hunter." I also remember walking between Rich's and Davisons as a kid. Rich's always seem to have more standing as a local store, Davison's being eyed as though it were run by carpetbaggers. It was a nice store though, and it wasn't nearly so crowded as Rich's.
ReplyDeleteThe photo for Cumberland is definately Columbia Mall in DeKalb County. In the retail history of Atlanta, Rich's was "Atlanta Born, Atlanta Owned, Atlanta Managed" as opposed to Davison's which was owned by New Yorkers.
ReplyDeleteBelvedere Plaza was the first branch store for Rich's, in DeKalb County east of Decatur. Columbia Mall was built about half a mile from Belvedere, at the intersection of Columbia Drive and Memorial Drive. Columbia had a Davisons and a Sears, a small enclosed promenade, and maybe 30 or so other stores. Davison's eventually treated the Columbia Mall store as an outlet, although it was never called that.
Actually the mall you are referring to is Avondale Mall! It no longer exists it has been transformed into Walmart... I frequented the Rich's in Belvedere Plaza As a child and I can remember that bakery being the killer...absolutely the best!
DeleteAvondale Mall was called Columbia Mall before it got renovated in the 1980s. It was originally called Columbia Mall when it built in 1964.
DeleteAre There any pictures of inside Mezzanine.
ReplyDeleteI have a very large Chandelier. I was told it came from The store upon remolding. It would have to be prior to 1981. Nellie
I have seen pictures online of the interior of the store with enormous chandeliers. Perhaps a Google image search could turn them up?
ReplyDeleteBruce
Did Davison Paxon have a store in Agusta Georgia in 1954? I wrote to a girl when I was in Korea her address was to the store in Augusta c/o Pat bedenbaugh. Any information anyone?
ReplyDeleteYes, Davison's had a store in Augusta since 1944 - and rebuilt it in 1949.
ReplyDeleteBruce
Bruce, do you know if there are archives of employes in the Augusta store?
ReplyDeleteSorry, Carl, I do not know. Any information I have is from the AUgusta Newspapers on genealogybank.com. Perhaps there is something in that resource that might interest you; you might check with Macy's (Though they have never answered my requests for help with research for my books) or the local library or historical museum.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
Bruce
Bruce,
ReplyDeleteDo you remember who the Beauty Salon manager was in the late 70's through the 80's? He was a great guy. He reached out to help a homeless kid when I needed it most. Time has robbed me of my memory and I can't even remember his name.
Would be great to reconnect with him and let him know I made it this far through life.
Thank you Bruce. I have been trying to locate the girl I was dating in 1954 just to see how she is doing. She would be about 75 now.
ReplyDeleteColumbia Mall was renamed Avondale Mall some time in the eighties.
ReplyDeleteGreat Page! Please Join My Facebook Page Dedicated To Davison's.....I Worked At, Shopped At and Loved Davison's.
ReplyDeleteHey Joel, I tried to find your Facebook page but I wasn't able to. I worked at Davison's in the early 80's at Southlake Mall.
ReplyDeleteLooking for Virginia Lee Jones. Lived on Rozella road in 1955. Information anyone?
ReplyDeleteI bought a 36-24 picture it has to be a print because it has a little c in the right corner of the painting it has the original sales sticker from Davidson's. It is maybe a scene from France people sitting outside eating at the Cafe and walking down the street in gloves and cape coats wearing hats. I do not see a artist name on the print. I cannot find out anything about the painting and do not know where to take this. Having the original sales sticker it has to worth something. Can you please advise me. I loved this store
ReplyDeleteI worked for Davison's a number of years. I remember being in the small leather good department, on the main floor. The opportunity to work in the luggage department came, and I enjoyed working for Howard Bond. We had a lot of fun in the mid-late 1960's at Davison's. One fond memory is the Friday after Thanksgiving sales, arriving early and staying to the end of the day....hard work, but we were rewarded with lunch and supper money. As a 19 year old, that was a great help.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Davison's while in University. I was in the small leather goods. luggage and men's clothing areas. I remember becoming a "Blue Pencil" and as a 19 year-old, it was pretty impressive. I cherish the wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember the Charmont Grill at Davidson's. I believe it was on the 2nd floor. One of their specialties was the Charmont sandwich. It was wonderful. Wish I had the recipe. I worked at Rich's but had to walk up to Davidson's after work to ride the #1 Garden Hills bus. Love that part of my life. My job at Rich's was my first job. Worked in Rich's World of Beauty on the first floor for six years. Of all the jobs I have had since then, my Rich's job has always been my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI have an actual menu from that Charl-mont Grill! My father managed it in the late 60's early 70's. Insert is missing with the specials of the day - don't see Sandwich you speak of on this menu. I will keep searching!
DeleteOne feature of downtown Atlanta was the presence of two major Department Stores: Davison-Paxson (later just Davison’s) and Rich’s. Davison’s was regarded as more upscale, but Riches grew faster and became larger. I can recall going shopping in Davison’s with my mother, in the 1940’s. She typically dressed up for the occasion, in a hat and hose, although our journey downtown was on a streetcar. The store was six stories tall and was originally seviced by elevators with operators. Later the elevators became “automatic”. that is operated by the customers. Later still, escalators were installed, quite a thrilling ride for a kid. Payment transactions were handled by a pneumatic tube system. Sales slips and cash were transmitted to a central location, and change and receipt were promptly returned. Credit sales, using a store-unique credit arrangement were also processed with the system.
ReplyDeleteI bought a French armchair at an estate sale. Tag underneath says it was sold to "Davison-Paxon Co." Your blog says Davison's was named Davison-Paxon between 1890 and 1927. Is my chair really that old?
ReplyDeleteDavison's started as Davison-Douglas in 1891. Changed to Davison-Paxon-Stokes in 1901. Renamed to Davison Paxson Co in 1927.
Deletehttp://www.200peachtree.com/about-us/history-of-200-peachtree/
I have a ton of old illustrations a o2 yr old friend of mine did for clothing, furniture and full page advertising pages..with a couple of old Davison's menus. Pls send email if interested Teclasweat@gmail.com thank yoy
ReplyDeleteHave any of ever heard of the artist / illustrator E Tucker?
ReplyDeleteHave any of ever heard of the artist / illustrator E Tucker?
ReplyDeleteAnybody ever heard of an illustrator,artist, named Eugenia Tucker who worked for Davisons for many years?
ReplyDeleteMy Dad Gene Ledbetter Worked with Eugenia Tucker in the early 1950's
DeleteShe worked as an illustrator in Home Furnishings. He remembers her fondly and said she was always smiling. Daughter Anne and Gene Ledbetter
Eugenia Tucker is 92 and lives in Atlanta, Georgia her boss was Diamond Cooper.
ReplyDeleteWas The shipping manager at the 180 store also manager of parking garage late 70's
ReplyDeleteI found a sales check from 1937. Do you have an email address or the name of someone who can check its authenticity
ReplyDeleteI recall shopping in the downtown Atlanta store in the early 2000s, after it had become a Macy's. It was a nice store--well-kept, although somewhat quiet.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Davisons on Peachtree Street from 1978-1982. I worked in Domestics. The buyers offices were in the store and we would some times ask them if they could Mark down linens and we would get really great deals. And my great aunt lived across the street at Peachtree On Peachtree, assisted living, ( The Old Winecoff Hotel) and,she would come visit me or I would go visit her,on my lunch break. And I would eat,lynch with her across the,street at S & W cafeteria.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Davison's 1972 to 1974 in the maintenance department for Mr. Beard wonderful time the air conditioning system which converted ice machines Al exciting it was to work on those All the machinery to keep that building running was amazing Air conditioners boilers elevators escalators water towers Sub floors I learned a lot crawling around in ceilings and walls once I was under the store on the dirt floor foundation I cannot imagine a better job then working there
ReplyDeleteI worked at Davison's 1972 to 1974 in the maintenance department for Mr. Beard wonderful time the air conditioning system which converted ice machines Al exciting it was to work on those All the machinery to keep that building running was amazing Air conditioners boilers elevators escalators water towers Sub floors I learned a lot crawling around in ceilings and walls once I was under the store on the dirt floor foundation I cannot imagine a better job then working there With Mr. Rott row And Mr. Duncan Mr. Rivers I was just a young kid and they taught me a lot
ReplyDeleteI worked at Davison's 1972 to 1974 in the maintenance department for Mr. Beard wonderful time the air conditioning system which converted ice machines Al exciting it was to work on those All the machinery to keep that building running was amazing Air conditioners boilers elevators escalators water towers Sub floors I learned a lot crawling around in ceilings and walls once I was under the store on the dirt floor foundation I cannot imagine a better job then working there With Mr. Rott row And Mr. Duncan Mr. Rivers I was just a young kid and they taught me a lot
ReplyDeleteI worked from 1972 to 1975 for Davisons after graduating from Ga. State. Joined as a 'White Flower' floor manager on the Management Training program in Sept of '72, working for Ms. Gladys McDonald, hired by Mel Smiley, the VP of HR, Barbara Franz and Nita Andronica, senior HR people in that time frame. Charley Gilford was the weekend Floor Manager and Tom Swafford ran Operations. I was the first floor and mezzanine 'Floor Walker', heading the 'Flying Squad' and making sure everyone got their breaks and scheduling everyone for the week. Think I had around 200 people full and part-time during those days. I was promoted to become the first Personnel Manager for Cumberland Mall when it opened in 1973, leaving in '74 to join Marriott Hotel as Personnel Director for the O'Hare Marriott in Chicago. Fond memories of Davison's, considered the 'Carriage Trade' store in Atlanta. Macy's had owned Davisons 'forever' but didn't want to be viewed as the 'carpetbagger' and kept the Davison's-Paxon name for a long time, finally switching to just Davison's. They had the oldest 'still-in-use phone switchboard in Atlanta in the '70s and also the first escalators (steps made of wood!) in the city. I rejoined Macy's in 1981 and become VP of Executive Recruiting for the corporation from 81-93 when Federated Department Stores (FDS) bought Macy's, and then 'appropriated' the Macy's name. Today's Macys is actually the 'old' Federated. I'd actually been the Director of Executive Search for Federated from '78-'81, when Macy's recruited me from FDS.
ReplyDeleteDear BAK I'm helping my aunt publish a book on one of the family members of someone who worked in the Atlanta Davison's. Would you be open to letting her print pictures off your site interior and exterior please? Our last shot at getting it in is this Tuesday 6.30.20 would have to have by 6.29.20. Thank you for your consideration. msuzharrison@hotmail.com ps. I was a store designer for 10 years in Washington State. Wash State Univ architecture. Please reach out.
ReplyDeleteWorked in receiving on the 6th floor from 1969 to 1978...learned alot in my earlier years
ReplyDeleteNo one has mentioned that fabulous fountain in the Lenox Square store. I don't remember anything like it in any other department store anywhere and it set that store apart from Rich's and even Nieman's at Lenox when it opened. Removing it was the signal that an era had ended.
ReplyDelete