The Downtown San Antonio Frost Bros. Store, on Houston Street
Interior Main Aisle of Frost Bros.
Frost Bros.
217 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205 (1917)
217 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205 (1917)
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY
Street Floor
Precious Jewels Salon • Fashion Jewelry • Cosmetics • Blouse Bar • Sweater Bar • Fashion Accessories • Bag Shop • Gloves • Stocking Shop • Neckwear • Lingerie • Bra Bar • Fabric Shop • Gift Shop • Bedding and Bath Shop • Silver Shop • Linen Shop • Stationery • Candy
Man’s World • Contemporary Shop
Mezzanine
Gift Wrap • Offices
Second Floor
Children’s Shop • Younger Set Shoes • Junior Shop • Predictions Shop • Spectator Shop • Young Miss Frost Shop • Bridal Salon
Third Floor
Shoe Salon • Miller Eye Shoes • Fur Salon • Millinery • La Boutique • Collector’s Corner • Rendez-Vous Dresses • Couturier Collections • Collector’s Corner • Coat Shop • Dresses • Sport Shop • Swim Shop • Designer Fashions
Fourth Floor
Studio Four • Maison Antoine Beauty Salon
Precious Jewels Salon • Fashion Jewelry • Cosmetics • Blouse Bar • Sweater Bar • Fashion Accessories • Bag Shop • Gloves • Stocking Shop • Neckwear • Lingerie • Bra Bar • Fabric Shop • Gift Shop • Bedding and Bath Shop • Silver Shop • Linen Shop • Stationery • Candy
Man’s World • Contemporary Shop
Mezzanine
Gift Wrap • Offices
Second Floor
Children’s Shop • Younger Set Shoes • Junior Shop • Predictions Shop • Spectator Shop • Young Miss Frost Shop • Bridal Salon
Third Floor
Shoe Salon • Miller Eye Shoes • Fur Salon • Millinery • La Boutique • Collector’s Corner • Rendez-Vous Dresses • Couturier Collections • Collector’s Corner • Coat Shop • Dresses • Sport Shop • Swim Shop • Designer Fashions
Fourth Floor
Studio Four • Maison Antoine Beauty Salon
BRANCH STORES
North Star Mall (1963)
94,000 sq. ft.
Hilton Palacio del Rio Boutique (1968)
Corpus Christi (Lichtenstein’s 1941/1972)
401 Chaparel Street
145,000 sq. ft.
Parkdale Fashion Plaza (1957/1972)
Corpus Christi
Northcross Mall, (1975)
Austin
The Galleria (1976)
Houston
River Drive Mall (1977)
Laredo
94,000 sq. ft.
Hilton Palacio del Rio Boutique (1968)
Corpus Christi (Lichtenstein’s 1941/1972)
401 Chaparel Street
145,000 sq. ft.
Parkdale Fashion Plaza (1957/1972)
Corpus Christi
Northcross Mall, (1975)
Austin
The Galleria (1976)
Houston
River Drive Mall (1977)
Laredo
145,000 sq. ft.
Neiman-Marcus, Frost Bros., and Sakowitz were the "big three" specialty stores in Texas when I was growing up. Neiman's was sui generis; Sakowitz tried hard to be another Neiman's, but couldn't quite pull it off; Frost Bros. was smaller, more reserved than the other two, and very "old" money.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to take us shopping down town San Antonio, Texas on Houston street. I was truly a beautiful experience in the late 1960’s my most favorite store was Frost Bros. It was so beautiful and I can still smell the scent when you walked through the front doors .at Christmas time the decorations where breathtaking including a manikin playing a baby gran piano over the main entrance. Those were the days. Oh but it sure was very pricey! I still have my mother very own credit card from the store . Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
DeleteFrost Bros. had a "boutique" store at NorthPark Center in Dallas (in the 1980's?). No doubt that store was stocked with "the best of the best", but their prices were so shockingly expensive that I never bought a thing there. They made Neiman's prices look very reasonable!
ReplyDeleteI believe they also had stores at Memorial City in Houston, River Oaks in Houston, North Star Mall and Wonderland Mall in San Antonio. I also seem to recall that they were building a store in Fort Worth (across from Ridgmar Mall?) at the time they went out of business.
Was there ever a Frost Bros. at Wonderland Mall in San Antonio? I say no. My friend says yes. Of course there was a Frost Bros. at North Star.
ReplyDeleteYes there was a store at Wonderland Mall as well as North Star and a boutique downtown. I worked in the buying office in the 80s and it was one of the most amazing experiences. I loved working for that company.
DeleteNope, no Frost Bros in Wonderland. I wish. I lived near there as a kid.
DeleteOf course that was a frost bros in wonderland mall. I opened the store as a cosmetic buyer. There even was a glass elevator from the under store parking to the first floor. Such a beautiful company to work for, I still remember the best times I ever had in my 40 year career as a buyer.
Deleteyes !! frost took over the space originally held by rhodes. it was there several years.
DeleteI worked for Frost Bros from 1981 to total closure in 1989. There was a location at Crossroads Mall (Wonderland). On the top floor renovations were made to relocate the entire IT operation from North Star Mall to save on lease overhead. Frost Bros was a fantastic operation to work for, and was sold to a corporate raider for junk bonds in 1986. Within months the corporation had to declare bankruptcy as a result of the raider syphoning off millions of dollars.
DeleteTotally legal but disgusting.
there most definitley was a Frost Bros. at Wonderland Mall it is where burlington Coat FActory is now. The elevator and escalator parking garage entrance is much the same as the one used for Frost Bros.
ReplyDeleteCorrect.
DeleteFrost Bros. was the best palce to work! Mr Mathews was a genious when it came to retail! Forget Nieman Marcus ...Frot Bros had all the exclusive designers like Chanel, Gucci, Marcella borquessi and Estee Lauder where in the house exclusives! meaning no one else had them! imagen!! And I worked there...wow! those were the days! The fashion the people that worked there met business! those were sales people that knew all their clients by their name's and gave them what really is customer service! I'm one of those lucky people that had the incredible fortune to have worked there! Always gratefull...lola
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I shopped there in my high school years. I'd save up and buy clothes at Frost instead of other stores. It was a classy place. Do you happen to have access to any photos of the interior? I miss that place.
DeleteAllen.
I worked in the buying office there in the 80s and it was truly an amazing experience. I was so sorry to leave and felt like I was leaving my family. An amazing shopping experience, an amazing family of people, such incredible taste, and a priviledge to have experienced it.
DeleteAnderson Road store Austin, Texas -- I never left there empty-handed. Since it closed my shopping has been more difficult even with all the store openings over time in Austin. Frost Brothers had wonderful well-chosen merchandise. My Christmas tree at this moment is bearing some of my Frost Brothers ornaments.
ReplyDeleteCathia, Austin,Texas
Thank you for sharing this memory! I wish I had some of the Frost Bros. ornaments - I bet they are awesome!
DeleteI loved Frost Bros. Their personal service was unparalleled and the shoe department ("bring me everything you have in a size 5, Mr. Sontag"), was fantastic! Mrs. Nix in the cosmetics department was always so lovely. It was huge part (along with my wonderful Mother) of my education into the world of elegant sophisticated fashion. I would give everything I have to go "browsing" at Frost Bros. with my lovely Mother and have lunch later at the Tastesetter Restaurant on the second floor.
ReplyDeleteI love you forever, Big Ed--and I cherish the memories of us at "Frosts".
Your Julia
There was a Frost Bros. at Wonderland Mall...it is where Burlington Coat Factory is located now...before Frost Bros. it was Joske's....that was a great mall in its day....
ReplyDeleteIt was Texas women. Period. And if you didnt have the money the old money rich ones did, you saved. Cosmetics counter was science class... Cutting edge- the finest, newest work from europe. The fur salon upstairs- gentlemen were certainly welcome to accompany. a "courtesy card", for those of us who didnt want to tie up credit cards or fuss with checks. Thank God for valet- a gal's feet can get pretty sore. Wish I had a time machine.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous yes I do mis frost bros it was fun to shop their for anything you wanted
ReplyDeleteI used to work at the Frost Bros in Austin at the North Cross Mall. I wonder if the mall still exists today. I didn't like working there and had found out there were some employees that had worked there for more than 5 years and no raises. No mention of commissions. Yes it wass expensive. At one time they had a full length chinchilla on display for $250,000 (NO JOKE). This ws in 1979. Imagine what they would want for it today. I don't think anyone ever bought it. We had a guy that worked in the fine jewelry dept that took a few 100 thousand dollars worth of merchandise and run off to Mexico. Frost Bros hired dectectives that found him and brought him back. Don't believe me just check the library in Austin in the archived newspapers.
ReplyDeleteSadly torn down and it is now a Walmart and the ice rink is in it's own bldg.
DeleteMy late husband worked for Selco Inc out of Tulsa, OK. They had the Precious Jewel Salon in Frost Brothers on Houston Street in San Antonio. He was transferred there in 1969. Selco secured us a suite in the La Posoido Hotel only a few blocks over from Frost Bros. while waiting for our furniture to arrive. Our suite opened on the River Walk and we stayed 5 weeks waiting on that truck. I got to shop for new summer cloths at Frost with the employee discount because it was hot there and we had left snow. I had a standing appointment in the hair salon and at 25 years old I felt like a queen. Everyone at Frost were wonderful people, especially one lady who worked in the jewel salon. I have forgotten her name but she was a great help to us finding our way around. We were later told she was a countess from some island. I can believe that as she had so much class and better jewelry then Frost sold. One of my husbands customers was the President of Mexico and his daughter. We were only at Frost for about 6 months then we were sent to Godchaux in New Orleans. It was an unforgetable experience.
ReplyDeleteI too worked at Frost Bros. downtown San Antonio. No one had the beautiful Christmas displays they had. Elegant & Classy.
ReplyDeleteIn responce to the 1/26/13 post , it was over a Million in jewlery and they didnt hire detectives it was the Directer of Security Bill Weilbacher who went down to Mexico and found the theif and had him extrdited back here.
ReplyDeleteI found a fur stole in some old things with the label "la boutique frost bros" and i looked up frost. I never knew it even existed it sounds like it was amazing. Ive really enjoyed a lot of these posts <3
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Frost Bros, at Northpark from 87 until it closed in 1989. The last day we marked down everything to 10.00, 7.00 with my discount. I bought Gucci and tons of great stuff CHEAP! One of the best Texas stores, ever.
ReplyDeleteI too worked at Frost Bros for just a few months until they closed at North Star Mall..I was brought in not as an employee of Frost Bros, but working for the fur salon which was a seperate franchise leased department at the time(Revillion Furs of New York)..however we did enjoy the very generous benefits of top tier employee discounts and many many out of town trips and use of merchandise to "street model"..Nothing like getting to borrow a $250,000.00 fur coat for the entire month of Christmas..solid cream floor length, thank goodness I was to dumb to think what if I spilled..I slept with that coat every single night.lol..then turned around and sold it over the phone the day after I returned it.sight unseen..they had to charter a plane to Mexico out of a private airport just to avoid customs..sshh..the stories we could tell..And our boy toy sales agent nearly died when he find out he was not getting the commission and the "ELIZABETH FEKETA" fur designer "trainee" was getting the award that month for best sales he just about flipped his lid..RAMON' did manage to get over it bless him..Sone of the best working times of my career..only regret not taking Revillion up on the offer to go work in New York
DeleteDoes anyone remember the 'John Wayne Alamo' painting being displayed at the downtown San Antonio branch in 1960?
ReplyDeleteI still cannot believe that a store on the order of Frost Brothers has shuttered its doors. I still have a charge card receipt from the North Star store that I keep as a book mark. It is from 12/23/74...most likely a last-minute Christmas present 39 years ago. It was my late mother's favorite store of all time. Really, nothing could compare with it. It was more exclusive and New York than the New York stores which currently occupy space at the mall. We will miss you. Oh, the memories. --Bob
ReplyDeleteMy uncle, Dick Wright was store mgr back in the 60s and 70s.
ReplyDeleteFrost Brother's hired me as an assistant Buyer for Ladies Dresses as my first job in Texas. Coming from Ohio at that time I was fasinated by all the wealth and spendor of texas and Frost Brother's. It was a wonderful place to shop and really know what true customer service was. Thanks to Helen Ford for helping me a better person and teaching me the finer things of life. I really miss Frost Brothers and that type of store. Reva
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased a fur coat from a guy who was selling items at a flea market. I have no idea if it is worth any thing. all I can tell you is the coat smells old... Very old.. but in great condition and the only label says frost brothers.. no size, no fur info, no cleaning info.. nothing. Anyone know where I can get information so that I may place it on ebay?
ReplyDeleteIt was always my favorite department store, I bought my wedding dress at the Houston St. store in 1963 -- I still have it. The Wonderland store had a fabulous consolidation shoe sale once a year.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the name of the illustrator who drew the elegant Frost Bros. ads in the 70's and into the 80's? I have always wondered who that talent was. I used to save the ads, they were so unique and beautifully designed. I have many fond memories of shopping in Frost Bros. at NorthStar Mall with my mom. We could only buy things on sale but we were so happy there. Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteHis first name was Max but there were several illustrators. I worked in the buying office in the 80s and was thrilled to work there. I made friends with Max and when I left he gave me copies of some of my favorite ads that he had created. I have them framed in my bedroom now. Such an awesome store and family of people who worked there.
DeleteIn the 50's, 60's, and 70's two of the illustrators were husband and wife, Bid and Elizabeth Quinn.
DeleteYes, the Quinn’s did illustrations for Frost. I grew up in San Antonio during that time and took art lessons from Elizabeth Quinn. She and Bid were very very talented!
DeleteWhy no mention of Battelstein's? Most of their Houston locations were originally Battelstein's before Frost Bros bought them out.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the River Oaks location right out of high school. It was my first job. The Assistant store manager, Zach Powell, was an instructor at the fashion school I was attending. I remember Ms Trudy Battlestein when she would come in to shop with her lil "glass of water" in her hand. I loved working there!
DeleteI have female mannequins from the frost brothers stores, a few from the down town location and a few from the wonderland mall location, an friend of mine has a friend who was the in charge of the displays at both locations. he had them in an old garage. till I was informed of these beauties they are style and class all in one .I use them in the hair salon salon I work at. in north star mall today .
ReplyDeleteI worked as an artist/fashion illustrator for many years at Frost Bros. on staff and free-lance after leaving San Antonio. The illustrator in question was most likely Celine (did most of the double page ads) (for the time period mentioned) or possibly Brenda. 'Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI remembered that, there was a Frost's Bros. store located in the River Oaks area of Houston, Texas. I think it's was located on South Shepard Drive? Do anyone remembered that?
ReplyDeleteI do! I worked there for 8 years!
DeleteI worked at Frost Bros from 1969 - 1970. Downtown-Houston Street. I worked in the basement for Mr. Cunningham. He was a retired Major in the Army.
ReplyDeleteI bought the lace and silk organza at Frost Bros. in April 1965, when my Mom and I were leaving that department we were asked to wait a couple minutes, and an elder gentleman and his son (owners we were told) approached to congratulate me for my marriage and gave me a big flat box beautifully wrapped as a present. It was a set of 4 Madeira hand embroidered individual tablecloths and napkins which I loved. Still have them in perfect shape after 50 years! :)
ReplyDeleteWorked there and met my wife who also worked there austin frost brothers. Next month our 24 year aniv....somethin good cams out of that job
ReplyDeleteI bought 6 yd of fabric today for quilting, but it feels smooth.it had a tag on it Frost Bros in San Antonia Texas that looked old so after researching, I would like to know if it worth anything to anyone.It is red white blue.
ReplyDeleteLoved the San Antonio store. For a New Year's party in 1960, my husband bought for me a luscious beige satin embroidered dress. The Dress is now at my son's home on a mannequin with a photo of me wearing it for a Va Tech formal dance. It had many wearings in between and is in excellent shape- says a lot for quality from Frosts. Wondered about store & googled & here I am!
ReplyDeleteTo answer Donna's question about the illustrator: My cousin, Patsy Krawietz, was their ad artist and I agree, her illustrations were romantic, never gaudy, always gorgeous! She came there from Joske's where she had the same position. She studied a short time in Mexico and at McNay in her younger years. She was as pretty and fascinating as her "women" were. She transferred to Frost in Austin, later to Frost in Houston to be closer to her sister. There is a sad ending between Frost and her, which I won't devulge here.
ReplyDeletethey sold the most heavenly men's cologne "Andromeda"...I remember stopping by whenever I could to spray some on my wrist and just spend the rest of the day whiffing the wonderful aroma! Anyone I told about it would come back and completely agree about how wonderful it smelled. Cannot find it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteTo the comment entered 21 December 2015 16:26 . . . I was employed at the North Star Mall store and yes, one of their best colognes was ANDROMEDA, boxed very distinctly as lab ware bottles in slim wooden boxes. It had a very memorable scent which I still recall and I still have an empty bottle with glass stopper as a souvenir. I worked there from December of 1972 to April of 1977 and it was one of the best places to work during the 70's and I received quite an education in retail and marketing. I was their in-store supply manager so all the gift boxes, wrapping paper, shopping bags,sales books and office supplies were my responsibility for each dept. I used to buy a new cologne each payday and still have many of the original bottles which are highly collectable, Those were the days!
ReplyDeleteThey had the packaging department in the basement at the downtown store in San Antonio. I was employed at the store from 1968 - 1970. Everything was wrapped in boxes and mailed out to customers and stores.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Frost downtown San Antonio and then transferred to Crossroads Mall where the Burlington Coat Factory is now. It was my very first office job and I had such a blast. I was there from 1985-1988 when they filed bankruptcy.
ReplyDeleteThe Houston River Oaks store was at S. Sheppard and San Felipe. I had just moved to Houston and the store was closing (fire sale). I bought the dressing room mirrors off of the walls and picked up some other items. Everything eluded class and taste and those were the best damn mirrors I've ever had to haul between two apartments and one home.
ReplyDeleteI have a vintage ladies wrist watch that says it's "Frost Bros Quartz but I can't find any information about it. Does anyone have one of these watches.
ReplyDeletesorry this took me so long to reply. i found a set of newspaper ads my mom saved for me from the 80's by the artist i was talking about. thank you for replying to the 2 nice women above. i don't think i can attach anything to this comment--just found 2 images online by the artist in question. i am hoping that Patsy Krawietz or "celine" or "brenda" (any last names?) might be the name i want to attach to the art. here's a link to an ad right now on ebay:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Frost-Bros-Bill-Blass-Fashion-Ad-/272238169353?hash=item3f62a8cd09:g:efoAAOSw60lXMPBN
please let me know if any of the women above were the illustrators. it sounds weird, but i was an art director for 18 years (why didn't i find this out then?) and i just have always wondered who the great talent was. i tried to draw like this but never figured i out! i will probably be posting the ads i have on pinterest soon, with frost bros. ad in the caption so you can find them hopefully! thank you! donna
mystery solved! the name of the artist i was curious about was celine fielder hunter. thanks to those who gave me leads. i was able to email her daughter and confirmed that she was the artist. ms. hunter was a huge talent who influenced my sense of design and art director's career. so glad to identify this important artist, finally!
ReplyDeleteOh the memories of Frost Brothers! I grew up in rural area about 45 minutes from Corpus (though back in the 80's, was more like hour drive because of speed limit). My mom only wore stockings (hose, too vulgar), Estee Lauder "Youth Dew", and shoes and handbags had to match. Mom hated driving, so soon as I got my driver's license, I was charge with driving mom to Frost Brothers. I loved the little salon rooms, with the specialized merchandise: my favorites were the scarf and gloves, and of course the candy. I was in charge of getting my dad a sack of the strawberry candy that had the jelly filling. I don't think there was a restaurant in Frost Bros, because mom and I would go to the Woolworth and have a sandwich and shake at the counter. The trip to Frost Bros was an entire day affair. When Frost closed, "Armands" became the favorite; but was only ladies clothing so not nearly as fun as Frost Bros.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody remember two women that worked in the main sales area. Around he perfume section. One was Angie Villarreal and Rosa?
ReplyDeleteMy band played the music for all the Frost Bros. style shows for about 15 years, middle 70's till closing. Great fashion co-ordinators, Becky and Rhonda, and great models. We would take the show on the road each season to all the stores- models,clothes, band , dressers, everything on the Greyhound bus. Great fun. Plus we got to play music for the shows of the famous designers that Frost brought in.Wonderful memories and great people at Frost Bros.!
ReplyDeleteYou were with Small World, right?
DeletePolly, I remember. I was one of the Frost Models from 1981 until closing.
DeleteI remember when Wonderland opened in San Antonio in the 1960s. It was a very nice mall where there was a Handy Andy grocery store where Hobby Lobby is now. One could drive up and get his groceries placed dire ctly into his car by a bag boy. The first store to occupy the Frost location was Rhodes which was an upscale store but not as elegant as Frost's. Rhodes was followed by Liberty House which was followed by a "limited" Frost's Bros store (still elegant). After the demise by Frost, Burlington followed. As a native San Antonian, there will never be any store as elegant, luxurious, or gracious as Frost's on Houston St. I miss downtown Joske's also. One would never venture downtown unless he/she was wearing Sunday best apparel.
ReplyDeleteI remember back in the early '70's when legendary silent film star Pola Negri, who lived in Olmos Park, would come to visit Frost Brothers at North Star Mall, which was her favorite store. She would be chauffered in her pink convertible up to the south entrance off Rector around the circular drive to the fountain entrance. Sometimes she was accompanied not only by her chauffer, but also by her pet cheetah. Quite a sight to behold! As she entered the store, everyone paused and greeted her and she greeted EVERYONE as she made her way through the store, usually stopping first at the ladies perfume and cosmetic complex. She was gracious and classy. She would always stop and chat with Sandy, from Mexico City, who worked the Gucci corner. She was fond of the tea room or lunchroom upstairs, but would always sneak over to Mr. Dunderbak's in the mall, which was next door to Frost Brothers, for Polish and German goodies. She was often seen walking in her serene neighborhood of Olmos Park on Park Drive, close to her home. What a treasure San Antonio had in Pola Negri! She bequeathed the "Pola Negri Collection" to St. Mary's University which contains much of her personal, professional and private memorabilia. I'm sure glad that I worked at Joske's at North Star Mall during that time because my friends working at Frost Brothers would always let me know when she was coming to visit the store! What a time that was almost 47 years ago. Cheers, Pola Negri!
ReplyDeleteA fascinating piece of history, and thank you for sharing. That kind of grace and class are sadly a thing if the past, but wonderful to recall. Na zdrowie Szanowna pani Pola!!! Jesteś wspaniale pamiętany!!! (Cheers esteemed lady, you are fondly remembered!)
ReplyDeleteThats "pamiętana" more correctly.
DeleteI was dock supervisor at Frost Brothers in Northcross mall. Met my wife there. We are coming up on 26 years. She had braces and I needed them so it was a good way to talk to her when she came into work. She was an esthetician so I would see her come in each morning. The rest is history. I have been trying to remember a security guards name there 1986~ 1992. I sold him a car I wish I could get back. Oh
ReplyDeleteWell. Gus
There were 3 locations in Corpus Christi: Sunrise Mall, Parkdale Plaza, and downtown. I remember my mother loved shopping there. The place smelled of elegance and she bought her Oscar de la Renta perfume there. She smelled like a million bucks. There was a Gucci store in the Sunrise Mall location. Unfortunately, those days are history and elegant and classy department stores are rare.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to work as an artist with Patsy Krawietz at Scarbrough's in Austin; she was the head artist at Scarbroughs. I worked as a Frost Bros. artist for many years and continue to free-lance. Marlon Chapman was the art director, and he was a good friend of Max who was with another store outside of Texas. Celine Hunter was the lead artist with the trademark style. Brenda, Marlon's wife, was also on staff (her art was exquisite) as were other artists... Sylvia, Ming, Lupe, etc, to name just a few. It was a fabulous time to be illustrating. Frost Bros. ads were truly art.....I only wish I had saved the ones I had. Advertising Director, Lessi Ellen Culmer assembled a talented group to display the recognizable Frost Bros. trademark "look."
ReplyDeleteOh the memories come flooding back! My mother worked for Lessi Ellen for many years and I loved accompanying her to work on school holidays. I well remember Ming, Brenda, Esther Stith and Esther Watson, all in Advertising. Loved being taken to the beauty parlor, using the food vending machines in the employees' caf on the 4th floor (the selections seemed so modern - ready made pimento cheese sandwiches: LOL!). It was for me the sine qua non of elegance. I also recall meeting the director of the Joffrey Ballet who was at the North Star Mall store for some official reason I can't fathom, as well as Aldo (?) Gucci who officiated at the opening of "his" boutique at NSM. His young, gorgeous blonde girlfriend soon exchanged her towering stilettos for hastily purchased espadrilles when we hit the riverwalk on Gucci's brief tour of the city. Being in that vibrant hubub with those bright and shiny people was to my pre-teen eyes the epitome of international elegance. I'll never forget Frost!
DeleteI went to Trinity University in San Antonio in the 1980's and used to peruse North Star Mall when I needed to shop. Although I could rarely afford to purchase anything from Frost Brothers, I always walked through in order to gaze upon all the elegant and beautiful clothing and accessories. The gloves and scarves area was my favorite. When I would see some divine Item that I wanted above all else, I would save for it and wait for it to go on sale, crossing my fingers that there would be one left for me; being a college student I didn't have a large disposable income. I still have a lovely scarf that I purchased at the North Star location. I must have purchased more than one thing there though, because I still have 2 or 3 of their shopping bags. They were so beautiful and such works of art that I couldn't bear to dispose of them. I'm thinking about framing and hanging them.
ReplyDeleteThe Vice President of Advertising during the 1960s and early 1970s, Lessie Ellen Culmer, was my second cousin. I believe I was about 12 the last time we visited her at her lovely home in Alamo Heights in San Antonio. That was about 1974. She was a social butterfly who always had the most interesting people at her home. She would entertain for a while, take a swim in her bikini (in her 60s), and then work late into the evening on the next Frost Brothers advertising campaign. I wish I had been old enough to appreciate who she was at the time. She was an amazing person who worked for a truly amazing company.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Lessi Ellen was my sister's godmother! What a character, never seemed to sleep, there were always interesting people hanging about, including my parents. I'll never forget the raucous and somewhat intimidating greeting her many dachshunds used to raise when one arrived at her home on Allen Street. And that house - I believe my uncle was one of the architects on it, and it continues to live in my imagination as one of the best examples of practical, comfortable and elegant living, blending quietly into a natural setting. Cork floors! Bevel-paned windows! Lush, miniature lap-pool! d'hanis tile! Oh Lessi was a HOOT...at one point, having run out of nibbles during one of her many parties, she resorted to setting out a silver bowl of her doggie or kitty kibble along with all the hard liquor... and yeah, those noshies disappeared fast (I can attest it was pretty yummy). Oh what wonderful memories. Thank you!
DeleteDoes anybody remember Orange Julius across from Frost Bros? Next to the Majestic Theater. They use to make delicious hamburgers and the Orange Juice was tasty. This was in 1968 through 1969 that I recall.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Donna in Dallas about the artists working out of the main store on Houston Street...I worked in the Art Dept. from 1969-1971 under the Art Dept. Director, Leslie Culmer. At that time the residence artists were Webster Wren, Sylvia Grossman and on contract was Celine Hunter, Richard (and I can’t remember his last name). There were 2 other artists but I can’t remember their names. In 1971 I was moved up to the Buyers Office on the Mezzaine under Head Buyer, Margaret Breakiron and got a $0.05 an hour raise to $2.00 an hour. I was there for a year and then was promoted to Secretary to the President, Murray Berkowitz for another $0.05 an hour raise to $2.05! At that point in mid-1973, I left Frost Bros. and moved to Washington, DC where I remained for the next 40 years. My biggest memory from those days was how the Johnson daughters used to fly in by helicopter and the stores entire 3rd floor would shut down and they put the main maintenance man, Jimmy Bibles, in a tux and he’d have to wait on them as long as they were there. Every single item they purchased was always returned within 90 days and all of them had been worn! Leslie Culmer had been with Frost Bros. a long time and she was the most kind hearted boss I’ve ever known.
ReplyDeleteOK! I remember now that you named these artists. It was Webster and Sylvia that I worked/modeled for! It was 1969 and 1970.
DeleteMy sister and I were introduced to the fashion aspect of eyeglasses working with Donna Baker in The Optical Salon at Northstar Mall in the early 80'stages. The experience we obtained so valuable to both of us .it was a lease department that was operated by one Frank Longoria and John Barasa.
ReplyDeleteWe made so many friends and I would travel to Corpus Christi Sunrise and the Laredo River Drive Frost Brother every week .
The experience of not only working with San Antonio finest reatliers,buyers and window decorators. Tino was one who made us smile everything he would dress a window.
Not enough words to describe the Class retailing experience Frost Brothers will always have in my memories .
Steve and Sandra Coronado.
Memorial City Mall had a Frost Bros. I worked in military and wigs when I was 16-17 yo. I remember the beautiful mink fur trimmed hats and all the other beautiful hats in the department. I shared the register and department with hosiery. We would try on the hats and wigs when it was slow. That was 1983ish. It was a classy store and working with that type of clientele gave insight to how the 1% really are.
ReplyDeleteI believe they also had a location in Laredo. Many people don't know that Laredo had quite a retail sector. Wealthy Mexicans and even visitors from Spain reportedly shopped their. They also had a great clientele of Mexican Nationals in San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteWas there a restaurant at the Frost Bros downtown San Antonio location?
ReplyDeletedid frost brothers offer faux fur stoles?
ReplyDeleteMy mother, Georgia Lawrence, worked for Frost Bros on Houston St from about 1966 - 1967. She started as a model and ended up in the advertising department. Worked for Lessie Culmer and Mary Ellen. If anyone remembers her, please message me at jdebosier@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMom and I shopped at Frost Brothers downtown often. Each year I looked forward to getting new dresses, shoes, purses, gloves and other accessories for school.
ReplyDeleteIn time, I shopped at Frost Brothers in North Star Mall until it closed. I miss Frost Brothers and everything it stood for.
I came across a beautiful oriental plate (stamped with Frost Brothers on the back), that mom bought at Frost. Would love to get some history and the value of the unique item.
Would appreciate any help or advice. Thank you.
Frost Bros. was fabulous. It was expensive, of course, and the SA's were a tiny bit brusque... which made you feel you were in a very exclusive place, haha. Frost Bros. was always dimly lit inside, so you felt like you were entering a dream or fantasy. For the longest time, it was the only place in San Antonio where you could get Guerlain fragrances with all their accessories. I was so disappointed when it closed in 1987, when the Texas oil industry went bust... and thus everyone had less money to spend.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to find someone who can help me identify the age of a vintage Frost Brothers San Antonio cashmere coat. I have searched online and keep coming up short. I can't even find a photo of a similar-looking coat. Surely there must be a vintage fashion expert out there who can give me a date on this magnificent garment. My best guess is 1950s- early 1960s, but I'd like to pinpoint it a little better. Thanks for the help! I purchased it at an Austin-area Goodwill at least 20+ years ago (I'm now 70) and it OLD back then. elnrgrs@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnybody remember the mannequin playing the organ above the doorway at Christmas time ? As a child I thought she was so beautiful even tho you only saw the back of her head & her long blonde hair
ReplyDeleteI worked at Frost Bros as the assistant manager of the North Star Mall store while I was waiting to be admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. I remember the lovely woman, Sandy, who worked in the Gucci salon. At the time, I thought that she was pretty cute.
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