The modern building of Strawbridge & Clothier, built between 1928 and 1932
The unique environment of Strawbridge & Clothier combined modern and colonial details
The Corinthian Room Restaurant on the sixth floor of the older portion of the store
801 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Food Hall • Candy and Gourmet
Mezzanine
The Food Hall Restaurant
Second Floor
Men's Clothing • Young Men's Shop • Boys' Clothing • Sporting Goods • Luggage • Fabrics • Needlework • Sewing Machines • Sheets • Towels • Bedspreads • Blankets • Comforters • Pillows • Bath Shop • Fancy Linens
Third Floor
Pickwick Dresses • Pickwick Coats • Misses' Dresses • Misses' Sportswear • Misses' Coats • Today's Woman • Contemporary Dresses • Contemporary Sportswear • New Editions • Trend Shop • Country Club Sportswear • Devon Shop • The Philadelphia Shop • Fur Salon • Bridal Salon • Millinery
Junior World Junior Dresses • Junior Sportswear • Junior Coats
Fourth Floor
Shoe Salon • Casual Shoes • Pickwick Shoes • Pappagallo Shoes • Daytime Lingerie • Daytime Lingerie • Nighttime Lingerie • Leisurewear • Foundations • 4th Floor Boutique
Young World Infants' Shop • Infants' Accessories • Toddlers' Shop • Little Girls' Shop • Girls' Shop • Little Boys' Shop • Children's Accessories • Children's Shoes • Teen Scene
Fifth Floor
China • Silver • Glassware • Open House Shop • Home Entertainment Shop • Table Linens • Housewares • Small Appliances • Major Appliances
Sixth Floor
Lamps • Pictures and Mirrors • Gift Shop • Home Accessories • Curtains • Draperies • Pillows • The Corinthian Room Restaurant • The Mirror Room • The Jubilee Room
Seventh Floor
Furniture • Import Furniture • Interior Design Studio • Carpeting • Rugs
Eighth Floor
Toys • Hardware • Garden Shop • Paints
Ardmore
Suburban Square
Montgomery Ave. & St. James Place
May 12, 1930
108,000 sq. ft.
Jenkintown
Old York Rd & Rydal Road
September 9, 1931
187,000 sq. ft.
The Valley View Room
Wilmington, DE
Merchandise Mart
October 1, 1952
The Garden Room
Cherry Hill, NJ
The Mall at Cherry Hill
October 11, 1961
258,000 sq. ft.
Springfield (1964)
420 and Baltimore Pike
February 12, 1964
186,000 sq. ft.
The Garden Terrace
Plymouth Meeting (1966)
Plymouth Meeting Mall
February 22, 1966
215,000 sq. ft.
Plymouth Terrace Restaurant
Neshaminy Mall (1968)
Bensalem
240,000 sq. ft.
Echelon Mall (1970)
Voorhees, NJ
246,000 sq. ft.
Exton Square Mall (1972)
Exton, PA
Christiana Mall (1978)
Newark, DE
Coming in Due Course
This is so wonderful to see! I remember going to the Jenkintown store in the late 1960s with my Mom. There was a lovely tea room where we would have lunch after shopping. What great memories!
ReplyDeleteThere was also a branch in the Christiana Mall in Newark, DE and a new S&C in the Concord Mall, replacing the Merchandise Mart store in Wilmington.
ReplyDeleteYes, there sure was a branch in Newark (actually, it was in Christiana), DE. I worked at the Christiana Mall S&C during the Christmas season in 1995!
DeleteWillow Grove replaced the Jenkintown store and the last store was at Burlington Center in NJ
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what happened to the holiday window display at Strawbridge's at 8th and Market. It was a family with moving parts getting ready for the holidays.
ReplyDeletethe display is now owned by com~greed~cast better know as xfinity.
Deletethis display has been moved and is on display in the Comcast tower in down town phily
Macy's displays it at Christmas.
DeleteMy grandfather was one of the painters who did the paintings in the lobby above the elevators. I hope they never destroy them
DeleteSaw the elevator paintings today. They were doing a lot of restoration in that room, so I really hope so.
DeleteDoes anyone know what happened to the magical window at Strawbridges 8th and Market Streets at Christmas time. It had movement with a family decorating a tree as I remember.
ReplyDeleteI live in Idaho and found a tag that says strawbridge & clothier seal of confidence, it is 1 1/4 " long and 1" wide and has the numbers 151329 stamped on the back. can anyone tell me what it was used for?
ReplyDeleteYou have an early charge plate. Very cool!
DeleteThe Strawbridge & Clothier Seal of Confidence was a trademark of the famous Philadelphia department store. It depicts William Penn and a native American, and was used in advertising, displays, etc. to identify Strawbridge & Clothier. More information about the store can be found in Michael Lisicky's book, a link to which is on the John Wanamaker page of The Department Store Museum.
ReplyDeleteHi - I have an item from Strawbridge & Clothier. I'm not sure if it was a rack or part of an elevator or a door? I wanted to see if anyone knows what it is. It's a cool piece of nostalgia.
DeleteIt was sad to see this family run Philadelphia institution sold to the May Company in the mid 1990's. It was the last of the "old guard" department stores on Market Street. I have many fond childhood memories of that store at 8th & Market.
ReplyDeleteme too; loved sundays in the mid 1970's. theywould put out all the discounted costume jewelry and you could slowly look and make outfits
DeleteBarbie- Macys at the Wamamaker building now has that display. They put it up with the light show.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt, who passed away almost 10 years ago, worked for Strawbridge & Clothier for 50 years. Upon her retirement, they presented her with a 14k Gold Medal with the Strawbridge & Clothier stamp on it. I just wanted to ask if anyone might have any further information on this medal and what it might be worth. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI AM A NATIVE PHILADELPHIAN, BUT I LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY NOW ,BUT AS A KID I REMEMBER THE CLASS AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICE &MERCHANDISE, AND STYLE STRAWBRIDGE'S HAD ON 8TH MARKET STREET ALONG WITH JOHN WANAMAKER'S STORE. WE SHOULD SAVE OUR STORE'S BECAUSE IT'S OUR HISTORY AND WAY OF LIFE.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what happened to the organ they had in the original Strawbridge & Clothiers store?
ReplyDeleteYou might be thinking of the organ at John Wanamaker, not Strawbridge's. The one at Wanamaker used to have a gentleman who played it every few hours. That organ is still at Wanamaker (which is currently a Macy's), but they don't play it as much as they used to. In fact, the whole store has lost the "classiness" it used to have. It's sad.
DeleteI remember that during the Christmas season the Plymouth Meeting store used to erect a huge Christmas tree that could be seen for miles (as it was relatively flat here at that time). As a child, I loved to look for it when we were driving at night!
ReplyDeleteI remember that tree well. You could see it up & down Germantown Pike
DeleteI worked for Strawbridge & Clothier in the early 1980's while in college, I began in mens accessories on the first floor at the 8th and Market entrance later being moved to the electronic video games and then to the carpet dept both of which were on the fifth floor games being in the elevator lobby. The store had tremendous crowds especially when issed there was a clover day sale more notably the last one before Christmas. Strawbridges was very in touch with what the customers wanted and very civic oriented. It was a geat plsce to shop and work. It is really missed shopping has not been the same and they had the clover discount divison that was also popular and they both accepted the blue strawbridge card.
ReplyDeleteSallie. Do you mean John Wanamaker? The Grand Court organ?
ReplyDeleteI JUST PURCHASED A MEDAL THAT WAS AWARDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO WORKED IN THE "CORSET DEPT" IT SAYS IT IS THE GOLDEN TRROPHY WEEK AWARD. ANY ONE KNOW WHEN THEY HAD THE CORSET DEPT? TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IT'S AGE. THE ARTIST STAMP SAYS AUG. C. FRANK.
ReplyDeleteBak, I love that you've created this page. I grew up in Philadelphia and remember how special it was to be able to shop at Strawbridge & Clothier and Wanamaker's. I have a shopping bag that was created to commemorate John Wanamaker's 125th anniversary, and I still have my blue Strawbridge's credit card that I cannot seem to let go. I can't think of a retail outlet today that compares to what these stores once offered to customers. I really do miss both stores. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI have a coat that I inherited with the Strawbridge & Clothier label, does anyone know if it is it worth anything today? Trying to decide if I should hold onto it, or wear it because I do like it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Bruce;
ReplyDeleteI can't pull myself away from your site! I also worked at Strawbridge's downtown during the holidays. Family owned at the time and not unusual at all to see one of the Strawbridge family walking through the store saying hello by name to the employees. Many who worked for them stayed for 50 years. A great environment, UNTIL it was sold. The Strawbridge store on Cottman Ave in NE Philly started out as Klien's, a NYC department store located , I believe, around 23rd St. I have not found any info on this old store. Closed in the 1970's, it was on par with the May company store nearby...Martinscq@yahoo.com
Strawbridge & Clothier never had a store on Cottman Ave. Perhaps you are referring to the former Wanamaker's store which was rebranded Strawbridge's after the May Co. buyout.Lit Brother's and Gimbel's also had stores on Cottman Ave.
DeleteClover's was at Castor & Cottman Ave the discount store of Strawbridge's
DeleteSallie, check this site, hope you enjoy as I did. http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php
ReplyDeleteBak, thank you for the journey back in time
LOVED WORKING FOR STRAWBRIDGES, NEVER KNEW WHAT YOU LOST WHEN IT TURNED INTO MACY'S
ReplyDeleteThe "Christmas Tree" at the S&C at the Plymouth Meeting Mall, to my recollection, was actually green streamers (or some other type of green material wrapped around cords) attached to the top of a flagpole on one end and to a circular base at the other creating a very large cone, the effect of which was a sort of abstract Christmas Tree. Thanks for helping me recall that. I don't think Macy's does that any more.
ReplyDeleteThe spectacular lighted Christmas tree at the PM Store and actually blown down one night during a wind storm in the late 1980's (?) never to be erected again.
DeleteI started working for Strawbridge & Clothier in July 1977. I worked in the Housewares department and also in Men's Shoes, Mens, and Women's Shoes/Handbags. In 1982, I was transferred to the 8th & Market store as Assistant Department Manager of Mens Clothing/Young Mens/Boys 8-20. After a few months, I was promoted to Department Manager of Sporting Goods, which was leased through Polly Brothers Sporting Goods. I left in June 1983 to accept a better position.
ReplyDeleteI returned to Strawbridge's, now owned by The May Company, in May 1998 as the Area Manager for Jewelry/Handbags/Accessories at the Court at King of Prussia store. After that store closed in January 1999, I was transferred to the Plymouth Meeting store as Area Manager of the third floor, which included Coats/Dresses/Womens World. But things were very different under The May Company, so I left retailing for good in November 1999.
The King of Prussia store was built by Stockton Strawbridge as a showcase store, featuring a 3-story center atrium with hanging clock and painted ceiling, granite floors throughout, and the wild boar fountain, which had been relocated from the 8th & Market store.
The boar wasn't relocated from 8th & Market store, it was actually a cast reproduction of the original. They removed it and created a mold from the original, cast a new boar for the King of Prussia store. It now resides in the atrium of Southco, Inc. in Chester County.
ReplyDeleteKing of Prussia's Il Porcellino fountain has since found a new home at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. He has been greeting visitors at the main entrance since the early 2000's.
DeleteWow great page. I miss shopping at Strawbridges. I wish the overall quality could be found in department stores today :(
ReplyDeleteI have a hand made handbag that was made exclusively for Strawbridge and Clothier. I wonder if it is worth a lot. It is all beads, even the handle is covered in beads. It is really beautiful and vintage.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at the Clothier mansion on Henry avenue that had been turned into a convalesent home when I was a teen in the early 1960's.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the Luggage department of the main store from about 1967 to 1972. The buyer was Bob Warner. I remember one fellow from the Sporting Goods department, Bill. I think the manager of that department was Mr. French.
ReplyDeleteStrawbridge and Clothier was careful to hire people with the "right attitude". Customer service was the their most pressing concern.
I miss those good old days. Bill; if you're on this board...do you still watch the stars from your city rooftop? I watch them from my home in the Jersey pines.
My dear widowed Mother, (Precious Mother of 12, Grandmother of 23, Great Grandmother of 1)now age 86 was employed as a "Holly Girl" during the Christmas holidays in the 1940's. She loves to recall those happy days. Fondly recalls how beautiful their uniforms were, and that it was a very special honor to be selected a "Holly Girl". Proud to remember how extensive the training was, before they were allowed on the floor to serve customers. Anyone possibly have a photo of the Holly Girls in their uniforms? Would LOVE to surprise her!!! Thank you kindly..
ReplyDeleteHello, and thanks for the charming comment and story about your dear mom. God bless her!
ReplyDeleteYou may want to look into the Temple University Urban Archives (they have pictures from Strawbridge & Clothier) but I am not sure what you might find. If you are in Philadelphia, the papers are probably microfilmed in the library and you could search for a picture there. Also, the Hagley Library (www.hagley.org) possesses the Strawbridge & Clothier corporate archives, and you might see if someone there could look for a photo for your mother.
My mom would have been 86, so I believe I have an insight into your mother's character, and you are so fortunate to have her and her memories with you!
Bruce
Unfortunately the store history on this page is incomplete. Well before the May Co. takeover in the mid-90s there were were 5 more stores opened by Strawbridge & Clothier. After Exton, Christiana (Newark, De) was opened in 1978. Burlington (NJ) was opened in 1982. Concord (Wilmington De) was opened in 1983 replacing the old Wilmington store that was opened in the 50's. Then S & C's last 2 stores to open were the King of Prussia and Willow Grove stores (in that order) that were former Abraham & Strauss locations. Any other locations after that point to wear the new "Strawbridge's" name were mostly former John Wanamaker/Hecht's locations that were converted to Strawbridge's to garner the strength of that great Philadelphia name. All of the original Strawbridge and Clothier stores continued to be branded as such until they were either closed (like Cherry Hill, Springfield, Christiana, Willow Grove) or converted to Macy's (Ardmore, Plymouth Meeting, Exton, Concord)....or Burlington that was converted and then closed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information. The purpose of this site is not to give a detailed history of every location and disposition of stores like Strawbridge & Clothier as they merged, took over other locations, and eventually became one national department store. The purpose is to cover them at their pinnacle . . . by the late 1970s, at least, and certainly into the 1980s, they were on their way to what has to be considered a disaster.
ReplyDeleteAs I renovate these exhibits, I indicate a cut-off date for the branch stores that are listed. Perhaps that will clarifying things for those that are looking for detailed (and often confusing) information about the disposition of these stores.
I personally prefer the "old" Strawbridge & Clothier, with its distinctive styl;e and logo. I will admit, though, that I visited Philadelphia in the late 1980s for a high-rise project I was designing . . . and found the Market Street Strawbridge & Clothier as lovely as ever.
Hi, do you know when the logo changed?
DeleteI just completed a flooring renovation at an old church. I pulled up the original carpet in the sanctuary, and underneath the carpet was some very old strawbridge moth proof carpet underpayment. Very vintage, as well as the carpet. Anyone know if someone would be interested? Museum? My email is lgillone@earthlink.net-
ReplyDeleteI worked at 8th and Market starting in August 1975 in Pappagallo and then Children's Shoes on the 4th floor.
ReplyDeleteThe Christiana store was most certainly part of the hay day of S&C and well before the sales and consolidations. They picked a number of Philly staff and we reported dressed to the nines to the store in the dark to be bused to Delaware to open the store. I remember how new it smelled and that it had both Philly AND Baltimore sports items since it was marketing to the northern Maryland area.
We gave some quick ojt to the Delaware crew and held our breath as you could hear people racing in with their virgin blue credit cards! We worked the whole time the store was open and then dragged ourselves back on the buses. I have always had a great fondness for Christiana!
My point is that it truly should be on your list. It was a really bold move for the Strawbridges who did indeed stroll the floors at the Philly store and chat with us. Stockton had such vision, sad they couldn't keep that heritage. We lost a great deal when that store closed. Clover was also the epitome of what a discount chain should be. When it closed I remember the salvagers being quoted in the newspaper that they had never seen a store with such even shrinkage of the merchandise. They said it proved that they had had excellent buyers who knew their market. They certainly did.
Wow, great to see all the pictures of the old stores. I have managed several malls in the Phila area (Cherry Hill, Christiana, Echelon...)
ReplyDeleteOne of the great things about SC was the fountains/statues they put in front of their stores and their window displays. Check out the american indian at the Neshaminy Mall which was a SC project as well as the windows to the left of the SC/Macy's entrance. The fountain/statue at the Burlington Mall is also impressive. The Rouse and Stawbridge families were truely pioneers who cared about the community and what they brought to it.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED TWO HAND PUPPETS OF SCROOGE AND TINY TIM FROM "A CHRISTMAS CAROL". ATTACHED IS A RED TAG WHICH STATES "STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER" PRESENTS. THE BACK HAS "IT FIGURES" 1986 NEWPORT DE. INSIDE IT STATES THE PUPPETS WERE SCULPTED BY RAY DAUB AND MARY BERG.IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT "IT FIGURES STUDIO WILL OFFER A NEW SERIES OF CHARACTERS EACH CHRISTMAS SEASON". I LOVE THESE PUPPETS AND WOULDN'T SELL THEM FOR ANY PRICE CONVERSELY I WOULD LOVE TO PURCHASE ANY THAT WERE MADE AFTER THIS SET. I AM A STRONG FAN OF "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" IF ANYONE HAS ANY OF THESE PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 1326marley@charter.net.
ReplyDeleteI have such wonderful memories of Strawbridge and Clothier, Philadelphia. My dad worked there for 50 years. As a matter of fact my my mom and dad met there and got married. My dad was Bill Lee, he worked on the 5th and then worked on the second floor he passed away Christmas Day 1998.
ReplyDeleteI have a hardcover large book of newspaper ads for Strawbriges hat we found in an old trunk in our a of iys valuettic..any idea
ReplyDeletemy house has burned down, my furniture was purchaesed in mid 80's at S&C's in Concord mall. what were the furniture companies S&C sold? Would like to get replaced with same or simular. We had 3 bedroom sets, traditional/colonial/queen anne style, quality stuff. Also had queen anne 4 pc living room set, cherry with white on white floral satine fabric, with brass lion lamp set (2 table top, 1 floor). Thx for helping, juniatamama@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThere was a fire in that window in the late 70's or early 80's and it was severely damaged. I don't believe that it was ever restored.
DeleteMy aunt gave me a very old tiger oak mission chair probably from the 20's and when I turned it over it had a faded circular decal stating "Strawbridge and Clothier" and also "Seal of Confidence".
ReplyDeleteReally well made furniture. My kids think it looks like
an electric chair though :)
Back in 5th grade, I got lamps for my bureau. A white marble, and pretty. Purchased in the Jenkintown store. Still using lamps to this day!
ReplyDeleteDoris
I worked for Clover in 1991-1992 on Township Line Road and when I started college I transferred to the 8th and Market Strawbridge & Clothier Store. I worked on the fourth floor in the gift wrap department. I also made the price tags for the huge warehouse type electronics sales they had. I remember when it was bought out and they moved customer service and gift wrap to another floor. I loved this store and I worked there for 4 years. It was a very upscale store and the store associates were great to work with!! I lived in Philadelphia for 11 years and later moved to Georgia. Never again have I encountered such a grand establishment.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was a "grand establishment." You'd really have to experience it at the height of its existence to believe what a beautiful, cultured store it was. Sadly, an "epilogue" to your last sentence might well read "and we never will again . . ."
ReplyDeleteBruce
A note about the Strawbridge & Clothier Springfield store. It was not located in the Springfield Mall. S & C Springfield was a stand-alone store located on Baltimore Pike and Route 420. The Springfield Mall did not open until 1974. During the late 1970's or early 1980's a small shopping center was built around the S & C store; it was called Springfield Park Shopping Center. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteRon
There was a Strawbridge's at Springfield Mall. I used to shop there when I was younger from the 90s til it closed.
Delete-ilovehorseyrides
That was the former Wanamaker's store that was branded Strawbridge's after the May Co. buyout. It was never a Strawbridge & Clothier store.
DeleteGetting nostalgic here. I worked at the 8th and Market St. store in the late '60's, early 70's. We were inundated with Strawbridges. G. Stockton, Peter, et. al. They would, indeed, walk around the store and greet people, smile at the employees. We were a family. Poorly paid, but family. Corporations can never build that feeling.
ReplyDeleteI worked there in 1977-1979 center city store great place to work loved to work warehouse sale buy the airport.
ReplyDeleteI worked @ S&C from August 1975 till July 1979. Started in Childrens shoes as a stock boy. My hourly wage was $2.05 an hour. S&C was a nice place to work and a lot my co-workers became my friends. The store had a bowling team that met on Friday nights in the Northeast on Frankford Ave, good times for sure.
ReplyDeleteI have many great memories of Strawbridges and Clover stores. My parents often took all five children "Downtown" to the Center City store for shopping trip to Strawbridges and Wanamakers. Mom always preferred Strawbridges, however as she said their quality of merchandise was superior to any other store. We would have lunch in the Corinthian Room restaurant on the 6th floor, and many times there would be a line of folks waiting to be seated. The Wild Boar statue on the first floor was as iconic as the Eagle at Wanamakers. People would rub the Boar's nose for good luck (brass was shiny on nose from all the handling, whereas the rest of him tarnished long ago), and toss pennies in the fountain he stood over. My mom bought Hollie Hobbie fabric in the fabric department and made bedroom pillows for my sisters and I, and purchased a doll kit and made it for my grandmother. She also purchased fabric to make my sisters and I maxi skirts one Christmas. My mom and dad took my husband and I to the Center City Strawbridges in 1989 and purchased our bedroom set, which we still have today and is in excellent condition. The company who made it was Crescent Furniture of Pennsylvania. They also carried Pennsylvania House furniture. My older sister also purchased her dining room set (Crescent) and bedroom set (Pennsylvania House) over 40 years ago and it is still in excellent condition. I also have memories of going to the Cherry Hill Mall and Neshaminy Mall stores. Each had similar restaurants - they sat on a second floor balcony that overlooked the inside of the mall. We were also lucky enough to have a Clover store in Northeast Phila on Frankford Avenue, around the corner from our home. Quality of the merchandise there was excellent as well.
ReplyDeleteMy history with French Onion Soup. My mother, dressed to the 9's with white gloves, took me shopping in center city, Philadelphia pa in the mid 1970's. We lived in Silver Spring, MD. and it was also my my first Greyhound Bus trip. She took me to my first formal sit down restaurant inside the department store "Strawbridge & Clothier". Our soup course was French Onion Soup and I'd never tasted any thing that good. For over 15 years that was our tradition, going to lunch and having French Onion Soup. I also started taking that trip from Silver Spring, MD. to Philadelphia, PA myself. My mother wasn't a financially rich woman, raising 4 boys on her own, however she was rich with morals, values, tact, taste, style, kindness & love. Ibye Virginia Jean Saunders!
ReplyDeleteI was once an employee of Strawbridge and Clothier from 1974 - 1989 in the Exton Store. I managed several departments during my time of service. Played on the softball and bowling teams. Met a lot of wonderful people, many I became friends with. What a wonderful place to work.
ReplyDeleteRenee
Hi,
ReplyDeleteLooking for info on Ray Thomas who worked for S&C during the 1920s.
He was an assistant buyer in the leather goods, luggage and toilet goods.
Lived @ 262 South 57th Street in Philly in December of 1922 and had a son born around 1902.
Any help will be appreciated. He was my grandfather's cousin and I am trying to find their common ancestors.
Thanks!
@Anonymous & Sallie: Apparently S & C had an organ installed BEFORE Wanamaker did. According to my sources the Estey Organ Company installed a pipe organ in the store in 1906 (Opus 347). I have no idea whatever happened to it, but would love to know.
ReplyDeleteRestaurants were named and here are a few that come from memory...some we remember and some we don not. (The restaurants mentioned are pre-May Company locations) which include:
ReplyDeleteCenter City Flagship: The Corinthian Room,Gourmet department on main floor w/ a balcony restaurant,deli,chocolate,small bakery and gourmet and a Bassett's Ice Cream branch. Corinthian restaurant remained open and modified dining service in the gourmet department after sale to May Company.Dining remained until store closure. Thankfully May retained the Corinthian Room for daily dining along with the beauty salon while retail was removed from the sixth floor otherwise. They could have closed it but they thankfully kept it open until the store was closed after the consolidation and move up to the flasghip John Wanamaker buiding.
Plymouth Meeting: Plymouth Terrace
Burlington: Cherry Room
Echelon: Echelon Room Restaurant ? (not sure of name)
Christiana: The Chesapeake Room (upper level with long window where shopper could look up and see diners eating)Entry from inside the store.
King oF Prussia (Court): The Overlook
Neshaminy: (Neshaminy Terrace ? outside store 2nd floor)
Springfield: The Springfield Room (stayed open under May until store closed,also contained a bakery counter across from entry to dining room).
Exton: (snack bar what was the name?)
Willow Grove: "The Aquarium" (featuring a fantastic saltwater aquarium in the center of the dining room.
Cherry Hill: (Name ? Italian themed restaurant on outside of mall entry on 2nd floor inside a greenhouse like structure.Access from outside store on 2nd floor at the entry to the store.
Concod DELAWARE: No restaurant,candy dept/some gourmet only.
Note: Center City and Springfield rooms were the only restaurants to remain in service after the sale to May.
Thank you for the memories! Thank you for such a beautiful site.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteMy father and I received a round oak table from my great-uncle, who lived in Philadelphia, some 45 years ago. It was old then, and my great uncle stored it in his basement. It's been my dining room table for over 30 years, but I recently noticed it had a Strawbridge & Clothier label on the underside of the table.
Is there any way to find out what the table might be worth (if anything)?
Thanks, for any assistance or advice.
I saved a Shopping bag from Strawbridge & Clothier.
ReplyDeleteI an addition they gave us who worked there a collectors book all about S&C, which it was commonly known. A real Family store. I worked at Neshaminy &
Cherry Hill Mall from 03/95-12/98. My first job was at Clover, discount division of S&C back in high school 1979-1980
I have a Strawbridge's bag
Delete-ilovehorseyrides
I went shopping at the Springfield store (Springfield Mall) as a child in the late 90s until it closed(Now a Target). I am 21 years old now and I have many memories going there :)
ReplyDelete-ilovehorseyrides
I have a very old carved oak bedroom set and noticed the back is stamped Strawbridge & Clothier, but, am perplexed because the stamp seems to read Strawbidge, with no R. Does anyone know why that would be? It is a very well made set of furniture. You just don't find items made so well now a days.
ReplyDeleteI am originally from New York City. I was hired by Strawbridge and Clothier during the Christmas season of 1969. I worked until January of 1970. I was offfered a full time job, but I declined. I was worried about being drafted into the military. I worked in the shipping department in the basement of the store. I remember loading packages to be shipped all over the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey being carried by Tose drivers. I enjoyed meeting the very nice people that worked there. I also met Lola Falanas Mother worked there. I think it is sad when large stores of this magnitude have shut down it's operations. I truly miss that era of my life.
ReplyDeletewould any one know if some would have any store chat from s and c would like to know had a elder neighbor offer me some back in the mid 1980s could kick myself for not taking them
ReplyDeleteI went to my first ex strawbridge store at neshaminy mall in Bensalem even though its a macys the s&c seal was still in tact on the building.I found it strange going inside the store where the escalators were that there was a stairwell very retro the mall entrance was very unique and still in tact from the strawbridge days but clock was slightly gone they shoulda left that.
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget seeing a guy in a jet pack fly over the parking lot of the store in Wilmington. It must have been 1965 or 66. Does anyone else remember this? They used one in the movie, Thunderball in 65.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know who were the clothing buyers for Strawbridge & Clothier (S&C)? They are the folks that are true dynamos and extremely missed throughout the clothing industry. Most S&C stores are now Macy's and their buyers don't compare. Did the S&C buyers retire after S&C closed its doors? The fashions at Macy's are cheaply made, no matter what size you are. I'd rather pay the bucks and get quality clothing that will last you a couple seasons or years for that matter. Strawbridge & Clothier never ever made that sacrifice to keep customers coming through the doors. In addition to the great experience of shopping at S&C, the sales representatives literally knew who you were when shopping. They remembered you and greeted you, told you what was on sale, helped in the fitting rooms, etc. I never left S&C without a shopping bag. Now, when I shop the big-bad Macy’s, it’s hit or miss and in most cases, I walk out without a shopping bag. If there are any Strawbridge's still alive, please consider bringing the store back. Okay, I am only wishfull thinking, but they would certainly get my money.
ReplyDeleteHello S&C fans. Would anyone happen to know the baker who made that to-die-for chocolate layer cake sold in Strawbrige's Food Hall? Haven't found one to come close in taste since before the store closed (they stopped selling that and the Napoleans).
ReplyDeleteStrawbridge & Clothier will live in our hearts forever.Thank you once again for creating this wonderful place for us to celebrate those very special memories.God Bless !
ReplyDeleteOh,incidentally,there was actually a smaller wood accented dining room that was a component of The Corinthian Room called The Pickwick Room.It was used mainly as function space in later years.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again !
I was the only African American to ever illustrate the cover of S&C's Christmas catalog since its founding in 1868 until it being sold in 1996. I recall three covers under the direction of my art director Mr. Larry Brown. I started working there at 19 in the Sign Shop on the 7th floor as a co-op student and thanks to Ms. Ruth Sampson, Stockton Strawbridge's (CEO) secretary, I was transfered to the advertising department on the 10th floor where I designed ads and provided artwork and storyboards for advertising commercials. I have two of those cover illustrations framed and hanging in my livingroom today. I have some good memories of the homestore at 8th & Market street in Philadelphia. If you have comments,I can be reached at: roy.miller5378@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roy Miller, Jr.
Roy!! Do you remember me, Micka? I kind of stumbled on this site a little while ago and lo and behold there is your comment! I'll always have a fond place in my heart for Strawbridge & Clothier, and to this day think it was my favorite job. I'll email soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd to others who may be reading this, I worked with Roy Miller and others in the advertising department (Gene Menegon was my Art Director) designing catalog spreads, signage and even an S & C Christmas ornament! I still have some S & C pieces in my portfolio. I loved walking through that store and being a part of it. I liked seeing that horse drawn delivery carriage on the first floor. Sad that Strawbridge's is no longer, but I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments above.
Roy Miller's email address has changed to june08miller@gmail.com
ReplyDeletemy grandmother would love to take me to the Springfield store and we would have lunch. she loved using her "charge card. such great memories of my grandmother. it is a 2 floor target now. I wonder what they did with the floor the restaurant was on
ReplyDeleteI was a young gal of 19 when I started working in the cash office for Mary Ellen Liberatore. No one would ever know what a Tube Room was or the phrase of cleaning the pig, unless you worked in that depart. The tube room was in the lower basement. Small room. When you opened what looked like a closet door, was this room with about a hundred pipes looking at you. When the cashier's needed change, they sent cash in a cylinder through a vacuum system (like a bank drive in) and in slid down a brass tube to the Cash office person. We would send the roll of quarters for a ten dollar bill or bills, whatever was requested, back up to the floor.
ReplyDeleteCleaning the pig meant going to the first floor to see Mr Wild Boar and take the coin out of the fountain water. It was counted and given to charity (March of Dimes, I believe)
Ruth Sampson saved my life one night. I went to get checks signed by Stockton Strawbridge and took the fire escape to go down two floors. As soon as I went out her door, I was locked out. No one could hear me with the traffic. I was on the outside 12th floor. After ten minutes my boss called looking for me. I was so grateful she opened that door, for it was almost 5PM. It would have been a very cold night out there.
I really miss that store and Clover. They were family and if you needed part time for the holidays, they alway took you! Thanks for the memories!!!!
I used to work with MaryEllen in the 70's and also worked in the tuberoom.
DeleteThe noise when a tube used to get stuck and the other tubes would start to pile up. It sometimes reminded me of a Lucy episode especially when it was a Clover day. The tubes would come quickly down the belt. It was a good time.
I have acquired a set of 5 porcelain napkin rings Made in Germany. One has a John Wanamaker Import sticker on the back. John Wanamaker is printed in silver lettering with light blue background, not the trademark signature. Curious of the year/years that sticker was in use. I can send pictures to an email if possible. Sorry if this message sent twice, computer acting up. Sbrooke84@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteReach Roy at roy.miller5378@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have a maple dresser and nite stand stamped Strawbridge Clothiers Philadelphia that have been in the immediate family for 55 yrs, but were handed down by an older part of the family. Anyone know anything about this stuff. I'm trying to value it. thank you
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the candy store name inside the Springfield store?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist adding comments to this interesting chain about S&C. My mother worked there for over 25 years in the center city store (as a buyer) as did my former sister-in-law and my sister. My brother worked in the warehouse for years and it was through S&C that my brother met his wife and my sister her husband. My husband and I both worked at the Cherry Hill store during college. This department store is such a large part of my family's history and also my Christmas memories it was very hard to see its demise.
ReplyDeleteI currently have an early 1920's hat labeled "Made in England Strawbridge &Clothier". It is in perfect condition. Can anyone tell me when this store was acquired by another company? Thank you,
ReplyDeleteThe hat was likely made in England and imported by Strawbridge & Clothier. It was not purchased by any other company during its lifetime as a family-owned, independent department store; before its demise, it became a part of the May Department Stores (and the name was shortened to "Strawbridge's [presumably because people have a hard time with too many syllables!] and later folded into Federated Department stores and the Macy name. Another sad disappearance of a unique institution.
ReplyDelete- Bruce
I miss all of these wonderful Old Department Stores, I have worked in three over many decades in different cities and states. They all offered unique merchandise in their stores, S&C versus Wanamaker's, or Gimbel Brother's or Lit Brother' s in the Philadelphia Area each had different merchandise and gave us reason to shop in all of them. The individual buyers were responsible for the style and look that the stores projected. I worked at S&C in the late 1960s into1971 and started as a Head of Stock in the Springfield Store, to Assistant Buyer in Jr. Coats and Suits to Assistant in Junior Sportswear and finally Assistant in Women's Sportswear! These stores offered a wonderful opportunity to advance into Management through their Executive Training Programs! It is so sad to stand at Eighth and Market Streets in Center City and to know that all we will ever have is memories of these remarkable stores in a bygone era!
ReplyDeleteCan you read the department store codes on a tag? I have a S&C tag that reads D12 666 with a "D" underneath. Would any of that indicate the year?
ReplyDeleteI am a native Philadelphian and have been heart broken since Strawbridges closed. I saddens me that I will never be able to take my daughter there or have lunch again in the basement. My husband and I started a tradition where we would go on black Friday for lunch in the basement (put coins in the wild bohr fountain..what happened to that?) We loved to see what they would do with the display window for the holidays. They used to have a group of people that would play the musical bells in the basement...I would pick out chocolates for family members as they played their music.
ReplyDeleteThe Christiana Mall Strawbridges had a beautiful LGB train layout tucked into an alcove in the electronics section. It was not for sale, but for display purposes for of all things video camcorders. They had five or six camcorders set up that you could focus and film the layout with. Does anyone know the story behind this strange but wonderful toy train layout? It wasn't just up for Christmas, it was up year round for a good ten years before Strawbridges closed. Does anyone know what became of it?
ReplyDeleteI remember the Neshanimy Mall Strawbridge's as a kid - my mom use to take me there for lunch - and I last went to the Philadelphia store in 1994, when I saw its walk-through diorama of 'A Christmas Carol.' I was sad to hear of its closing from northern New Jersey.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas window I am trying to find info on is different than the Dickens exhibit. This goes back before the Dickens exhibit perhaps the 70s and before. I think is was on the corner of 8th and Market, a family celebration with a tree. I am going to try to get to The Hagley museum.
ReplyDeleteI have a set of 12 gold encrusted dinner plates H&Selb Bavarian 24 K stamped " made exclusively for John Wanamaker. Would be willing to let go cheap as I have no use and would rather see someone get them that could enjoy them. They are in perfect condition. Email or text 530-917-3564 throw me an offer. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThe truly wonderful part about the Strawbridge & Clothier traditions are that many of the activities inside/outside the store for co-workers were very family oriented. That is what we heard over and over again from the great Strawbridge & Clothier family of co-workers that were there for many years. That kind of camaraderie must have been wonderful to experience. Can anyone offer some examples/details ? Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading these comments and felt compelled to add my own. Yes! Strawbridge and Clothier was a grand store. I have so many memories of shopping there and having lunch at the various stores I wouldn't know where to begin talking about them. It was really a "family" thing to do and God bless my Grandmother she LOVED to shop and we often went shopping together with my Mom. Store today totally lack the elegance, respectful customer service and quality merchandise easily experienced at Strawbridge and Clothier. John Wanamaker was another fine store that the same could be said about. One left, Lord and Taylor's is still around but they have been changing .... I just hope Macy's doesn't buy them out and destroy them too. I don't shop at Macy's. Macy's is the epitome opposite of everything Strawbridge and Clothier was.
ReplyDeleteHi, wondering if anyone knows any history about the founders or family that owned Strawbridge & Clothier. My last name is Strawbridge and I am currently living in Wales in the UK, if anyone does have any information feel free to email me at abbi_strawbridge@icloud.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Abbi: there's some info in the wikipedia entry, and many links to access from there.
ReplyDeleteen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawbridge%27s
To "Anonymous" of 10/15/15... you are SO RIGHT.
ReplyDeleteMy father was an S&C employee for 35 years. He was one of the first African Americans hired in a management capacity. He has just recently passed away and I am enjoying the many similar memories I see here on this page. I practically grew up in the back rooms & offices of the Cherry Hill & 8th & Market stores where he was a department manager and then retired as a purchasing agent. I remember working in the cashiers office at the 8th & Market location myself in the 80's when we still used the tube room to deliver change. That room was a somewhat creepy yet fascinating place. Everyone knew what "meet you at the boar" meant and you got the best free show watching all the people go by the elevators while you waited. It was the norm to see the Strawbridge brothers on the floor interacting with the customers and employees. While I too have joined the culture of convenient internet shopping, I miss the sensory excitement of going into S&C to get that special outfit, gift or bargain find. I miss lunches with my dad in the employee cafeteria or for an occasional treat, the Corinthian Room. Anybody remember the "blue man" who used to eat there? As a kid I used to always try to smile at him because people would stare at him due to his odd hue. Somewhere in my Dad's vast collections of stuff is a box of Store Chat magazines that I hope to find. Great, great memories.
ReplyDeleteI received my first mink coat from Strawbridge Clothier. I'm truly loved, Auntie left me this coat, it was her will for me to have it in my possession. The history she and I shared together will always be dear to my heart, and I will cherish this coat until death do me part.
ReplyDeleteHello there ! Let's take a moment to go back into the world of the FABULOUS STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER flagship department store at 8th & Market St. in Philadelphia! It was a very comfortable place to relax because you knew that you were going to be attended to by the quintessential classic style service representative.A complimentary array of soft selling kindness with knowledgeable understanding. You see,"back in the day," you were truly treated like a guest instead of simply referred to as a "customer" ! Furthermore, the Strawbridge & Clothier experience enabled you to enjoy a full luncheon at the Corinthian Room on the 6th floor,get your hair done at the salon,and purchase gourmet food in the food hall on the main floor. How wonderful the flagship store was. While it was more conservative than the John Wanamaker store,it was just so very wonderful.Thankfully we will ALWAYS have the memories in our hearts. Those happy Strawbridge & Clothier feelings we remember make our hearts happy around here ! Thank you & God Bless ! Oh,and one more thing,we are so thankful for this beautiful tribute website.It is so very wonderful ! Warmest Regards !
ReplyDeleteW.C. Fields and I worked at Strawbridges at different times and at different stores, he in Philly and I in Wilmington, DE.
ReplyDeleteMy wonderful great aunts, identical twins, worked at S & C for 56 years! They started there around 1910, when they were each fourteen years old. Catherine was at the the pearl jewelry counter, and Mary worked in men's and boy's clothing. They would take their grandnieces and nephews to shop on Clover Day. I miss them so much. They were the salt of the earth, and generous to their families.
ReplyDeleteSo I was wondering if anyone could direct me to who I should speak to about donating a 12 piece set of 24k gold encrusted plates that are stamped made exclusively for John Wanamaker?
ReplyDeleteI am a volunteer at a non-profit and someone donated a Madame Alexander 14" Snow White doll still wrapped in tissue and in the original box. It has the Stonebridge & Clothier original price tag of $70.00. This doll is currently listed as a $150 value on the Madame Alexander website. I would be willing to sell this doll and donate the money to the non-profit. Maybe somebody out there would have an emotional attachment to something like this. If so, I'll give you my email.
ReplyDeleteHave a gold stamp with the store emblem, intended for the wax on envelopes. Pre 1970. Not sure how my Dad got it. What might it be worth
ReplyDeleteI have one also, did you get any responses
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest things to see is that the Mr.Stockton Strawbridge,Peter & family had their own table that they sat in right off to the side,not far from the ladies room & kitchen enter/exit areas.When you were a regular at the Corinthian Room,you knew all the servers by name and they treated you like extended family. Incidentally,the family also had their own dining room/conference table in a private room off to the side main entry to the restaurant BUT many times they would be eating right along side their guests in the Corinthian Room ! They were wonderful people !
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and May God Bless all of you ! Mr.BAK,words cannot express the joy you continue to bring to this family with your museum quality site ! Although future generations will never experience things the way they were at these wonderful stores,we can celebrate the priceless memories & family time memories that that are beautiful. God Bless You & Yours and thank you for bringing so many happy memories into our hearts !
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you to say! You are very welcome, and I will continue to upgrade the site. It makes me very happy to know that people enjoy all of the work I have put into it.
ReplyDeleteHere Is An Update: Just about ten days from now,the original legacy "sister store branches," known as the Strawbridge & Clothier Plymouth Meeting Mall store and the Neshaminy Mall store are closing. These buildings are representative of some of the greatest examples of department store building layouts that were ever planned,created and maintained over the years with the main mission of maximizing the suburban guest experience. Between the store representatives treating their guests and one another like extended family and the full-line departments created to emphasize top notch service,goodness and fine quality items,one could feel very connected to each store experience.Imagine a store that offered quiet comfort,elegance and full-servive joy in a shopping experience from start to finish.
ReplyDeleteWe will always celebrate the wonderful memories of service,style and the overall excellence associated with great people,working to represent and honor the virtues associated with the seal of confidence.What do you think ? Thank you.
Yes,again those closing dates may be tentative and we are not actually sure of the exact date or dates of the closures.Someone mentioned that it would be around the date of March 18th.However,we are not sure if that is an exact closing date.
ReplyDeleteOnce again,we would like to offer our great thanks and appreciation for all of the DEDICATED CARE AND GOODNESS offered here by Mr.BAK. What a great blessing it is to know that this site is here.It offers the truly great feeling of comfort to us, especially when we want to reconnect with these wonderful stores which were and are much more than simply places to purchase dry goods and such.With great respect and admiration, we offer our sincere thanks once again.
You are most welcome. I share your feelings about these institutions. Look for an update before long to the Strawbridge & Clothier site. I have better illustrations, ads from the store openings that hinted at the delights within, and a history book about Strawbridge & Clothier that I can post. As with anything, it takes a lot of time. I am really happy that this little "lark" of a web site brings pleasure to people. I am very grateful and humbled by that.
Delete- Bruce
I too am very great full to this website you put together. Thank you for the pleasant memories. I was raised around all 4 of these wonderful department stores,{Philly} Just like the rest of us I too was forced to go to malls. Thank you again for this pleasant journey.
DeleteI have an 1874Singer sewing machine with the store name printed on it. It looks as if the leather belt broke a long time ago and the machine was left as is and passed down. It's in rough shape but still had the last users personal touches on it. A red cloth rap still filled with stick pins. Anyone know about this machine. Please let me know if you do. You can call me at 2259263657. Thank you Cowboy in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteMY parents and aunts and uncles used to take me to Strawbridge & Clothier downtown Philadelphia during the Christmas season from Springfield in the early and mid 1940's. S&C, Gimbels, and Wanamaker's, were a significant part of your life growing up in the Philadelphia area. My uncle George O'Hara used to work part-time in the Ardmore store men's department.
ReplyDeleteI loved the large muffins baked in the bakery on the first floor at the 8th & Market street store in Philadelphia. Is the recipe for the muffins stored anywhere and can the public get access.
ReplyDeleteHow can I find a shopping bag from the 125th year anniversary of Strawbridge and Clothier? Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI opened the store in Burlington, NJ back in 1982. It was gorgeous... I believe they tried to make it a showcase store when it first opened. The floor tiles were imported, and no expense was spared decorating the store. Wayne Flowers was the store manager and Bill Hearn and Lisa Smith exclusive items.
ReplyDeleteThe store flourished and the Burlington Center was the showcase of Burlington Twp. There was an entire counter dedicated to Godiva Chocolates and the restaurant was top notch. It was a shame to see the store fold and the mall turn into a ghost town and a haven for unruly juveniles. Great memories ! Just a time that has passed me by.
It was 1983, I was in my first year of college when I was hired by Strawbridge & Clothier to work in the Tube Room. My Father, Bill George, was director of the Strawbridge & Clothier Distribution Center on Island Road for 40+ years.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the Tube Room robbery on a Sunday afternoon in October 1983? My coworker Marion and I were handcuffed to the tubes at gunpoint. The police evacuated the store as they thought we were being held hostage. 4 hours later the SWAT broke in to find us.
Thank goodness you weren't hurt or worse! I'm sure it was a very tramatic experience!
Deletewow, I worked in the tube room in the 70's with Leah. I often thought about someone robbing us. Glad you were not hurt.
DeleteGreat site. Just came across it. Stirring up many familiar memories of trips with my Grandmother who lived in Wayne, or presents sent from the store by her. Taste and style and quality.
ReplyDeleteAt a thirft shop I recently purchased a framed photo of a woman from the late 1800s, with a surround of flowers and a butterfly that looks hand painted. Label on the back is very Art Deco-y. "Artistic Framing - Strawbridge & Clothier". Philadelphia in small letters and a handwritten number under.
Any way I can trace this as to year or?
I found a Strawbridge & Clothier small tea kettle, 0381 tag on it. Is it worth anything?
ReplyDeleteI worked there part time right out of High School in summer of 1983 and while I was going to college. My childhood was spent in that store as that's where my family bought everything from clothes to furniture, jewelry you name it we got it there. Mom and grand mom would take me there once a week when I was little. Very fond memories of that store and sad to say there will never be anything like it again.
ReplyDeleteI was going through my husband's memorabilia and found a medal attached to leather strap. Has Strawbridge and Clothier , Seal of Confidence on one side and Sunny Jim Sunshine Club Station WFI, Philadelphia on the other. Can you give me any information re: this item.
ReplyDeleteSunny Jim appears to have been the host of a children's program broadcast between 1924 and 1926. WFI was Strawbridge & Clothier's radio station; it signed on as one of Philadelphia's first broadcasters in 1922. In 1935 WFI and rival department store Lit Brothers' station, WLIT, merged under the call sign WFIL. After several changes of ownership, the station still operates as a religious broadcaster.
DeleteHoping to find out if old "Strawbridge & Clothier, Philadelphia [store], Photographic Studio" files are in an archive that I can research to obtain the names of the persons in two old photo's? [male & female, elderly couple]?? I believe the couple are my maternal Great Grand Father & Mother. Last name= Conger
ReplyDeleteThe photo reorder numbers are "R-32-7461C" and "7462C"
Almost all photographic files and their records were destroyed before the file sale of the company per the legal dept.
DeleteThanks to Anonymous from 28 November 2012 for mentioning "Il Porcellino," the bronze sculpture of the wild boar in the Center City store. When I was a grad student at U. Penn in 1977-79, we were assigned a challenge by one of our instructors: count the number of frogs hiding in the sculpture. There were many more than were obvious: 24, as I recall. Thereafter, I always enjoyed visiting the boar to rub his nose and see how many frogs I could spot. And Andy Saunders, I'd forgotten about the French onion soup--delicious!
ReplyDeleteGREAT SITE! Great memories brought back here. Just one correction - the Strawbridge & Clothier Springfield, PA store was not located at the Springfield Mall. That store was a stand-alone store, onto which some stores were added/built later. That store was located at 420 and Baltimore Pike, while the Springfield Mall was built up the road at 320 and Baltimore Pike. That mall's original anchor stores were Wanamaker's and maybe Bamberger's? the Wanamaker's store eventually became a Strawbridge's, not to be confused with a Strawbridge&Clothier store, after the Strawbridge family sold the chain. At that point the beloved Strawbride & Clothier stores became just another homogenized department store run by just another parent company - all the luster and magic of the old chain were gone... :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification. I like your comment - it's true that the "luster and magic" of department stores is gone. It's sad in so many cases - but Strawbridge & Clothier was unique in so many ways that it was a terrible loss.
Delete- Bruce
I was in a Christmas Commercial that was shot at the 8th & Market Store. I would love to get a copy of it to show my children and granddaughter. I believe it was in 1980.
ReplyDeleteHow can I get in touch with anyone dealing with the retirement and pension fund for the previous employees of Strawbridge and Clothier.
ReplyDeleteThe pension fund is being handled by Macy's. I think it's combined with the May Department stores retirement plan.
DeleteDoes anyone remember the great Christmas display and Santa Claus?
ReplyDeleteYes, Strawbridge & Clothier had the Enchanted Forest on the 8th floor and beautiful window displays. Nice memories
DeleteJust stumbled across this website after reading through old records about the company! I’m part of the Strawbridge family and my heart was so warmed reading all the stories of people who worked at the stores and loved it!
ReplyDeleteI love all the comments here. My grandmother used to take me and my brother here to shop and get lunch all the time at Plymouth Meeting as a child, and I remember their stores and their discount chain Clover in Norristown (later Bradlees) too.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was three Dad carried me on his shoulders in a very crowded Strawbridge's in Jenkintown. From my perch I spied several nuns in very conservative habits and of course the vails . I yelled very loudly " Look black ghosts" My parents wanted to melt into the floor but the nuns laughed as many others did too ! Later in life I was their last Santa before move to Willow Grove Park Mall .
ReplyDeleteMy daddy and momma worked at the Philadelphia store in the mid to late 40's. That is where they met. My dad was a window dresser and my mom worked in the candy department. It is so cool to come across this and learn more of their history.
ReplyDeleteI fondly remember Ms. Tunney who worked behind the tie counter in the men’s dept on the first floor! She picked all of my ties and I always received compliments because as she would say, they have to have pizzaz! May God bless Ms. Tunney for 52 years of service🙏🏻
ReplyDeleteBorn & raised in Phila. & I have fond memories of S&C, John Wanamaker's, Lit Brothers, Bonwit Tellers, Boyd's men's store & many others - I'm sorry that all of these fine retailers are gone!
ReplyDeleteMy aunt worked as a model for the store's fashion shows.
ReplyDelete