Forbes & Wallace store in Springfield, Massachusetts - Main and Vernon Street sides
Pynchon Street frontage of Forbes & Wallace
Aerial view showing Springfield City Hall with Forbes & Wallace behind
Forbes & Wallace (1874)
1414 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts
RE 9-7211
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY
Basement
F&W Budget Store • Meridian Snack Bar
Street Floor
Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Handbags • Gloves • Small Leather Goods • Hosiery • Neckwear • Accessories • Street Floor Sportswear • Street Floor Blouses • Hat Bar • Cosmetics • Stationery • Books • Card Shop • Typewriters • Camera Shop • Luggage • Watch Repair Desk • Service Desk • Notions • Candy • Russell Stover • Food Shops • Delicatessen • Bake Shop • Drug Sundries • Men's Shops • Men's Gift Boutique • Mustang Shop
Main Street Extension Main Floor Shoes
Main Street Extension Main Floor Shoes
Second Floor
Junior Row • Young Juniors • Teen Scene • Hen House • Budget Dresses • Dresses • Women's Dresses • Sportswear • Shoe Salon • Millinery • Slipper Bar • Wig Salon • Better Dresses • Regency Shop • Town Shop • Formal Gowns • Bridal Salon • Fur Salon • Portrait Studio
Third Floor
Lingerie • Sleepwear • Loungewear • Foundations • Daytime Dresses • Fashion Fabrics • Sewing Machines • Needlework • Beauty Salon • Trim the Home Shop
Children's World Infants' Shop • Toddlers' Shop • Nursery Furniture • Little Boys' • Little Girls' • Boys' Wear • Girls' Wear • Children's Shoes
Fourth Floor
Carpets • Rugs • Sleep Shop • Lamps • Mirrors • Furniture • Kitchen Boutique
Fifth Floor
Linens & Towels • Domestics • Curtains • Draperies • Slipcovers • Toys • Sporting Goods • Ski Shop
Sixth Floor
China • Silverware • Glassware • Bar Shop • Gifts • Housewares • Small Appliances • TVs and Radios • Stereos • Pictures and Framing • Garden Shop • Major Appliances • Vacuums
Seventh Floor
Offices
Eighth Floor
Auditorium • Red Carpet Shop • Top 'O The Town Restaurant • Executive Offices
BRANCH STORES
Eastfield
Boston Road
121,000 s.f.
Eastfield Restaurant
Fairfield
Fairfield Mall, Chicopee
80,000 s.f.
Fairfield Restaurant
Children's World Infants' Shop • Toddlers' Shop • Nursery Furniture • Little Boys' • Little Girls' • Boys' Wear • Girls' Wear • Children's Shoes
Fourth Floor
Carpets • Rugs • Sleep Shop • Lamps • Mirrors • Furniture • Kitchen Boutique
Fifth Floor
Linens & Towels • Domestics • Curtains • Draperies • Slipcovers • Toys • Sporting Goods • Ski Shop
Sixth Floor
China • Silverware • Glassware • Bar Shop • Gifts • Housewares • Small Appliances • TVs and Radios • Stereos • Pictures and Framing • Garden Shop • Major Appliances • Vacuums
Seventh Floor
Offices
Eighth Floor
Auditorium • Red Carpet Shop • Top 'O The Town Restaurant • Executive Offices
BRANCH STORES
Boston Road
121,000 s.f.
Eastfield Restaurant
Fairfield Mall, Chicopee
80,000 s.f.
Fairfield Restaurant
I am a former Buyer/Department Manager for Forbes & Wallace. I notice an error on the listing of 1st floor departments. The Candy & Russell Stover Departments were also on the first floor, just off the escalator.
ReplyDeleteDarrell Jones
Thanks for the correction. I am always happy to improve the accuracy of the information presented in The Department Store Museum, and it makes me glad to know that there are people out there who remember these places so fondly.
ReplyDeleteBAK
Good morning! I'm an author based in New York. I'm seeking photographs of Robert Miller Wallace, son of A.B. Wallace. I wonder if anyone here can help me. I hope so! My email is allison@allisongilbert.com. Please be in touch!
DeleteThe Executive offices were on the 8th floor as well, by the way.
ReplyDeleteMy late father, Laurence R Wallace was treasurer, president and eventually Chairman and CEO before the store was taken over in a leveraged buy-out (which he fought, unsuccessfully) in 1973.
I have other photos of the store that you may want for your blog museum.
-Stephen W Wallace, great-grandson of the founder of the store, Andrew B Wallace.
Hi Cuz. My name is Caroline Wallace Glass. Andrew was also my great-grand father. Andrew B. Wallace III is my grandfather.
DeleteForbes & Wallace also had a small branch store in Manchester, Connecticut, at the Manchester Parkade Shopping Center. It was there only branch in Connecticut and was built in 1967 or '68. Building is still there, and is abandoned, as is the rest of what is now referred to as the 'back' shopping center that was built behind the original Manchester Parkade, which also includes an abandoned Bradlee's and Stop & Shop. I am not sure who subsequently occupied the F&W space, but I believe it might have been a local department store chain out of New Britain called D&L, and then others after they folded in 1993. The center was mostly abandoned by the early 2000's.
ReplyDeleteThe building is two levels, and maybe no more than 65 or 75k of space.
The city has plans for redevelopment of that site, and will likely be taking it down soon. I took some photos of it last year and hope to submit them soon.
Forbes & Wallace also took over McCallum's in Northampton, MA from perhaps the 1940s? until its closing in 1973. Although owned by F&W, it retained the name McCallum's. That location was renovated and reopened as Thorne's Market.
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie
ReplyDeleteWasn't the Cosmetics Department also on the first floor?
Yes, merely an oversight.
ReplyDeleteI have a forbes and walace ladies mink hat in the box is this collectible?
ReplyDeleteAre you willing to sell?
DeleteOkay there Steven Wallace, cough up those pictures of Forbes & Wallace if you can! My mother and I shopped that store til the bitter end of July of 1976. Broken Hearted over the tearing down of that retail mecca! Nothing can replace my beloved Forbes and Steigers stores! Nor the magic of then Down Town Springfield Mass!
ReplyDeletehi trying to find a pic off the 100th annivrsary or the 125 my dad owns some thing that was part of the window picture
ReplyDeleteHi My name is Richard Hammond I worked as a security operative for Forbes for many years right up to the closing.At the time of the closing I removed a box that was thrown into the dumpster, and in it were many pictures 8x10 photos of the Wallaces and of different departments from the begining of the store till the end {outside & inside}if anone would be interested in these contact me,at richth12@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteI would be interested (I see that I’m 9 years late in replying) . I am
DeleteAB Wallace’s great granddaughter, and Douglas Wallace’s grand daughter. If you still have these photos I would love to see them (images maybe) .
Sandra Wallace Irwin
Richard Hammond, I tried to email you about the photos and the email came back. Do you still have those pictures and, if so, are you still interested in sharing them?
ReplyDeleteBarbara Shaffer
Oh if this generation of people could learn the concepts of a valued customer. We were so loyal to Forbes and Wallace and also to Steiger's. What I would give now to have them both back in this area. It was an all day Saturday event to go Downtown to shop. I went to school at Classical Junior High School (which has been gone for a long time, also) and we used to take the bus down State Street to go shopping after school at F & W. Then go have a snack at the Meridian. Ah such simple pleasures. Those were the days...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been around to see this .Only born in 1978.
ReplyDeleteI have a picture from a relative taken at this retail store and was wondering if there was a way to trace it via the re-order number written on the back. It is a very old black and white photo around the late 1800s to about the turn of the century. Any idea how I may go about this?
ReplyDeleteTo Richard Hammond, why not scan and email those images to this site, so we can all reminisce about Forbes & Wallace? I can walk through the store in my mind.
ReplyDeleteLoved the notions dept. on the first floor. You could find anything you needed there! I have to concur with Ann Marie Richard. I was at Classical High and remember many times shopping at Forbes, Steigers and all the other wonderful stores downtown after school.
ReplyDeleteThe seventh floor had a mail room, bakery where all the baked goods were baked for the bakery on the first floor located in the deli plus a warehouse area for merchandise. I don't remember what else. I worked there until 1971 or 1972. Great place to work and shop. I bought some silverware from a tag sale more than 25 years ago with Forbes & Wallace engraved on them plus coffee cups and saucers from the Top of the Town Restaurant. Anyone interested? E-mail me at tuscana25@msn.com
ReplyDeleteI used to operate the jogging machine in the mail room, stuffing envelopes.
DeleteI worked in the mail room while in High school and I remember the day that Jogging machine was delivered. Such simpler days for sure. I also worked in the credit office and when our other stores called on the Saturday evenings our downtown store was closed, I authorized the purchases. A file cabinet housed index cards with all the charge customers A-Z inside. By hand I would locate the name, check credit limit, authorize charging amount, then by hand write that amount, the store salesperson's initials, my initials and then do the math to subtract charged amount from customer's prior balance. the new balance entered onto the index card and replaced in file drawer of cabinet. Amazing how efficiently things could run without computers. Lol.
DeleteMy mom used to take me shopping in the 1950s and "Forbes" was always one of the stops. I recall that I was always eager to get a snack at the Meridian lunch bar. I wish I could go back in time and see it again.
ReplyDeleteMy mother's friend had worked there in the early 1930s and she said that (the actor) Wendell Corey worked there for a while, before pursuing acting.
My grandparents sold flowers just inside the main doorway of the Springfield store in the late 1920's - early 1930's. Anyone have photos of that era? Thanks!! blueberrygirl1964@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI miss the old downtown Springfield so much, my mother took me shopping one Saturday a month, and we ate at Top O the Town Restaurant for a special treat, and even though pleasantly full we just had to stop in the candy department on the first floor to buy a packet of fresh roasted cashews. Coming down the escalator to the first floor was so much fun, cases of jewelry to peer in. Please post pictures of the early 1960's windows or the store displays inside Forbes and Wallace! Such wonderful memories, the ring of a bell, the smell of the city, and building appointed with old world marble, tile, brass, and even the simplest merchandise displayed in elegant wooden and glass cases. Shopping there filled the senses.
ReplyDeleteIn 1972 i was the head painter they were throwing away everything next to paint shop.Ipulled out a 1923 scrap book evverything from clouth to order forms and calenders30 pages carefuley entered.who ever wants this album there is no charge. shippien only.I hade it 1972 shotguncharronataol.com
ReplyDeleteI was the head painter in 1976.they cleaning 6th floor throwing everything in a dumpster next to paint shop.I retrived a 1923 scpapbook very carefuly put togather.old clouth,cALENDERS,ORDER FORMES,PICTURES OF CLOTHING,PERSONAL LETTERS.ECT ECT.ALBUM IN EXCELENT COND.IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE THIS ITUM JUST PAY SHIPPING COST IT HAS BEEN IN MY CLOSET 37 YRS.SHOTGUNCHARRON@AOL.COM
ReplyDeleteRHONDA BURBANK BLASCAK-WORKED FROM APRIL 1974-JULY 1976 (CLOSING) @ 1414 MAIN ST SPRINGFIELD. MA......This was my 1st real job. Unfortunately it didn't stay open long enough but the memories of entering in the rear (EMPLOYEES A MUST) and hitting records & giftwrap,notions, russell stover. As you walked toward the front you'd have the option of the escalator or stairs to the budget basement, also the elevator with Vi Dow waiting to say "up please". I even got to play the little whipper snapper when we did a "Happy Days Are Here Again" skit performed by selected employees to mark the anniversary of the store. Little did we know they'd soon be preparing for the "Down from Up" sale and the end of Forbes & Wallace as we knew it.
ReplyDeleteI ran elevators with Vi.
DeleteI have a metal bucket with a wooden grip and on the front it has a metal piece about an inch in diameter adhered to it with the FW logo around it says Forbes & Wallace, Springfield, MA. Does anyone know anything at all about it?
ReplyDeleteMy father, Norman Wanegar, was the head buyer for the basement section back in the late 30's, 40' and early 50's. I have many fond memories of shopping in Forbes & Wallace. I moved away from Springfield and was very sorry to learn that the store closed. I never knew that there were other Forbes & Wallace stores.
ReplyDeleteI had just finished my freshman year at CLARK UNIVERSITY as an art history major at the worcester Museum sschool--My father was frieds with a man who ran the design department I think on the seventh or eighth floor.....I painted nd dessigned all the window props that went into all the windows every season saving Forbes & Wallace thusands of dollars.....it was one of the busiest and most interesting summers of my life....as in those days, we were not allowed to work until we were 17 years old.....hint: my first name is Lynn
ReplyDeleteMy mother, father, sisters and myself went to Forbes to shop alot. We especially loved to go around Christmas because the display windows were decorated so beautifully. Such wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteI loved Forbes & Wallace and Steigers - and so miss the whole downtown scene. Took my kids to "Breakfast with Santa" on December Saturdays in the 60's at the Top O'the Town. When East Longmeadow buried a time capsule at Heritage Park in '76 - I placed my little metal Forbes & Wallace charge card in there!
ReplyDeleteWere the candies made on premises, or were they manufactured elsewhere? My father used to love the dark chocolate covered marshmallow patties. Sometimes they were sprinkled with white coconut.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother (from Italy) was a seamstress at F&W. She worked only on wedding gowns and mink coats. I think the workroom (sewing room) was on the 4th floor, hidden from the sales floor. Loved going to visit her. The seamstresses were like more grandmothers to me. When I was in high school (early 60's) I worked in the basement (ladies under garments...not where a teen would really like to work) and then I worked in the bakery (not baking, the sales floor). They told us if anything came down from the bakery broken, we could eat it. I still remember Marissa. She was one of the clerks. Sweet, funny lady. And "Tiny" the stock boy for us. Also the married couple ... she was in maintenance and he was the elevator operator. They met at F&W. I still have a few pieces of jewelry I bought there. And some F&W jewelry boxes too. So many wonderful memories. (I worked at Steiger's Eastfield in the '80's p.t. when my kids were young).
ReplyDeleteI was searching my parents basement and found a woman's beaver fur coat from Forbes and Wallace. Since no one in the family wants it, I was going to post on e bay. Came across this site trying to research the brand. I am too young to remember this department store but after reading the comments above, I figured I would ask those who may have sentimental interest before posting.
ReplyDeleteFond memories! My first job was on the receiving dock working with Paul Marcot. I remember my first paycheck. I used it to buy a winter coat...and I still wear it today!
ReplyDeleteI remember Forbes & wallace, worked there from Sept. 1959 to August 1963 as a assistant to buyer in the Bargain Basement. I was just a teen in my senior yr. of high school at High School of Commerce and taking the Retailing Course as part of my schooling. I worked in the Women's undergarments and nightwear. There was a small office in the back of the basement and that where the buyers and their assistants did the paperwork and when it was busy on the floor we had to go out and sell. It was a good experience but hard working 35 hours a week and going to school...
ReplyDeleteAgnes, do you remember the brand name of the cosmetic line sold in the basement? The products were packaged in pink plastic with gold lettering if I remember rightly, and had a French-sounding name.
DeleteI remember the pink cases but not sure of name.
DeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteAnyone out there remember the art gallery at Forbes and Wallace? If so, do you recall who owned it?
This is for Barbara Shaffer who tried to contact me about my Forbes & Wallace memo. My email was changed it is now richardhammond791@yahoo if you still interested or around.
ReplyDeleteRichard!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the photos, and post them on this site. That way, everyone could enjoy them. I will try to contact you, or if you wish, my email address is: bakgraphics@comcast.net.
-Bruce
I too would love to see those photos. I use to work for F&W and Steiger's.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember going to the toys department on the forth floor back in the late 1960's.
ReplyDeleteI too would love to see any photos people have on this site. My great, great grandfather was Andrew Brabner Wallace who co-founded the store.
ReplyDeleteDear all,
ReplyDeleteas a historian writing about architectural competitions, I wonder if one of you might know anything about a competition for a new Forbes & Wallace shopping center in 1958? I know that Laurence R. Wallace was planning to sponsor such a competition. Therefore he wrote to the American Institute of Architects asking for assistance. But so far I couldn't find out if this competition actually took place or if this new shopping center was built at all. If you know anything about this, please contact me: keesser@ifs.tu-darmstadt.de
Any ideas and suggestions will be very appreciated!
With kind regards,
Sina
Best wishes,
Sina
The 3rd floor Daytime dresses also sold maternity and uniforms, mostly white nurse uniforms. I worked there in the mid 60s as an Assistant Buyer under Buyer Wally Smith, who came from Filenes Basement. On the first floor by the elevators were 2 large bargain tables that various Buyers used. We sold daytime dresses on them a couple times a month for $1.85 to$4.00 Great store, fond memories.
ReplyDeleteI WORKED AT FORBES AND WALLACE IN 1966. AS I REMEMDER, THE FOUNDATIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE SHOE DEPARTMENT WERE IN THE BASEMENT AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS A COUNTER ON THE FIRST FLOOR THAT SOLD ALL SORTS OF WARM NUTS.
ReplyDeleteI have recently purchased a piece of furniture that has the Forbes and Wallace metal plate on the back. Would anyone know what manufacturer they purchased their furniture pieces from? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to read these comments. How I wish I knew the store better; I am married to L.R. Wallace, Jr., and we live in the greater Spfld. area. This evening I will be with a woman at a local nursing home for her 93rd birthday, and she worked at F & W for 28 years. I hope to print out all these comments for her to enjoy; she really loved working for F& W. Thank you All, Lynne Wallace
ReplyDeleteI worked as an elevator operator one Christmas vacation and one summer in high school! 1966-67. Wore a navy blue uniform. Everything was manual...the crank that lifted and lowered the elevator and the metal gates behind the elevator doors. Karen Ehrlich Gantt
ReplyDeleteMy mother worked at F & W in the Jewelry Dept selling mostly pearls. I will have them, vintage and wear them. I loved shopping there in the 1950s. Good memories
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to work in the music department around 1942....even have a photo of her working along side another lady
ReplyDeleteMy Father, Herb Levinsky, was the Men's Clothing buyer for a number of years. He bought shoes, accessories, shirts, suits, outerwear--for all the stores. I remember growing up and visiting the stores with him. In high school, I worked in the Mustang shop--which catered to young men and was located on the first floor next to Men's suits. My dad is 88 years old now but we still talk about those days--fond memories. Lots of wonderful people worked at Forbes.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandparents use to take us grandchildren to have breakfast with Santa. I believe on the top floor of the FW building...I still have a glass coffee mug with the FW logo on it...must have been the late 60's to early 70's...faded now ,but good memories...Im glad to have found this site...
ReplyDeleteIt is great reading these comments. Although I was only a toddler when Forbes and Wallace closed, I remember Steiger's as a kid downtown in the eighties. It was a nice store. They had the nice tea room that would later become Chauncey's. It was sad to see Steiger's go down so slowly. The writing was on the wall when they were closing floor by floor by floor and at the end they were only opening the first and second floors. I miss the walkway to what was then Bay State West which is now Tower Square. They used to have a walkway to Forbes and Wallace when it was open. Steiger's did have quality clothes and great customer service and they had decent prices. It is also said to see how that beautiful Art Deco building that was once Steiger's was also torn down. Who would have ever made such a horrible decision to tear down such a beautiful building?
ReplyDeleteJust came across a beautiful fur stole from Forbes and Wallace. Just beautiful! If there is any interest in it here, please contact me at pajamaworkshop@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe have an ash sifter that fits on top of a metal trash can, the tag says Forbes and Wallace. What period of time would this item be used in area homes?
ReplyDeleteI have a 6-page booklet advertising The Observatory Restaurant on the top floor of The Pynchon Forbes & Wallace Building in Springfield, complete with photos of the restaurant interior and views of Springfield as seen from the restaurant. The booklet appears to date from the 1920s. Is anyone familiar with the restaurant in this building?
ReplyDeleteMy name is Caroline Wallace Glass. I am the grand daughter of the CEO/Chairman Andrew B. Wallace III. Both his daughter's are very well in their early 80's. (My mom and aunt) We have all these fond wonderful memories of Forbes & Wallace posted above. The dept stores of that era and the experiences shopping in them is not replaceable by any internet shopping! I would've given anything for a Santa's breakfast with my children at this time of the year. I was 10 when my grandfather's store was torn down. It was a very sad day for he and my family. I am proud my family's store was a place of employment, shopping and fun so many!!!
ReplyDeleteMy family lived in West Springfield on City View Avenue. As children, we knew the holiday season had begun when we looked from our home's second floor window, which faced the city of Springfield, to see the Christmas tree on top of the Forbes & Wallace department store building light-up. Shopping in the city at Christmas was wonderful. On most Saturdays, my mother and I would ride the bus to the city to shop. There was a bus stop by the notions department of Forbes & Wallace and that was our first stop. We eat lunch at the basement lunch counter, where I had my first milkshake. Later, when I had children, I took them to eat at same lunch counter. I have many treasured memories of downtown Springfield and department store shopping.
ReplyDeleteI got some old photos of the inside if you guys want them. love the site thank You. :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to see them!!
DeletePlease e-mail me at bakgraphics@comcast.net and I will try to get the pictures posted for site visitors to see.
ReplyDelete-Bruce
We recently obtained a nicely framed print, a scene of a woman and two children in a garden scene picking flowers. It looks like a lightly colored sepia print, and identified as coming from Campbell Prints of New York. It looks to have been framed by the framing department at Forbes and Wallace, and has a pencil notification on the back, dated 1882, print #1649 and the size is 17" x 21". Any ideas on who the artist may have been? Regards, Alan Izatt aizatt@charter.net
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a pencil drawing/ print, at a resale shop of a civil was soldier cooking dinner, titled, “A Christmas Dinner”, the artist name is Forbes, family or coincidence? It was framed at Forbes and Wallace, ‘Tasteful And Modern Framing’. They used slats of woods to support the picture to the frame...very unusual.
ReplyDeleteI have a forbes and Wallace bundt pan, shaped more like a small bucket or pail, never saw one quite like it, it has a brass forbes and Wallace stamp, I tried to research it but see nothing like it, will be listing it on ebay shortly. rick
ReplyDeleteHi Rick. I would be interested in the pan. Can you link when it’s up for sale? Thanks!
Deletehi, Katherine, sorry it took a while for me to check the post, I am listing the bundt pan on Ebay now for a one week auction. I hope you get the message in time & good luck, hope you get it. rick
ReplyDeleteMy mouth waters when I think of the delicious spice cupcakes my mom would buy at the bakery in Forbes. Anyone else remember these.? They were humongous! I was actually online looking for a recipe, when I found this site. Enjoying all the posts. Will never forget Thursday night shopping in the city.
ReplyDeleteHello, I was a dishwas her at Forbes and Wallace at the Fairfield Mall in Chicopee,MA. I worked for 8 hours and made $15.30 for my efforts. Then they took out taxes and I came home with $13.18 Wow! have times have changed. At least it got me money for beer that weekend!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see any pictures people have to share. Andrew Brabner Wallace was my great, great grandfather and I am currently working on collecting as much information as I can on the Wallace side of my family.
ReplyDeleteI began working for the company as a Group Manager of home furnishings and men's and children's clothing in the Fairfield Mall, Chicopee MA. Store Manager was Mr. Roberts and Ruth Staninski was the assistant manager. I was promoted to work as Assistant Men's Buyer in the main store with Bob Cohen, Bob Roberts and Phil Cantori. I remember the delicious macaroni and cheese that was served in the employee cafeteria on the opposite side of the kitchen for the Talk of the Town Restaurant. Neil Ellis of Manchester, CT bought the company and opened stores in Manchester, CT and the Auburn Mall. Unfortunately, his efforts did not work and the company began closing one branch after another. I remember going in a bus with other buyers to close the branch stores. In the end, we ended up working at the Fairfield Mall with a skeleton staff. I later went on to work as the Men's Clothing Buyer at Stackpole, Moore Tryon in Hartford.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, F&W. Display department downtown for the final 2 years. It was a dream come true almost too late, but what an education. There will never be windows like that in a store again, and to be able to cut my teeth with pros and go to NYC to all the prop shops - set the framework for a 7 year stint with JCPenney's display department in Enfield and opening various regional malls. / I seem to remember F&W had stores in Hong Kong, Rome, Chicago, (Paris?). Just before the building was raised, I snuck up to fl.#7 to see my old office cubby, and some of the machines we used for building props were still there - hulking antiques. The floors were buckled like choppy waves. I remember that I cried at the neglect of such a magnificent edifice. On the 8th floor in the office, I miraculously found my first paycheck, cashed and returned and on the floor with many others cast out of some file. I also have 2 Arte Deco millinery heads - rubber molded with very long necks. // There was an art to being a sales person then, and to work at Forbes & Wallace and Steigers there was great amount of pride. There was also an air of gentility, and grace, and respect for one's self and for others. And for the children coming for their Easter outfits, BarMitva suits, or first real pair of shoes - the elevators were magic!
ReplyDeleteDarlene Smith-Ash
Springfield
My mother, grandmother and I spent MANY hours shopping at the downtown Springfield store. I still have my first Hula-Hoop, purchased in the toy department in about 1968. Loved going to be fitted for shoes. I'd get PF Flyers (always came with a toy such as a Frisbee), sandals in the summertime, Easter shoes in the spring, black patent leather for Christmas. Loved the girls department - even remember going to a fashion show one spring where I wanted to be one of the models, but was too short, so my grandmothers ended up buying me one of the raincoats that was modeled, along with a bubble umbrella. All the rage in 1969!
ReplyDeleteAnd the non-perils were to DIE for! MMMMMMM....
So nice to see other people who have the same fond memories of this store. My mother,grandmother and I would often go to Forbes and Wallace. I have a mink stole with the Forbes and Wallace label. Is this a collectable?
ReplyDelete