"One of America' Great Stores"
1928 Halsey and Washington Street addition to Bamberger's
L. Bamberger & Co. (1893)
131 Market Street
Newark, New Jersey
MArket 2-1212
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY (1,240,000 sq. ft.)
Basement
Bamberger's Budget Store • Tea Room Soda Fountain
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Real Jewelry • Handbags • Gloves • Small Leather Goods • Hosiery • Misses' Slippers • Shoe Bar • Fashion Accessories • Neckwear • Misses' Blouses • Misses' Sweaters • Street Floor Sportswear • Playtex Bar • Cosmetics • Drugs • Notions • Stationery • Adult Games • Cameras • Greenhouse • Books • Tobacco Shop • Fine Wines and Liquors • Optical • Men's Accessories • Men's Furnishings • Men's Shirts • Men's Ties • Sport Shirts • Tennis Wear • Men's Shoes • Men's Sport Separates • Men's Separates • Izod Shop • Men's Leisure Separates • Men's Shoes • Men's Hats
Balcony
Jewelry Repair
Second Floor
Men's Clothing • Men's Outerwear • New Traditions • Misses' Robes • Misses' Loungewear • Misses' Lingerie • Misses' Foundations • Junior Lingerie • Misses' Dresses • Misses' Sportswear • Misses' Coats • Daytime Dresses • Women's World • Uniforms
Third Floor
Better Sportswear • Bamberger's-by-the-Sea • Status Jeans • Better Dresses • Better Coats • Suit Shop • Contemporary Dresses • Contemporary Sportswear • Contemporary Coats • Town & Country Shop • Clubhouse • Young Collector • Millinery • Fur Salon • Bridal Salon • Mirror Room • Misses' Shoes • Shoe Salon • Etienne Aigner Shop • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Junior Perspective
Fourth Floor
Baby Center • Layette Room • Toddler's Shop • Girls' Wear • Little Girls' Wear • Little Boys' Wear • Boys' Wear • Student Shop • Children's Accessories • Children's Shoes • Children's Furniture • Teenery • Fashion Fabrics • Art Needlework • Sewing Machines
Fifth Floor
Furniture • Bedding • Pictures • Mirrors • Decorator Gift Shop • Piano Salon • Chantrey Beauty Salon
Sixth Floor
Lamps • Sheets • Blankets • Pillows • Towels • Bath Shop • Broadloom • Area Rugs • Draperies • Curtains • Home Furnishings • Vacuums • Toys • Game Room • Hobbies • Sporting Goods • Ski Shop
Seventh Floor
Housewares • Kitchenware • Gourmet Shop • Electrical Appliances • Hearth Shop • Clocks • Ready-to-Paint Furniture • Hardware • Garden Shop • Paint Headquarters • Gifts • China • Table Linens • Silver Shop • Glassware • Music Center • Televisions • Radio/Communications • Fancy Grocery • Fruitador
Eighth Floor
Offices
Ninth Floor
Employment Office • Offices
Tenth Floor
Bamberger's Restaurant • Alcove Room
Eleventh Floor
Credit Office
Basement
Bamberger's Budget Store • Tea Room Soda Fountain
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Real Jewelry • Handbags • Gloves • Small Leather Goods • Hosiery • Misses' Slippers • Shoe Bar • Fashion Accessories • Neckwear • Misses' Blouses • Misses' Sweaters • Street Floor Sportswear • Playtex Bar • Cosmetics • Drugs • Notions • Stationery • Adult Games • Cameras • Greenhouse • Books • Tobacco Shop • Fine Wines and Liquors • Optical • Men's Accessories • Men's Furnishings • Men's Shirts • Men's Ties • Sport Shirts • Tennis Wear • Men's Shoes • Men's Sport Separates • Men's Separates • Izod Shop • Men's Leisure Separates • Men's Shoes • Men's Hats
Balcony
Jewelry Repair
Second Floor
Men's Clothing • Men's Outerwear • New Traditions • Misses' Robes • Misses' Loungewear • Misses' Lingerie • Misses' Foundations • Junior Lingerie • Misses' Dresses • Misses' Sportswear • Misses' Coats • Daytime Dresses • Women's World • Uniforms
Third Floor
Better Sportswear • Bamberger's-by-the-Sea • Status Jeans • Better Dresses • Better Coats • Suit Shop • Contemporary Dresses • Contemporary Sportswear • Contemporary Coats • Town & Country Shop • Clubhouse • Young Collector • Millinery • Fur Salon • Bridal Salon • Mirror Room • Misses' Shoes • Shoe Salon • Etienne Aigner Shop • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Junior Perspective
Fourth Floor
Baby Center • Layette Room • Toddler's Shop • Girls' Wear • Little Girls' Wear • Little Boys' Wear • Boys' Wear • Student Shop • Children's Accessories • Children's Shoes • Children's Furniture • Teenery • Fashion Fabrics • Art Needlework • Sewing Machines
Fifth Floor
Furniture • Bedding • Pictures • Mirrors • Decorator Gift Shop • Piano Salon • Chantrey Beauty Salon
Sixth Floor
Lamps • Sheets • Blankets • Pillows • Towels • Bath Shop • Broadloom • Area Rugs • Draperies • Curtains • Home Furnishings • Vacuums • Toys • Game Room • Hobbies • Sporting Goods • Ski Shop
Seventh Floor
Housewares • Kitchenware • Gourmet Shop • Electrical Appliances • Hearth Shop • Clocks • Ready-to-Paint Furniture • Hardware • Garden Shop • Paint Headquarters • Gifts • China • Table Linens • Silver Shop • Glassware • Music Center • Televisions • Radio/Communications • Fancy Grocery • Fruitador
Eighth Floor
Offices
Ninth Floor
Employment Office • Offices
Tenth Floor
Bamberger's Restaurant • Alcove Room
Eleventh Floor
Credit Office
BRANCH STORES
 |
Morristown
Park Place & Speedwell Ave.
100,000 sq. ft.
|
 |
Plainfield (05.06.1954)
Front Street & Roosevelt Ave.
113,000 sq. ft.
|
 |
Princeton Shopping Center (1954)
63,000 sq. ft.
|
 |
Paramus (1957)
Garden State Plaza
343,000 sq. ft.
|
Menlo Park Mall (1959)
Edison
360,000 sq. ft.
 |
The Mall at Cherry Hill (1962)
Cherry Hill
220,000 sq. ft.
|
 | ||||
Monmouth Mall (02.29.1960)
Eatontown
288,000 sq. ft.
Garden State Restaurant
 Willowbrook (1967)
Wayne
266,000 sq. ft.
 Nanuet Mall (1969) Nanuet, NY 225,000 sq. ft.
Brunswick Square (1970)
East Brunswick
244,000 sq. ft.
Livingston Mall (1972)
Livingston
224,000 sq. ft.
Springfield Mall (1974)
Springfield, PA
Deptford Mall (1975)
Deptford
208,000 sq. ft.
Quaker Bridge Mall (1976)
Lawrenceville
221,000 sq. ft.
Ocean County Mall (1977)
Tom's River
170,000 sq.ft.
Rockaway Town Center (1977)
Rockaway
260,000 sq. ft.
Montgomery Mall (1978)
North Wales, PA
220,000 sq. ft.
Christiana Mall (1979)
Newark, DE
215,000 sq. ft.
 |
jersey's version of macy's lol
ReplyDeleteSome other long-departed stores in NJ:
ReplyDeleteTeppers, Plainfield & Short Hill, NJ
Meyer Brothers, Paterson & Wayne, NJ
JM Towne, Caldwell & Wayne, NJ
Steinbach, Asbury Park & many branches
Levy Brothers, Elizabeth, Clifton, South Plainfield
Kresge, Newark (not to be confused with Kmart's beginnings)
Stainton's, Ocean City, NJ
Quackenbush, Paterson, NJ
Goerkes, Elizabeth
Epstein's, Morristown & branches
Holthausen's, Union City
As an ex-Buyer for Bamb's, this was a great store, and nothing like Macy's. Bamberger's started the Thanksgiving Day parade and Macy's stole it. The Newark store was magnificent, a gem of architecture and style. Bamb's saw the potential of suburban NJ growth and never saw a mall it did not like. It was a great learning ground, a great retailer, and again I must state, NOTHING like it parent corporation Macy's (until the 90's merger). It should be noted that before everything became Macy's, and when Macy's had Ny, Kansas City, SF, Davidson's and Bamberger's...it was Bamberger's who was its single largest volume division...and most profitable.
ReplyDeleteWhy are there so few pictures of Bam's available? I have shadowy memories of going there all the time in the early '60s with my mom and grandma but would love to see some photos of the store in that period...
ReplyDeleteI just found a tie that my great uncle left me that was from bambergers mens store, brand is Robert Stewart. wonder if i can post a pic of it?
ReplyDeleteanyone recall an exhibit of eskimos during l950's christmastime?
ReplyDeleteDid the Bambergers at Christiana Mall in Newark DE ever have a restaurant?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was upstairs nestled in the back of the housewares area. Macy's called the area the cellar. After the restaurant closed, they sometimes setup christmas trees for the holidays in the rooms that made up the dining areas.
DeleteWere there art exhibitions held at Bamberger's in the 1980's? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteno, it did not
DeleteMy very first credit card when I was 17!! Thank you Bambergers for taking a chance on me.
ReplyDeleteso was mine, at 18. It was the old charge plate...a small card, red and white withe the scripted Bamberger's logo. It is now a long defunct card, but I STILL remember the account number...669-75-581. I miss the Bamberger's name. Bamb's was New Jersey.
DeleteI still have my red and white Bam's card tucked away in my treasures. I worked in the buyer's office (small leather goods) in 1969. :-)
DeleteI was a cosmetics Buyer form 1976-1985, then was "transferred" to Macy's in the same position, but stayed only 6 months, cause I hated Macy's...and still do.
DeleteI have an artwork with a label on the back of the frame saying: L. Bamberger & Co. Newark N.J. Picture Dept. and Frames to Order with a hand-written number 3739. the artwork itself has no signature or date. I wonder if anyone could tell me what year would correspond to the number 3739 and how I could find out more about the work.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered this site. Great! Was doing some ancestry research on the Hecht and Bamberger families. My husband has ancesters on both sides. He also remembers all the great stores accross the country. Having worked for Levi Strauss & Co he worked with many of them nation wide.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone ever hear of a "Miss Bamberger" or "Mrs Bamberger" Contest?
ReplyDeleteI have a China Flower Basket that was supposed to be won in this contest. The piece has a very old paper sticker on the bottom that says, "Made in England for Bamberger & Co Newark". There is another sticker, like a price sticker, that says "Bambergers" but the rest is unreadable. The bottom of the china says "Thorley Bone China, Made in England."
I remember back in 1965/66, my girlfriend was in Kearny High and she was pledging for a sorority. We stood out front of Bamberger's Newark and sold toilet paper for 1 penny a sheet. Bam's customers were the best. They knew we were embarrassed but we ended up having a great time. I forget how many sheets were on a roll back then but I think we sold all ours that day.
ReplyDeleteI have an old plate inherited from my mother. It was made expressly for L. Bamberger & Co by D.E. McNicol, East Liverpool. The art on the plate shows Robert Treat directing the landing of (next words are worn out) Newark, N.J. It also says, 1666 and 1916. It is obviously a comemmorative plate.
ReplyDeleteI have a hatbox from Bambergers New Jersey
ReplyDeleteand it is a great design you can view it
on Etsy.com LaMaindeLavalle 161 is my shop
name it was in need of repair and i repaired it
i think it is from the 1970s
Does anyone know who built the upright pianos for Bambergers NJ 40 plus years ago?
ReplyDeleteMy mom got hers there for Christmas, 1940. She said it was a Story & Clark - made in Chicago I believe.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Bam's as a makeup artist in the cosmetics dept. It was so much fun and such a classy store. Once Macy's offcially took over, it went down hill. All its flair was taken away. I miss those days.
ReplyDeleteI have a photograph of my mother taken when she was about 5 years old, 1941. The back has Bamberger's Newark, NJ from a stamp and the handwritten number is BA-6354.
ReplyDeleteI had just started my own business and I am looking for an idea to write great New England Uniform, Inc. company profile that catches people interest. Please have any suggestions. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNew England Uniform, Inc. company profile
\ I remember going "Uptown" to Bam's at Christmastime with my family, to see the Huge Lionel train layout that was set up in the toy dept. on the 6th. floor. It was around 1957 or 58. It was spectacular!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any photos of it?
I used to go to Bam's in Newark with my mother in the 1960's and 1970's. One of my favorite memories is of the malted milk drinks we would order at the lunch counter in Bam's basement. All of these comments make me very nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteI remember my Dad taking a snap in front of Bamberger's in Plainfield, I found it the other day in my old old slide.I'm walking with Mom in our Sunday best, I have a balloon in my hand and am wearing those ever so popular little girl dresses with the white pattent leather mary janes. My mom as spiffy as ever in her pencil skirt and cute white hat. It was great, we used to dress up to go shopping! Now its dungarees that are falling down with your knickers showing, Ah the good ole days ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear a description of the inside of Bamberger's-what made it special and unique. We moved from. NJ when I was 7 and I have vague memories. I do remember Wannamaker's in Philly because I visited it as a teen. That was very different and uniques as well. My grandmother worked at Bamberger's in the late 39-40. Thanks for any descriptions you can write....
ReplyDeletekaylaenglelewis@me.com
I tried to email, but it bounced back
DeleteI saw your question on the Department Store Museum site. Let me start by saying, I live in DC but originally am a native of NJ. I was a Buyer for Bamberger's for 10 years, from the mid 70s thru the mid 80s, when I was "promoted" to Macy's. At that time the stores were completely separate from each other, with separate buying offices, credit departments, etc. It was not until the late 80s when the mergers started and my beloved Bamberger's went to hell. I can also tell you having worked for both divisions when they were separate, Bamberger's was AMAZING, mace's was a disaster, and continues to be.
What made it...
1. It was a large store of 1.3 million square feet.
2. The first floor had 20 foot ceilings all hand made wooden fixtures, and it was very much in the Art Deco mode.
3. Most of the floors were designed by famed architect Raymond Lowry and Associates, so there was a masterful sense of architectural beauty and it was one of the first stores, back in the 40s, that utilized what is now referred to as "shop" concepts.
4. The merchandising in the store because of Lowry's design did not allow for merchandise on top of each other...there was plenty of room to shop, you had seating (even in the 80s) and room...tons of room.
5. The main restaurant was mahogany wood panel, elegant and had great food.
6. the sales help was extremely professional, not like today's Macy's...and knowledgeable
7. The key factor to all this was Raymond Lowry's architecture, it had to be seen to believe. He designed other stores such as Lord and Taylor, and the defunct Hahne's Montclair store (talk about magnificent), but Bamberger's Newark was unlike any other. It was the curvature of the lines, and how he utilized it on the floors, the way they flowed and the interior color combinations. Bamberger's pretty much kept his 1940's redo until the end, with some updated, such as painting and carpeting, bit the store saw no renovations to destroy his work...that was the marvel.
I hope I answered your question. If you have any more, let me know.
See this, too - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberger's
DeleteOf Willobrook mall...
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, there was Bambergers...
And only Bambergers, everything else came later.
I remember many Christmas shopping trips trying to find presents for my Mom without her knowlege. And I remember the big Peanuts fad in the 60s and my normally tightwaddy Mom caving (without my realizing it was happening) and splurging and doing my whole room Snoopy. Even bought me the mythical Astronaut Snoopy I wish I still had! I didn't know her suprise until the UPS truck pulled up and she said 'You can open ONE box now!' We weren't rich this was huge. Now its Macys and NO its NOT the same. Back then upstairs there was even a restaurant that had better hamburgers than any of that mall garbage!
To Anaonymouas on 1/24/12. How true. I shopped paramus before WillowBrook opened. When Willowbrooked opened, that was closer, until I became a Buyer, and each Saturday would go to Willowbrook to visit my department. Yes,, the store had a restaurant and even a budget store, which became a renovated mens department in 1981...and a really fine one at that. It carried high end designers, because the customer base then was far different than today. As a Macy's, it is garbage. When I go back home to NJ, I still refer to it as Bambs, and still go to Willowbrook.
ReplyDeleteOne last thing about my beloved bamberger's...the stores which had restaurants (Newark, Paramus, Willowbrook, Menlo Park,Cherry Hill, Nanuet, Rockaway-which still does!, Livingston, Springfield, Montgomery, Oxford Valley, White Marsh (closed store-moved to Hecht's store), Hunt Valley (closed store), and Bridgewater) all of them were name Louie B's, after Louis Bamberger. Newark also had a restaurant on the lower level named the Carving Board. I do so miss department store restaurants.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered whether Louis B's was tied to founder's name! Used to attend fund raising events at the Court (King of Prussia) location. Court's Bamberger's opened in 1981. I vividly remember the graphic nature of the displays (unlike any other store) and the mouse-maze floor plan that guaranteed you were in there at least 20 minutes before you could find a mall exit. Macy's unfinished reno in the mid 1990's still left unmasked hints of the originality from 1981: look at the floors and ceiling. Went over budget so they just stopped and painted over what remained. :- )
ReplyDeleteTo the Ex Buyer, you are so correct. Bamberger's was a great store and Macy's ruined it. I worked at Bambergers when I was a junior in high school, loved it so much, that I became degreed in Merchandising. I think I still have a report I did for college which includes several photographs and pages from the Fashion Reporter and the "Q". It was a time when a sales manager could actually call a buying office and influence the assortment or quantity of goods sent to a store. I can remember the store visits from senior execs from Newark. Bambs was top sin everything, from Loss Prevention, Display, Advertising, yadda yadda yadda. I believe Time magazine did a story on Bambergers and it does show that it was Macys top division. Louis is turning over in his grave.
ReplyDeleteI am so very appreciative to "ex-buyer" for writing the information that I had requested. Thank you. Also, thank you to RJ regarding the Wikepedia page. I will check back in case someone else writes another description....
ReplyDeleteBased on ex-buyer's info about the designer, Raymond Lowry, I found 2 articles from 1940 ("Women's Wear Daily" and the Elizabeth, N.J." Journal") about the dress salon, new at that time. It has some photos and alot of description. Here is the link: http://www.hagley.lib.de.us/libimages/LoewyScrapbooks/0019.jpg
ReplyDeleteN.B. Raymond Loewy was responsible for the design of the Pennsylvania Railroad's luxury train, The Broadway Limited in the late 1930s and again after WWII. His firm also famously designed renovations for Gimbels in 1950-51 and Higbee's in the 1960s, among many, many other other retail designs. Detroit's J. L. Hudson Company redesigned its 7th floor (The renowned "Woodward Shops") in the 1960s, and that, too, was a Loewy design. I personally saw that in its hey-day and I can say that it was beautiful; the epitome of mid-modern interior design. I would also venture to guess, given my experience as an architect that it is Loewy's staff that deserves much of the credit for all of this work.
ReplyDeleteBruce
I just found a flat wooden leg shape with holes in it with a L. Bamberber & Co sticker on it. I am not sure what it was used for but it is very interesting. Would anyone be able to help?
ReplyDeleteI must disagree with those executives who have " bad mouthed " Macy's. I began my career at Bam's in 1951 on the executive training squad and left to go to Mac's in 1967 as a Vice President for Merchandising. I had a great career in both divisions and although Bam's was and is my favorite store, Macy's was terrific. It had some bad years until Ed Finkelstein took over and remade Herald Square in to one of the world's shopping destinations.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the executives who opened the Plainfield branch and have nothing but good things to say about both Bamberger's and Macy's.
I would love to hear from some of my former coworkers. My e mail is: Mcaddy444@hotmail.com.My name is Marvin Laba.
Christiana,did have a resturant!
ReplyDeleteex.administrator,Helen Betachini was the store mngr.
My great grandmother painted fine china in the Newark Bams for Louie Bamberger. Would Love to know if anyone remembers her. Her name is Anna Spitz (also called "Tilly"). I have some of her pieces dated in the late 20's and 30's. Would love some information on her history.
ReplyDeletekathpa1207@hotmail.com
I remember Bams and my mom and grandma and their friends called it...We went to the one in Ocean County Mall in Toms River, NJ. It was right behind the center court, where Macy's(Gag...yuck...except they have Coach bags for 10-20% cheaper)is today. I remember going to the top floor and there was a kitchen/cooking/cutlery etc...place called The Cellar. The kids clothes were so fun...Jet Set, Spumoni, Guess, Esprit...I used to get these awesome sweatshirts with penguins or polar bears or mice...all doing stuff like in a theme...The penguin one can be seen on Jodie Sweetin(stephanie on full house)in the season 2 opening credits...along with the same book bag I had. The mouse one had them playing a wheel of fortune type game, and I had a PS Gitano pink sweater and black skirt set where there was black scotty dogs on the sweater and white ones on the skirt...
ReplyDeleteEvery week I would be like "I have the same outfit!" I swear the wardrobe dept. for them must have shopped Bams or Macy's or Kid's R Us.
I have what appears to be either an old credit card or employee ID card. It is 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". the front has a 5 digit number with L. Bamberger & co. "one of americas great stores" Newark, N.J. the back side is a picture of the Newark building.It is made of plastic. Can anyone tell me what it is?
ReplyDeletewcpfixit@optonline.net
My great grandmother Anna Spitz painted the fine china for Louie B in the Newark Store. I have many of her pieces. Does anyone remember her or her work. I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
ReplyDeletekathpa1207@hotmail.com
Found this site and brought back to some great memories. My father was a delivery man for Bamb's and then it went to UPS. The Thankgiving parade, when I was a kid was on Market St. My father drove one of the floates and was happy to make the extra money.When I was in high school my mother got a job in the office at Bamb's.It was a great store.When you made a purchase back then you could always have it delivered.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Bamberger's Bridgewater had a restaurant. Of course, it opened as Macy's
ReplyDeletewor tv origannly broadcast from the newark store
ReplyDeleteI Have A boy doll its called hans made by K&R in Germany mold 114 with the tag still attached Like new how can I find out what year it was sold in the store. it has been in a ceder chest many years.931-638-5722
ReplyDeleteDo you have the exact locations of the Bambergers Restaurants? I think I found the one in Livingston, on the third floor, across from the restrooms. It's a storage area, but it's decorated in red and had fake french windows and a distinctive doorway. Also think there was a hair salon next to where the restaurant was.
ReplyDeleteHere is some more information about Bamberger's restaurants. As the chain grew rapidly from the late 60's to the late 70's, MOST locations included a "Carriage House", full service restaurant, many with full bar service. During this time frame the downtown Newark store featured The Dinette, a counter style room on the Budget Level, and snack bars on the Street and 4th Floors. There was a more formal restaurant, and private party rooms on the 10th floor, but that floor was leased to a private club starting in the early 1960's. In the early 1980's some of the suburban locations saw their restaurants close, and a few others were re-branded, "Louie B's" in a node to Bamberger's founder. With dining options becoming less and less in downtown Newark during this same time frame, a table service room was added next to The Dinette.
ReplyDeleteKen
Thank you, Ken, for all of the information. It seems as though Bamberger's is really missed!
ReplyDeleteBruce
A few other notes about Bamberger's it's food service, and the downtown store. There were (3) levels to Bamberger's Budget store. "Lower Level Two"contained their Budget Domestic departments, "Lower level Annex" that ran under one of the Prudential buildings contained Budget Furniture and Rugs, a Budget Beauty Salon, and the Bamberger Butcher Shop and Deli. The main Lower Level, "Lower Level One" contained the remainder of the Budget Store. The size of the Budget Store complex rivaled that of their mall stores, which were larger than their competition. When Bamberger's started to cut back on selling space downtown in the mid-70's, the Annex and Lower Level Two were closed as selling space. The Butcher Shop and Deli were relocated to space on the Street Floor and remained until the early 80's. The Bamberger building itself had 4 lower levels, "3B" and "4 B" were part of the receiving department. The departments store of Newark would make for a great book (hint, hint).
ReplyDeleteKen
To Jill F.- I think the flat wooden leg was a display piece that women's stockings/hosiery was placed on so that customers could look at the product without tearing open the packages- I think I remember there were several of them attached together with a chain so all of the samples stayed together in one place. I worked in Bamberger's (and then Macy's) in Willowbrook Mall, Wayne NJ from 1985-1988. It was my first job at age 15 and I was a "floater"- so when someone called out sick in the "Swatch Watch Boutique" or in The Cellar Cafe, etc. etc. I was sent in that area to work. Brings back nightmare memories of me trying to find specific shoes in the enormous women's shoe stockroom!!
ReplyDeletePlease, someone tell me if I am dreaming or if it really happened! I remember going with my grandmother to Bamberger's around Christmas time and there was a "train" attached to rails on the ceiling of one of the floors. The "train" thus circled the floor from above. Did this really exist or only in my nostalgic imagination? My grandmother worked at nearby Ohrbachs, but, for the real deal, she took me to Bamberger's.
ReplyDeleteI found this site by accident but... wow! It brings back memories! I grew up in Livingston, NJ and I recall the opening of Bambergers Livingston Mall (I think 1972... when I was 6) and I recall stories from my whole family about shopping "downtown" in Newark at Bambergers store.
ReplyDeleteLike most Americana-gone-by, it makes me sad, but I suppose, that's progress but sometimes I think we have not progressed we've just lost parts of our collective history.
Worked as a stockboy in the candy dept. in 1967. Was my first job out of high school.
ReplyDeleteRemember it fondly... it made for a most wonderful Christmas season!
Like Rick said above, this site does bring back memories! I grew up in Morristown and remember going to Bam's with my mom. At Christmas time, Santa always arrived by coming down from the roof of the building with a little help from the hook & ladder. Yes, Epstein's and Bam's had amazing Christmas displays in their windows! The Bamberger's in Morristown did have a restaurant back in the day, on the third floor. Later, after the building became Macy's, I worked there for a time. The restaurant at that point was being used as an employee break room. Sadly, the store closed in '93. Our beloved Bam's (turned Macy's) sat vacant for years until Century 21 moved in. Sigh....
ReplyDeleteBamberger's used to have shopping bags that showed people in clothes from hundreds of years ago & moving up to closer to the present. I remember making paper dolls out of my mom's bags. Are there any images of those bags?
ReplyDeleteI loved shopping in Bamberger's as a child with my mother. Then as an adult, it was such a great store. Does anyone know if Bamberger's carried Madame Alexander dolls back in the 1950's? My mother bought me one when I had my tonsils out and I still have it. Was wondering if she could have purchased it at Bamberger's because she did most of her shopping there.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question about the Madame Alexander dolls, if they were purchased downtown in the 1950's, my guesstimate would be that it was bought at Hahne & Co., or Kresge-Newark. By the 1950's Bamberger's (under RH Macy ownership) became a more middle level store, and their Toy Department carried more mass market products than anything else.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question about a monorail running around the ceiling of a Toy Department, that was Kresge-Newark. The Kresge-Newark monorail ran along the ceiling of their 9th floor Toy Dept through the Christmas season of 1958. In 1959 Kresge leased the 8th and 9th floor of their building to Western Electric, and the Toy Department moved (sans monrail) to the basement.
Ken
I miss the days of shopping at Bam's with my Mom and grandparents in the Menlo Park Mall. Does anyone remember the restaurant upstairs and the delicious burgers and home made coleslaw they served? The customer service in those days was first-rate!
ReplyDelete@ken: Thanks for the monorail answer. So I wasn't dreaming--just had the wrong store!
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a Bamberger's in North Brunswick, NJ and then moved to Brunswick Square Mall in East Brunswick?
ReplyDeleteI had a photograph of my Grandmother taken around the 1950's and after Sandy Hurricane it is gone It was taken at Bam's. Does anyone know if they had a photo archives from years back?
ReplyDeleteBamberger's used to have shopping bags that showed people in clothes from hundreds of years ago & moving up to closer to the present. I remember making paper dolls out of my mom's bags. Are there any images of those bags?
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see to see someone mention Holthausen's, Union City. Great memories of that store, even though I lived in Bergen County you always went to West New York or Union City to shop
ReplyDeleteBefore the name change to Macy's, there were three Bamberger's in MD...White Marsh, Owings Mills, and Hunt Valley. The Hunt Valley store closed, the White Marsh store is now Boscov's (Macy's occupies the old Hecht's store), and the Owings Mills store was converted to a Boscov's (now vacant)after Macy's moved to the old Hecht's store.
ReplyDeleteI remember those bags as well. The figures were dressed as if at Versailles. Wigs, long ornate dresses. Men in tails. The bags also had an unusual closure. When the handle was put through it the bag turned into a soft sided box.
ReplyDelete