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Though founded in 1845, the more
familiar home of R. H. Stearns on
the Boston Common was built in
1910.
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The interior of the long, narrow
store was palatial in character
as befits as flush as Stearns.
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The 10-story emporium graced the
corner of Tremont Street at Temple
Place across from the Common.
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The tall, narrow building towered over
the green spaces of the Common.
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"Conveniently Opposite Park
Street Subway Station."
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140 Tremont Street
Boston, Massachusetts
HUbbard 2-0260
Downstairs
Toy Shops • Creative Playthings • Fashion Fabrics
Street Floor
Jewelry • Toilet Goods • Cosmetics • Hosiery • Handbags • Leathers • Gloves • Neckwear • Blouses • Sweater Bar • Lingerie • Hat Bar • Notions • Stationery • Candy • Cashier's Desk
Men's Shop Men's Furnishings • Men's Shirts
Second Floor
Shoe Salon • Children's Shoes • Lingerie • Negligees • Corsets • Men's Gift Boutique
Third Floor
Draperies • Linens • Closet Shop • Embroidery • Junior Shop • Young Juniors
Fourth Floor
Sportswear Centre • Misses' Dresses • Women's Dresses • Cum Laude Junior Shop
Fifth Floor
Children's Shops • Boys' • Girls' • Infants' • Children's Accessories • Cum Laude Sportswear Shop
Sixth Floor
Town Shops • Coat Salon • Suit Salon • Longwood Shop • Fur Salon • Half Size Coats and Suits
Seventh Floor
China Shop • Silver Gallery • Crystal Corner • Glassware
Gift Rooms Gift Shop • Lamps • Pictures • Mirrors • '76 shop • Artist Craftsmen • Antique Galleries
Eighth Floor
Offices
Ninth Floor
Offices
Tenth Floor
Beauty Salon • Fur Storage
Eleventh Floor
Employee Dining Room
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Chestnut Hill
55 Boylston Street
July,1950
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South Shore Plaza
Braintree
November, 962
42,000 sq. ft.
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Northshore Shopping Center
Peabody
February, 1968
52,000 sq. ft.
Burlington Mall
July, 1968
12,000 Sq. Ft.
Wellesley
1970
74 Central Street
12,000 Sq. Ft.
Coming in due course.
Hi there.
ReplyDeleteMy family used to own Sterns.
My Grandfather James Nelson and his best friend Bob Maynard bought the store in the late 20's.
Jim Nelson
the Stearns in chestnut hill became bloomingdales...the stearns in wellsely became filenes
ReplyDeleteI have postcards of every RH Stearns Branch.
ReplyDeleteThe picture you are showing as Northshore store is really the South Shore Plaza store
Would you be willing to share some of these images? I am quite confident that the Northshore illustration is indeed Northshore, but in the interest of accuracy, I'd like to see and present verified and correct images of the stores if possible.
ReplyDeleteThanks . . . BAK
HI :
ReplyDeleteI WORKED THERE AS A YOUNG MAN . MY BOSS WAS A MR BROWN . WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN RETAIL. I MET MY WIFE THERE.THE PLACE HAS LOTS OF MEMORIES
HI,MY NAME IS ED AND I HAVE COME ACROSS A HAT FROM THE 1930-1940"s wondering if you have any documents or price line on this antique
ReplyDeleteHello I will gladly send you copies of the post cards if you give me an e mail address
ReplyDeleteHello-please send to bakgraphics@comcast.net; please post another comment here as well, so I can remove this address as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you very kindly for your interest & help!
Bruce
i have a pair of white leather gloves with pearl buttons that still have a price tag on them from r.h. stearns co. boston. $4.50 size,make,#'s and such are stamped on the inside but can't make it out. don't know what value if any they have or what to do with them
ReplyDeleteI loved r.h. stearns. Does anyone remember Chestnut hill days? My favorite spot was the children's shoe department. Each chair was a different animal. As a child I always wanted to turn that store into a contemporary house. Loved the open escalator feel.
ReplyDeleteWhen Bloomingdales opened it all changed. More boutiquey and closed in. Became Macy's and now it is closed and empty.
Very sad.
I worked at R.H. Stearns in chestnut Hill in the early 1970's. It was a beautiful open airy bldg facing the Chestnut Hill Pond. it had a large tailor department and a wonderful cafeteria. Great memories! Chestnut hill days were wonderful!
ReplyDeletethey just tore the Chesnuthill store down!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember the children's shoe department in Chestnut Hill with the animal chairs. And the cosmetics department with Pantene shampoo and conditioner, when Pantene was super-expensive and smelled amazing. And the Charles of the Ritz counter where they'd custom-blend loose powder.
ReplyDeleteI still remember RH Stern in south shore plaza in 1960s and 1970a
ReplyDeleteIn 1958 I met a handsome sailor on the Boston Common. We went for a walk on Tremont St. I was having a sneezing attack from Hay Fever. My sailor friend went into RH Sterns and purchased a fancy lace hankie for me. I kept the hankie for over 50 years. We rediscovered each other in 2011 and just married this past April 2012. I gave him back the hankie. He couldn't believe I kept it all these years. The hankie is still in good shape and just as beautiful as the day he gave it to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for shaaring this fabulous story . . . it is the stuff could make an enormously endearing movie script, in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes and God's blessings to you both!
Bruce
I have Found a hanger tag from RH Stearns The Bridal Shop, was this located in the main store or was it a branch? Just curious to know.
ReplyDeleteI came across this page while looking up something else....what memories it brought back. My mother loved this store and I still remember every Tues.was special sale day. She was there every week. I know I have jewelry boxes and probably a bag or two still in my archives. I can still picture certain departments.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to ask, if you have an R.H.Stearns paper bag, could you possibly photograph it and send it to bakgraphics@comcast.net? I would like to add it to the "Shopping Bag" section of The Museum. I will certainly be happy to give you credit for having done so.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Bruce
I have a doll cradle made by The Stearn Co. Euclid Ave Cleveland Oh is this the same company? I can't find any information on it and was wondering if anybody can help?
ReplyDeleteIt is not the same company, R.H. Stearns was only located in the Boston area.
ReplyDeleteBruce
I worked at Stearns during my coop job experience at Northeastern University. I started circa 1956 as linen salesperson, millinery clerk and eventually as a "floor walker". I saw them open their Chestnut Hill Store and worked on and off part time for many years until I graduated. I remember the a fore mentioned Mr. Maynard when he was an old man and had many a chat with him.
ReplyDeleteWe have a gorgeous Skinner's Rayon Satin wedding dress with an R. H. Stearns Co. Boston label! The dress is probably from the 1940's, and I found your site while researching the label. What a fascinating story and history behind this regal-looking wedding gown! Take a look at this amazing gown: vintagewedding.com VWD 056.
ReplyDelete