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| New from The History Press |
Though founded in 1867, Adam, Meldrum & Anderson Co.
moved across the street to occupy the former location
of J. N. Adam & Co. in 1960
Adam, Meldrum & Anderson Co. (A M & A's) (1867)389 Main Street
Buffalo, New York
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY
Basement
A M & A Budget Store
First Floor
Fine Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Handbags • Gloves • Fashion Accessories • Notions • Cosmetics • Blouses • Sweaters • Stationery • Candy Bakery • Men's Accessories • Men's Furnishings • Men's Sportswear
Second Floor
Thrift Sportswear • Thrift Dresses • Thrift Coats • Thrift Shoes • Beauty Salon • Fabrics • Art Needlework • Sewing Machines • Books • Records • Men's Clothing • Young Executive • Red Carpet Shop • Men's Shoes • Men's Hats • Scoreboard
Third Floor
Infants' Shop • Toddler's Shop • Girls' Wear • Girls' Lingerie • Boys' Wear • Children's Accessories • Children's Shoes • Young Juniors • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Junior Shoes • Functional Juniors • Junior Lingerie
Fourth Floor
Moderate Sportswear • Misses' Dresses • Misses' Coats • Misses' Suits • Women's World • Trendsetter SportswearvTrendsetter Dresses • Miss Adam Sportswear • Miss Adam Dresses • Better Coats • The Crystal Room • Millinery • Fur Salon • Bridal Salon • Shoe Salon • Lingerie • Loungewear • Robes • Foundations • Better Lingerie
Fifth Floor
Floor Coverings • Rugs • Oriental Rugs • Draperies • Curtains • Linens • Bath Shop • Pictures • Lamps • Televisions • Radios • Stereos
Sixth Floor
China • Glassware • Silver • Gifts • Table Linens • Housewares • Small Appliances • The Kitchen • Major Appliances • Toys • Sporting Goods
Seventh Floor
Furniture • Sleep Shop
Eighth Floor
Yankee Room • Grill Room • Customer Service
BRANCH STORES
Main St. at Kenmore Ave.
Sheridan Plaza (1949)
Sheridan Dr. at Delaware Rd.
Amherst
Airport Plaza (1948)Cheektowaga
Southgate Plaza (1961/April 1964)Seneca St. at Union Rd.
West Seneca
100,000 sq. ft.
Cheektowaga
Eastern Hills (1972)
Clarence
Lockport Mall (1974)
Lockport
Olean Center Mall (1976)
Olean
There was a branch in L.B. Smith Plaza (later Abbott Road Plaza) in Lackawanna. Anyone have a photo of this strore or of the original L.B. Smith Plaza?
ReplyDeleteThe University Plaza location closed and relocated to the Northtown Plaza in the early 1980's (taking a former Hens & Kelly store). This is the location shown labeled as the Sheridan store (there is no photo shown of Sheridan). Also had locations at Summit Park Mall, McKinley and Walden Galleria in the Buffalo region. AM&A's was sold to Bon-Ton in the early 1990's and many are still open (Sheridan, Southgate, Eastern Hills, Lockport, Olean, McKinley) as Bon-Ton. I think Summit closed very recently. Not the same as the old AM&A's though. Bon-Ton has invested nothing in their stores and have let some of their best locations close. There are no locations in towns of Amherst or Cheektowaga where the most successful malls (Boulevard & Galleria) are located.
ReplyDeleteDear Frank:
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me clear up a confusion. I have posted a different image of the Sheridan store. I polan to cover Hens & Kelly separately.
Bruce
There were ten locations of AM&A's when The Bon Ton purchased the company in 1994:
ReplyDeleteDowntown - closed 1995
Sheridan Plaza**
Southgate Plaza**
Eastern Hills Mall**
Lockport Mall**
Summit Park Mall**
Olean Mall**
Northtown Plaza - closed 2007
McKinley Mall**
Walden Galleria - closed 2006
** - locations still operating
Bon Ton has also opened a location at the Chautauqua Mall in Jamestown, but that was long after AM&A's was gone.
That picture is correctly the Sheridan & Delaware store. The Northtown Plaza store was a perfect square with an entrance on each side in the middle. I have the original company watercolor of the store and can scan it for you.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankee Room on the eighth floor was originally the Yankee Doodle Room. WBEN radio used to broadcast their lunch hour show from there. I remember going to see the animated windows around Christmas and they changed every year. That was the anticipation as the windows before Thanksgiving were covered with brown paper. You could also have your purchases from there (or many of the other stores) sent home by Downtown Merchants Delivery.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, the morning show on WBEN was called "Breakfast At The Yankee Doodle Room!" I remember my mom taking me when I was a little kid. It was a nice show, and they asked questions to some of the guests. I vividly remember the music though. Norm Wullen, the organist at the Auditorium, would play sometimes in the background and when they went to a commercial. The lunch show in Buffalo was "Luncheon At The Statler!" That show was hosted by Mike Marion, who also had a kids show on (I believe) WBEN! Unlike Breakfast At The Yankee Doodle Room, Luncheon At The Statler did not allow kids. I remember playing in the hotel with my brother when my mom went into the show.
DeleteI lived on Union Road near the Airport Plaza from 1946 to 1957. I remember shopping at their store & the Christmas decorations in the windows. That was the 1st place I remember sitting on Santa's lap & telling him my Christmas list. In my memory keepsake box is my Father's metal charge card from there. It is about the size of a military dog tag. They were the original charge cards of today.
ReplyDeleteMy father Leo McClanahan was the Shoe Buyer for all shoe departments of AM&A's. Every year we had a picnic in our back yard in Kenmore for all the shoe employees (130-150 people). We had a professional Bingo caller, tons of gifts, plenty of good food and drinks and lots of fun for all! Great memories of getting all dressed up to ride the bus downtown to visit my father at work.
ReplyDeletethe yankee doodle room does any one remember the dish pattern they used , it was a restaurant quality dish but did it have dogwood flowers or green ivy on them, i worked downtown in 70-75 i miss it so much or maybe i miss being single and carefree.
ReplyDeleteDo you know anything about the Parkside Candy Shop in Buffalo? My dad worked there as a teenager making fountain drinks in the early 40's. I visited it in the 70's and was impressed by how beautiful it was, art deco! I wonder if it still exists.
ReplyDelete'used to go to AM&A's in Buffalo with my parents when I was a kid about 6-7 years old in Northtown Plaza around 1963.
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking AM&A's was fancy but Sattlers was more fun. I thought Park Edge was like the Jetsons city with its curved roof.
I still love the music from back then and listen to it all the time.
remember the xmas window displays downtown
ReplyDeleteThey tried to bring some back, but nothing like I remember.
DeleteTHE BEAUTY SHOP WAS ON THE THIRD FLOOR...AND GIFT WRAP ACROSS FROM IT. YOU COULD FIND GIRL SCOUT UNIFORMS AND HANDBOOKS ON THIS FLOOR AS WELL.
ReplyDeleteLOVED THIS STORE....THE OWNERS WERE GENTLEMEN AND TREATED THEIR EMPLOYEES WELL.
Any Employee pictures?
DeleteNo one seems to remember or believe that the Dealware Sheridan location was originally a single floor. Later the second floor was added. Until the outside was painted an observer could discern a slight difference in the brick.
ReplyDeletei have recently come across an AM&M Buffalo Ramlin Fur coat, thought to be from the 30's, don't know the fur (guessed buffalo but now that i know it's from buffalo i'm second thinking!), and a GREAT cut! big bell sleeves and big shoulders and down to the knees. i haven't found any information on the recent value of this vintage item. can anyone shine a light?
ReplyDeleteMy mother and stepfather were managers and buyers for Consolidated Millinery, which operated the hat and wig department of the downtown store until the closing in 1994. Their office was across the street in a small, old, kinda creepy office. There was a SUPER creepy tunnel that went under the street to the building and an old freight elevator. It was so cool. I was in my early twenties and worked for the fine jewelry office, which was also incredibly small, but loved the job. I will always remember AM&As and still have them on my resume to this day! (and still working in merchandising in dept stores!)
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked in Millinary for many years. From the 40's to 60's. in the 50's I worked across the street in the Brisbane bldg. for George H. Cohn jewelers & would meet her for dinners in the AM&A's cafeteria. My mom also took me to see the windows every year from the time I walked. I also have her original metal charge plate in it's little case.
DeleteHi - George Cohn was my great uncle - how long did you work for him?
Deletei still see in my mind how the store was layed out and I hear the elevators dinging, I will always remember my mom and I going downtown on a Friday
ReplyDeleteMy son recently broke one of my AM&A's commemorative Buffalo glasses (tumbler). Anyone know where I might find one? I have tried googling...nothing. I am very sad at it's loss. It was very sad also to loose such a wonderful institution as AM&As. They cared for the workers and the customers...not like today. joyous1952...Buffalo born.
ReplyDeleteI remember getting Beatle 45s and Boy Scout merchandise at the AM&A's in the L.B. Smith Plaza(later, Abbott Road Plaza). Was a lovely plaza at the time.
ReplyDeleteMy first job was at AM&A's Sheridan Plaza as a "checker" making sure people trying on things went into the dressing rooms with three items and came out with the same number. Also worked in the Budget Dept in the basement and the Girl Scout Dept. I worked in the Advertising Dept in the downtown store as a copywriter for the ads, earning a whopping $2.00 an hour. Yankee Doodle Room for lunch. Good memories of their generous, delicious Julienne Salad. Best memory was the Christmas windows each year! A fine place to work.
ReplyDeletein the early/mid 1980's AM&A's commissioned a beautiful 4 set of coffee mugs depicting a variety of Buffalo scenes. unfortunately, i've lost 3 out of 4 but would love to replace them. does anyone know where i might start trying to locate old stock for something like this?
ReplyDeleteI have fairly good luck at garage, estate and rummage sales; price is anywhere from 50 cents to 5.00 each I just found one yesterday with a view of the waterfront and skyline dated 1990. I believe this was one of the last in the series
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous 26 July, 2012 20:23 -
ReplyDeleteParkside Candy shop at Main & Winspear in Buffalo still exists. That's the one in which some scenes from the movie "The Natural" were filmed, circa 1980. Another location further down Main St. (just south of Fillmore Ave.) no longer exists.
I worked for AMA'S after graduating from Kenmore East in 1964. Class act all the way. I knew every inch of the downtown store because I was a Floater. Ended up in the Boy's Dept. before going off to college in 65. The Christmas I spent working there was Magical. So many good memories. Does any one have any of the recipes from the Bakery Dept.?
ReplyDeletesaw this site after looking for lost pensions. I started with AM&A in 1961 or 62 at Sheridan store while in High school and was full time by summer of 63. . Worked in most all departments. Went to University plaza as asst dept mgr at 18, then to downtown as asst buyer in furninture at 19, full buyer of junior boys and then budget ladies coats at 18 or 19.. Six months army, back to work. Worked at Asst mgr at Airport plaza with Ed Scneck, them became manager there and from there went as mgr to University. Recall opening day at Southgate Mall. Worked there too as dept mgr for furniture, toys and something else, I forget.
ReplyDeleteKnew all the buyers, Shenton, Adam, his son in law, everyone.. Remember Mr Logan, mgr Sheridan for a long time. Any one remember Hermi Koehane?
I worked for AM&A's right up until they were sold to The Bon Ton in April of 1994. I am a collector of AM&A's memorabilia. If anyone wants more information about the store, just ask. Also if you have any AM&A's memorabilia that you are interested in selling, please reply.
ReplyDeleteI have several original renderings and more interesting items than that related to the AM& A' s store. Call joe @ 716-570-6601 if you're interested
DeleteI have 4 of the commemorative glasses for sale. I would be more than happy to send you pics. Let me know!
DeleteDarlingdamesvintage@gmail.com
Love this site. I have 3/4 AM&A coffee mugs. Probably purchased in early 70s. I lived there from 1946-1965, and loved the downtown, especially the Holiday window decorations. Great place for me to grow up
DeleteI ran across a book at a garage sale that on the cover said it was a book rental from Adam Meldrum and Anderson. I didn't buy it but was curious about it's origin.
DeleteMy husband's aunt was the buyer for the camera department for many years. Her main location and office was out of the downtown store. Not only was she in charge of cameras, but she also had a large display of Hummel figurines on display in the showcase. Yes, she spent some time there when the 77 blizzard hit Buffalo. She currently resides in the Orlando, Florida area.
ReplyDeleteThe Sheridan/ Delaware Plaza store is actually in Tonawanda NY. My mom spent one summer working for Hengerer's counting the number of people going into that store & how many came out with bags.
ReplyDeleteCurrently the basement is closed down but that had the budget store, housewares & toys.
The main floor was cosmetics, mens, jewelry, shoes, purses, candy & records.
The second floor was misses, women's, imtimate apparel, children's & juniors (as well as restrooms & offices).
Today the main floor is shoes, cosmetics, purses, misses, petite & women's world.
Second floor has mens, children, juniors & intimates (and offices & bathrooms).
The Home Store is in a separate building & is housewares & furniture.
I possess a brand new vintage set of 4 AM & A's Coffee Mugs from 1984, 1986, 1987 & 1989. Each one displays a picture & different narrative descriptions as follows: Dated 1984: "Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society". Dated 1986: "Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, New York". Dated 1987: "Erie County Hall". Dated 1989: "The Old Post Office now the Erie County Community College City Campus, Buffalo New York, 1983". They're currently listed on EBAY, listing #331121024566. My seller ID is wnyvet. Thanks for considering. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOne of my early memories as a child was shopping at AM&a's at the Airport plaza in the 1950's. I think it occupied 2 floors and I distinctly remember the "ding ding" sound. Our family also shopped at the old Loblaws. It was the first time I experienced an "open air" entrance which had warm air blowing vertically downward during the winter into a grated floor. Great memories.
ReplyDeleteIT IS A RAINY DAY HERE IN SF AND THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK THE AM@A'S SITE. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN DIALOG!
ReplyDeleteIF ANY ONE WORKED DOWNTOWN DURING 1964-1965 YRS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THANKS
Remember the jingle - "We'd like to thank you wonderful customers for 100 wonderful years" in 1967 !!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found this site. My father-in-law was the Vice President and retired from A M & A's a number of years ago. I have been looking for a print of the building downtown that you have on this website with the marque in front. Does anyone know where I can get this. I would love to give it to my husband for Christmas. I anxiously await a response.
ReplyDeleteI worked at AM&A's from 1975 until they were sold in 1994 and then for BonTon for several years. I probably knew your father-in-law
ReplyDeleteOver the holidays my cousin and I were remembering the bakery in the downtown store. I recall the snowflake and alligator rolls. Would love to have a recipe for them. Can anyone help?
ReplyDeleteI believe you have your Parksides mixed up...the one farther down main (adjacent to the School for the Deaf was the one in the movie.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are absolutely correct. I worked at the Sheridan store for a couple of years and the difference in the color of the brick was very slight, but you could see it if you really looked.
ReplyDeleteThis site is causing me to have huge bouts of nostalgia.
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ReplyDeletei remember at one point the sheridan drive location had a little eatery called the village i think...they had the
ReplyDeletebest pizza and my parents would also get me a slice when we went shopping there
What a great find to read all these on a sunday morning :) I purchased a set of dressers that have red and white labels adams- meldrum-anderson 404 main st. Buffalo n.y. july 28 ____ the year is scrached off ....beautiful peices i cant find ANYTHING out about them does anyone know where i can find some information on them?
ReplyDeleteThose dressers would have to have been purchased prior to 1960 as the store moved across the street from 404 Main to 389 Main around that time.
ReplyDeleteThanksi have photos of the tags but we cant up load photos here
ReplyDeleteAm I dreaming or was there a small restaurant in the basement which was the discount department?
ReplyDeleteyes a Café (Buffalo Café?)
DeleteAny employee pictures?
ReplyDeleteMark Polaski
Buffalo Café?
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Red Lantern Cafe in Thruway Mall from 1974 to 1979. Anyone remember it?
ReplyDeleteI remember the Red lantern, as well as the Gallery East Cafe, later The Juicery at Eastern Hills.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Sheridan Plaza, Downtown, Eastern Hills, Northtown Plaza, and Lockport Mall locations. Best days of my work life, met so many great people.
ReplyDeleteEBay has some of the mugs listed..
ReplyDeleteJust loved the AM&A's and Kresge's in L.B. Smith Plaza on Abbott Rd. in Lackawanna. Got all my official Boy Scout stuff at AM&A's and my Beatles and Beach Boys 45s at Kresge's.
ReplyDeleteMy first suit in 1955 or 1966 came from AM&A
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the jingle? The tune floats through my head and I remember the A,M and A's is Adam, Melbrun, and Anderson, something about Buffalo and the plaza stores and the ones downtown. AA,M, And A's. It had a catchy tune.
ReplyDeleteIt was Adam Meldrum & Anderson. Just an FYI.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember an AM&As at LB Smith (I've been on this planet for well over 65 years). The only southtown's AM&As I'm aware of was at Southgate Plaza on Union Road in West Seneca. LB Smith Plaza was at Ridge & Abbott Rds. at the border of West Seneca & Lackawanna. I remember a Hens & Kelly's at LB Smith but not an AM&As. Please enlighten me.
ReplyDeleteI remember both of these AM&As stores because, as a teenager, I worked in both of them. My very first job, while in high school, was as a part time employee at the LB Smith plaza, In the shoe department. It was a leased department and it would have been in ‘67-‘68. Once the Southgate Plaza store opened, I transferred there and worked part time as a “floater” between departments, while in college, ‘68-72. There was a Hens & Kelly’s store in the LB Smith Plaza and an AM&As at the same time. The Hens & Kelly lasted longer.
DeleteI found a 100%cashmere jacket. Is it worth anything?
DeleteThere is a running discussion whether the AM&A's store at the Sheridan Plaza had a cafe at some time. So folks remember it and others do not.
ReplyDeleteIt was absolutely there. I worked at the Sheridan store in the shoe department when it was 'put in'. It was tucked away in a corner adjacent to the Shoe Dept. As far as calling it a 'cafe' might be pushing it...there were a few booths and tables and a window where you would place your order i.e., no table service. As I recall, it was very much like an afterthought; put there to fill a space.
ReplyDelete