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| Looking like a yellow-and-blue ocean liner docked in the middle of Michigan's capitol city, Knapps was housed in one of the state's finest examples of art-deco design. |
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| The store's striking exterior design was often portrayed in advertising. |
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| Knapp's interior as seen from the store's extensive mezzanine. |
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| In 1961, Knapps extended to Capitol Avenue by taking over an exiting Pontiac dealership; the one-story addition housed appliance, toy, and sporting goods departments. |
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| "Central Michigan's Store of Stores!" |
J.W. Knapp Company
300 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan
IVanhoe 9-6551
Basement
Knapp's Luncheonette
Knapp's Downtairs Budget Store
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Gloves • Neckwear • Hosiery • Accessories • Street Floor Lingerie • Street Floor Sportswear • Cosmetics • Toiletries • Notions • Stationery • Candle Shop • Candy • Service Desk
Store for Men Men's Furnishings • Men's Sportwear • Men's Clothing • Men's Shoes
Capitol Avenue
Cameras • Luggage • Home Appliance Center • Television and Audio Center • Housewares • Paint and Art Supplies • Santa Claus Toyland
Mezzanine
The Book Corner • Radio and Records • China • Glasware • Gifts • Sterling • Gifts • Home Accesories • Gift Wrapping Center
Second Floor - The Fashion Floor
Smart Money Shop • Daytime DressesvHalf-Size Dresses • Dresses • Coats • Sportswear • Young Modern Shop • Better Dress Shop • Better Sportswear • Formal Dress Shop • Bridal Salon • Fur Salon • Millinery Salon • Wigs • Beauty Shop • Lingerie • Foundations • Sleepwear • Robes
Young America Shop Junior Dresses • Junior SportswearvJunior Coats
Third Floor - The Family Floor
Infants' Wear • Children's Wear • Boys' Wear • Girls' Wear • Teen's Wear • Children's Shoes • Toy Center • Fashion Fabrics • Art Needlework • Sewing Machines
Fourth Floor - The Home Furnishings Floor
Draperies • Slipcovers • Lamps • Pictures and Mirrors • Linens • Domestics • Home Planning Center
Fifth Floor
Furniture • Sleep Shop • Carpeting • Rugs • Administrative Offices • Cash Office • Credit Office • Personnel Office
(208,000 s.f.)
East Lansing
M.A.C. Avenue and Albert St.
April, 1961
45,000 s.f.
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| Meridian Mall Okemos 1969 
Coming in due course.
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As I mentioned in another place on this site, I collect old credit cards from out of business stores as an extension of my interest in department store history. I have never found a Knapps credit card but I would like to find one. Can anyone tell me for sure if Knapps issued a credit card? Thanks Scott (nimmos@bellsouth.net)
ReplyDeleteA note to Bruce: I love this site and visit it often. If you would ever like to add an exhibit of credit cards to this site as you expand it I would be happy to send you some scans of cards that I have for each store.
Bravo! Thank you for including Knapp's! The awesome Deco streamline-moderne building is thankfully still standing. Great job!
ReplyDeleteTo nimmos@bellsouth, yes, Knapp's always had a store credit card (the largest department store in mid-Michigan, so most people had a Knapp's account.) First they were little silver carge-plates, then became plastic in the 60's. The last motif (before the store closed) was white lettering on a navy-blue background, outlined in white.
I remember this store at Christmas, it was magical. There was a large gold talking Christmas tree in the kids dept. I would love to find a picture of this, but have found even interior shots of the store to be elusive. I saw the store in late 2010 and from the outside this store is still mesmerizing. The store has been placed on the historic registry due to it being an arrt deco period building. because of it's massive size they are trying to rent out office spaces inside. Rumors are they are trying to turn it into smaller interior shops, a plaza of sorts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info above about the Knapps credit card. If anyone still has a Knapps credit card I would love to see a scan of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott (email nimmos@bellsouth.net)