Youngstown's Dependable Store since 1875
Strouss-Hirshberg Co. (Strouss') (1875)
14-28 West Federal Street
Youngstown, Ohio
RI 7-2011
DOWNTOWN STORE DIRECTORY
Lower Floor
Strouss' Budget Store • Drugs
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry • Clocks • Better Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Cosmetics • Handbags • Gloves • Small Leather Goods • Fashion Accessories • Hosiery • Hat Bar • Wig Bar • Top Shop • Career Sportswear • Notions • Stationery • Shoe Box • Gift Gazebo • Candy and Delicacies • Men's Accessories • Men's Furnishings • Men's Shoes • Men's Hats • Men's Sportswear • Men's Suits • Men's Coats • Court Shop
Mezzanine
Book Shop • Records • Cameras • Luggage • Sporting Goods • Radio and Televisions • Appliances • Boys' Shop • Young Men's Shop • Preps • The Jean Machine • Jean Sardou Photo Studio • Optometrist
Second Floor
Lingerie • Night Lingerie • Loungewear • Foundations • Daytime Dresses • House 'n Town Shop • Boulevard Dresses • Career Shoes • Infantswear • Childrenswear • Boys' 4 to 7 • Girls' 3 to 6x • Girls' 7 to 14 • Young Jrs.' Shops • Children's Accessories • Young Jrs.' Shoes • Children's Shoes • Toys • Fashion Fabrics • Notions • Artneedle • White Sewing Center • Coiffures Americana Beauty Salon • Tourneur Salon • Town Hall Auditorium
Third Floor
Sportswear • Women's World • Coats • Career Coats • Car Coats • Suits • Pavillion Shop • Pavillion Coats • Village Casuals • Career Corner • Stroussport • Point-of-View • Weekending • Bridal and Formal • Forecast Salon • Fur Salon • Millinery • Wig Salon • Shoe Salon • Boot Salon • Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats • Canned Ego • Strouss' World Travel Services
Fourth Floor
Furniture • Sleep Shop • Pennsylvania House Gallery • Decorating Studio • Summer Furniture • Carpet • Draperies • Nettle Creek Shop • Trim-the-Home Shop • Western Reserve Dining Room
Fifth Floor
China • Gifts • The Candle Shop • Silver • Glassware • Bridal Registry • Mirrors • Pictures • Lamps • Linens • Bedding • Bath Shop
Sixth Floor
Housewares • Small Appliances • Kitchen Boutique • Gourmet Shop • Bar Shop • Paints • Wallpapers • Garden Shop • The 4 Seasons Shop
35 W. Mill Street
Warren (Sept. 7, 1940)
On-the-Square
Salem (1948)
139 S. Broadway
Sharon, PA
State Street
Liberty Plaza
Belmont Ave.
79,000 sq. ft.
135,000 sq. ft.
145,000 sq. ft.
The Terrace Room
Shenango Valley Mall (1977)
Sharon, PA
106,000 sq. ft.
Does anybody remember the Christmas display Snowman that was downtown Strouss in Younstown in the 1960-1970's?? What was his name??? We have the pics of the Santa that was there for many years and I used to remember the Snowmans name and I cant remember it now. Someone used to sit inside and talk to the kids.
ReplyDeleteI remember that as a child! However, I was so glad when we moved out of that $hi+hole known as Youngstown!
DeleteMy uncle had the Santa in his barn for years and I saw it about 10 years ago but have no idea what happened to it since. No idea what the snow mans name though
DeleteBoJo's last fall 2016.
DeleteStross' brought elegance to my childhoold. And to the disparaging comment about Youngstown, Ohio is the cultural mecca of the midwest and we should never allow anyone to denegrate it.
DeleteI agree w/u sister. The truth is wherever that person is ... Is a s___hole. They make their own environment. I worked at Red Barn & Consolidated in young days and shopped at Strouss & had my tailor...Shy Locksons!
Delete"A Christmas you can believe in is Christmas at Strouss your Merry Christmas store"
ReplyDelete"With you in mind we have the smiles to start each day we have the styles for you to say that Strouss has you in mind"
Just a few of the radio jingles to remember.
Does anyone remember the malt ice cream sold at Strouss in the basement level?
ReplyDeleteYes I do that was sooo good. A hot dog and a malt. And I don't even like hot dogs that much but those were great
DeleteBojo's Creamery on Market St in Boardman has Strouss malts,the owner's mother worked there for 26 years and found the recipe.
DeleteBojo's Creamery on Market St in Boardman has Strouss malts,the owner's mother worked there for 26 years and found the recipe.
DeleteGot those chocolate malts all the time, best ever!!
DeleteStrouss Malts...yum!
ReplyDeleteYes, I can still taste the Strouss Malts. Does anyone have any information on it. Please
ReplyDeleteBojo Creamery in Austintown!!! Dead on Strouss Malt
DeleteThe Strouss Malt machine was purchased when The Downtown Yo store was closed and has been making its appearance at the Canfield Fair annually yum!
ReplyDeleteThey may have the machine, but bojo's Creamery has the original recipe. The owner's mother worked at strouss for 26 years and found the recipe among papers, I have tried both and Bojo's nailed it
DeleteThank you for the info about the Canfield Fair....will be attending that this year just to get the Strouss Malt....
ReplyDelete1974 Christmas Raggady Ann and Andy on a rocking horse. CHRISTMAS IS LOVE.. won major awards for display
ReplyDeleteStrouss malts can be found at Mahoning County Fair in Canfield every year. They are great!
ReplyDeletewhere can I find the malts at the fair?
ReplyDeleteI have two Strouss Hirshberg hat boxes; one in decent shape, the other in halfway decent shape. Does anyone know where I might sell them?? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have a 3/4 chocolate mink coat that says The strouss-Hirshberg co,anyone know where I could sell this,,It is in pristine condition! marla@neo.rr.com
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a store in Youngstown called Shenks or Shanks. Does anyone remember it?
ReplyDeleteThe grill on the' first floor Commerce Street side of the downtown Youngstown Strouss-Hirshberg flagship store was a bustling place that served an excellent counter lunch. The store and downtown were once dynamic places in my youth. Alas, Youngstown has fallen on difficult times!
ReplyDelete(60s) Mom took us to the lunch counter to meet Grandma on her lunch break from office. Later on (73-74), breakfasts there on break from YSU.
DeleteI have a fur coat from the store. Does anyone know what it might be worth?
ReplyDeleteI work for STROUSS Austintowm for 9 yr from 1978
ReplyDeletetill 1986 when the lock the doors on all stores
an never reopen
My grandfather purchased a Maxfield Parrish print of Ecstasy sometime during the 1940's. There is a Strouss Hirshberg Co gold sticker on the reverse side. Did this store have a well-known art section during that period?
ReplyDeleteI can't answer that question with specificity, but you could browse through the Youngstown Vindicator online at Google News Archives, in order to see if there are any ads for such a thing.
ReplyDeleteBruce
does anyone have a recipe for chocolate chiffon cake with choc drip glaze on top from downtown Strouss' bakery on i think the 2nd floor?
ReplyDeleteMy Mom, Amy (Kern)Winger worked at Strouss downtown Youngstown around 1955-1958. She was a stenographer and did data processing. She fed cards with holes punched into a computer which was as big as a room and weighed a ton. What a difference from the hand held computers, pocket sized calculators and I PADS etc of today! Technology has come a long way. She now lives in Conneaut Ohio. I think I will take her for a drive down memory lane for a Mothers's Day gift. A gift that can't be bought at a store or on line.
ReplyDeleteAmy W. I may have worked with your Mom. I worked in the office on the 6th floor in 1957. I was a stenographer also and I worked on that computer you speak of. Although it was huge, it was not, as I remember as big as a room! But I bet it did weigh a ton. Next time you see your mom ask her if she remembers me. I also worked with Mary Ann Yablonsky and Fleta Coombs. They both were billers. And in the mail room, I remember an older lady Mary Walsh! I took dictation from our manager, Mr. Chabot (I think that was how he spelled his name). Fun memories!
DeleteWasn't the Western Reserve Room on the fourth floor?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteI've been looking for their recipe for their Monte Cristo sandwich. Especially the dipping sauce. I've tried many over the years but nothing compares to theirs
Does anyone have the recipe for the peanut butter balls that Strouss sold in their candy department on the Mezzanine?
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a recipe for them for years. I've asked numerous people with no luck. ☹
DeleteI am almost certain there was a Strouss' Department Store in Liberty Plaza in Liberty (suburb of Youngstown). Can anyone confirm this? I recently drove by the plaza and it has been torn down and replaced with big box retail.
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a Strouss Department Store at Liberty Plaza on Belmont Avenue. My Mom would take me there to get my back-to-school clothes every year.
DeleteYes, Liberty Plaza Strouss'was there until the mid 80's when Kauffman's took over and consolidated locations. It was expanded from the original store to the adjacent Stambaugh Thompson space in the 70's but always a small store compared to the mall stores. I even remember the phone number if anyone cares-- 759-1622!
DeleteDoes anyone have any images of the Liberty Plaza Strouss/Kaufmann's? I remember they kept the store opened long enough as a Kaufmann's to replace the store masthead/logo before closing it a year later.
DeleteThe Strouss Malt machine was purchased when The Downtown Yo store was closed and has been making its appearance at the Canfield Fair. I understand you can buy it somewhere around Poland. Does ayone know where??
ReplyDeletecould someone just get the malt recipe? I live in Columbus and have been dying for one of those malts for years. My grandmother had worked for Strouss in the receiving depart for many years. I have her beautiful coats with her name and Strouss' name in it. I get so many compliments when I wear these antique coats with hat and gloves and purse to match. I sure do miss that store!.PP
ReplyDelete"Anonomous" - yes, there was a Strouss at Liberty Plaza. I lived on Euclid, 2 blocks away and would walk or ride my bike to the Liberty Plaza many times a day in the summer just for something to do. Strouss was on the side of the plaza where Montgomery Wards and the movie theater was. I moved away in the 1970s, I hadn't been home for years, came home and went past The Liberty Plaza and didn't recognize it as I knew it.
ReplyDeleteHi I was wondering if anyone knows about a flamingo water painting and if I could get a price check or an idea of how to get ahold of someone that could help me on value. Please contact me at kurtdawg91@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather did the window store displays for the downtown Youngstown department store before and after the war. We have a box of some the of display designs and national awards he received. We'd be happy to provide copies for the archives. Who should we contact?
ReplyDeleteI have an Elf that sits on a 6 ft red ladder for Christmas in the store's display. My parents neighbor last name Hendricks use to help do the displays. He passed away before I was born.(1949)His wife Rose gave my parents the elf & ladder in the early 50s we had it up by the tree every year. I still put him up every Christmas.
DeleteDoes anyone remember seeing him in a window display at Christmas?
As my daughter just commented, my father, Earle Pratt was the display director at Strouss for may years. He did ther floor layout for New Castle, Austintown and Southern Park. I would go to town every weekend and ride the elevator up past the 6th loor to the display department. There MaryAnn would use the manual machine to print out all the store's signs. Al Very would hand paint the word Strouss on them since the machine was not capable of printing cursive. Eddie Kline worked in the paint department. Twice a year my father would leave town going to Chicago and New York City to buy displays for all the stores. As for the malts- I loved the origional malts when they were sold under the stairs in the basement. After it was moved from there I feel the malts changed to include what we know today as a malted milkball flavor. I have several photographs, ribbons and awards, both national and international that my father won for his window displays. My mother, Mary Jane Peterson Pratt worked in the squares on the first floor where she met my father. I can be contacted at themothermold@yahoo.com Linda Pratt Joyce
ReplyDeletePossibly you or one of your family members may remember my grandfather?
DeleteHe was president of Strauss is during the 60s. And retired about 1969. So he would be active during all these years. Especially considering he worked for Strauss is for 45 years.
Hello Linda and Daughter!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the recent book on Strouss'? Perhaps you could contact the author via The History Press and he could direct you to an appropriate place.
Good luck; wonderful memories!
Bruce
Hi,
DeleteNot certain of the publish date if yours.
I own one and cherish it.
My grandfather used to be President of all stores back in the day..
I get the "pleasure" of working in the building every day as it currently stands. The building has undergone several changes from what it originally looked like and several of the floors have been abandoned and have come to be in a very dilapidated state. The 7th and 8th floors are completely unused as well as the basement. Most areas that are unused are blocked off and inhabitable. Would have been interesting to see what the building looked like in its "heyday"
ReplyDeleteThere was a Strouss location in Ashtabula, Ohio back in the late 1970's. It was small but pleasant. When did it closed?
ReplyDeletenever. That was Carlisle's which was also in Niles,
DeleteI now live in CA but grew up living on Goldie Rd,our backyard was adjacent to what is now Walmart. Yes I remember Strouss Liberty Plaza very well,also think of those malts downtown all the time,My aunt Lillian took me there when I was just several years of age.I never thought anyone would remember those malts but me!! Wish we could go back in time!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what happened to the model train layout that Strouss' had in their toy department at Christmas time. When I was a kid in the early 50's I would go shopping with my mother and sister at Christmas , I would spend most of the time watching the employees of the toy department run that layout. I was hopeing that they donated it to the Arms Museum or some other orginization rather than tear it down
ReplyDeleteI remember walking from my house on Chalmers Ave., downtown to Strouss' to shop for books on the mezzanine, and then going to the malt stand in the basement
ReplyDeleteI worked in the Strouss Liberty location for four years 1976 to 1980. I was in the Shoe Department, Young Men's and Men's. We had a supervisor named Mrs. Guarnieri I believe. Boy, did we have fun then!
ReplyDeleteShe is still alive and about 100!
DeleteI remember Mrs. Guarnieri! She was really something and a lot of fun!!
DeleteWould like to.knou date escalator
ReplyDeleteWas started at federal st store
does anyone know the following about the malts?
ReplyDeleteWhat were they served in? How much did they cost? Did they sell them until the store closed in 1986?
teddygirl29@comcast.net
I know they were served in a small glass
DeleteDoes anyone know (and if so, please describe) the type of glass or paper cup that the Strouss malts were served in? I seem to remember that they came with a flat wooden spoon, (maybe a straw - too far back to remember), but cannot remember much else except they sure were delicious. As I recall the price was 15c, but this probably would have changed over the years. How many years was the Strouss Malt Shop in operation? I am thinking from at least the 1940s or 1950s ??? I am trying to reconstruct an old malt shop and need this information. Thanks for whatever help you can extend.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was served in a glass. Malt glass.
DeleteI have hats from Strouss Hirshberg's have no idea of the year,except that it would seem to me, before or around late 1800 -early to mid 1900. Is there any way to get info. on such?
ReplyDeletePatterson.myrna@gmail.com
A fairly reliable source informed me that the malts were served in a small glass (fruit juice size - about 6 ounces) with a silver spoon. I believe the malts were sold until the store closed in 1986, but it would be nice to know what year the malts were first sold. My source thought the price was 10c each, but I recall them being 15c. I imagine the price gradually increased, so we are probably both correct. Any other information regarding the malts, or the details or pictures of the department, will be greatly appreciated. I am constructing a vintage malt shop and 50s soda bar inside a small museum in Canfield, Ohio and am looking for as much information as possible. Please see www.tpcarcollection.com or www.tipcars.us for car museum location and photos.
ReplyDeleteI found out from a fairly reliable source that the malts were served in a small clear glass about the size of a 6 ounce orange juice glass, along with a small silver spoon. It is my understanding that the malts were sold until 1986 when the downtown Youngstown Strouss' store closed. What I really need is the approximate date that the malt shop was opened ???
ReplyDeleteI am constructing a vintage malt shop and a 50s soda bar inside a museum in Canfield, Ohio and am looking for this information for authenticity purposes. I am 82 years of age and while I had the malts on rare occasions, cannot remember all of the details.
I have a piece of wall art with a Strouss Hirshberg Co. foil sticker on the back. Would this date the piece to the 1940's or earlier?
ReplyDeleteThere was a large painting of i think Lanteman's Falls in mill creek that hung in the Grille. Does anyone know if it is still there, or what happened to it?
ReplyDeleteI worked there 1964 and 1965 through the Jingle Bell program on the 5th floor in Linens. I'd love to have one of those pecan rolls they used to sell, I'll be 67 in a couple of weeks and have been trying to find pecan rolls that taste like them. They're whip cream cake was also great!
ReplyDeleteDo you possibly remember the president of Strouss'
Deleteat that time? His name was R. B. Kerr.
Did you happen to attend any of the Strouss' Idora
Park Days? I sure did.
MR. Kerr was my Grandfather.
I walked downtown many times from my house on Erie St and always loved seeing the model train display at XMAS at Strouss. Does anyone know whether the Strouss girls who went to Liberty HS were relatives? I believe they were Elaine and Stanine Strouss? Also, to the person from Chalmers, I wonder if we know each other?? Does anyone remember Lustig's Florsheim Shoes?
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that Elaine and Stanine Strouss, along with their brother Callan (I went to Liberty High School with he and his sisters) were relatives of the Strouss empire.
DeleteYes there was a store in Salem. I paid over $50 for a pair of navy blue sandal type heels with my first pay check from Loves Pastries.
DeleteBack in 1966-67. My parents were shocked but they were my favorites..
That was one pair of expensive shoes then!!!
I have a wrist watch with monogram initials SHC (Strouss Hirshberg Company) engraved on the back. My husband's aunt worked for Strouss for many years. I believe it might have been an anniversary watch for years of work. Comments appreciated.
ReplyDeleteihe really remember going into strouss as a little boy .i remember going to have bbq sandwhiches there.the most thing i remember going in the parkingdeck i would beg my mother to take me threwv it .it was sad to see it torn down !what made it cool was the ramp on the side .And the southern park resteraunt on the top floor ,i do notremember the name of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the restaurant called that rotated in the southern park mall in Strouss
ReplyDeleteThe original Strouss Malt machine is at the Jay's Hot Dog's on 422 in Camel near 4 Seasons Flea Market. It took me awhile, but I found it. I took my cousin there about 3 years ago when she came back to Youngstown for a quick visit. They taste exactly the same as I remember from the 60's. Now I want one! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the jewelry store that was by Higbees in downtown Youngstown, Ohio?
ReplyDeleteBrenner's
Deletedoes anyone remember the jewelry store by Higbees in downtown Youngstown Ohio in the 70's
ReplyDeleteThe John Brenner Jewelry Co. was there. I still have some jewelry boxes from them.
Deletedoes anyone know the name of the jewlery store by higbees in downtown Youngstown, ohio owned by the Leblicks.
ReplyDeleteJerry Lees Jewelry. It closed a couple of years ago
DeleteDowntown Saturday matinee - summertime - 1968 - by 6pm it was a ghost town - waiting for Teds dad to come get us 4 kids-we were 14 - either Mckelveys or Strouss' street level display window had a tall upright lamp that fell against a mannequin-heavy smoke as the nearby drape and mannequin's clothing were about to burst into flames-we panicked with no money to use the payphone to call the fire department ! I found a penney in my pocket and "popped " it - that is you drop it in the phone and strike the coin return button at the same time - it trips the payphone circuit and gives a dial tone - after 15 or 20 desperate tries - success ! The fire department comes and we think the mayor is gonna give us a medal . We get yelled at for not calling sooner ! I saved the building ! I saved downtown ! One of many cool adventures growing up in a magic kingdom......
ReplyDeleteThis brings the good and positive old days when Youngstown Ohio was booming with businesses and Downtown was like how Southern Park and Eastwood malls are today If these politicians were smart they would bring Downtown back to her glory rumor has it that they are trying to add a if not some hotels by the Convelli Center they should they could even add a mall by the center as well so Downtown Youngstown can be magical again
ReplyDeleteWas trying to remember the name of the theater that was inside the Eastwood mall in Niles, .Ohio in 1980. We saw "The Empire Strikes Back" Great movie . couldn't find anything in the archives. Would greatly appreciate the theater name and some of the stores that were next to it.
ReplyDeleteOriginally it was Loew's and there were two screens. Saw the Godfather there in 1972 about four times.
DeleteMy mother worked in strouss basement in the late 50's. Malts at that time were 7 cents for a small and 11 cents for a large. Jewlry store called Brenners.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Downtown Youngstown store when it was Par-Mor's headquarters. It was a great building to scope out and get lost in. Many hidden passages, etc.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear more about hidden passages...
DeleteI have a bit of history to share if interested.
Just bought a Paper Mache Santa from an Antique store in Northern IL.
ReplyDeleteWith a a Strouss Hirchberg price tag original price 49 cents.
Any ideas on its age ?
I worked in the Advertising Dept. that was on the 7th floor as a typesetter producing the ads. I was hired right out of high school (Rayen). Martha Schurhammer hired me. Does anyone know if she's still living?
ReplyDeleteI worked in the JET(Junior Executive Training) program at the downtown Strouss in 1968 and then at the Boardman Plaza location, onto Southern Park Mall when it opened and finally Eastwood before leaving in 1971. The president of the stores then was Fred Gronvall. (sp)
ReplyDeleteI worked in "Strouss' Mgmt training program" from 1978-1985. (Downtown,Shenango,Eastwood) In downtown the buyers and assistant buyers offices were little hidden places behind the walls of each department. The Mens Sportwear-Separates buyer's office was on the Mezzanine, behind the Employee cafeteria. The ceilings were only 78" high.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the Mens Auditorium Sales?
Does anyone remember the basement in the Warren store? It had a room I think was called The Way out? It was very psychedelic and 60ish. Black lights and was very cool. The juniors clothing was down there also.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have the cookbook for the Western Reserve Room. I would love the recipe for their monte crisco sandwich. I especially hope there is a recipe the sauce they poured over it.
ReplyDeleteThe Strouss Associate Group on Facebook
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/strouss.associates/
I have a coat that has a label that says Livington Youngstown was that part of Strouss store, it belonged to my Aunt and still look new I do not know when she bought it but I was a little girl and remember her wearing it.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in hearing more history comments about the restaurant above Strouss store at the southern park mall. Did it rotate? What years was it open? What is in that area now... you can still see it above the roof line!
ReplyDeleteMy mom and dad both worked for Strouss. I think he was in furniture sales and my mom worked in the office. (Think it's where/how they met.) Ted Craven and Millie Metcalf. I still have a newsletter for the staff with a cute story about my mom and dad when she was carrying me.
ReplyDeleteI read where someone referred Youngstown as a sh_thole.Iam only guessing but maybe their life sucked no matter where they moved to.I love Y-town where I was born and raised
ReplyDeleteYoungstown has many flavors people good and bad but that's everywhere .I enjoyed especially 60s and 70s. The80s a little scary and unpredictable.,but the soldies that stayed care and many positive things are happening due to those who stuck it out.Many who have left are coming back.