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| Gertz - Where Long Island Shops |
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The store, a fixture in Jamaica, Queens,
was remodeled and expanded in 1947 -
and illustrated in this somewhat exaggerated fashion. |
162-10 Jamaica Avenue
Queens, New York
JAmaica 6-6800
Street Floor
Fine Jewelry and Diamonds, Dept. 245 • Silverware, Dept. 350 • Costume Jewelry, Dept. 240 • Handbags, Dept. 250 • Leather Goods, Dept. 254 • Fashion Accessories, Dept. 224 • Gloves, Dept. 230 • Hosiery, Dept. 260 • Clipper Bar, Dept. 216 • Hat Bar, Dept. 201 • Street Floor Shoes, Dept. 410 • Blouse Bar, Dept. 156 • Street Floor Sportswear, Dept. 146 • Cosmetics, Dept.300 • Notions, Dept. 310 • Drugs, Dept. 305 • Stationery, Dept 325 • Commercial Stationery and Office Supplies, Dept. 320 • Cameras, Dept. 328 • Books, Dept. 340 • Candy, Dept. 800 • Gourmet Foods, Dept. 810 • Snack Bar
Gertz Men's Shop Men's Hosiery, Dept. 411 • Men's Underwear, Dept. 411 • Men's Gifts, Dept. 412 • Men's Pajamas, Dept. 413vMen's Dress Shirts, Dept. 415 • Men's Ties, Dept. 414 • Men's Shoes, Dept. 460 • Men's Hats, Dept. 450 • Men's Sportswear, Dept. 430 • Men's Slacks, Dept. 431 • Men's Sport Coats, Dept. 432 • Men's Suits, Dept. 400 • Men's Outerwear, Dept. 433 • Boys' Shop, Dept. 440
Second Floor
Lingerie Shop, Dept. 270 • Negligees, Dept. 273 • Loungewear Shop, Dept. 290 • Nightwear Shop, Dept. 275 • Corsets, Dept. 280 • Cotton Shop, Dept. 193 • Surgical Department, Dept. 330 • Infants' Shop, Dept. 186 • Toddlers' Shop, Dept. 180 • Children's Sleepwear, Dept. 182 • Children's Shoes, Dept. 220 • Little Boys' 4 to 7, Dept. 181 • Little Girls' 4 to 6X, Dept. 170 • Big Girls' 7 to 14, Dept. 171 • Hi-Gal Shop, Dept. 183 • Long Island Room Restaurant
Third Floor
Shoe Salon, Dept. 212 • Casual Shoes, Dept. 219 • Millinery, Dept. 200 • Wigs, Dept. 200 • Sportswear, Dept. 140 • Seaside Shop, Dept. 143 • Blouses, Dept. 155 • Sweaters, Dept. 141 • Inexpensive Dresses, Dept. 138 • Boulevard Shop, Dept. 137 • Daytime Dresses, Dept. 190 • Women's World, Dept. 130 • Misses' Moderate Priced Dresses, Dept. 128 • Career Dresses, Dept. 125 • Suburban Coats, Dept. 111 • Misses' Raincoats, Dept. 113 • Cosmopolitan Shop, Dept. 135 • Pacesetter Sportswear, Dept. 159 • Moderate Price Pacesetter Shop, Dept. 128 • Pacesetter Dresses, Dept. 134 • Young Elegant Shop, Dept. 132 • The Gold Room, Dept. 133 • Coat Salon, Dept. 114 • Suits, Dept. 117 • Fur Salon, Dept. 120 • Bridal Salon
Junior Colony Junior Sportswear, Dept. 145 • Junior Dresses, Dept. 165, 168 • Young Juniors, Dept. 175 • Junior Viewpoint, Dept. 147
Fourth Floor
Housewares, Dept 670 • Small Electrics, Dept. 671 • Appliances, Dept. 710 • Television, Dept. 775 • Sound Center, Dept. 770 • Radio, Dept. 771 • Records, Dept. 779 • Floor Cae, Dept. 720 • Luggage, Dept. 810 • Sporting Goods, Dept. 824 • Barbeque Shop, Dept. 677 • Outdoor Furniture, Dept. 822 • Toyland, Dept. 830
Fifth Floor
Curtains, Dept. 632 • Draperies, Dept. 631 • Decorator Pillows, Dept. 632 • Living Room Furniture, Dept. 605 • Bedroom and Dining Room Furniture, Dept. 608 • Occasional Furniture, Dept. 612 • Dual Sleep, Dept 618 • Bedding, Dept. 619 • Floor Coverings, Dept. 620 • Summer Furniture, Dept. 673 • Pictures and Mirrors, Dept. 661
Sixth Floor
China, Dept. 650 • Glassware, Dept. 651 • Lamps, Dept. 640 • Trim-A-Tree Shop, Dept. 835 • Linens, Dept. 550 • Sheets, Dept. 560 • Pillows, Dept. 560 • Comforters, D-570 • Bath Shop, Dept. 552
Seventh Floor
Personnel Office • Executive Offices
(400,000 sq. ft.)
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Flushing
Roosevelt Avenue
November, 1951
240,000 sq. ft.
|
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Hicksville
Mid-Island Plaza
October, 1956
325,000 sq. ft.
The Garden Restaurant
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Bay Shore
Gardiner Manor Shopping Center
October, 1962
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Massapequa
Sunrise Mall
August, 1973
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Gertz also took over Wanamaker's Great Neck store,
and some Stern's stores on Long Island.
Coming in due course.
Thank you so much for bringing this little gem to your museum...a Queens and Long Island legend...I feel that I grew up in Gertz. Although Jamaica was not a very safe place in the 70's the Flushing store really was the place to go. All the other Long Island stores were also very nice and people today still have fond memories. Again, thanks for adding Gertz.
ReplyDeleteBruce
ReplyDeleteGertz in Flushing was in fact walking distance from Shea Stadium (now a much better CitiField) and the 1964/65 World's Fair. While the GE exhibit was my favorite...the Bell Telephone was also excellent....just the other day I was talking about the two memorable exhibits I saw there: 1)a phone with no wires 2)a phone with a screen so you can see the person you are talking with. Demonstrations and all! Can you imagine a phone with photos? Can you imagine a phone without wires? What next a rotary free phone with maybe push buttons? Oh the joys of the sixties! And in the future you would use that wireless phone to call Gertz and order some new clothes! Well not everything can come true (I guess you will have to call Macy's instead).
Hey did the World's Fair also have "Its a small world"?
I was an employee of Gertz at the Jamaica store from 1974 through 1975. It was a great place to work, but in a deteriorating neighborhood.
DeleteAnd, yes, It's A Small World debuted at the 1964/1965 NY World's Fair. It was the Pepsi Pavillion.
I wonder if you knew my mom. I believe she worked at Gertz at that time. She was a beautuful light skinned black lady that wore a curly afro wig and long dresses lol! She sold Eda de Paris makeup at the makeup counter. Her name was Yvonne. She told me a lot of Gertz stories. One of her friends that also worked at Gertz Jamaica Queens was the famous actress Esther rolle from good times. Actress Esther Rolle worked at Gertz while she was attending college! I was a little girl at the time. Gertz set the stage for my mom opeing her very own beauty salon. In which she ran for over twenty years.
DeleteI thought Stern's first came to Long Island when Allied Stores converted Gertz to Stern's.
ReplyDelete"It's a Small World" was indeed the Pepsi-Cola exhibit, and it was first presented at the New york World's Fair. My dad really wanted to go in there, because "I heard it would be real nice for the kids." He himself enjoyed it and shortly before he passed away in 2009, we digitized his 8mm films - he took a lot of footage inside there.
ReplyDeleteHere are some other memories . . . in 1962 we took a trip (I was 3) from Detroit to Nova Scotia, and returned via New York and Washington. I was too young to go into museums, so my mom sat with me in Central Park and I fed pigeons, and made friends with people, one of whom worked for View-Master and later sent free view-master reels to me at home. In '64, while visiting the Fair, we went (again) to Coney Island, Staten Island, and shopped at Macy's & Gimbels.
Two weeks ago, I rode the wooden escalator in Macy's and a tear came to my eye-at least this time I didn't have to worry that the "comb" at the bottom of the escalator woud rip up my little foot as I did 47 years ago. We had lunch at a lunch counter in the basement, and through the research I did for this site, I found out it was called the "Dutch Treat."
Bruce
Randy:
ReplyDeleteNo, Stern's had a unique store in East Hampton, before they moved out of Manhattan and focused on New Jersey. I believe that it later became Gertz; many of these stores shuffled back and forth at the whim of Allied.
On my recent trip to New York, we walked through Bryant Park, and I looked at the hugely unattractive slope-sided building that replaced Stern's; I wondered what it might have been like to have an excellent and popular department store at that site, rather than a static office building, one whose architecture, at that, seems out of context with the streets around it.
Bruce
Jfyi, the Grace Building was completed in 1974; and, Rudy Guiliani was elected in 1994. It was Rudy's "Broken Windows" policy which began the resurgence of NYC, Times Square and the 42nd Street corridor, including Bryant Park across from the Grace Building.
DeleteThat sloped-sided building might be the Grace Building. As a result of that building going up, Bryant Park was cleaned up (oh it was a drug infested mess)! So probably in this case it was a good thing that the stern's building came down. But when Stern's left, too bad Gertz didn;t move in.
ReplyDeleteAllied Stores owned Stern's and the decision to close the 42nd St. flagship store in 1969 was due to economics. Stern's customers were moving to the suburbs & the store was not doing well financially.
DeleteI remember as a kid taking the bus to Roosevelt Avenue with my Mom. We went into Gertz and she bought my Dad a Father's Day gift. She carried that gift all the way home on the bus and walk to our house. The gift: golf clubs and golf bag! That must have been some sight. We probably had lunch at the Hurdy-Gurdy down the street on Roosevelt Avenue near Main Street. I believe Mom got her driver's license soon after!!!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why the Gertz in Flushing had a sloped first floor? If you walked into the east Roosevelt entrance it would slope downward toward the west Roosevelt entrance. The back half of the store (men's clothing) was down steps and the west side had about one or two steps down, while the east side had about six or more steps. The back half of the store was straight. The escalators were at that level and went up to the upper floors or down to the "lower level". I don't believe that situation occurred on the other floors. I know Roosevelt Avenue was somewhat of a hill, but why the inside of the store? A mystery I never uncovered. I wonder if the building is the same today???????
ReplyDeleteOriginally, that building had been a bus terminal, which is why the front half of the first floor was sloped.
DeleteThe building is the same today. It’s true the multi-level main floor was weird. It’s now a Macy*s.
Deletethe best was Gertz Book Club where kids would get a book each birthday/received Hardy Boys!
ReplyDeleteGertz was a nice store in Flushing i liked their bargain basement. Shopping was great years ago in Flushing also Gertz being next door to Alexanders. Up a few blocks on Kissena Blvd was Korvettes. You had a good variety of stores there.
ReplyDeleteI recall that Gertz had a great electronics dept on the fourth floor. They also had a book dept and record dept up there. Something for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a floor by floor store directory for the Flushing store??????
ReplyDeleteGertz was the perfect suburban middle of the road department store. it is still missed by all.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother, Florence Schreiber, worked in the Gold Room in the Hicksville Gertz selling gowns. I wrote a little about her on my blog a while ago at http://randhoppe.com/2010/07/the-gold-room/.
ReplyDeleteA friend once told me about the Christmas display at the Jamaica Gertz. It'd be wonderful to see photo of that display, especially the Gulliver's Travels piece. Anyone?
where can i get that ice creme gertz in jamaica solded in the basement level
ReplyDeleteThat was the BEST CUSTARD in the world none will ever match that! The African American family that ran it the were so nice! it was their own recipe!
DeleteThat ice cream was called Frozen Custard, i believe, and you could get it with chocolate or strawberry syrup. My mother used to bring me and my brother there for a treat sometimes. I remember the "gourmet" food department in Gertz, just a corner of the store near the frozen custard stand--it sold "delicacies" like "chocolate covered ants! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteGertz had a wonderful Christmas display, too--at least it was wonderful by the standards of the times; I'm sure it would seem pathetic to toeay's kids.
Helen
My grandfather used to buy that delicious custard for me. That was the best custard I ever had! Wish I could have it today. Great memories of Gertz.
DeleteI remember the Christmas display at Gertz Jamaica. I think it was called Christmas Wonderland, it was enchanting. I also remember the custards, but my mother bought them in Woolworth's. They were called "walkaways" (don't know why). And Woolworth's also sold delicious pizza, 25 cents a slice.
DeleteIt was called the enchanted village of St Nick's went there every year with my mom she worked at Mary immaculate hospital
DeleteDoes anyone remember the resturant and the great seafood dish "snug harbor" also the lunch counter in the basement....my favorite was the hot turkey and french fries w/brown gravy... As a buyer for Gertz I helped to open the Sterns stores when Gertz closed down...still have my executive training manual
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting. Can you please tell me the name of that restaurant and the floor on which it was located?
ReplyDeleteDid the lunch counter in the basement have a specific name?
I would like this information so that I can keep that directory accurate and comprehensive.
Bruce
I believe that the resturant was called snug harbor and it had a sort of tea room atmosphere...it was pretty popular with employees from the health department on Parsons Blvd... and my Mom and I ate there from the time I was little, long before I became a Buyer for Gertz .... I am not sure that the lunch counter in the basement had a name but it was located on the other side of the "budget " womens clothing... If I can find out the name of it or any memorabelia I will be happy to let you know...
ReplyDeleteDo you know what floor "Snug Harbor" was on? Thanks for your input . . . many people have fond memories of Gertz, even my first-year architecture professor at the University of Detroit!
ReplyDeleteBruce
Bruce,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful site you've put together. You mention the wooden escalators in Macy's NYC and I always show them to people I travel to NYC with. I believe they are some of the last in existance. I grew up in Philadelphia and enjoyed your notes about my city. There was another store named Snellenbergs, one block away from Wanamakers. I believe I have some info on it and will forward to you. It was on par with Strawbridge's. Lit Brothers was the discount store, Wanamaker's the upscale store with an incredible toy department before the toy discounters arrived. In the 1960's they had a monorail suspended from the ceiling that kids could ride. Today Wanamaker's is a shadow of it's former self, now Macy;s, but with only 3 of it's 9 selling floors open. Keep up the great work....Martinscq@yahoo.com
Gertz was just the perfect mid century place...a wonderful memory of a long gone era
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any info on the froste malts they sold in the Hicksville store?
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Gertz Department Store in Jamaica and after my Army days, worked in the Flushing Store as a Display Decorator in the early 1970's. I remember my mother use to take me to the Frozen Custard counter on the Main Floor in the back behind Notions Dept in Jamaica. I remember my cousin taking me to Gertz Jamaica on the Q6 to see Santa there in the early 1950's standing in line waiting in long lines with kids. My dad was a real estate broker in Jamaica and knew one of the Gertz brothers well. Harry Gertz had a heart attack in my dad's car and he rushed him over to Jamaica Hospital that day. He saved his life. My dad was showing Mr. Gertz property for a new branch store to be built outside the Jamaica area. I think this was the 1940's. We use to eat on special occasions in the Long Island Room, that very elegant place on the 2nd floor. I remember the Enchanted Village of St Nick on the 6th floor so very well. Saw it thousands of times throughout the years growing up. I remember one Christmas Gertz had Petunia, the talking purple Cow, it was a big hit with us kids. It was the most beautiful Christmas Village I ever saw as a kid. I smell of Christmas twigs and evergreen was always in the air at Gertz during the holidays. Gertz was Christmas in Jamaica. But I saw the handwriting on the wall when they started to close up the Jamaica store. One by one, starting from the sixth floor, they closed up the levels each month. I knew the store was dying. I was so sad to see Gertz close. It was my family store. My grandmother use to shop there back in the 1920's when Ben Gertz first opened in Jamaica as a general store. Any Gertz customers that remember all this, I would love to hear from you. Lazzaro's.com
ReplyDeleteIs there anyone out there who was a member of the Gertz Teen Board 1964 - 1965? We did informal modeling in the store and then had runway fashion shows in each of the stores. I remember the folk group "The Witches of Wellfleet".
ReplyDelete1968 Teen Board..
DeleteMy favorite place to go as a kid especially at Christmas,with their beautiful displays. Their front window had me staring and not moving until mom said the bus is here. As a grown up I loved shopping there and on my lunch hour i would run from office to have a hot dog and a frozen custard. That would make my day.
ReplyDeleteFrank Lazzaro what is your full email address
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your comment
My sisters and I fondly remember the parfaits we'd get at the snack bar at the Gertz in Hicksville, vanilla frozen custard with either chocolate or strawberry syrup.
ReplyDeleteRe: East Hampon. The department store was arrayed across a series of barns, connected by pathways. It opened as Gertz Long Island, and was only later converted by Allied to their Stern's fascia.
ReplyDeleteSomeone circulated an email in my office today. Most of us work at home so the occassional "mass" emails we receive are always a nice touch. The email was about nastalgia and so many memories flooded my mind. I thought of the early 60's when I would go shopping with my mother. We would always stop at Woolworths for something. I can still smell the combination of popcorn, nuts and candy the minute we entered the store. My mother would always go to Gertz too, and before we left the store to head home, we always stopped for a hot fudge sundae made with that wonderfully delicious frozen custard. Times were good then. I'm a "baby boomer" and the next generation missed out some of the best things in life. Back then, I did not realize how much life would change and I don't know of anything today that can compare to the quality of life growing up in the 60's. A.J.
ReplyDeleteCould nt agree more
DeleteWell said, and I wholeheartedly agree!
ReplyDeleteI always remember Gertz at Christmas and the winter wonderland in the toy dept. I had 3 sisters and every Christmas my mom would take us there, this was a special trip after we saw Santa we would meet our dad and go for dinner, Thanks for the memories
ReplyDeleteGertz had a small branch store in Great Neck in an odd shaped shopping plaza. It was not a large store, but it had a nice selection and good service. If you wanted a larger selection you could travel to Flushing, Douglaston or Hicksville. The architecture of the building was odd (it had been a different store earlier in its history), but it still had a certain charm.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle, Gene Brown, worked at the Flushing store as a personnel manager in the 50's to early 60's. I do remember the series of steps and ramps on the main floor...it was very unique. A great store, and across the street from the main entrance was a kind of arcade that delivered one to the next block with great New York style Chow Mein in a nice Chinese restaurant,
ReplyDeleteI was an ET (Executive Trainee) at Gertz Flushing at that time. I remember Gene Brown as a fine gentleman & he had many funny stories to tell.
DeleteFrom Flushing I was promoted to Dept. Manager of departments 500 510 520 530 540 & 340 in the Hicksville store. I was eventually promoted to assistant buyer of 173 180 & 182 & then buyer.
I still remember the department numbers. I miss my good Gertz friends Frank S. & Joe M. We were single & all children's wear buyers .We were known as the Bachelors In Babyland.
At that time Lou Gertz was the store Manager. He also was a very fine, nice gentlemen. It was a a snowy day with the streets slushy that we were informed
that Mr. Gertz had collapsed & died in the street , crossing Flushing Ave.while returning to the store.
The East Hampton branch did have a unique history.
ReplyDeleteThat store started as a summer only branch of Stern Brother's (back when Stern's was a far more upscale and innovative retailer). After Stern's closed it's Manhattan flagship, the location became a year round branch of Gertz. In the early 1980's Gertz started construction on a larger branch in Hampton Bays. However in 1983 Allied Stores folded it's Gertz division into Stern's, and the East Hampton location once again became Stern's (this time open year round), the planned Hampton Bays location opened as a Stern's, and both locations remained through the late 1980's.
At that point Stern's closed the small multi- building East Hampton location and focused on the Hampton Bays store. The 50,000 square foot Hamptons Bays store remains today as a Macy's.
To Gene Brown's family member: Yes Gertz had a ramp and stairs system on the first floor...I was never able to figure out why this was. When you went thru the Arcade across from the store(the other side was a City parking area...the great Chow mein restaurant was Tai Tung...the food there was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember very vividly seeing roger Maris at Gertz in 1961,the year he broke the Home Run record
ReplyDeleteYes 1961! As a 9-year boy I was with my my mother on a shopping trip to Gertz. As we approached the entrance, a gentleman dressed in suit and tie also entering the store paused to hold the door open for us with a big smile and a "how do you do ma'am"; WOW, to my surprise it was Roger Maris! I was just telling this story to my disbelieving son and your comment turned him into a believer... thanks for your memory!
DeleteThe store you saw Yankee No. 9 was Hicksville as I had same memories (though that day he was wearing coat and tie!). May he rest in peace.
DeleteBAK...all the Gertz stores were converted to Stern's once Allied started to consolidate divisions in the late 70s/early 80s. Prior to that, all ads read "available at Stern's/Gertz"...by 1980, it was all Stern's
ReplyDeleteI remember working in the Gertz Flushing store as a stock-boy one summer, I was maybe 16 or 17. I had no idea what I was doing. I worked in the ladies clothing department,although I had little knowledge of the likes, dislikes nor nature of women at all. I worked for a very cultured small woman of Italian extraction who was very stylish and very nice to me, innocent little Jewish boy that I was. This was in perhaps, 1965; I would be surprised if she were alive today.
ReplyDeleteIn a fit of nostalgia preceding this note, yesterday I went to Google Maps and looked at the street view of what was Gertz Flushing....It's now a Macy's: the entire face of the store cold and austere. The Woolworth's on the corner of Roosevelt and Main is now a Caldor. The old Giunta Pizza Parlor where we used to play hookey from Hebrew School is now a Starbucks.
I guess now there is Asian boy working in the ladies clothing department at Macy's who is cutting class at the Starbucks.
The more things change, the more they stay the same is an old French saying, but nonetheless, I miss Gertz and there is a certain poignancy missing from Flushing now, perhaps never to be regained.....
Bruce-as I mentioned in the Stern's page, the Flushing store has a sloped floor at the main level because prior to Allied purchasing the building it was a NYC Bus Depot with ramps. This was well known in the Stern's buying office because we had to always design the fixtures for ladies accessories and handbags to accomodate the slope. We constantly had to repair caselines in Cosmetics from Stockboys rolling hand carts down the slope and crashing through the glass cases at the end of the main aisle. The restaurant in the basement was called The Long Island Room, as all the Allied stores restaurants in the LI locations were called for Gertz/Stern's. I remember installing the Bauhaus lettered signs for those restaurants 30 years ago. Chris
ReplyDeleteDear Chris:
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your information. I plan on contacting you for information, but I have been working at a new, menial job which takes up a lot of time, so I have been delayed.
I do appreciate your comments and wealth of knowledge about these stores!
Bruce
I worked as a store detective in the Flushing store, but was trained in the Jamaica store. That was agonizing because at the time Gertz Jamaica had like 9 floors.
ReplyDeleteLast time I was up on Jamaica Avenue, the Conway store had occupied the old Gertz's ground floor.
I worked at Gertz,Jamaica store from 1962-1967 as the S.I.M.; Selective Inventory Management Supervisor. I loved my job and the people I worked with. We use to go to lunch at a small deli just outside the employee's door. In fact last year a Gertz former buyer called me at home and we chatted for about 15 minutes. It was great hearing from him after over 40 years. I'm now in Florida and he is in California. Also, found out that my former supervisor, Roy Pologe is in the New England area.
ReplyDeleteI met my husband at Gertz who went to Stern's as a Buyer. Unfortunately, Joe Montrone passed away in 1985 after he worked his way up to President/CEO of Robinson's of Florida.
The plus side is that I married a wonderful man and had two additional sons. I have so many wonderful memories of Gertz, Jamaica.
Thanks for your memories . . .
ReplyDeleteIt would seem, that the stores celebrated on this site, like Gertz, gave people more than just merchandise, and the opportunity for an outing. They also provided friendships, and in many cases like yours, also provided the opportunity to have love and companionship, too. More than just memories, I'd suggest.
Like you, I suffered the loss of a spouse, and had to summon (or develop) the courage to join life again and seek happiness. You are to be congratulated for doing the same!
Bruce
Yes, I went to Jamaica High School from 1949 to 1951 and would sometimes meet my mom after school for a trip to Gertz, that's where my two brothers and I would get out school shoes and other clothing...Outside there was a man with a hot-dog stand and orange drink, and we'd each have one of those, what a treat, and only 10 cents for the hot dog, many fond memories.....
ReplyDeleteI remember the lovely Christmas village that Gertz would assemble in its Jamaica store in the 60's, and I also joined some sort of teen-age girl fashion club for a week or so when I was around 13 back in 1967...I can't remember exactly. My mother worked in the woman's dept. in Gertz in Jamaica for many years.
ReplyDeleteYour post is closer to my time at Gertz. I, too, went to Jamaica High - 1949-1953 and we had many happy shopping trips to Gertz with my mother. I started working at Kitty Kelly Shoe Store, which was across the street, in 1951 or 1952 and could always go over to Gertz after I got my pay check!! Don't know whether we might know each other or not. Do you remember the Asendorf twins - that's how most of our friends knew us. My sister and I had done some modelling at Gertz in the teen department.
ReplyDeleteBruce, this is awesome. I can't believe how many people have the same shared memories. The absolute best Frozen Custard. We always got a frozen custard with chocolate syrup at the Jamaica store, then ran out to catch the bus. The city buses all stopped along the one side of Gertz. I've talked about that frozen custard for over 40 years.
ReplyDeleteI am still talking about the frozen custard with the chocolate syrup today 1/3/2019. My sisters & brothers 5 of us still remember not taking the bus home (Q-6) so we could buy the frozen custard 1960. The greatest treat on the planet.
DeleteI am still talking about the frozen custard with the chocolate syrup today 1/3/2019. My brothers & sisters (5 of us) did not take the bus home (Q-6) so that we could buy the custard. Greatest treat on the planet.
DeleteIt was called the malt bar.I took my boyfriend there after seeing a movie at the Valencia.He was wowed by the ornate dacore,then the mind blowing malt bar.That soft serve fluffy ice cream.They pounded the glass on there palm to move it down to the bottom,then put a few squirts of chocolate(my favorite) or strawberry,then used a long spoon to distribute the syrup then top off with more. I'm in Florida there is a ice cream stand called Twisty Treat that has a product similar but not as fluffy.
DeleteI remember the Jamaica store.I took my boyfriend(now husband)to the Malt Bar in the back of the store,after seeing a movie at the Valencia.I can still se them putting the ice cream in the coke glass then a few squirts of syrup a long spoon to distribute then a top off.I have never found anything like it since.I'm in Florida they have a stand alone called Twisty Treat It's close but not as fluffy.
DeleteWhat part of Florida? My dad grew up in Hicksville NY and would get these AMAZING dessert treats after his little league games. His dad, my grandfather, would take him to Gertz and sometimes splurge for two of these desserts if my dad had a REALLY good game.
DeleteTrying to find a recipe and remake the dessert for him!! Any information would be awesome!!
Thank you!!
The Great Neck store had originally been a branch of John Wanamaker, opened in 1951, back when Wanamaker's had a big store in New York (where K-Mart is now, on Astor Place). There were 2 suburban NY branches, Great Neck and Yonkers. Great Neck was sold to Stern's in 1955, becoming a Gertz in 1961. It closed in 1979. It's now a Waldbaum's supermarket.
ReplyDeleteThe Hicksville store was unique for suburban stores in that it was 5 selling floors, not the typical 2 or 3 floors. Mid-Island Plaza was an outdoor mall and the height of the Gertz building caused the mall to be quite windy. Colorful plastic wind panels were erected to cut down on the wind gusts. It's been a few years since I've been out there, but both the Flushing and the Hicksville stores still had much of their mid-century vibe.
To all those who questioned the odd levels of the first floor of the Flushing branch of Gertz: The building was originally a bus terminal!! That is why all the Northeast Queens busses now start/stop in the concentrated area of Roosevelt Ave and Main Street. For some reason, the bus terminal was turned into a department store.
ReplyDeleteAfter realizing that a career in microbiology was not what he wanted, my dad got a job as the toy buyer for Gertz sometime in the 50's. It's a story I remember him telling us as kids, since it was his first job leading up to a successful entrepreneurial career. He always told us about his biggest "miss" in anticipating what the kids wanted. He had purchased a load of surplus gas masks because the boys seemed to be snatching up any military-related toys so fast. They ended up practically giving them away.
ReplyDeleteI recently came across a book my Dad gave me and the bookplate reads:
ReplyDeleteThere is no Frigate like a Book to bear us Lands away
It has a large schooner on it in the middle and on the bottom has a line for a name, says Happy Birthday and underneath it in block letters it says:
GERTZ DEBETTE CLUB
I was wondering if this Club sounded familiar to anyone?
That was the teen girls birthday book club. As a member you received a birthday card that you brought into the store so that you pick up your neatly wrapped book. They also had fashion shows that you could model in right in the Jr. Dept.
DeleteI grew up in Queens, NY from 1975-84 and I went to Gertz a couple of times on Jamaica Ave. with my mother and grandmother. My memories of shopping on Jamaica Ave. still linger despite the passing of time.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Easter vacation break in 1959-61, I was a H.S. girl at a catholic h.s. in Brooklyn. A few of my friends and I went to Charm school at Gertz in Jamaica one of those years. We wore our Easter outfits. I had a navy blue duster with a polka lining on the inside and a matching polka dot dress. I still have the pix of us! We learned about makeup and dressing for all occasions. We modeled our own Easter outfits. I still remember this horrible lipstick we were given as a freebie. "Coty 24 something." What fun. However, i was never a Gertz shopper. Strictly an A & S girl.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the Modeling "contests," or tryouts that Gertz in Jamaica held annually at a local theater? Groups of teen & pre-teen girls would walk in front of a group of judges and those who were touched on the arm or hand could come back for a second round. I know that young girls would get very excited about that. I assume the winners would model in the Gertz store.
ReplyDeleteOh my!!!
ReplyDeleteDo I ever have memories of Gertz:
First as a little girl, going there with my Mom (after riding the B53 into Jamaica), with an occasional treat lunch in The Long Island Room. (Oh so 'FANCY' to my little girl eyes!)And seeing 'The Enchanted Village', every yearas we did our Christmas shopping.
Then as an employee; right out of high school; when I got a job, upstairs, in the sign shop and doing hand lettering! What good days they were...
I was on the Gertz Teen Board in Jamaica, NY in the late 1960s and my picture was in the Long Island Press. It came out nice and I still have the photo/article.
ReplyDeleteAlthough they got my high school wrong: I went to Dominican but they put me down as having gone to Mary Lewis.
Anyway, it was a nice experience
I went to Gertz and to Mary Louis! I stumbled on this looking for stuff about the frozen custard, and have very vague memories of the book club. My favorite memory was of my mother buying my sister and me personalized bracelets in an area near the frozen custard place, somehow neglecting to get them that year, and finding them there the following year!
Deleteremember going with my mother downtown NYC and standing on line watching the nativity through the window also the old elevators with the funny and polite elevator driver. Im now 44 and wish it was here....Jose M
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to walk 2 miles to Mid Island Plaza with kids in tow in the early 60's. After shopping at Gertz, we always stopped at the snack counter by the back door and had a parfait. The were chocolate or strawberry and served in a like beer draft glass and you ate it with a long spoon. Cost about 10 cents.Hmm Hmm.
ReplyDeleteWe lived off Kissena Blvd. between Jamaica and Flushing. The Q25/34 took us to either Gertz. My mom worked in children's clothing in the basement of the Jamaica store. I remember John's bargain Store nearby on Jamaica Ave. We were never allowed to shop there. LOL I remember the picketers always out front-"Don't Buy Judy Bond Blouses". I always thought I would-once I had money. On the side street where employees had to go in was a pet shop that always had chicks in the window at Easter time. My first job was in the jewelry dept. in Woolworth's in Flushing. I could go on and on-Thanks for the memories..............
ReplyDeletei remember the christmas venue they had. It was awesome. The one in Jamaica.
ReplyDeleteI miss the good old days. Gertz was great. My mom bought all my clothes there. sigh.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Gertz during my high school senior year until I graduated from Queens College. Those were wonderful 5 years where I was hired in the bargain basement store for the holiday season. I was later moved up to the first floor hosiery department where I helped launch panty hose. I learned about the finer things in retail and developed a real passion for those pretty ladies who got to sell cosmetics. Many years later I reentered retail and worked at Estee Lauder for 20 years. Those ladies with all those wonderful jars of cream still linger in my thoughts
ReplyDeleteI worked at The Long Island Press in Jamaica in the early 70's and used to go to Gertz during lunch. I loved it too. It was a Christmas Winter Wonderland. I have moved to Alabama and have been here for 36 years, and there is nothing to compare to Gertz, even though we are living in 2013. Did anyone work at The Long Island Press? I have a friend that worked there with me, and I have lost touch with - Pat Smith - that I'd love to hear from. I've tried facebook and EVERYTHING-but her name is very popular and I didn't get very far. Violet Hofer Apostolou Email: zitta53@msn.com
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked at Gertz Jamaica from 1969 to the early 80s. She later retired to Ridge NY and lived a short distance from her old supervisor. Thank you for posting info on Gertz.
ReplyDeleteI recently traveled to Flushing Queens for a good Chinese meal at one of the many Chinese restaurants on Main Street. After dinner, we walked the area and found ourselves on Roosevelt Avenue. Although its been over 30 years since I was last there, I went into the Macy's (formally Stern's formally Gertz) and although it looked remodeled and very lovely the first floor still slops and it still feel like Gertz...oh the memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember going to Gertz with my mom. It's where she brought her living room & dining room. My son Jason still has the hutch which is over 40 years old. No one makes furniture like that any more
ReplyDeleteI also worked part time in Gertz Flushing during the early 70s, in jr sportswear....great place! My then boyfriend's Aunt Gladys worked in the coffee shop in the basement.
ReplyDeleteI love all the happy Gertz memories. My mother worked at Gertz during the seventies. She did not drive so I would pick her up on the nights she worked late. On three occasions I was mugged right outside the store waiting for my mother to get out of work.
ReplyDeleteYikes! You are a great son or daughter!
DeleteI dated the assistant to the master design builder who installed the Christmas Village at Gertz during the early 70's. He was brought over here from Germany - I believe his name was Hans. When the village was being prepared for the Christmas display I would be able to visit the set and see the progress being made. One year there were zillions of gold glitter stars - so many left over that my boyfriend gave me a few and I put the om my bedroom ceiling.
ReplyDeleteMy first memory of Gertz was around the age of 3. My mother worked as a bathing suit fitter and she would bring me to work. I remember pushing a train on the carpet and then seeing a pair of wing tips, at which point my Mom had to explain why I was there !
ReplyDeleteShe worked there till it closed, and had many other memories. Christmas village was great, but it was the train displays that got my real attention.
Glad I don't have access to those parfaits, I'd weigh a ton !
Yes ,that frozen custard found on the 1st floor (by Archer ave entrance) - back then was the treat we as children would receive if we were good in the store. I remember all of us standing their with our coats on trying to balance the packages and everything, and eating. Knapkins were always an issue of coarse.Funny how its like yesterday.
ReplyDeleteif anyone knows of a young girl who worked in the notions dept between 1956-1960, her last name may have been(SMITH) please contact me a t 814 938-2322
ReplyDeleteI read a number of the Posts but my memory goes back to 1940, when Gertz Jamaica. She would drag me along in a leash - all kids were on leashes then and to go through 6 floors was maddening. Oh yes, the elevator operators were women! Sometimes a few guys. One final thing, Gertz Jamaica was the birth of UPS I believe? I remember the brown trucks delivering the parcels to our home for FREE!
ReplyDeleteIn the late '60's I worked in the flushing Gertz in the basement receiving department. My job was to put the price tags on the merchandise as we opened the received boxes. My manager was Artie Andrews who later went on to be the store manager. I else to become night supervisor, which meant I got to write in a red pencil and go to lock the department doors when I left at night. No raise, tho! I was making $1.70 an hour. This was my mother's favorite store, after Bloomies and I got a 10% discount.
ReplyDeleteI also worked in the Flushing Gertz store in receiving..And remember Artie Andrews..Before that I use to work in the Infant Department..Betty Burger was my manager..
DeleteI grew up in South Ozone Park, and I believe that besides going to the city for a Macy's run all the clothes I ever owned as a child up to age 14 were purchased at the Jamaica Gertz store. I knew every inch of that store....Wow good memories
ReplyDeleteHi BAK. This is the first time visiting TDSM. I've been enjoying reading all of the comments. I was raised 2 blocks away from Roosevelt Ave. and Main st. in Flushing and left in 1976. I actually came here in search of any videos or even old pics of The Winter Wonderland display that Gertz would put up every year. Those were truly wonderful times for many of us. If anyone can direct me to any I would greatly appreciate it. Meanwhile if any of you are not aware, on FB there is a group (of which I'm a member) called Did you grow up in Flushing N.Y. where you can share old memories and maybe find some old friends. It may also have much to add to TDSM. It would be my pleasure to introduce you to them, if they don't already know you. Happy Holidays to you all!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I would love to see it. I will be putting up the Christmas exhibit again, and I think that there is a newspaper ad in there showing their Christmas "Winter Wonderland" display.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bruce
Hi Bruce, my name is Mandy. That would be wonderful as it seems The Gertz WW display seems to be further in the past than I anticipated. Please feel free to friend me on FB. I'm probably the last person to join your site. Looking forward to the display.
ReplyDeleteI remember that Gertz in Flushing had a candy counter that had a hazelnut shaped wafer filled with chocolate hazelnut filling. Does anyone remember this item and if I can find anywhere else? Most of the other candies I am able to find at specialty shops except this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, folks. I've often thought of the beautiful Christmas display in the Jamaica store....I remember it being such a treat to go, as I thought of it as a child, "way out in Jamaica" during the 1960s (we lived in Woodhaven). The ride on the B56 bus (or on the elevated Jamaica line) always meant shopping....a trip to Paterson Silks, a stop in Mays, and a walk into Gertz (Macy's was a little too rich for our pocketbook...we DID shop in John's Bargain Store). Lunch was usually a stop in Nedicks for a hot dog and orange drink, maybe a hamburger at Tad's Steaks, or a hot knish for the ride home on cold winter's day. Thanks for the memory.
ReplyDeleteBruce, indeed the basement snack bar of Macy's was called Dutch Treat. My grandmother took me to Macy's many times in the 50's...never venturing far from the budget fabric department that had an entrance right from the subway.
ReplyDeleteThere will never be another Gertz, like the one in Jamaica. Met Santa there in the early 1950's with petunia the talking cow. Also visited the Enchanted Village on the sixth floor with my mother. I use to love toyland on the 4th floor. and above all, Jamaica Days. Rest in peace Gertz Department Store. FrankLazzaro.com
ReplyDeleteLoved Jamaica Day, late 50 early 60,s. This is when all the store would put their merchandise outside on tables for sale. They were wrapped up and everything was a dollar. Just a great surprise, you never knew what you would get, but always something really nice and worth more then a dollar just a lot of fun, good old days.
DeleteI also remember the charm school at Gertz and the birthday book club. Gertz would send you a postcard for your birthday and you would redeem it for a free book. They had a drawer full of books and you could pick any one, girls got Nancy Drew or the Bobsey Twins, boys the Hardy Boys. But loved eating lunch in the bargain basement in Flushing and with 6 floors Jamaica was tremendous.
ReplyDeleteThe flagship store in Jamaica was quite the place and a true copetitor to Macy's Jamaica. It's too bad that greedy realtors and frighened/anxious/not too smart people made Jamaica into a less than desirable place to shop in the late 60's- early 70's. Although my parents were able to take my sister and I to the mall (Green Acres) there were a lot of people that did not have this choice. Gertz like so many things and people was a victim of the ignorance of the 60's.
ReplyDeleteSanta Land in Gertz Jamaica was the best! Have the old home videos of it!
ReplyDeleteThey also had a branch in Great Neck, LI
ReplyDeleteThe one in Great Neck was originally a Wanamakers department store.
ReplyDeleteJust celebrated my 53rd Birthday and every year since I was VERY young I remember waiting for the end of June to receive the Book Birthday Club Card for my July Birthday. I lived within a couple of miles of the Hicksville LI NY Store and so loved taking my time going through the choices. I still don't know "why" it was books that they chose to give you since that store was small and didn't sell anything but clothes mostly. I didn't care then and I'm just curious now and happy that I have such a great childhood memory. If anyone knows why please let me know. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt my fondest memories of childhood were of Gertz in the 60s. My grandmother took us there every Saturday we visited her, which was very often. We ate on the 2nd floor in the Long Island Room and always had the Chuck Wagon Special burger fries coke and ice cream cone. Remember the 4th floor toys and records got my first Jimi Hendrix album there. Books were on the 6th floor my sister and I loved to read. My Grandmother lived to 103 and passed away in 2008 long after Gertz had left. One day I was taking her to Mary Immaculate hospital about 2000 she remarked," this is not our Avenue anymore. I said no Nana its very different now. I still live in Jamaica and drive past the old Gertz building,Conway now,and just think back. Oh I forgot The Enchanted Village at Xmass what a sight for kids of those times.
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law worked in the Jamaica Long Island Room restaurant as a waitress. At that time the buyer of White Goods (fridges, etc.) and TV's was Joe Augello. The hostess took a phone call at the desk in which someone was asking to speak to Joe Augello and to please bring him to the phone. The hostess asked my mother-in law to "...get Joe Augello". She dutifully went into the kitchen and "got Joe a jello" and brought it to Joe's table, Confusion reigned until it was made clear that the hostess wanted her to Get Joe Augello and bring him to the phone and not to "get Joe a jello".
ReplyDeleteThat is a great story. It's the sort of stuff I look for when writing a book about one of these stores. I bet Gertz was chock-full of them! Thanks for sharing that gem!
ReplyDelete- Bruce
My uncle Jim Astwood owned Astwood Travel which was located in Gertz Jamacia from the early 1960's until it was moved to the Flushing location. As a kid when we would visit in NY we would always go to his office. We had portraits taken at the portrait studio and lunch in the Long Island Room. Every year my brother and I had our picture taken with Santa and I remember the beautiful Christmas display. My Uncle moved to Fl in 2000, and passed away in 2010. If anyone who reads this, remembers Jim Astwood or my Grandmother, Marie Astwood who was frequently in Gertz, please email me. mabk4mk@msn.com. I would love to hear your memories of Gertz and my family members.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a video of the Christmas Village back in the 60's, as those wonderful memories are still pulling at my heartstrings. Like so many of you, I wish I could go back in time and revisit such a special store- Christmas at Gertz in Jamaica. I used to go there every Saturday with my mother to take my dance lesson located a block from Mays. We took the Jamaica bus where we waited for it right in front of Gertz. Mom used to shop at the bargin basement and I remember looking forward to Saturdays.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma Pauline Volk worked at the Jamaica branch for over 20 years (?) from the late 50s to mid 70s. I lived in Queens and my mother would take us 5 kids each year to have our picture taken with Santa. The thrill was getting to eat the Christmas Tree cookies after you told Santa what you wanted. As Archie and Edith sang: Those were the days!
ReplyDeleteHow far was B & B Lori's from Gertz ?
ReplyDeleteI worked at Gertz from !962-68, I met my wife of 50 years at Gertz. She worked there also. We worked at the opening of the new Bayshore branch in 1962. I later became a buyer in the basement store Later promoted to an upstairs department. Paul Dowd was president. His son was killed in Vietnam a few weeks after being deployed. A tragedy that motivated me to become a peace activist.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Goodwins in 63, it was on the same block as Macys. My first job ,was running the elevator, all the people I worked with were great. It seems no one remembers Goodwins. My most vivid memory of Gerts was the day Kennedy was shot, that night going home on the Q44 I saw Gerts windows completely empty and a large portrait of the president displayed alone in the center.
ReplyDeleteOne day some genius will invent a time machine. If I am still alive and privileged to travel back in time I would go strait so Gertz about 1964 when I was 8. What a time Shea was new the Worlds Fair was in town the Man from UNCLE was in its first season and my grandfather, a legend was still here. Also summers at Marthas Vineyard, How blessed I was!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning a trip down Memory Lane in the very near future. I'd like to visit Gertz's site on Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing. Does anyone know either the address or the cross streets? Absent an address or cross streets, does anyone know if the building has been demolished? And, if so, what replaced it -- or, if not, what occupies the building now? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out. Al Z.
ReplyDelete13650 Roosevelt Ave.; South side between Main and Union Streets. I believe it still serves as a Macy's store.
ReplyDelete-Bruce
My 90 year old mother passed away recently, and in going through her jewelry, we came across an adorable old box containing a sweet pearl necklace. The box says, "GERTZ Long Island...Where Long Island Shops," and is adorned with airplanes, beach scenes, what looks like horse racing and polo, and I'm guessing the Empire State Building. The box is as much a find as anything! My mom and dad moved from New York to Oklahoma in the 40's when they were newlyweds in their 20's. My maternal grandmother often spoke lovingly of Long Island, and I bet they shopped at Gertz a lot!
ReplyDeleteGod bless your dear mother! I would be happy to post a photo of that box on the page, if you could send one to bakgraphics@comcast.net. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the 50's. My mom used to take me on the bus to the Gertz in Jamaica. I can still remember it so well, and all the floors listed above. Remember the toys being on the 4th floor. My mom would take me to the Long Island room for lunch. Remember they had big murals on the walls, indented and lit up. I used to think it was so beautiful! It was a special treat there when you are a kid. My mom had a charge account with Gertz which was not a plastic card, but an oval metal piece she kept on her key ring. She would charge things and have them "sent" to us at home sometimes when we couldn't carry it all on the bus. Later, when I was married, lived on Long Island I got a job in Gertz in Commack. I worked there when it opened, I think was 1981. It then became Stern's a few years later.
ReplyDeleteThe last time that I was out east, there was still a painted plywood on post sign for Sterns East Hampton store. The Jamaica Gertz built a warehouse and parking garage in Jamaica and there was big ,painted on the facde sign on the rear of the building facing the Long Island Rail Road tracks all of their locations including Hampton Bays and East Hampton. I don't think that there ever was a Gertz in Commack. When Gimbels pulled the plug on Saks-34th, in 1965, Gimbels moved into its former subsidiary's locations in Commack, Massapequa Park, Stamford and I think Bay Shore. . After Gimbels died iaround 1983 Sterns movrd into many of the forme. Gimbel locations in the New York, southern New Jersey and Philadelphia markets. In regard to a Bay Shore, Gimbels, I don't recall seeing it listed as a location of SAKS-34th, but it was a very small unit not located in a mall. I am a NY Times subscriber and it entitles me to their archives from 1851. What a treasure trove of information. NOT AN AD! and have never seen a SAKS 34th in Bay Shore in the old ads of 'the specialty shop at Herald Square"
ReplyDeleteI worked at Gertz Flushing from 1973-1976 while attending Queens College. I worked in the women's dept with the wonderful Marian Coles, the famous dancer and wife of the great Honi Coles, whom I met once when he came into the store. As a young kid I had no idea of their wonderful history, just what Marian told me about and some photos she brought in. They both went on to renew their dancing careers, notably Marian with the Silver Belles and Honi in the Dirty Dancing movie and on Broadway. I am watching the movie now and that prompted me to start researching both the Coles and Gertz. My husband of 35 years also worked a few months at Gertz as an assistant buyer in home furnishings but in the Jamaica store. We did not meet until after we left Gertz. It was a great place to enter the workforce and started a lot of young kids on their way.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was the corporate physician for many years. He started at the Jamaica store but ended up in Hicksville where we lived. He was the physician until the mid-70s when they phased out the position. I remember working at both the Hicksville store and the one I believe in Massapequa before it opened as a teenager. We obviously shopped at Gertz for all those years, even when it became Stern's.
ReplyDeleteThere was a Gertz in Great Neck---they had a Girl Scout department where we could buy our uniforms and GS merchandise.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom worked at the store in Great Neck and I worked there for a couple of Christmases while home from college.
ReplyDeleteMy first job was as a part-time floater at Gertz Jamaica in 1971 or 1972. My first night was kinda easy, in the greeting card department; my second was tougher because they put me in the wig department, where I couldn't answer anyone's questions. It was fun and I loved having my employee discount!
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a small safe that is marked B. Gertz Inc. 16210 Jamaica Ave. Jamaica NY. Would you know if it was sold there or was it used in the store? It is old but still serviceable.
ReplyDeleteWe often go to the IKEA "lunchroom" at the Mid Island Plaza in Hicksville and one has a good view of the Macy store. They have been working on the façade for quite awhile and the finished product is a combination of white an grey. Curiously, the logo and façade is not uniform with what Macy*s has been doing at its other locations, namely the red star followed by the Macys name in lower case letters; the red star being equal in height with the Macys name and a small star used as an apostrophe. The previous incarnation of the building was painted brick in a dark color and very small Macy logos which almost blended in with the façades colour. Because if this anomaly, I think that it will be one of the previously announced closing of 35 to 40 locations after the holidays. I want to be sure to take a tour soon because I have a feeling that some of the floors are not used as selling space. in regard to the East Hampton location, there was still a large plywood Gertz sign a few years back. We went out to Montauk Point last week to see the lighthouse in holiday lights but went by the former Allied location too quickly. It was a very, very small parcel but a valuable piece of property nonetheless
ReplyDeleteI worked in Great Neck in 1973 and 1974 and I went into the Gertz in Great Neck one evening on my thirty minute break. It was very small and had no escalator so I took the elevator to the lower level. To My amazement, the John Wanamaker name was on the elevator inspection certificate. I have since learned that some of the JW locations were never part of the CHH acquisition. The Great Neck peninsula comprises at least seven incorporated villages within the Town of North Hempstead and it is an extremely affluent area, one reason being the fact that the Long Island Rail Road provides excellent and FAST service into the Pennsylvania Station with no "change at Jamaica". It is an extremely traffic-choked area; it was bad forty one years ago and has not gotten any better. The shopping center is still there but surprisingly quite downscale in its tenant mix.
ReplyDeleteThe library of congress has, in its photo archives, an exhaustive photo survey of the John Wanamaker Great Neck store when it was new. It looks quite upscale and it is a shame that "the eagle" doesn't fly there any longer.
ReplyDelete-Bruce
My mom was the model on a brochure for the Gertz Hi Gal Club dated February 1951 and I recently found it. She's posing with a guy for a Valentines Day promotion or contest. It's really something.
ReplyDeleteHi, I worked for Gertz while in college and then went on their training program in 1967. I worked in Jamaica, Hicksville, Flushing and Bayshore before becoming a buyer of Men's and Kids Shoes. Paul Dowd was the President and Bill McNamara was the VP of Mdsg. Helen Rubinich, Dave Lubowsky, John Sadlier, John Gallo, Joe Haimowitz, Jim Rodgers were all people I remember. It was a great experience. I left in 1972 to join May Co. in Hartford, Ct.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother - Florence Heitman was the telephone operator at the Jamaica store 60's - 70's
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI'm the great great granddaughter of Benjamin Gertz. Would love to chat with you. Please let me know how I can get in touch!
Debbie
Gertz/Jamaica late 50/early 60,s. Does anyone remember when you walked into the front door on Jamaica ave, there would be the cosmetic and perfumes. I remember buying a fragrant on display. The bottle in the front was slanted down, Im trying to find out the name of it and maybe a picture. Been looking for awhile, no luck , anyone remember ????
DeleteI remember as a child shopping frequently at Gertz in Jamaica with my mom. We lived in Cypress Hills Brooklyn, just a short bus ride east on Jamaica Avenue on the B56 Bus. It was such a treat for me to go shopping at Gertz. My mom and I would always eat lunch in the Long Island Room. These are cherished memories that will never be forgotten. Gertz was our family's favorite department store.
ReplyDeleteWish I had the recipe for the yummy white soft serve treat with chocolate or red syrup that Gertz used to serve at the Hicksville store. I remember enjoying some while waiting there for the 1960 VP candidate and his family to show up for a rally. Don't know if Trish and Julie got to sample any, but it was soooo good, almost addictive!
ReplyDeleteWorked at Goodwin's Dept. store for 2 summers (1952-1953), and recall the Concord Cafeteria, Woolworths just down the street, the Gertz and Macy's stores, the Valencia and Albee theaters, the Terminal Shop (one of the 1st shops to offer "pegged pants" during that craze). Many fond memories. Temporarily returned to work in Jamaica (Montgomery Ward) in 1957 after military service while completing college. It was a safe "squeaky clean" place to be in those days.
ReplyDeleteHello Gertz fans-- I found this site researching a brass badge used by the store as a give-away premium in the mid-1930s. About 2-1/8" wide with narrow left and right panels reading Gertz Long Island which flank a center shield reading Member Pie Club. Item will be in Hake's Americana & Collectibles Auction #222 ending in early Nov. 2017.
ReplyDeleteVisit www.hakes.com and sign up for our emails which will let you know when auction 222 goes online in mid- October.
Still fond memories of the Jamaica Gertz .....shopping for dresses in the early '70s. Loved hot donuts at the nearby bus terminal. Dad in his nineties still lives in the family home a bus ride away!
ReplyDeleteGertz was always part of my family lifestyle! In the early 1950's my cousin took me there to see Santa and Petunia, the talking purple cow next to him. The Enchanted Village of St. Nicholas was also a big attraction to us kids as the years went on. My father knew one of the Gertz sons also. Gertz was a landmark in Jamaica for so many wonderful years of fond memories.
ReplyDeleteGertz in Jamaica had 'Charm School" one Easter break. My friends and I went to St. Michaels H.S. in Brooklyn. We dressed up in our Easter outfits with gloves, hats etc. and rode Jamaica El to Gertz and signed up.around 158 0r 1959 when we were 14 or 15. We got a We learned how to walk, sit and act like ladies. This was probably in '58 or '59 when we were 14 or 15. We got a Coty 24 lipstick as a gift. I still remember the horrible smell and color of that pink lipstick. We are all still friends and joke about that sometimes! I was really an A and S girl. never liked Jamaica shopping that much even though i grew up in Queens.
ReplyDeleteMy father worked at Gertz on Jamaica Ave in summer of 1949 in the boys dept . At Christmas he acted as Rudolph in the Santa Land display. He told us thousands of children came thru. I remember going to this dept store several times when we visited grandma on long Island on the early 50s. I was in awe of such a big store as I grew up in a small town
ReplyDeleteIn ohio.
I remember bringing children fom the Childrens Shelter there for their first taste of lobster
ReplyDeleteFor one of my birthday books (the Debette Club), I got "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass". No date in the book, but it's quite old.
ReplyDeleteMy wedding band was purchased at Gertz in Jamaica 52 years ago. Sadly the ring went the same as the marriage KAPUT!
ReplyDeleteThe Q65 parked at the corner of Parsons Blvd and Jamaica Ave. The street was crowded and darkened by the imposing elevated trains that ran above Jamaica Ave. But it was an exciting place for a 12 year old out on his own or with a friend.
ReplyDeleteGertz was the class act on the street. But to a mid 1950's kid there were other places to frequent... The Arrow Stamp Company, The Savoy Theater (cut rate prices offering 3, not 2 movies), Shoppers Snack Bar, Boy Scout Headquarters. Never had any concern for safety.
Gertz was where I went for Xmas presents. It was big time. I saved enough of my allowance to be able to buy perfume and hankies for my mom and grandma. Still have a Gertz sweater purchased in 1960.
I also worked in Gertz in Flushing, NY..And worked for Artie Andrews
ReplyDeleteI remember working in the Infant Dept...Betty Burger was my boss..What a woman..Very nice lady..Miss her..
ReplyDeleteMy bittersweet memory of the Gertz store in Jamaica is from the winter of 1980/81. It was my first job ever. I was part of the team hired to close the store down. We would consolidate inventory to smaller and smaller sections of the store, and finally we also dismantled the fixtures. I had a run of the store, including the employee sections where during lunch break the TV was tuned to an afternoon soap. We sometimes got a fish sandwich from the street outside for lunch. Jamaica was not the safest area at the time, and the talk was that is what contributed to the store closing. Well, as my first job, I do feel nostalgic. Thanks for reviving my memories.
ReplyDeleteI remember Gertz (Jamaica) store with warm fond memories ~!
ReplyDeleteI worked in Cosmetics 1972 ~1983 and as a floater as well ,, Housewares Dept
and will never forget these, my Fiance and I..awesome memories of Long Island Room and the frozen custard yum , sweet memories
Now if we could go back for a little while in a time machine , this would be really nice .. Great people great experience Gertz
Janice
p.s. I also worked after that at the Long Island Press in the Obituary Dept
this brings back a lot of memories. I'm 78 years old and back in the 50's and 60's that whole area from Mays to Montgomery Ward was where we went to shop and to the movies. the Valencia was, of course,, the most beautiful theater and showed all the MGM musicals, but the Merrick showed 20th Century Fox and the Alden showed Warner Brothers!
ReplyDeleteOf course so many of us remember the fabulous soft ice cream in the basement but I don't think anyone mentioned the old nun that used to sit outside the store. She never said a word but was there every day with her basket for donations.
I was never fortunate enough to eat at the Long Island Room but did eat tuna fish sandwiches at Teddy's next door on Jamaica Avenue. I can see those waitresses in my mind's eye as tho I saw them yesterday!
Is Kings Park still there? My friend Pat and I would pack a lunch and spend a Sunday afternoon there it was so pretty.
Thanks for the memories!
I found an old Gertz’s iron plate, in a leather box, belonged and signed to named mrs Anthony Buonora, Albans, NY. I don’t know how and why I get this item but it may be left here during the II’ world war. I live in the south west of Sardinia, Italy. For further information and pics email me at fraternalesimone@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWho remember the onions on a bun you got at Woolworths soooooooo good
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Gertz is my great great grandfather!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this site! I, too, remember Gertz so well; we used to take the Q3A bus to Jamaica in the 1950's. I especially remember the free birthday book each year, and also going there to get saddle shoes (had to talk my mom into that!) I think ALL my shoes were bought at Gertz while I was in elementary school!
ReplyDeleteGertz Jamaica was an integral part of my life through the 60’s. My father was a Divisional
ReplyDeletemerchandise Manager and my mother and I often went to shop, visit my Dad, eat in the Ling Island Room and just be there. I even went to their Charm School around the mid 60’s. I have wonderful memories of Gettz and the great people who worked there!
i worked there from 1971-1974 while going to York College at the old Montgomery ward building and temporary quarters at Queensborough Community college. I worked in receiving. I remember on break one day three of us went to the snack stand/cafeteria and they had a milkshake contest all the time. Drink three guzzlers get the fourth free or drink two and get the third free. I was at that time only the second person to do it. I wish I could have gotten that wooden chalk board off the wall with my name on it.
ReplyDeleteI am a vintage collector. If anyone has concert or rap tees from the 60s-90s I would love to cash you out
ReplyDeleteI remember shopping with my mom & sister in Gertz & Klein’s in the 1960’s. We ate pizza at Hurdy Gurdy Pizza & had chocolate Italian ices afterward.
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