Check out the History Press'
new book about Famous-Barr
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| Famous-Barr occupied the lower floors of the enormous Railway Exchange Building in downtown St. Louis on September 8, 1913. |
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| Eventually, Famous-Barr grew into 13 floors of the Landmark terra-cotta faced structure. |
Famous-Barr Co.
601 Olive Street
St. Louis, Missouri
GArfield 1-4500
Basement
Down Under Grill and Cafeteria • Famous-Barr Basement Economy Store
Basement Balcony
Famous-Barr Basement Economy Store
Main Floor
Eagle Stamp Desk (6th Street) • Precious Jewelry • Antique Jewelry • Better Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Clocks • Shaver Service Center • Handbags • Gloves • Neckwear • Fashion Accessories • Hosiery • Bra Bar • The Danskin Shop • First Floor Lingerie • First Floor Blouses • First Floor Sweaters • First Floor Knits • First Floor Sportswear • Boulevard Shop Shoes • Cosmetics • Toiletries • Drugs • Notions • Stationery • Greeting Cards • Gourmet Foods • Candy • Bakery • Men's Furnishings • The Editions • Smoke Shop • Men's Dress Shirts • Men's Underwear • Men's Hosiery • Men's Sport Shirts • Eagle Stamp Desk (7th Street) • Walter Knoll Florist • Brown Bag Cafe
Main Floor Balcony
Stationery
Second Floor
Men's Clothing • Men's Outerwear • Madison Avenue Shop • Men's Casual Sportswear • Men's Tailored Sportswear • St. Louisan Shop • Pace Shop • Quad Shop • Mike's Place • Prep Boys’ Wear • Men's Shoes • Men's Hats • Cameras • Prep Boys’ Wear • Stamps and Coins • Papa Fabarre's
Third Floor
Patio Shop (Casual Shoes) • Red Cross Shoes • Locke Shoes • Florsheim Shoes • Foot Saver Shoes • Miss Famous Shoes • Shoe Salon • Paragon Shop Shoes • Sorority House Shoes • Younger Generation Shoes • Domestics • Sheets • Blankets • Bedding • Towels • Bath Shop • Closet Shop • Organization Shop • Table Linens • Closet Shop • Organization Shop • Fabrics • Singer Sewing Center • Customers' Service Desk • Jewelry Repair • Handbag and Shoe Clinic • Optical Center • Hearing Aids • Famous-Barr World Travel Bureau • Jean Sardou Portrait Studio
Fourth Floor
Junior Shop Junior Dresses • Junior Sportswear • Junior Coats • Junior Boutique • Junior Lingerie • Junior Shoes • Young Sophisticates • Way-In • Way-In Shoes
Town & Country Sportswear • Dresses • Coats
Forecast Shop Sportswear • Dresses • Coats • Suits
Women's World • Women's Edition • Active Sportswear • Sun 'n' Suds Shop • Sweaters • Blouses • Separates • Casual Stop Dresses • Contemporary Coats • Thoroughbred Shop • All-Weather Coats • Young Image • FB Shop • Tempo Shop • Pacesetter Shop • Designer Sportswear Shop • Anne Klein Corner • Suit Salon • Coat Salon • Special Collection • Costume Room • Aigner Shop • Fur Salon • Bride's Shop • The Little Shop Around the World • Ice Cream and Candy Shop • Bridge to Parking Garage
Fifth Floor
Miss Famous Shop Dresses • Sportswear • Coordinates • Coats • Suits
Daytime Dresses • Foundations • Body Shapers • Daywear Lingerie • Sleepwear • Loungewear • Maternity Shop • Uniforms • Millinery • Jerome Alexander Wig Boutique • Infants' Wear • Infants' Furniture • Infants' Strollers • Tots' Wear • Toddler Girls • Toddler Boys • Little Boys’ Wear • Little Girls’ Wear • Girls’ Wear • Girls’ Accessories • Children's Sleepwear and Underwear • Young Teens • Young Juniors
Sixth Floor
Books • The Gift Shop • The Plus Shop • The Brass Shop • The Treasure Shop • Candles • Decorative Flowers • Wicker Shop • Bird-in-Hand Shop • Pictures, Mirrors • New Reflections Shop • Prep Boys’ Wear • Gift Wrapping Service • Draperies • Decorative Fabrics • Slip Covers • Art and Framing • Art Needlework • Travel Service • Trim-A-Home Shop
Seventh Floor
China • Dinnerware • Silverware • Fine Crystal • Glassware • Housewares • Tabletop Housewares • Gift Housewares • Small Electrical Appliances • Everything for the Kitchen • The Gourmet Cookery • Cook's Kitchen • New Home Attitudes • Major Appliances • Housekeeping Supplies • Soaps • Home Improvement Center • Affordable Furniture • Unpainted Furniture • Dinettes • Paints and Wallcovering • Hardware • Metal Cabinets • Garden Center • Pet Shop • Art Supplies Center • Optical Services • Portrait Studio • Beauty Shop • The St. Louis Room Restaurant • Men's Grill
Eighth Floor
Floor Care • Radios • Televisions • Home Stereos • Records • Typewriters • Business Machines • Toys • Auto Accessories • Sporting Goods • Outdoor Furniture
Ninth Floor
Carpeting • Rugs • Lamps • Pendulum Shop (Clocks) • Luggage • Exhibition Hall • Aladdin Shop Beauty Salon • Le Soupçon
Tenth Floor
Furniture • Mattresses • Studio of Interior Design • American House • Time & Topic Shop (Antiques) • Dinettes • Decorative Accessories • Odds and End Tables • Chair Roost • Hitchcock Shop • Customer Service
Eleventh Floor
Executive Offices • Employment Office
Twelfth Floor
Executive Offices
(1,200,000 s.f.)
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| Clayton Forsyth Blvd. at Jackson Ave. October, 1948 208,000 s.f. The Wedgewood Room Penthouse Buffet Le Soupçon |
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| Southtown Kingshighway at Chippewa St. August, 1951 286,000 s.f. The Mississippi Room Dining Deck Coffee Shop |
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| Northland W. Florissant at Lucas Hunt Rd., Jennings August, 1955 325,000 s.f. The Jade Room Dining Deck Pick-Quick Room |
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South County Center
Lindbergh Blvd. at Lemay Ferry Road
1963
208,000 s.f.
The Carousel Room The Marionette Room Lower Level Snack Bar |
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Northwest Plaza
St. Ann
1965
200,000 s.f.
The Golden Eagle Pilot House Coffee Shop Le Soupçon Lower Level Snack Bar |
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West County Center
Deperes
February 20,1969
212,000 s.f. The Mauretania Room Greenhouse Coffee Shop Le Soupçon |
Plaza Frontenac - FB Ltd.
1974
1974
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St. Clair Square
Fairview Heights, IL
October, 1974
180,000 s.f.
Scandia |
White Oaks Mall
Springfield, IL
1977
162,000 s.f.
Le Soupçon
Alton Square
Alton, Illinois
October, 1978
168,000 s.f.
The Alton Room
Springfield, IL
1977
162,000 s.f.
Le Soupçon
Alton Square
Alton, Illinois
October, 1978
168,000 s.f.
The Alton Room
Coming in due course.
Employee Magazine: Store Chat
It's grest to know the Clayton store on Forsyth BL is still standing. It was designed by Samuel Marx, the same Architect that designed Morton May's last 2 residences, the latter of which is still standing.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the downtown store closed. I really hate Macy's...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they closed the downtown store. I hate Macy's!
ReplyDeleteThe store at Plaza Frontenac actually went by the name FB Ltd
ReplyDeleteActually the Clayton store and the Northland Shopping Center store were designed by Samuel Marx's partner Noel L. Flint, the May residences were a collaborative design by both Marx and Flint, Flint was the architect and Marx helped design the furniture.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for posting these beautiful memoirs of the American Department Stores...I worked for Famous Barr between 1982 -1985 and will always consider it the best working experience. This store was a "pearl" and I thought well equipped to prosper...But then came Macy's...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this! I worked in the credit department of the downtown store in the mid-1990's. It was a wonderful time and a great place to work! Thanks again for taking me back. :)
ReplyDeleteWe went to the Christmas display every year in downtown St. Louis. It was one of the highlights of the Christmas season. FB went all out on their Santa Land and the sidewalk windows. There is nothing like it today and that is so sad.
ReplyDeletePart of the experience was parking in the structure next door and walking over the covered sky bridge. To enter the parking lot, we drove up a ramp over the 1st floor storefronts. Then, on leaving, we drove down the spiral exit ramp. Under the spiral was Jost pipe shop. At the bottom of the spiral was a long line to pay the parking fee. We were usually stuck on an unusual angle in the car going down the steep hill.
The store had wooden escalators into the 70s. I remember on one, the escalator started flat out on the floor and then turned into steps when it started ascending.
I did not like some of Famous Barr's policies. First, when there were 2 daily newspapers in St. Louis they only adveriesed with the Post-Dispatch. Second, they were pushing fro retail outlets to be open on Sundays.
ReplyDeleteOf course they were. They're a retail outlet, and people wanted to shop on Sundays.
DeleteHello BAK and the others who have posted comments, very interesting! I have just signed on with The History Press to write the book, "Famous-Barr, The St. Louis Department Store." It's a fun project with lots of research to be done, the book is scheduled to be out in print by Holiday 2014. BAK I am listing your blog in the Bibliography, do you want me to list your name as BAK or another name? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteActually, BAK stands for Bruce Allen Kopytek, as on my books. Best of luck with your book. I have logos and a makeshift store directory (not sure it is too correct) that I pieced together almost 40 years ago. You may contact me at bakgraphics@comcast.net if you have any questions.or if I can be of any other help.
ReplyDelete- Bruce
Famous-Barr also opened a store in West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau in March, 1981.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=191&dat=19810122&id=R6wvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oS4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4161,1412993
No one mentioned the Onion Soup? I remember Northland's Hot Pretzel stand, originally at the base of the UP escalator on the bottom floor. It had a carousel that trays of pretzels went around to bake after being dipped in the solution that makes them that lovely shade of brown. For 15 cents (16 cents, with tax) you could get a pretzel so fresh and hot it would burn the bejesus out of your mouth. Then you could cool your mouth with a nice soda, Don't remember the soda price, but I know you could get them both with 50 cents and get change back.
ReplyDeleteDon't see the Crestwood Plaza store listed...
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget the famous barr in carbondale illinois at university mall.
ReplyDeleteI worked at F.B. as well as shopped there . I Remember when the downtown store was just as described. I rembember the eagle stamps , the elevator operators , the toys on the eight floor , the bargin basement and the employees's cafeteria on the twelve th floor . Boy those were the days.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for putting this on line. I worked at famous from 1965 to 1998 with a few times out for traveling with my soldier husband. I lastly worked as the import co ordinator. and due to illness I was gone by the time it all fell apart. I didn't always like my job, but I loved the people , or at least the majority of them that I worked with.. have many pleasant memories of the experience.. d hendricks
ReplyDeleteI worked at Famous downtown I just graduated high school I worked in the mail department on the 8th floor then the accounts payable dept. on the 11th floor which moved to the 9th floor I worked between 1965 to 1981 I worked with D. Hendricks. the 9th floor had an amazing Santa land display it was so magical, the Onion soup was the best and can't forget the John White burger. I like the area better before the mall came we would walk and look at the many stores sidewalk sales and the bargain basement at Famous I bought all my records there and my first couch there in the 70s it was called a play pit now its called a sectional. Had a lot of fun on payday we would go to lunch. it was like family until 1981. later it became Macy's all the individual attention you got at Famous was gone the mall didn't stay in fact all of downtown was different I also remember the block parties in the evening with music and St. Pat's day this was also before the mall it was the place to be to bad it had to end
ReplyDeleteM. Polston
Bruce for you or anyone who wants to post or know more about Famous-Barr I have a Famous-Barr group page on facebook, where we have been adding photos and information. The photos on the group page are more about the promotions, events and employees at Famous-Barr. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI can remember going at christmas time to see santa, but most of all the windows . I enjoyed te train window the best. Does anyone remember the taent contest they had in 1966,and 1967. called search 66, and search 67.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a young child my mother would take me with her "DOWNTOWN" in a service car for 10 cents. When we arrived at FB, she would drop me off upstairs at the kids playroom, while she shopped. Later the same afternoon we would go downstairs to the tunnel way and have lunch. Lunch was always followed with a piece of very light and fluffy cheese cake. The Christmas windows were the greatest too.
ReplyDeleteBoy, those were the days!
If your store directory is the Downtown store, it is not totally correct. The 12th floor was the employees cafeteria, drapery workroom, and a few support offices. The 13th floor was never a sales floor. It housed the phone order room, the operators, and support offices, some of the May Department Store offices. The auditorium was on the 9th floor, as was carpeting, luggage, and the (huge) beauty salon. I know some departments relocated over the years and scaled down. Guess it really depends on the era. Also, you are missing a photo of the Crestwood store, which actually started as a Scruggs, Vandervort and Barney store. Nice site though.
ReplyDeleteFor Jim McMullan's post: I am thinking the "wooden" escalators you referred to the were originals from the main floor, 6th & Olive corner, to the 3rd floor. (At one time, many decades ago they went up higher. But those were eventually removed. I think Otis Company has one on display somewhere.) These escalators ran on DC power, were very reliable and hardly broke down. Toward the 7th Street end were the newer stainless steel escalators...I'm thinking Westinghouse. These ran to the 5th floor. Up to 6 and 7 were older escalators, with wood sidewalls, but metal step plates. These ran on AC power. Then on up to 8, 9 and 10 were newer escalators. There were still 3 of the old hand operated elevators behind the scenes, which went up to the 11th floor. These were used by support staff...electricians, carpenters, and such. Up into the '70s, these were used by the employees during the Christmas season to free up space on the store elevators for customers. There were 3 or 4 of the retired elevator operators who worked that 5 or 6 week season each year. Thanks for jogging memories Jim. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteOn the Famous-Barr store designs; The Clayton, Southtown and Northland stores were designed on a "core concept". This translates as; at Clayton you recall the sales floors had very high ceilings, as did Southtown and Northland. The sales floors were the core (center) of the building. Surrounding the inside on the perimeter walls were additional floors, somewhat like mezzanines. These were support offices, stock rooms, and so on. They were not visible to the customers from the sales floors. Many people did not know they existed. The concept was reversed at Southtown. The core (center) had 6 floors (support, stock, freight elevator, etc) while surrounding the core were the three selling floors, not counting the basement. While Clayton and Southtown had curved facades, Northland was a square building, with the center being the sales floors, and the additional floors on the perimeters, again not visible or known to the public. Just a little trivia.
ReplyDeleteBut very interesting trivia indeed!
ReplyDelete- Bruce
Thanks I loved reading all the interesting stories about working at Famous Barr. I worked there in the early 70's right out of High School in the billing office on the 8th fl. The most beautiful Christmas Display was set up on the 9th floor. They store brought over a large white bear from Russia and other animals, all set up around Santa. Does anyone know what year this was. Thanks for your sight.
ReplyDeleteI also worked right out of high school in the billing office under Bud Skinner, he was so kind. I worked there in 1970,1971,1972,1973 and left in spring of 1974. Some of this time I left but came back. I was there the year they had the Russian Bears on the 9th fl.I would also like to know the year. This had to be the best display in the history of Famous Barr's Christmas displays. My cousin was a carpenter for famous at the time and worked many hours on this display. I will need to check this out with him. Nice hearing from you. Wish I had some pictures from this display. My name was Shelley Wanko at the time. You may not remember me I worked on the mail machine with Sharon Hantak.Then I worked in profit and loss,same floor. I'm so happy I got to experience this as a young person.
DeleteAs a small boy when my mother would shop in the 1940's, she would take me to the toy department and nearby there was a child care room where I would be left so she could shop. I don't remember complaining. When I was about 12, I went for a special signing of a baseball viewer and Enos Slaughter signed the box it was in. I think his film strip was on hitting. This was about 1951. I am now 77 but remember the old store in St. Louis with fondness though childhood memories are not always accurate. Richard Murian
ReplyDeleteRemember the candy "factory" somewhere upstairs...employees only.....and the.vacuum message system? The "play room" had a large "Old Woman Who Lived in s Shoe" slide. Can hardly wait to get a copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteTo whomever wrote this post, "Actually the Clayton store and the Northland Shopping Center store were designed by Samuel Marx's partner Noel L. Flint, the May residences were a collaborative design by both Marx and Flint, Flint was the architect and Marx helped design the furniture".
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for giving credit that has been long over due to my grandfather Noel L. Flint for his overlooked contribution to the architecture and furniture designs of Marx, Flint and Schonne. In his memory and on behalf of my family, Thank You!
Do you have the Clayton store restaurant menu. I ate lunch there in the seventies. I loved their omlets. Thru served them with the different sauces. I wish I knew what thru where.
ReplyDeleteMy husband grew up in Illinois early in his life. He still holds wonderful memories of the downtown store and the family memories of their journey's there. I grew up in Dallas, and think I understand as we had several similar stores there that have sadly all gone now. I am glad to have heard all your memories. LSH
ReplyDeleteFamous-Barr...my all time favorite department store!
ReplyDeleteI went weekly for the Onion Soup and Dawn Candy.
Would love to find the candy company that supplied the Dawn's to them! Believe it was in Kansas or western Missouri. Anyone know???
I have a 1940s Fifth Million Reprint
ReplyDeleteBaby's Outfit a book for Mothers by G.F. Earnshaw
I loved Famous-Barr when I lived in St. Louis. I remember we didn't have much money and we started out buying on the basement level and as our finances improved gradually started moving up a floor when shopping. I loved all the departments especially the antique jewelry even though I didn't have the money to buy much there.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the paper Christmas Angels with faces drawn on by disabled children? They sold for about 50 cents and the profit went back to the children's home. At least that is what I remember my grandma telling us, and we always had dozens each year decorating her house.
ReplyDeleteHello, everyone! My name is Ann and I am a graduate student in History at SIUE. I am developing a paper for a class I am taking on the various aspects of St. Louis commerce from the mid 19th through the present era. As I worked in the 1990's at the downtown location in credit/collections and then moved to Earth City when that administrative complex came about I have a special fondness for FB. If anyone would be interested in being a part of an oral history section for this paper, I would love to hear from you. For those of you who have information on the conception, implementation and on going operations of FB from its inception to its closure, I would love to speak with you, if you are amenable. Please feel free to contact me at asheppa@siue.edu. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the "cigar / tobacco" shop in the downtown department store? I think there was a long-time employee named Frank that worked there? I ran into him later in his shop named Briar Haven in Bellerive Plaza in Creve Coeur, MO in the 1980-1990s?
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was at a Famous-Barr store was when South County Center was Westfield Shoppingtown South County.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Clayton store well. From 1966 to 1971 it was my mom's favorite place to shop. I can still remember the delicious smell of the hot pretzels and going with my mom to the hair salon near the back of the store with the old stations where ladies would sit lined up in huge chairs with enormous helmet-like contraptions over their heads.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere May had acquired The Famous Clothing chain in 1892 which was 23 years before moving the headquarters to St. Louis, MO.
ReplyDeleteI will be putting up a history essay that will explain all of that and how a number of stores (Wm. Barr & co., Famous Clothing, and others became the headquarters of the May co.
Delete-Bruce
I look forward to reading it.
DeleteI still miss the colorful Christmas Windows and Toyland display in the downtown location -- and those disappeared long before the store itself
ReplyDeleteI was a production artist for the Display Dept. 1963-1995
DeleteI worked first for Gene Lacy who was the Display Director at the time and then for Sam Clark. Sam was the vision behind the 26 display windows, the Exhibition Hall, and all visual merchandising in all stores.
Sam was the mastermind behind it all. He took me under his wing when I was just starting out and I worked for him for over 30 years. We became good friends. There were 26 people in the display department and we worked side by side with our own union carpenter shop and bank of union electricians.
Boy was that a treat, especially during Christmas. We could put the lights on and decorate the trees, do all the work, but they had to come down and plug them in !!!
I would be happy to chat with anyone in that might be interested. You can contact me through Facebook.
Frank Neal
Hello Frank,
DeleteWould you know a Richard Frisch that also worked for the Display Department at FB? His wife Dorthy, my grandmother also worked there at the downtown location.
R. Frisch
My mom would take us every year to see Santa. One year in around 1967 or 68 (maybe a little earlier) we were in line all night and never saw Santa. I was reminiscing a few years back (before my mother passed away) and said all I could remember was we never saw Santa and we had to go out the employee entrance along a side street. My mom said that some group was protesting that Famous did not have any minorities representing Santa and they chained themselves inside the display. Security would not let anyone leave so we were stuck there until the store closed. The protestors were charged with trespassing. Knowing that I would love to find out the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteI recall a pedestrian tunnel from the basement restaurant (I still have a paper placement from Famous Down Under!) that emerged across the street on the northwest side. The door there was just plain glass, and I don't recall if it was marked or not. It existed in the early 70s at least, which was when I explored that store from top to bottom on Saturdays as a teenager.
ReplyDelete10 years ago I purchased 5 automated mice from the 1960s era Santaland display. Still in working order. I've set them up on my front window each year since reliving the wonderful memories of the many Christmas trips downtown.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Famous_Barr from 1982-1985 and loved it there! I also watched Cardinals World series parade from one of the top windows facing Olive Blvd.
ReplyDeleteI loved working there-- and truly FB was shopping at its best experience! So grateful for this warm, nostalgic memory!
Worked FB from 71-74 in the Employees cafeteria on 12th floor Downtown. Best food from scratch ever and employees received a very nice discount. Entree was .30$ lol Everyone complained they were grouchy from work. lol Loved it. Learned a lot about cooking from the staff. Most were near retirement or meant to retire from there. Good memories
ReplyDeleteI am a current Wash U employee and I work at our West Campus (Clayton Famous Barr) frequently. You might be happy to know that it is currently home to not only the Olin Library archives but also a large chunk of Wash U IT personnel. One of the main university computing data centers is on the 4th floor. It is also home to the Alumni and Development office and our HR training facility. I miss going to the FB as a kid back in the early 90s. Happy to see this gorgeous building being reused instead of torn down.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me the name and maker of the Christmas china that Famous Barr carried with holly on the rim? It looked very similar to Lenox's pattern.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Holly? These pieces were produced by Fine China of Japan and marketed through various departments stores across the country such as Famous Barr, Kohl’s, The May Co as Holly Yuletide Mervyn’s as A Holiday Tradition, Macy’s as All The Trimmings, etc, and distributed to them by companies such as Fairfield, Kshima, Venture Stores, etc., but the pattern’s decals are all identical and completely interchangeable.
DeleteMost of the pieces are backstamped with either Fine China Japan or Fine Porcelain Japan and sometimes, the actual pattern’s name which is Christmas Holly. This exact decal placement was even distributed and sold through department stores in various countries in Europe. Unfortunately, you need to search all of these names in looking for the same pattern to find those unusual pieces to fill out your pattern.
Spode?
ReplyDeleteNo. It was a brand that they only carried.
ReplyDeleteIs the book out? If so where can ki get it?
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm a former editor of Famous-Barr's house publications Store Chat and Store Chatter. That was my first job, and I loved working at Famous-Barr! Does anyone remember the name of the director of human resources at the downtown Famous-Barr store or his assistant (Norma maybe?) around 1971? Thanks for that information.
ReplyDeleteAs a young boy my dad would drive my mom and me to Northland shopping center (how many of you remember only having one car in the family? Very common back in the 50's, 60's and 1970's) We lived in Florissant and that was the closest Famous-Barr. I'll never forget Christmas shopping with mom, walk through the front doors (West Florissant entrance.) and to the right was the toy dept. They had a big display window with a very big model train display every Christmas. Oh how I loved that as a little boy! My parents bought my very first "stereo" for me at Famous-Barr. I must have been about 14 years old. I can still remember dad banging on my bedroom door yelling, TURN THAT DOWN!
ReplyDeleteAs the decades slip-by it becomes more and more difficult to hang-on to the great memories I had shopping with mom at Famous-Barr. Hopefully they will never go away...
Also, Famous had a store in Evansville, Indiana for a brief period in the 90s. I worked for both Famous (Alton store) and transferred to LS Ayres (Castleton), but always found it interesting that May Co. went with Famous in Evansville instead of Ayres.
ReplyDelete+
There was also a branch that opened in Cape Girardeau, MO. after Alton and Springfield.
ReplyDeleteI WENT TO THE FAMOUS IN NORTHWEST PLAZA...LOVED THAT FLYING SAUCER ON TOP. I LOVED THE SANTA ON THE OFFICE ROOF AND THE FOUNTAINS ALL DECORATED WITH LIGHTS. I ALSO LIKED GOING TO THE BASEMENT IN FB TO GET MODELS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE...THEY HAD A TABLE WITH HUNDREDS OF THEM EVERY YEAR. I TOLD EVERYONE THAT ENCLOSING THE MALL WOULD KILL IT AND I WAS RIGHT...IT ATTRACTS A BAD CRIME ELEMENT. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE LARGEST MALL IN AMERICA WHEN IT WAS FIRST BUILT. WISH I COULD TURN BACK THE CLOCK...BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. A GROUP OF US FROM RITENOUR HIGH CUT OUT EARLY AFTER FINALS AND WENT THERE ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IN 1980. THEN I WENT THERE FOR THE LAST TIME AFTER THEY ENCLOSED IT/RUINED IT. TWAS GREED THAT KILLED THE BEAST.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the Clayton Famous Barr my last two years in high school, mostly in the children's department, but occasionally floating around the store. I loved working there and might add I never came into contact with a cross customer during those two years. It was also excellent training for my future retail jobs I held while attending the University of Missouri in Columbia.
ReplyDeleteI bought some old spoons in a second hand store in NY about 30 years ago.I have pulled them out of the cupboard wondering what to do with them. They are pens with gorgeous filigree on the ends. One is stamped Famous and Barr on the back,so I looked it up on internet. I think it might make a very nice pin.
ReplyDeleteI opened the Mid Rivers Mall store in 1981. It started as a store without a mall, surrounded by empty fields. We used to refer to it as the "best little store on the prairie!" The mall was eventually built out to 4 anchors. Later, the building was significantly enlarged.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother used to talk about working at Famous Barr in St. Louis in the 30's. Se worked in "piece goods" and stayed late many nights folding all of the fabric pieces. She also said that one floor sold all sorts of plants.
ReplyDeleteMy mom and aunt would take all five of us kids to Famous and it was a rare treat. My brother and I vividly remember going to the candy counter. It seemed that it was as we stepped off the escalator but so long ago now that I'm not sure. I guess I was about eight and my brother would have been six so it was likely around 1967. Oh my gosh, it seemed amazing to the both of us and made quite an impression. Candy, under glass served with a metal scoop into a small sack by someone who was immediately our very best friend! I have to wonder how many times each day that glass needed attention to wipe away the finger and nose prints, lol. To this day we are still unable to find anything like the black licorice disks that just seemed to last forever. We aren't giving up, there must be something like them out there somewhere!
ReplyDeleteAny memories of the beauty shop/hair salon? My grandmother, Lilly Misel, worked in the beauty salon giving perms for about 30+ years. She had wonderful stories about fixing the hair of all the important people of St. Louis. They were all important to her! She loved her work and when she was not working, she would take me on the bus downtown or to Southtown Famous to shop. I have very fond memories of the window displays downtown at Christmas, the bridge and Cafe, and the candy counter. I would be curious to know if anyone has stories about the beauty shop or if they happen to remember "Lil" or Lillian, the sweet red-head with the friendly round face.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother shopped at the downtown store every week in the 1960's. She would bring home the most fabulous bakery items. Pound cake muffins and cakes with pecans and these long flaky bread sticks with black seeds on top. Maybe they were caraway seeds and they were a little bit salty. Does anyone remember those? I would love to have the recipe for these fabulous bread sticks.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me about famous bar hats that I have that seem to be from the 20's. And how do I go about appraising them?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would call Christ's in New York. I am sure they would be interested. We emptied a home here in Indianapolis. The woman had shoes in boxes from the 60's. At least 250 pair. Also, beautiful dresses and gowns from L. S. Ayers. A store similar to Stix Baer and Fuller in St. Louis. Christ's was happy to take a look.
ReplyDeleteI used to love to eat lunch at the Jade Room in the NW Plaza Famous-Barr when I was a child. My mother would take me there and I was enamored of the exotic wallpaper with the bamboo trees and parrots and the luxurious green upholstered booths and chairs. I would always order the King Crab legs entree--how delicious! From time to time we would also eat in the cafeteria-style Pick-Quick room. I mostly remember the delicious tapioca pudding offered there (at least delicious to a child) that was topped with a half maraschino cherry. Does anyone have a photo of the Jade Room? I would LOVE to see it again.
ReplyDeleteIn referring to the Jade Room, I meant the Northland Famous-Barr...not NW Plaza.
ReplyDeleteHave you come across any pictures of the Waterway Gas and Wash that used to be located on / near the properties of Northland Center, South Country Center, and Kingshighway & Chippewa?
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