The Department Store Museum
On an editorial note, the museum asks the question: why are we not good enough for such a gamut of retail options today? Take a look inside and formulate your own opinion.
In general, since the museum is electronic and not housed in a building, I cannot take large items from these stores. I would accept paper material (employee handbooks, advertising, newsletters) and scans of photographs, etc. should you have something to donate. Please search for Bruce Allen Kopytek and contact me via Messenger.
Please understand that The Department Store Museum is a work in progress and a labor of love. It is almost continuously updated as new information becomes available.
NEWS
APOLOGY!
(Autumn 2022)
I am sorry to say that I neglected comments for the past months. While I was working intensely to complete my latest book Hudson's: Detroit's World-Famous Department Store (see below), I stopped receiving e-mails when comments came in. By rights, I should have reviewed and posted them. but my mind was focused n getting the book published before the upcoming holidays, and I attributed it to a lack of traffic since I hadn't updated the site at all. I apologize that it seems as if I have neglected all of those who enjoy The Department Store Museum. I am now in the process of posting the comments. If you have a question, please contact me via FaceBook Messenger (search for Bruce Allen Kopytek and send me a message) I will do my best to answer your questions.
I am very sorry for any confusion I have caused during this period.
A BOOK OF GREAT INTEREST
HUDSON'S: Detroit's World-Famous Department Store
Do you
remember a time when shopping was an adventure? When a bus ride downtown ended
at an enormous red-brick store with glittering window displays? Do you
reminisce about riding smooth, shiny escalators from floor to floor, or having
a Maurice Salad in a gracious, hushed dining room high up in the sky? Maybe you
enjoyed hunting for bargains below street level, or browsing for books in
Detroit’s largest book shop? Maybe you recall the smell of exotic fragrances
wafting through the air on the sumptuous first floor of Hudson’s, Detroit’s World-Famous
Department Store.
If you do cherish memories like these, come join architect and historian Bruce
Allen Kopytek as he leads you on an intoxicating journey of exploration through
this lost Detroit landmark. Along the way, you’ll discover the rags-to-riches
story of Joseph L. Hudson, the culinary delights of Hudson’s restaurants, and
the stories of people that made it all happen – right here in Detroit.
This is the story of
The J. L. Hudson Company.
Deluxe Hardcover - 548 Pages - $60.00 MSRP
Available for pre-order with discount from
More information (sample pages, sample text, chapter list)
at:
Scheduled to arrive mid-November 2022
If you have enjoyed any of my previous books, you will love this one - the most comprehensive and richly-illustrated study of The J. L. Hudson Company, the institution that is beloved and remembered by so many. A very lavish treatment indeed.
"BELLA" (2010-2021)
In the four books I authored up to today, I often mentioned our cat, Bella, who became my close companion while writing. Not having ever had a cat before, I was not predisposed to even let her into my heart, but, as is so often the case, she didn't take long to win me over. She was a lovable, but wayward pet, often setting things straight with me with an unexpected bite or a hiss or two when I stepped out of line. She, however, became a very close companion - sleeping in bed with us (and taking my place when I would get up for a snack or other reasons). She absolutely understood that I was in control of the feline treats in the powder room cupboard, and we ultimately developed a daily, albeit cat-centered daily schedule that was clearly to her liking. Whenever I sought relaxation by reading or watching a movie, if she wasn't seeking out my wife Carole's affection, she came and sat near me - but often, as was her wont - exactly an arms length away.
I am very sad to report that we lost Bella on Saturday, September 4th, 2021 after a long illness that just couldn't be cured. We really miss her, her crazy habits, wild activities, and especially the racket she made every night, after snarfing up her night-time treats, to drag her beloved feather up the stairs as some kind of nocturnal treat for us.
For those that read the comments I made about her in my bio, I thought you might like to know about our loss.
August 25, 2020
In December of 2019, I accepted a position as Chief Architect with Contour Companies
of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Little did I know, that within a few months, I would be asked to design concepts for the redevelopment of Northland, Victor Gruen's iconic 1954 shopping center built for the J. L. Hudson Company (It closed in 2015).
UPDATE: The project broke ground this year and is progressing.
Clicking the image below will take you to a video on YouTube that my staff helped prepare for a recent City Council meeting. Our concept is to strip the 1954 buildings of their later additions, and do, essentially, a historic restoration on the once-famous shopping center. The one-story mall buildings will be converted to loft apartments, and the colossal Hudson Store will be re-purposed into a food/home furnishings/entertainment complex inspired by Atlanta's popular Ponce City Market. Northland's former parking lots will be replaced by a community of 5-story apartment buildings with ground-floor retail and rooftop amenities. A parking garage will be located in the former service and retail areas under the shopping center, whose mall areas and courtyards would be restored to their original appearance to accommodate modern life. A new, decorative retention pond and park will replace one of the parking lots.
"NOW ANd THEN: THE CENTER OF TOMORROW."
Selective demolition and construction has already started. We are particularly happy that our proposal was selected after others that sought to demolish the historic building, and replace it with warehouses, a distribution center, a strip mall, or, of all things, a marijuana growth and distribution facility.
NEW!
Updated Exhibits with New Images & History Essays
(Under Construction)
(Under Construction)
A documentary
aboutJacobson's
 |
| Watch TRUE STORY:Jacobson's on Jackson TV. |
CROWLEY'S:
Detroit's Friendly Store
by Bruce Allen Kopytek
Crowley's: Detroit's Friendly Store.
is now available on amazon.com
and will be in the shops in November.
Click above to go directly to amazon.com
and will be in the shops in November.
Click above to go directly to amazon.com
EATON'S:
THE TRANS-CANADA STORE
A comprehensive history of
national department store.
Toledo's Three Ls:
Lamson's, The Lion Store, and Lasalle's
Remember the days when shopping meant white gloves, suits for men and leisurely lunches in tearooms? Toledo, an industrial powerhouse and Ohio’s third-largest city,once had it all, and Lamson’s, the Lion Store and Lasalle’s were where it all happened. Reminisce with author Bruce Allen Kopytek about a time when these three great department stores dominated Toledo’s retail scene and offered their customers anything they could want. Revisit their downtown competitors like Tiedtke’s, B.R. Baker, Milner’s and Stein’s, which also added their own touch to Toledo’s life. Through written history, photographs and personal recollections a whole lost era comes to light—an era when business was personal and local, shopping was more of a cherished event rather than a chore.
Click above to order!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
See a lecture about Jacobson's,
as presented at the Baldwin
Public Library on 24 Jan. 2012
(click the photo)
photo by Carroll DeWeese
Jacobson's-I Miss It So!
has just been honored by
the State of Michigan as a
"Michigan Notable Book."
Return to the elegance of
for well over one hundred years. Reenter the marvelous stores
and meet the personalities who transformed Jacobson’s
from its humble Reed City origins to a staple of sophistication
throughout the region and in Florida.
The brainchild of a retail genius, this deluxe specialty store
gave customers a peerless social, shopping and dining destination.
Experience anew the refined beauty of its Williamsburg-style
Grosse Pointe store, the chic designer world of its
Birmingham ensemble or the charm and allure of its original
Florida branch in Sarasota revealing, along the way,
secrets that made Jake’s the dazzling store it was
Grosse Pointe store, the chic designer world of its
Birmingham ensemble or the charm and allure of its original
Florida branch in Sarasota revealing, along the way,
secrets that made Jake’s the dazzling store it was
and why it remains so profoundly missed by anyone
who entered through its solid wooden doors.
who entered through its solid wooden doors.
(Over 100 illustrations, most never published
before - a true scholarly study of this
beloved, lost specialty department store)
Alternately, order from Amazon.com
NEW BOOKS!
 |
| Anne Erers Hitz has followed up on her excellent book on The Emporium with this new one - that chronicles the history of San Francisco's other stores. |
 |
| Read about the history of a fine Denver institution, well researched and beautifully illustrated. |
 |
| This new book traces the origins of a favorite Salt Lake City store. |
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| Lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced, this is a highly-endorsed study of the department stores of Minnesota. |
 |
| Another well-done and comprehensive book by Mark Barnhouse that covers the fine stores that once lined Denver's Sixteenth Street. |
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| Another fine book by Michael Lisicky |
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| A comprehensive history of Boston's |
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| Another book about one of Pittsburgh'sgreat department stores |
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| A great new book by a devoted Cincinnati author that covers Shillito's, McAlpins's Pogue's and Mabley & Carew |
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| Vicki Ingham's new book about Younkers |
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| Kaufmann's of Pittsburgh chronicled by Letitia Savage |
 |
| Another book by Michael Lisicky who delves into the history of "New Jersey's Greatest Store" - Bamberger's |
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| And a book about Bamberger's founder Louis Bamberger |
 |
| Click to see a fine new book about not just John A. Brown but threee of Oklahoma City's favorite stores |
LATEST BOOK, CELEBRATING
FLORIDA'S GREAT
MAAS BROTHERS
 |
| A |
 |
| A New Book by Historian Michael |
Anne Evers Hitz' new book about
San Francisco's beloved
Emporium, the "Big E."
Michael Lisicky has produced
an authoritative history of
Pennsylvania's Pomeroy's
Read about St. Louis' last
department store, Famous-Barr
A well-illustrated volume
dedicated to Richmond'sfondly-remembered
Thalhimers
 |
| Read the history of Woodward |
LONG AWAITED:
L.S. AYRES & CO.
worked with the Indiana
Historical Museum to
produce a book about
this beloved store
A FINE BOOK
Christopher Sawyer's
treatment of the story
of Denholms is re-
markable because of the
author's passion for the
history of this long-lost
Worcester retail landmark.
A RECOMMENDATION
OF THE HIGHEST ORDER
Easily one of the most beautiful and informative
books ever written about department stores.
A brilliant revelation, emphatically endorsed!
 |
| Another outstanding book by Michael Lisicky - comprehensive, entertaining. well-illustrated and very much up to the standard set by this premier author |
The Department Store Museum
department store
Click the photo
From its inception in 2010,
included an exhibit of
have been small, the display has been improved and updated.
I
you may send a photo or scan to bakgraphics@comcast.net
and they will be included.
From its inception in 2010,
included an exhibit of
have been small, the display has been improved and updated.
I
you may send a photo or scan to bakgraphics@comcast.net
and they will be included.
Owing to the generosity of a reader,
new display of department store security badges.
new display of department store security badges.
Click the photo
to go to the new
directory (beta)
-or-
Click on a store name below to go to that store's exhibit. If the name is not linked to an exhibit, it is in preparation, and not available for viewing at the moment. Please check back again.
Alaska
Alabama
Birmingham
Loveman's
Pizitz
Mobile
Gayfer’s
Montgomery
Belk-Hudson
Montgomery Fair
Arizona
Phoenix
Tucson
California
Fresno
Gottschalk's
Long Beach
Gottschalk's
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Oakland
Sacramento
Hale's Weinstock's
San Diego
Maarston's Walker-Scott
The White House
Colorado
Denver
Connecticut
New Haven
The Edw. Malley Co.
Delaware
Wilmington
Kennard's
District of Columbia
Kennard's
District of Columbia
Washington
Florida
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
Ivey’s
Tampa
St.Petersburg
Georgia
Atlanta
Augusta
Liberty House
Ilinois
Ilinois
Chicago
Elgin
Joseph Speiss Company
Oak Park
William Y. Gilmore's & Sons
Peoria
Joseph Speiss Company
Oak Park
William Y. Gilmore's & Sons
Peoria
Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (Block & Kuhl)
Rockford
Weise's Carson Pirie Scott & Co.
Rockford
Weise's Carson Pirie Scott & Co.
Indiana
Indianapolis
L. S. Ayres & Co. Block's Wasson's
Fort Wayne
Wolf & Dessauer
MuncieBall Brothers
South Bend
Robertson's
Terre Haute
Meis
The Root Store Co.
Iowa
Louisville
Kaufman-Straus Stewart Dry Goods Bacon's
Louisiana
New Orleans
Massachusetts
Boston
Springfield
Maine
Portland
Porteous
Maryland
Portland
Porteous
Maryland
Baltimore
Michigan
Detroit
Flint
Smith-Bridgman
Grand Rapids
Smith-Bridgman
Grand Rapids
Lansing
Knapp's Arbaugh's
Traverse City
Milliken's
Minnesota
Knapp's Arbaugh's
Traverse City
Milliken's
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Dayton's Donaldson's Powers Young-Quinlan
St. Cloud
Herberger's Fandel's
St. Paul
Dayton’s Donaldson’s Emporium Field-Schlick Young-Quinlan
Mississippi
Jackson
Kennington's McRae's
Missouri
Jackson
Kennington's McRae's
Missouri
Montana
Hart-Albin Co.
Hennessy's
Nebraska
Hart-Albin Co.
Hennessy's
Nebraska
New Jersey
Morristown
M. Epstein & Co.
Newark
M. Epstein & Co.
Newark
New York
Fowler's
Buffalo
Iszard's
New York City
North Carolina
Ivey's Bon Marché Belk
Charlotte
J.B. Ivey & Co. Belk Brothers
Ellis Stone Thalhimer's
Belk-Hudson
Ivey's Bon Marché Belk
Charlotte
J.B. Ivey & Co. Belk Brothers
Ellis Stone Thalhimer's
Belk-Hudson
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Gable's
Erie
Boston Store Halle’s
Glosser Brothers Penn-Traffic
Glosser Brothers Penn-Traffic
Watt & Shand Hager & Bro.
The Globe Scranton Dry Goods
South Carolina
Belk
Columbia
Belk of Columbia
Davison's
Tapp's
White's
Greenville
Belk-Simpson
Ivey's
Meyers-Arnold
Belk
South Dakota
Fantle's
Tennessee
Loveman’s Miller’s
Texas
White & Kirk
Scarbrough's
Dallas
The Popular The White House
Cox's
Houston
Utah
Virginia
Heironymous
Leggett Nachman's Rice's
Washington
West Virginia
Stone & Thomas
Stone & Thomas
Wisconsin
CANADA
The Bay
The Bay Woodward's
Eaton’s The Right House Robinson’s
Eaton’s
The Bay
The Bay
The Bay Woodward’s
The Bay Eaton’s Woodward’s
