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| Interested in Hess's? You'll enjoy this book. |
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| Behind Hess's 1930s Art-Moderne facade were multiple buildings and the original hotel in which the store began in 1897 |
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| Although Hess's was well-suited to the Lehigh Valley city of Allentown, it drove its buiness by making customers feel as if they were shopping in a more sophisticated, big-city store. |
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| Hess's was famous for its Christmas displays, (including Pip the Mouse), haute-couture fashion, and its overwhelming flower shows that drew people from afar. |
Hess Brothers (1897)
9th and Hamilton Streets
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Basement
Hess's Bargain Basement • Fashion Fabrics • Art Needlework • Sewing Machines • Books • Hess's Patio Restaurant
Main Floor
Fine Jewelry • Fashion Jewelry • Fashion Watches • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Gloves • Belts • Neckwear • Accessories • Hosiery • Cosmetics • Fashion Shoes • Blouses • Sweaters • Misses' Budget Sportswear • Candies • Stationery • Office Equipment • Oasis Snack Bar
Store for Men Men's Furnishings • Men's Sportswear • Men's Slacks • Men's Shoes • Young Men's Sportswear • Men's Clothing • Men's Outerwear • University Shop
Second Floor
Misses' Budget Dresses • Misses' Sportswear • Misses' Dresses • Women's World • Fashion Coats • Better Sportswear • Designer Jeans • Better Dresses • Social Occasion Dresses • French Room • Bridal Salon • Fur Salon
Second Floor Annex
Hess's Marketplace • Lamps • Pictures and Mirrors • Fine Art Gallery • Portrait Studio • Beauty Salon • Trimmers
Third Floor
Bodyfashions • Sleepfashions • Loungewear
Junior World Junior Sportswear • Junior Dresses • Junior Coats
Infants' Clothing • Infants' Accessories • Infants' Furniture • Toddlers' Clothing • Girls' Accessories • Big Girls' Clothing • Little Girls' Clothing • Boys' Accessories • Boy's Clothing
Fourth Floor
Sheets • Blankets • Bedspreads • Pillows • Towels • Bath Shop • China • Glassware • Silver • Gift Gallery • Hostess Shop • Hoffritz Shop • Cookware • Bakeware • Small Appliances • Floor Care • Personal Care Appliances • Notions
Fifth Floor
Living Room Furniture • Occasional Furniture • Dining Room Furniture • Bedroom Furniture • Bedding • Easy Living Furniture • Appliances • TV Sets • Stereos • Radios • Records • Sporting Goods • Luggage • Toys
Fifth Floor Annex
Community Room • Special Events • Toyland (Christmas) • Festival of Trees & Pip the Mouse
(410,000 s.f.)
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| Lancaster 101 North Queen St. 1971 180,000 s.f. |
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| Palmer Park Mall 136 Palmer Park Mall Easton 1971 122,000 s.f. |
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| Westgate 2524 Schoenersville Rd. Bethlehem 1973 107,000 s.f. |
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| Hess's South 3300 Lehigh Street 1974 102,000 s.f. |
Hess's North
MacArthur Rd, Whitehall
1975
102,000 s.f.
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| Quakertown Richland Plaza 751 S. West End Blvd. 88,000 s.f. |
Trexler Mall
Trexlertown
1976
54,000 s.f.
Doylestown
Doylestown Shopping Center
1976
56,000 s.f.
Lycoming Mall
Williamsport
1978
120,000 s.f.
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| Stroud Mall Stroudsburg 1978 70,000 s.f. |
Logan Valley Mall
Altoona
1978
105,000 s.f.
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Frackville
Schuylkill Mall
1980
85,000 s.f.
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Hess's was acquired by Crown American Realty Trust in 1979, and began to
swallow up many smaller department stores in the East and Middle south. The
store grew from 19 to 79 branches, but by 1990 was unprofitable. This
exhibit focuses on the original, independent, Allentown-based Hess's, so well-
loved and remembered by its former customers.
Coming in due course.
