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Inside Mid 20th Century Department Stores

Created on Oct 03, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

In the 19th century, general stores were the place to shop for everything.

Eventually these small businesses morphed into department stores of the 20th century. In the 21st century of course internet shopping became the new way to get what you wanted.

These photos highlight the mid 20th century department store where there was an elevator operator announcing the floors (second floor, shoes, hats, jewelry, lingerie; third floor mezzanine and cafe...). Where you could buy everything from tobacco products to notions to high fashion.
Discover what shopping used to be like when it was a destination, but also a pastime.

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Department Store Photos

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Remember these tv's?

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Robes, right next to lingerie

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Buy a hat - then your tobacco

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$1.97?

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When was the last time you saw anything in a department store for a $1.97?

Adult toys department

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Adult toys weren't X-rated - they were games that adults would enjoy.

Children's shoes staircase

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Anyone remember these in the shoe department? Why?

Wallpaper department

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Wallpaper is making a comeback!

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Moth goods department

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A whole section dedicated to "moth goods" - materials were different then and moths loved them!

Men's shoes

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60 years - and men's shoes haven't changed much - at least dress shoes haven't.

The fur salon at Macy's

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No more fur salons!

The "drug department"

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Department stores had a pharmacy department.

Draperies, of course

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Right next to yardage.

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Model kitchens at Macy's

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"Listening post"

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Where you could listen to records (remember them?) before you bought them.

Brooms and mops department

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Toy department display

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Not a battery in sight!

Every Christmas, Santa showed up!

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Macy's: Gilbert Rhodes display

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Click "next page" to see some popular toys from the 1950's that were sold in department stores.

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