Saturday, August 13, 2011

The Denholms book

Denholms in 1968. From the collection of the Worcester Historical Museum
I have never written anything in a lengthy form especially a short book since I was in school.  I must say, the process has been an amazing labor of love.  I have been able to speak with so many former associates and relatives of the Denholms management team, and hear their stories firsthand about their time spent at Denholms.  What amazed me is how much everyone still cares for a store that closed long ago.  The book has exposed me to a group of people that I am so honored to have the chance to reminisce with.  Presently I am in the process of finishing up my portion of the book which covers the stores history from 1871 till its closing in 1974.  All of the imagery has been collected and sorted, and the art department of the History Press (publishers of the book) are in the process of designing the front and back cover....very exciting!  The book is slated for release in November 2011 just in time for the holiday season.   I look forward to being able to share the history of this once grand store with all of you, and I hope that it conjures up your own memories of your shopping experience at Denholms!

6 comments:

  1. Chris, What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother and all of the dedicated employees who made Denholm McKay "the" department store in Worcester for so many years. Thank you for sharing your love of Denholms and for helping to keep its spirit alive.

    I look forward to the books publication.

    David

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just discovered this blog today while looking for old Worcester stuff. I used to visit Denholms several times a week on my way home from school. Those escalators were the first to have decorated transparent sides. There was an article in the Telegram about them. I well remember the great elevator operators, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Chris, I'm Shirley and read your article in the Worcester paper this morning. Had to come and visit and follow your blog. How wonderful that you have created this blog and now a book on our wonderful past stores. Denholm's and all the stores on Main and other streets were the best years of my life. As a teen I bought my first pair of Go-Go boots at Denholm's. Haha..
    I grew up in the North End of the city near Rural Cemetary. Walking with a girl friend downtown as we carried our transitor radios was the best ever..and Denholm's was the first on the list to shop at! I will be buying your book. Thanks for bringing back the best of time.
    ~Shirley

    ReplyDelete
  4. A highschool friend Glenn Van Tassel work after school 1960-62 as an assistant in window decorations. I'll inform him of the book coming out soon.
    Please provide more detail on obtaining as they become available.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chris, Are you the Chris Sawyer that I used to work with at Jordan Marsh in Worcester? I too have wonderful memoriesof my grandmother taking me to Denholms. So looking forward to your book! Chris Carrigan Trainor

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chris Carrigan, did you have blonde hair? Yes I used to work at Jordan Marsh. I look back so fondly at those days.

    ReplyDelete