Every year, this iconic photo shows up on Facebook, and other social media sites and is shared hundreds of times over.  It is such a shame that an image that brings a smile to so many, is all but a memory.  I wish the city of Worcester would at least project the tree of lights onto the exterior of Denholms for the holiday season or even just for First Night.  Downtown needs some sparkle, some light, to help foster a festive atmosphere. How amazing would it be to have this replicated for future generations to enjoy.  Other big cities across the nation still dress up their former stores facades with exterior lights to continue the tradition, isn't it time we took a step forward and treated our own buildings with a bit more dignity, especially at the holidays.

Updated windows at the Denholm Building

This week I was able to get away from my full time job to spend a little time at the Denholm Building to update their windows.  It had been a year since I had been there last, so it was in desperate need for an update.  Very little money was spent on these windows, and I like the challenge of having to work with everyday items.  I usually choose paper as my medium, as it is inexpensive and comes in a lot of variety such as cups, envelopes, 8 x 10 sheets etc...
    I would hope that other retailers, or owners of vacant store fronts would try to put their best foot forward to create a better street-scape for the Downtown area.... It deserves it.

 

The is a window for the Worcester Community Action Council which is celebrating it's 50th anniversary.  The material here is journal rolls from registers swagged in various formations to create a drape like effect as the back drop.  The copy strip at the bottom is also made from seamless paper-curled and folded.

This window was created for Dress for Success and it comprised of 500 sheets of gold paper twisted and curled into different formations to create this large scale organic structure to play off the mannequins leopard scarf.  

Here is a close up detail of the varied shapes.  A chicken wire structure was used to affix the paper too.

The last window is to highlight vacant space for rent in the building.  In order to fill the space I strung 400 paper circles onto back yarn and spaced them so it resembles bubbling water.  Gels on the lights highlight the red circles.  This is a temporary install as I have to get back in to complete it once some of piping is corrected under the floors.

I always look forward to my time spent in Worcester at my favorite building.  I only hope that others appreciate a decorated window as much as I do.

Best,

Christopher

Recent Denholm and McKay aquisitions

I am always on the hunt for items relating to the Denholm and McKay Company.  Here are a few items that I have purchased or received as gifts within the past 6 months.  I am really building up the collection and I thank all of you who have reached out to me with items that you have found.  A reminder, please do not throw any Denholms memorabilia away!  I will save it and hopefully one day be able to showcase my collection for all of you to see.

Denholms tie from my dear friend Pat

An early 1881 almanac from the store

Backside of almanac

Early 1900's silver polish envelope

a book of poems to read during afternoon tea

Pricing ticket from my friend Kathy

Advertising flyer

Denholms box from my dear friend Pat

Easter shopping 1965

"Spring comes to Denholms first" reads the copy in this window display from 1965.  The display revolved around navy suits and coordinating hats, but the real focus was on the shoe assortment by "Foot Flairs"(which was a vendor sold in the women's shoe salon on the first floor).  I love the hand-painted image of the tree on plexiglass, and the scatter gravel used on the floor, and of course, the vintage mannequins. 

 

 Today virtually no one buys a new outfit or shoes to celebrate the Easter holiday, but back in the day, Easter would come second to Christmas for apparel sales.  

One more week till spring, and enough time to do your Easter shopping!

Best,

Chris

Worcester's first escalators

   Fifty years ago Denholms installed the first set of escalators in the city of Worcester.  Denholms was late on installing these and had plans to do so in the 1940's. With World War II going on, and plans for a facade change, the new mode of transportation would be put on hold until the 1960's.

Second floor

   In 1963 harry Wolf (President of Denholms) met with the Otis escalator company and came up with a plan to retrofit the 1880's building with two separate sets of escalators.  The plans called for a narrow glass enclosed escalator with hand screened baroque detailing on the side panels.  These escalators were custom designed for Denholms and are the only ones in existence in the United States to this day.  By the early 1960's, customers were still relying on the 8 banks of elevators of numerous staircases to access the upper floors.  The new escalators (or "Escal-Aires" as they were known for their light and airy design) would allow for up to 5,000 shoppers to reach floors 1-5 in an average of two and a half minutes.  The sixth floor and basement still required elevator or stairs to access.

Eric Hallback Display Director with Denholms shoppers

  As many people have commented, these were their first ride on an escalator and memories of gliding through the upper floors were memorable to this day.

  The escalators are still in use at the Denholm building and I encourage people to go in and have a ride.  It is one of the last things remaining of the glory days of shopping downtown.

Denholms animated windows

  I was sent this photo by one of the former display managers from Denholms.  It shows the animated windows all dressed up for the holidays.  He stated that he believed it was taken around 1965....
  So many people have memories of walking the store windows as a child and being mesmerized by the animated figures and twinkling lights in stores such as Denholms, Filene's, and Barnard's.  It is such a shame that more stores and building don't dress up their storefronts in downtown to rekindle the sparkle that it once had.

  I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, and best wishes to you all.