Here is an archival photo of Denholms only branch store in Auburn Ma. The store opened in the spring of 1973 in the space that now houses Macy's Home collection. The total square feet was 175,000. First floor was primarily Men's and Women's sportswear,Children's, millinery, jewelry and cosmetics. Second floor was comprised of Home and electronics . This store stayed open just a few months after the downtown Worcester store closed in 1973.
I remember this branch - and also remember that the legend is that this retail space is cursed!
ReplyDeleteWhen Denholms closed in 1973, it was replaced by a branch of Forbes & Wallace, a Springfield, MA department store. F&W closed their doors in 1975, and was replaced by a branch of Providence, RI's Outlet Department Store. The Outlet went under in 1982 and was replaced by a branch of Caldor. Caldor went out of business in 1999 and was replaced by a Filene's Home Store shortly thereafter. Then Filene's was gobbled up by (ugh!!) Macy's.
Oddly enough, those silver aluminum strips hanging from the ceiling around various light fixtures remained intact while the space was operated by F&W and the Outlet. The store remained virtually unchanged until the Caldor regime.
You have a great memory! Yes, all of your facts are true. I wonder why people say the space was cursed? I also remember the hanging silver strip light fixture from when I was a kid. I also remember the elevator to the right when you walked in the mall entrance, and the wallpaper in the mens department was flocked velvet.
ReplyDeleteI recently found a Denholms 100th Christmas bag a a yard sale, where can I send the image?
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