Hess Brothers, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Interested in Hess's?
You'll enjoy this book.

Behind Hess's 1930s Art-Moderne facade were multiple
buildings and the original hotel in which the store began in 1897

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.

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.)

Nittanny Mall

2901 E. College Ave.

State College

1968

70,000 s.f.

Lancaster
101 North Queen St.
1971
180,000 s.f.

Palmer Park Mall
136 Palmer Park Mall
Easton
1971
122,000 s.f.

Westgate
2524 Schoenersville Rd.
Bethlehem
1973
107,000 s.f.

Hess's South
3300 Lehigh Street
1974
102,000 s.f.

Hess's North

MacArthur Rd, Whitehall

1975

102,000 s.f.

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.

Stroud Mall
Stroudsburg
1978
70,000 s.f.

Logan Valley Mall

Altoona

1978

105,000 s.f.

Frackville

Schuylkill Mall

1980

85,000 s.f.

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.