Thursday, June 30, 2011

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.


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