retromania
Well-known member
Yuck!
I said YUCK!
I said YUCK!
Anyone remember seeing these in the JC Penny furniture department ?
- Thread starter verizonbear
- Start date
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By hard goods I was meaning appliances, tires/batteries, tools, paint, sporting goods....the kind of stuff men shop for (as opposed to fashion lol). Penney got out of that business in the early-to-mid-80s. There was a cute story on CBS Sunday Morning a few years ago about a woman who bought a 1964 Comet Caliente and had driven it 750,000 miles. She bought an exhaust system from Midas and The JC Penney Battery...both of which warranted for the life of your automobile. She was on the spot talking about getting 5 new exhaust systems and 4 batteries...Firestone stood behind the Penney warranty. Penney never put hard goods in their original "soft goods" main-street stores...only in the mall stores into which they expanded in the very late 50s through the 60s and 70s; and they did not set up the catalog business to handle those types of merchandise (where both Sears and Wards sold their full lines through the catalogue. Penney had pretty good coverage nationwide although there were some odd gaps...they only had 2 stores in metro Cincinnati, for instance. (Sears was nationwide, of course; and Wards had wider coverage than Penneys but also had gaps--for instance stores in Kansas City and Chicago but never in St. Louis; stores in Toledo and Akron but not really anywhere else in Ohio)
Regarding Richway...the locations were very noticeable in Atlanta...those skylights were visible a mile away. There's an interesting thread on Pleasant Family Shopping and on Groceteria about Treasure Island. Apparently there was a third company (Hinky Dinky from Omaha, NE) which was a supermarket chain throughout Nebraska and Iowa which got into the business of running leased supermarket departments in the early 60s in stores like Treasure Island and some of the membership stores (GEM, for instance). Apparently they figured out a way to selectively get into that business in certain cities where the competitive structure was ripe for a low-overhead type operation. They sold off that business in the early 70s to JC Penney, which incorporated it into Treasure Island and ultimately folded it later in the decade. Toward the late 70s that type of food operation was transitioned to local chains operating on behalf of the discounter (KMart Foods, for instance).
We did not have Wards in the Atlanta area, but they had them in Florida. I don't know if Wards had stores anywhere in GA.
I think I remember hearing daddy say that the Richway grocery operation was related to CUB foods, but I'm not certain. Poor Richway.
Up here in the 70s and into the early 80s, we had GEMCO (gov't employees membership coop or something similar) which became MEMCO (membership coop) that had pretty good grocery stores in them. The also sold auto stuff like tires and gas and appliances. I almost bought a WP dw there before KA came out with the 18 series. They also sold Frigidaire which is where I saw that horrible, what was it 1980 or 1981, washer that was a Westinghouse inside.
Speaking of awful stores to be dragged into as a kid, does anyone remember Robert Hall Clothing Stores? We were someplace traveling with daddy in the summer and there was one of these things near the motel, so mom made us walk up to the store with her so she could look through racks of crap. I think I found the only chair in the place; don't remember what my brother did, but I had to sit there while she looked at stuff. I could not imagine a store without housewares, at least, even if it did not have appliances, but it was just clothes in a bleak setting.
I think I remember hearing daddy say that the Richway grocery operation was related to CUB foods, but I'm not certain. Poor Richway.
Up here in the 70s and into the early 80s, we had GEMCO (gov't employees membership coop or something similar) which became MEMCO (membership coop) that had pretty good grocery stores in them. The also sold auto stuff like tires and gas and appliances. I almost bought a WP dw there before KA came out with the 18 series. They also sold Frigidaire which is where I saw that horrible, what was it 1980 or 1981, washer that was a Westinghouse inside.
Speaking of awful stores to be dragged into as a kid, does anyone remember Robert Hall Clothing Stores? We were someplace traveling with daddy in the summer and there was one of these things near the motel, so mom made us walk up to the store with her so she could look through racks of crap. I think I found the only chair in the place; don't remember what my brother did, but I had to sit there while she looked at stuff. I could not imagine a store without housewares, at least, even if it did not have appliances, but it was just clothes in a bleak setting.
I Googled Richway Stores Atlanta
and found a lot of sad history. Here is what happened to the one we used to "patronize."
The former store in Decatur, GA at 4000 Covington Highway was converted to a non-denominational church, Total Grace Christian Center.
Glad to see it's still a place of commerce.
and found a lot of sad history. Here is what happened to the one we used to "patronize."
The former store in Decatur, GA at 4000 Covington Highway was converted to a non-denominational church, Total Grace Christian Center.
Glad to see it's still a place of commerce.
JCPenney has long been a mall anchor-store in the larger "shopping-city" next to the small berg of my origin. The current store at the "new" mall has always been clothing and linens & housewares, no hardgoods.
The first hi-fi system we (I) had in the mid-1970s was a set of MCS components from JCP. I still have the turntable.
These are NOT my pictures, found them online.
"But people liked it at the time"
Yes, those with VERY poor taste.
Yes, those with VERY poor taste.
Robert Hall
Robert Hall Commercials ..
Harry
Robert Hall Commercials ..
Harry
dirtybuck
Well-known member
Place Your Bets
Does anyone think this'll work?
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/sales-back-jcpenney-continues-confound-134552938.html
Does anyone think this'll work?
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/sales-back-jcpenney-continues-confound-134552938.html
kb0nes
Well-known member
Place Your Bets
Its a shame that the JCP no sale experiment didn't work. But the pity is that most shoppers are lured in by the 4-letter "S" word and promise of a "bargain". Retailers like Kohl's and Herbergers play the game to an extreme level. If you ever walk into one of those stores and buy something that doesn't have a reduced price you were fleeced. The normally priced items make up margin for the low low sale prices...
I do my level best to only deal with retailers that don't go overboard on sales. Its simple to just price items at a "reasonable" margin and leave them at that. One example company I deal with frequently is McMaster Carr, they have NEVER offered a reduced price on anything that I have seen. Their price is almost always at or below their competitors "sale" pricing.
I also enjoyed the remembrance of the JC Penny line of MCS stereo components. Back about 1980 I remember looking them over every time I went into the store!
Its a shame that the JCP no sale experiment didn't work. But the pity is that most shoppers are lured in by the 4-letter "S" word and promise of a "bargain". Retailers like Kohl's and Herbergers play the game to an extreme level. If you ever walk into one of those stores and buy something that doesn't have a reduced price you were fleeced. The normally priced items make up margin for the low low sale prices...
I do my level best to only deal with retailers that don't go overboard on sales. Its simple to just price items at a "reasonable" margin and leave them at that. One example company I deal with frequently is McMaster Carr, they have NEVER offered a reduced price on anything that I have seen. Their price is almost always at or below their competitors "sale" pricing.
I also enjoyed the remembrance of the JC Penny line of MCS stereo components. Back about 1980 I remember looking them over every time I went into the store!
Yeh..., --Yuk!
I'm sure this was in a 1982 JC P catalog that I had years ago!
There used to be a great selection of auto parts & accessories I'm sure that along w/ appliances got long-discontinued...
-- Dave
I'm sure this was in a 1982 JC P catalog that I had years ago!
There used to be a great selection of auto parts & accessories I'm sure that along w/ appliances got long-discontinued...
-- Dave
Thanks, Harry!
I remembered the song once it started playing. Low overhead was a great understatement.
I remembered the song once it started playing. Low overhead was a great understatement.
Back when in the 1950's Robert Hall was the onl store open on Sundays in our area. Had lots of shoppers then as nothing else was open. At least in the Oklahoma City area. The in the 60's GEMCO and AMC membershio stores opened and also opened on Sundays there.
I´m sorry but these furniture looks horrible to me.
But they would be a perfect match for a Mueller "Pioneira" Washer.
But they would be a perfect match for a Mueller "Pioneira" Washer.
retromania
Well-known member
JCP New Selling Approach
They've already abandoned it? That didn't last long!
They've already abandoned it? That didn't last long!
Not that Treasure Island...there was a Meijer-like store in Milwaukee and Atlanta (among other places) owned by JCP.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
I think
from the 1950's until current, that the 1970's was by far the ugliest decade when it came to fashion, decor, etc..
from the 1950's until current, that the 1970's was by far the ugliest decade when it came to fashion, decor, etc..
whirlcool
Well-known member
I do remember Robert Hall too. That had to be the most boring place on the planet.
The ones we had only had two small windows on the front of it, up by the flat roof line. The walls were all painted beige with beige floor tile. I remember my Mother used to spend HOURS in that place, but never bought anything.
When I was 14 or 15 she would say "You are going shopping with me".
Me: No, I don't want to spend an entire day in stores. It's only 10:00am
Mother: It's only going to be a quick trip. We'll be back in an hour. You ARE going!
Me: Well, maybe we'll be home in time for dinner.
Mother: Don't get smart with me young man!
Then off we went, it seemed like she hit every store in the two malls nearest our house. We were lucky to return home by 7:00pm.
She was famous for this.
I bought my very first suit at Robert Hall, I had to save up money for it when I was in high school. Robert Hall did have some nice suits mixed in with the 100% polyester suits.
I think I did a happy dance when I heard that Robert Hall shut down.
The ones we had only had two small windows on the front of it, up by the flat roof line. The walls were all painted beige with beige floor tile. I remember my Mother used to spend HOURS in that place, but never bought anything.
When I was 14 or 15 she would say "You are going shopping with me".
Me: No, I don't want to spend an entire day in stores. It's only 10:00am
Mother: It's only going to be a quick trip. We'll be back in an hour. You ARE going!
Me: Well, maybe we'll be home in time for dinner.
Mother: Don't get smart with me young man!
Then off we went, it seemed like she hit every store in the two malls nearest our house. We were lucky to return home by 7:00pm.
She was famous for this.
I bought my very first suit at Robert Hall, I had to save up money for it when I was in high school. Robert Hall did have some nice suits mixed in with the 100% polyester suits.
I think I did a happy dance when I heard that Robert Hall shut down.
My mother had the magical ability to disappear in the ladies department at a big city department store. When the allotted time was up and dad sent us kids to find her she was never anywhere to be found. We all think she hid in the racks when she heard us coming. When she eventually showed up at the prescribed "meeting place" always late she "couldn't understand" how we didn't see her there looking at dresses etc.
retromania
Well-known member
Mark
You got that right!!
You got that right!!
lordkenmore
Well-known member
the 1970's was by far the ugliest decade
It probably was the worst decade. But I frankly don't think the 80s-now is particularly great. Most things seem to be designed with either "boring ugly" or just "boring." Maybe, though, I'm too retro minded....
It probably was the worst decade. But I frankly don't think the 80s-now is particularly great. Most things seem to be designed with either "boring ugly" or just "boring." Maybe, though, I'm too retro minded....
whirlcool
Well-known member
The 70's was the era of "if it feels good, do it!"
The 80's was the era of bankers, stock market & "greed is good"
Somehow I think our fashion sense reflected that.
The 80's was the era of bankers, stock market & "greed is good"
Somehow I think our fashion sense reflected that.
frontloaderfan
Well-known member
70s UGLY...
As a kid, I remember hideous stuff like this in people's houses, along with lime green shag carpeting and those dreadful shaggy planter things that hung from the ceiling and could also double as a sort of psychotic end table (did they even have a name?)
I also seem to remember that it was en vogue to tear down Victorian buildings (guess they didn't like being shown what real elegance is) and put up concrete monsters that looked like above-ground bomb shelters.
Thank God those days are over!
As a kid, I remember hideous stuff like this in people's houses, along with lime green shag carpeting and those dreadful shaggy planter things that hung from the ceiling and could also double as a sort of psychotic end table (did they even have a name?)
I also seem to remember that it was en vogue to tear down Victorian buildings (guess they didn't like being shown what real elegance is) and put up concrete monsters that looked like above-ground bomb shelters.
Thank God those days are over!
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