A Facebook posting about Old-Fashioned Bargain Days in downtown Charlottesville caught my attention the other day, and brought back memories. Yesterday I drove downtown to wander the
Mall and check out the bargains.
Mall and check out the bargains.
Old-Fashioned Bargain Days has been a summer tradition in downtown Charlottesville for decades. I can remember as a child going downtown with Mom to view the bargains in the 60’s, when East Main Street still carried traffic and the pedestrian mall hadn’t even been thought of. In my memory the sidewalks were lined with shoppers for this annual event, and tables of exciting merchandise were set up in front of almost every store. This was in the days before discount stores and shopping centers,
before continual “sales” in every chain store. Bargains were maybe more exciting then. After East Main Street was bricked over and became a pedestrian mall, Old-Fashioned Bargain Days continued.
Here’s a picture of Mom, who in the 80’s and early 90’s worked in a Christmas and gift shop, the
Persimmon Corner, on the mall, dressed in costume for the shop’s Old-Fashioned Bargain Days event.
before continual “sales” in every chain store. Bargains were maybe more exciting then. After East Main Street was bricked over and became a pedestrian mall, Old-Fashioned Bargain Days continued.
Here’s a picture of Mom, who in the 80’s and early 90’s worked in a Christmas and gift shop, the
Persimmon Corner, on the mall, dressed in costume for the shop’s Old-Fashioned Bargain Days event.
The Persimmon Corner is no longer in business, but a coffee shop, Java Java, is now located in its place.
The paned glass window remains, as does much of the interior charm, where Christmas trees loaded with lights, ornaments, and tinsel used to brighten up the shop all year round.
The enduring nature and serial repurposing of the buildings downtown is one of the things I love about the Downtown Mall.
Downtown is, and for most of its existence has been, a central focal point for the community of Charlottesville and its environs. Wandering down the several blocks of the mall yesterday, I stopped to take photos of buildings I especially like.
Downtown is, and for most of its existence has been, a central focal point for the community of Charlottesville and its environs. Wandering down the several blocks of the mall yesterday, I stopped to take photos of buildings I especially like.
At the Men and Boys Shop, across from Java Java, I bought two polo shirts for Gary, at half price.
At Rock Paper Scissors I bought a leather-bound journal for $15. Rock Paper Scissors has recently re-located to its current location from a building a block down the mall. It’s now in a first floor space of a large building that I still think of as the Miller and Rhoads location.
Miller and Rhoads was one of several full size department stores downtown when I was young. Its five floors and basement had just about every sort of ware one might want, from household items to linens to mens’, womens’ and childrens’ clothes, to décor. I recall that Gary and I, as young marrieds,
bought feathered butterfly Christmas tree ornaments for our first Christmas tree on the fifth floor of Miller and Rhoads in 1971. We still have a few of them, the feathers somewhat the worse for wear. Miller and Rhoads moved to the Barracks Road Shopping Center, and later to the Fashion Square Mall, and now is gone. I miss the downtown Miller and Rhoads the most.
One thing I don’t think Miller and Rhoads had was toys. But across the street was another department store, Tilman’s, and they did. Tilman’s was an older store than Miller and Rhoads. It had long dark wood counters on its first floor, on which some wares were displayed, and other items, stored in tissue in cardboard boxes, could be shown on request by one of the saleswomen behind the counter.
Tilman’s had a hydraulic chute that the saleslady would use to insert the customer’s payment. The money would whisk along a set of tubes running high above the counters, to the office – part of which was glassed in and could be seen – on the second floor. In a minute or two, change and a handwritten receipt would be whisked back and handed to the customer. On the lower level of Tilman’s was their toy department, as I recall it a modest sized room with blond wood tables displaying a modest selection of toys – baby dolls, cars, toy soldiers, picture books, dollhouse furniture, and the like. I recall in December of 1961 or 1962 that Tilman’s had a giveaway promotion for the Christmas season – a Jackie Kennedy doll, complete with a set of lovely clothes and a trunk to put them in. She was propped in the glass display window looking out on the street, and she looked so elegant. I hoped against hope to win this treasure – it did not happen. I was too old to believe in Santa, but not too old to wish for this doll.
bought feathered butterfly Christmas tree ornaments for our first Christmas tree on the fifth floor of Miller and Rhoads in 1971. We still have a few of them, the feathers somewhat the worse for wear. Miller and Rhoads moved to the Barracks Road Shopping Center, and later to the Fashion Square Mall, and now is gone. I miss the downtown Miller and Rhoads the most.
One thing I don’t think Miller and Rhoads had was toys. But across the street was another department store, Tilman’s, and they did. Tilman’s was an older store than Miller and Rhoads. It had long dark wood counters on its first floor, on which some wares were displayed, and other items, stored in tissue in cardboard boxes, could be shown on request by one of the saleswomen behind the counter.
Tilman’s had a hydraulic chute that the saleslady would use to insert the customer’s payment. The money would whisk along a set of tubes running high above the counters, to the office – part of which was glassed in and could be seen – on the second floor. In a minute or two, change and a handwritten receipt would be whisked back and handed to the customer. On the lower level of Tilman’s was their toy department, as I recall it a modest sized room with blond wood tables displaying a modest selection of toys – baby dolls, cars, toy soldiers, picture books, dollhouse furniture, and the like. I recall in December of 1961 or 1962 that Tilman’s had a giveaway promotion for the Christmas season – a Jackie Kennedy doll, complete with a set of lovely clothes and a trunk to put them in. She was propped in the glass display window looking out on the street, and she looked so elegant. I hoped against hope to win this treasure – it did not happen. I was too old to believe in Santa, but not too old to wish for this doll.
Near Tilman’s was a florist shop. The building still remains, but is no longer a florist. I can still recall the cool, moist, scented air in that shop, with a tall refrigerated case of beautiful and exotic blooms against the wall, colorful ribbons and baskets for arrangements, green waxy paper and long white cardboard boxes for blooms. I think Gary bought the corsage for our senior prom
at this florist, and I bought his boutonniere there.
at this florist, and I bought his boutonniere there.
Several blocks from Tilman’s was Leggett’s. This large department store, with first floor and mezzanine, was located where the Regal Theater now is, I think. I recall in the mid 60’s, in the 7th grade, buying nylon stockings at Leggett’s on the first floor. They came in a flat box, carefully wrapped in tissue. On Leggett’s mezzanine was their fabric department, and when I started sewing in
the 8th grade I went there to choose fabric, thread, and buttons. Leggett’s relocated to Barrack’s Road Shopping Center, and then to the Fashion Square Mall, and changed its name to Belk’s. It’s still there, still a nice store, but not the same.
There were several jewelers downtown, and today there still are, though they are not all the same ones that were then when I was young. Tuel Jewelers, however, has been in operation since 1945, and still features handsome jewelry, watches and watch repair.
Keller and George moved to a location near the Barracks Road Shopping Center some years ago. I recall the handsome interior of this fine jeweler in its downtown location, with its mahagony counters and shimmering displays. Its building still remains, handsome and refined. A used bookstore is housed there now.
The dime stores downtown were another favorite of mine when I was young. I recall especially the first Woolworth’s, which was located across the street from the Paramount Theater. It had wooden floors and a candy counter where a child could purchase a selection of “penny candy” for a nickel, delivered in a crisp white paper bag. Various wares in Woolworth’s, and at McCrory’s across the street and down a few doors, were displayed on low counters. Woolworth’s also had parakeets for sale, and goldfish. We never had a parakeet, but more than once we purchased a goldfish, carrying it home in a plastic bag full of water, doing our best to keep it alive for awhile. There was also a lunch counter, where one could get eggs and toast, or a hotdog, or a banana split. Sometime before the pedestrian mall was built, Woolworth’s moved a couple of blocks down the street. I worked there for a few months one summer, as a high school student. It’s gone now, a victim of bigger, discount stores, including the Woolco that was built in the Barracks Road Shopping Center before it too met its demise.
McCrory’s, as I recall, did not have food. But I very clearly remember shopping there at Christmas time, and I remember the Christmas trinkets on display on its counters in December – shiny glass ornaments in thin cardboard boxes, glittery silver tinsel, heavy and friable, pleated red tissue bells that one could unfold and hang from the ceiling. McCrory’s sadly caught fire and burned one summer evening in the mid 60’s. The Central Place on the Downtown Mall, an open area surrounded by shops and highlighted with a tall fountain, has taken its place. Much of the year diners can eat outside in this central area, listening to music, enjoying the fresh air.
McCrory’s, as I recall, did not have food. But I very clearly remember shopping there at Christmas time, and I remember the Christmas trinkets on display on its counters in December – shiny glass ornaments in thin cardboard boxes, glittery silver tinsel, heavy and friable, pleated red tissue bells that one could unfold and hang from the ceiling. McCrory’s sadly caught fire and burned one summer evening in the mid 60’s. The Central Place on the Downtown Mall, an open area surrounded by shops and highlighted with a tall fountain, has taken its place. Much of the year diners can eat outside in this central area, listening to music, enjoying the fresh air.
At Christmas time a large evergreen, decorated in lights and ornaments, is put on display in the Central Place. Carols are sung, a snow machine wafts white flakes up in the air, and Santa Claus makes an appearance.
Also in downtown Charlottesville were and still are two stately theaters, the Jefferson and the Paramount. Both these venues have been renovated, and host a year-round array of live music and performances, as well as occasional movie events in the case of the Paramount. The Jefferson also
serves as an event venue. Our daughter’s wedding reception was held there.
serves as an event venue. Our daughter’s wedding reception was held there.
Both the Paramount and the Jefferson are beautiful buildings. As it happens, Dad managed the Paramount in the early 60’s and co-owned the Jefferson in the early 80’s, and Gary worked as a projectionist at the Jefferson in the late 70’s and early 80’s while in grad school, but those are
stories for another day.
A relatively new event venue on the Downtown Mall is the Old Metropolitan Hall. It’s located in what was Gleason’s Bakery, a classic old-fashioned bakery featuring sugary donuts, cookies, pies, cakes, rolls, all displayed on trays in clear glass counters. Gleason’s Bakery had large display windows in front and windows high on the wall facing the cross street. The city bus had a stop right by the bakery on that cross street, and in high school we would sometimes trudge up the hill from Lane High (now the Albemarle County Office Building ) and hang out in front of the bakery, waiting for a bus. There was a piano studio above the bakery.
stories for another day.
A relatively new event venue on the Downtown Mall is the Old Metropolitan Hall. It’s located in what was Gleason’s Bakery, a classic old-fashioned bakery featuring sugary donuts, cookies, pies, cakes, rolls, all displayed on trays in clear glass counters. Gleason’s Bakery had large display windows in front and windows high on the wall facing the cross street. The city bus had a stop right by the bakery on that cross street, and in high school we would sometimes trudge up the hill from Lane High (now the Albemarle County Office Building ) and hang out in front of the bakery, waiting for a bus. There was a piano studio above the bakery.
One thing the Charlottesville Downtown Mall has even more of now than it had in former days is restaurants and coffee shops, even food carts. Lunch and dinner opportunities abound on the mall and its side streets. Here are just a few of them.
Yesterday, when I finished walking up and down the mall, looking around in the stores, considering where to get a coffee, I rode back up the glassed-in elevator of the Market Street Parking
Garage to my car.
Garage to my car.
I’d parked my car just below the open top floor of the garage, so I got out at level 5. The sky was a bright clear blue, the sun was warm but not too hot, white clouds floated above, and from several directions I could see the low surrounding mountains. Such a pleasant finish to a walk on the
Downtown Mall, and a walk down memory lane.
Downtown Mall, and a walk down memory lane.