Pittsburgh’s longest-standing Downtown department store is well-known for their iconic location on Fifth Avenue, but Kaufmann’s actually opened on the South Side in 1871. The 1984 Pittsburgh Christmas parade passes Kaufmann’s Department Store on Fifth Avenue. More information and memories of Gimbel Brothers can be found on The Department Store Museum.
#My candy love christmas 2011 windows#
The display windows at Christmastime were a wonderland with ornate animated displays…” – Anonymous, 23 November, 2013 We were on the same floor with Saks and Gifts, the sixth. “I worked at Gimbels in the Book Department for a few years (1964-66), right out of high school.
Thanks for the memories!” – Brenda, 02 January, 2016 “The toyland monorail was the greatest thing on the world! My grandma took us shopping there every Christmas season as children. I swear I would try ducking behind or below clothes racks to avoid the dreaded tree from seeing me and attempting to lure me closer with a “Hey little boy with the blue shirt on, what do you want for Christmas? Lord Almighty, it scared the you know what out of me!!!! I thought it was very creepy, LOL!!!” – Anonymous, 14 December, 2013 Decorations I must have been about 4 years old, my mother would drag me along with her while she was Christmas shopping. “Yes I vividly remember the “Talking Christmas Tree” at South Hills Village, and I was PETRIFIED OF IT!!!!, LOL. “Yes! I remember the Talking Tree!! My mother took me there every year when I was young.North Hills Village location.” – Anonymous, 29 February, 2012 “I was Trina the talking Christmas tree downtown in 1976 and 77!!!! It was the most magical job ever! I also worked in the Clinique department and the little shop off the side street garage.” – Kim, 10 December, 2019 The tree lights would blink when the young lady in the tree would respond to children’s questions. A young lady was secured on the inside and could see children when they approached. “Yes, it was “Trina, the talking Christmas tree”. at Christmas?” – Anonymous, 26 December, 2011 “Does anyone remember the talking tree in Gimbels toy dept. It had a name all its own.” – Anonymous, 06 April, 2018 Ad for Gimbels published in The Pittsburgh Press, Trina, the talking Christmas tree Does anyone remember the name of the luscious candy they were noted for which was composed of nuts, caramel, and several other ingredients. Many have tried to duplicate them but none compare. “Gimbel’s chocolate covered strawberries were the best EVER. I wonder if the recipes exist anywhere.” – Anonymous, 14 March, 2012 “Gimbals also had the best bakery in the city – bran muffins, bear’s claws couldn’t be beat. My Mom worked at the competition, Donahoe’s, but she always said Gimbels candies were the best.” – ap, 14 September, 2011
Here are a few Gimbels memories from The Department Store Museum… Memories at Gimbels: The candy counter Gimbels worked Myron Cope in 1978 to create and sell the first Terrible Towel (which, of course, sold out immediately). They also garnered a reputation for their delectable bakery and candy counter, especially the “Annaclair” chocolates. Working to establish themselves in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, Gimbels garnered a reputation as an affordable place to shop.
The Philadelphia-based company already had department stores in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York City. It all started in 1925 when Gimbel Brothers acquired the former ‘Kaufmann & Baer Co.’ department store (not to be confused with the other ‘Kaufmann’s’ store, owned by their cousins) on Sixth and Smithfield in Downtown Pittsburgh. A few of these traditions – like the electric tree on the corner of the former Joseph Horne Co building – we continue to enjoy today. No expense was spared on marketing and decorations – the stores were wrapped like presents, and Downtown buzzed with holiday cheer from November through the new year. The department stores all competed to attract the largest crowd when it was time to “flip the switch” on Light Up Night. To this day, names like Joseph Horne Company, Gimbel Brothers, Rosenbaum’s, Boggs & Buhl, and Kaufmann’s conjure up memories of the golden days of department stores… especially in regards to holiday shopping.įor decades, the window displays alone were worth a trip Downtown during the holidays. Shopping meant making a special trip (or tram ride!) Downtown to peruse the plethora of department stores spread across the Golden Triangle. īefore Amazon and Target, Pittsburghers shopped in style, not a hurry. Main floor of Horne’s Department Store decorated for Christmas, 1948.
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