A place to recall and celebrate the wonderful stores of a Downtown Boston now alive only in our memories

Sunday 5 December 2010

Christmas In Boston 1969 and Filene's Basement 1974






















Hello, My Fellow Retro Boston Lovers!
I present a double update for the holiday season today.

Part 1


First a look back at Boston in 1969.
What a year....1969!!
Boston was angry at the war...and peace seemed so far off.
The moon landing was the BIG NEWS of the year and The Brady Bunch was brand new on ABC TV.
Christmas shopping was a way to forget the TV news reports that seemed so unreal...so unhappy.
The stores were filled and the ads were numerous in the daily papers.
Jordan Marsh was the winner with ads on most pages...but the other stores did their best to catch our attention. Raymond's was still alive and Unkle Eph was hanging on...just!!
So enjoy a look back at a time of change...the 1960's was ending....and the Downtown Boston stores would enter the 1970's on very shaky ground!



Part 2



I found more of Nick DeWolf's amazing photos of Filene's Basement from 1974. With the premier of
VOICES FROM THE BASEMENT on WGBH TV, I thought it was fitting to roll out another mini tribute to this Boston legend.
The photos clearly show the wonderful hand printed signs and the great old cash registers I recall so vividly from shopping down there!
But look at those crowds!!! The basement was a hive of activity no matter when you went in! The tables were always a mess...and hands were always grabbing. The charm....and magic of the basement indeed:-)
Nick DeWolf had such a perfect way of capturing the moment for us...thank heavens!!!
What a treasure they are!!!

Enjoy....and thanks for a great year on this blog!!!!!

Charles:-)

charles65ofboston@yahoo.com
















Plus...Don't forget!!!!

LOOK....My new project!!


The Jordan Marsh Memory Project....check older updates for details!!!

5 comments:

Denholms said...

You are amazing! Your archive never ceases to amaze me. I wish you the very best for the holidays and the coming year. I haven't forgotten about the pictures I need to send you, it has just been crazy lately.
All my best.
Chris

Denholms said...

Charles, check out this link about Jordan Marsh in todays paper.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/the_downtown_cr.html

It is so amazing that years ago they would have a nativity scene above a store, or in it's windows,... and nowadays people are afraid to even say the word Christmas in the retail world.

Denholms said...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/the_downtown_cr.html

Denholms said...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/the_downtown_cr.html

tonyeewu said...

Nike free run
Nike free run 3.0 womens
Nike free Tr
Nike free run 5.0
Nike free run 3.0
Nike free run 7.0
Nike free run women
Nike free run 2