Retail: November 2008 Archives

When it opened its doors in 1912, Jacks of York was located on East Market Street, adjacent to the York Trust Company building. The new fashion store offered apparel for both men and women. In 1924, the popular retailer relocated to the former National Hotel building at the intersection of West Market and North Beaver Streets. This new location proved ideal as it was centrally located between The Bon-Ton, Wiest's, and Central Market House. The building was remodeled and modernized, and four years later Jacks discontinued men's wear to focus on women's fashions.

At the end of World War II, Jacks renovated the interior and exterior of the old hotel. They expanded again in 1955 with the addition of a bridal department and designer shop on the second floor. This shop, which was enlarged a decade later, became known as "The Gold Room."

As the downtown retail district prospered, so did Jacks. They doubled the store frontage in 1961, incorporating the building immediately to the east. A "modern fur vault" was added two years later.

A mid 20th century profile of Jacks of York describes the store as follows:

Jacks of York, Inc., is one of Southern Pennsylvania's leading fashion stores offering a large and superb selection of popular and exclusive styles in coats, dresses, blouses, skirts, sportswear, lingerie, intimate apparel, hosiery, maternity dresses and ensembles, evening gowns, bridals and bride's maid dresses - the latter being features of the store's famous, second-floor Designer Shop.

Like many of its neighbors, Jacks of York saw its business decline as residents and retailers moved to the suburbs. Though Jacks is long-gone, the building that was its home for five decades still stands, restored to its appearance of 1863. And many female long-time residents of York still fondly remember Jacks - shopping there with their mothers and grandmothers, the white gift boxes with handles, and the large electric tree sign at the holidays.

From the late 1800s through much of the 20th century, P. Wiest's Sons Department Store was a fixture on West Market Street, not far from Continental Square. The store began in Dover in 1843, but soon relocated to the 200 block of West Market Street to reach a larger customer base. In the early days, Peter Wiest sold everything from rakes to butter to whisky. He traded molasses and nails with farmers and extended credit to many Yorkers.

In 1884, the Codorus flooded its banks, and Wiest's relocated. The founder died a few years later, and three of his sons reorganized the business as P. Wiest's Sons. In 1889 a "large and commodious store building" was erected near the Square. It was renovated and expanded several times, and a 1940s profile of the department store notes, "Remodeled and refixtured again in 1942, Wiest's is now a modern department store of the newest type, and has buying connections that enable it to bring to York the best of the world's up-to-date merchandise to meet the needs of the whole family."

By this time the store was known for its millinery, ready-to-wear clothing, and shoes, among other items. The store continued to prosper, but by the early 1970s the downtown retail district was a shadow of its former self, and Wiest's was forced to close. Their building still stands and is today known as the Wolf Building, named for The Wolf Organization that occupies much of the former department store. The Wolf Organization includes Wolf Distributing Company, The Lumber Yard, and Baublitz Advertising. The York County Community Foundation and Cultural Alliance of York County are also located on the ground floor of the building.

Now that the vibrant Autumn colors are fading to burnt orange and we awake many mornings to find frost on our lawns, thoughts are turning to the rapidly approaching holiday season. A few radio stations are already previewing holiday music, even though Thanksgiving is still two weeks away. But soon it will be here - crowded mall parking lots, irritated shoppers waiting in long lines, trips across town and back in search of bargains.

During the early and mid 20th century, downtown York was the retail capital of the county. Generations of Yorkers fondly recall downtown trips to The Bon-Ton, Bear's, Jack's, and Wiest's, as well as the dozens of smaller stores located near Continental Square. West Market Street was a hub of retail activity and stores went all out in decorating for the holidays. The Bon-Ton, J.C. Penney, and Sears may all be neighbors now in the York Galleria, but once upon a time they were all neighbors on the 100 block of West Market Street.

Over the next month, Windows Into York will feature many of the popular downtown stores that thrived in York prior to the construction of suburban shopping centers and malls.

The postcard image above captures the vibrant scene of York's retail district in its heyday. Did you used to shop downtown? Do you have any fond holiday memories of The Bon-Ton Santa or Bear's Cafeteria or trips to one of the five city markets to prepare for a holiday dinner? If so, post a comment or send an e-mail to sbutcher@yorklinks.net.