Letters, I get letters. Not really but I do get phone calls, texts and emails. I thought that followers of this space might enjoy this recent exchange I had with Gary Luebke.
On April 20 at 3:05 PM, Gary wrote:
Hello Doug,
I have read a number of your articles on the history of Maplewood and thought perhaps you might have an answer to a question concerning the location of Salle Ann Shops.
I have been researching the history of Maplewood, my mom and grandparents used to live in Maplewood. Both my mom and grandmother worked at Salle Ann clothing store in the 1950’s. The store was located on the south side of Manchester a few stores east of Sutton. I have found next to nothing on the internet. Are you familiar with Salle Ann in Maplewood and would you know where the store was located?
As a hobby, I do quite a lot of “Then and Now” photography and find some interesting subjects in Maplewood. I remember as a kid going to Katz Drugs. It pains me to see what was done to the north side of Manchester along the old shopping strip…..
Thank you for any help you might provide.
Gary Luebke
I answered:
On April 20 at 8:05 PM, Gary wrote:
Thank you very much for the information and the links, very useful! Based on what my mom is telling me that seems to be the correct address. She is 89 and couldn’t quite remember. My grandma managed the store. I will give Newspaper.com a try, I looked and looked and didn’t find what you found.
It really is heartbreaking to see what is lost to development and neglect, all we can do is find some solace in what remains. I think in the late 70’s my grandma got a buyout from KMart for her home on Lyle avenue, she was happy to sell the home as it became a burden to her in her old age. Sadly they tore down the house along with a couple of others before they put an end to further demolition. I was in my early twenties at the time and didn’t appreciate the old Maplewood. One bright spot is that my grandpa used to visit Johnny Ryan’s tavern at the SW corner of Sutton and Manchester, where the building still remains. Too bad it is no longer a pub.
To find then and now where old and new are similar is always exciting to me. Now and what used to be not so much. Saratoga is a good example, I found a few pics from the past, the building has not changed too much over the years as far as I can tell, I have found a few then pics. My mom has memories of hanging out in the 50’s.
Thanks again for your time and thank you for what you do in the interest of historic preservation.
On April 23 at 5:18 PM, Gary wrote:
Took my mom for a stroll down Manchester to check out the address you had provided for Salle Ann to see if she could remember. We got to the address and she was doubtful it was the correct address. The store front windows are not as deep as she remembered. Of course things have really changed over 65+ years. As luck would have it, I looked down at the entrance and I could see a S from under a mat. Pulled the mat back and there it was- Salle Ann after all these years ! It’s now a specialty bread store, very nice.
I picked up your books V 1 and 2 from Scheidts, very interesting photos and information. Will use some of the information for my private Maplewood then and now compilation.
Thank you.
On April 23 at 11:30 PM, I answered:
On April 24 at 1:49 PM, Gary wrote:
That would be cool to put in your blog Doug.
Both my mom Mary Ann Batz and my grandma Hazel Batz worked at SA in the 40’s and 50’s. Mary Ann worked part time 1949 to 51 while attending Maplewood HS. Hazel was manager of the store, working from the mid 1940’s to about 1955. They lived nearby on Lyle avenue.
Gary
Well, that was fun. Much thanks to Mary Ann Pierce and her son, Gary Luebke, for including us on their memory excursion.
Doug Houser April 27, 2022
Hello Mary, I’m so sorry I didn’t see your message before; Doug had to give me a wake up!! I worked at Citizens National Bank during my Senior Year 1953-54 under the work/study program. I was in the bank basement and I handled the supplies and mail. I remember making copies by preparing a master, placing it carefully on an inked drum, and then cranking it around to run copies. Quite a change from how we do it these days. After graduation I trained and became the Bond Teller. My Mom, Dorothy Fennell, was the Switchboard Operator and I also filled in for her sometimes. I got to know people by hearing their voice. One year during my employment the bank made a decision to purchase new Christmas decorations. Mr. Box was the janitor and was in charge of discarding the old decorations. One of those things was a small Santa that I really liked and Mr. Box gave it to me! That Santa has been with me every Christmas since then. I’m disappointed that I have no pictures of those years, the only pictures are in my mind. These days I have my camera with me and take pictures all the time. I would love to meet and visit with you sometime. Unsure if Doug told you we live in Kansas now and have not been back to St. Louis in a while. When we make plans to make a trip I will let you know and hope we can get together.
Nancy, if you would allow Doug to privately give me your e mail I can send you some old photos of the bank I think you would enjoy. You are welcome to my Email address also, Doug, can you be our liaison?
Years ago, when people asked where I lived and I said, “Maplewood”, very frequently they would say,”Oh yes, Goldies Department Store.”
Goldies had a large yard goods and sewing supplies department and people came from a longways to shop it.
Tom, You have added to our knowledge of Golde’s Department Store. Thank you.
I have a few photos of the strip during the time of this conversation that may jog a few memories. Also, 2 doors down from Paramount was Hart jewlers. I still have our wedding ring receipt from them (1970). Just don’t know how to post the photos.
Ed, You can email them to me if you like.
Another store that used to be on that side of the street was Bluestiens. I bought many a pair of Red Wing work boots and Carhart insulated coveralls there. Can’t remember exactly where on the block but seemed to be more in the middle of the block.
I will have to ask my father in law about the department stores on Manchester. He has told about his mother riding a street car of bus to come to Maplewood to shop at some store and I thought maybe she worked at a dress store. Maybe the same one?
Hey Mark, Blustein’s was at 7344 Manchester. That was a store I liked as well. Thanks for your comments.
Doug have you ever done a story on Bluesteins? If so I may have missed it. I cannot remember the last time I bought a pair of boots there but for some reason I have a cardboard box in my basement that says Red Wing with some old photos and papers in it. Not sure it is from there but it may be. It’s the kind of box that someone like you might want to someday go thru and wonder who these people were and why did he think it was important to keep these papers.
Another interesting story from our old Maplewood days. I remember a store I believe it was called Russell’s and they made their own skirts there. They were all kinds of fabrics, a straight skirt with a kick pleat in the back. My sis and I purchased many skirts there over the years. I worked first at Woolworths 5 and 10 store in the stockroom, and ate lots of their apple dumplings with a special sauce during lunch. Then worked at Goldies for several years and finally at Citizens National Bank on Manchester. Mom, Dorothy Fennell, also worked at the Bank as switchboard operator for many years before starting at Feld Chevrolet, working for Mr. Wolfson and Mr. Sheir.
It was a different world then, wasn’t it, Nancy. Thanks for adding these details from your life story.
Nancy, I’m trying to restore the history of the bank from before the fire, I would love to talk with you about your memories, or ay photos of Maplewood or the bank you may have, as the community is equally important to me. I would gently make copies and return all photos to you. Doug knows I share with him all the time. People who have an inside view of how things were are becoming fewer and fewer. and I would love to meet you. You can call me at the bank, I’m currently running the switchboard, like your mother, LOL