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    AC Benus
  • AC Benus
  • Author
  • 11/02/2015
  • 298 Words
  • 656 Views
  • 14 Comments
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Katie's Sketchbook - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976 - Prologue. Prologue

The Disclaimer:

The following work best falls under the heading of fan fiction. I claim no rights over certain brand names, characters, or other material I do not own. This story may contain fictionalized accounts involving actual persons, but no intent exists to claim they proceeded as shown here. The following is a work of fiction.

 

The Fun Stuff:

The following is a work of fiction, but one based on fact. My primary source of information comes from Famous-Barr generated material that I own, mainly employee newsletters, which often contain holiday photos of the stores along with written descriptions of the themes and visitors. Other first-hand information comes from store ads, store guides, menus, theater programs, promotional material, etc. Photographic resources of material I do not personally have possession of have come from two primary sources: The Missouri Historical Society – one of the oldest in the Nation – and The University of Missouri at Saint Louis. Both organizations have an ever-expanding online database of historic photos, and periodic links to these are provided in the story.

I intend to provide some 'extras' in the form of appendices. Mainly historical summaries at the end of each story with a 'who, what, when, and where' listing of facts, and eventually, a recipe section for the holiday food mentioned in the story. This food too will be as accurate and historic as possible, much of it involving local traditions.

 

The Wish:

I hope you enjoy the Christmas at Famous-Barr series, and I hope you encounter some of that elusive holiday magic along the way.

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------

Btw, the wiki page for the store is in desperate need of improving. Please see my historical sketch here for more and better information.

Copyright © 2017 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 7
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

AC Benus
On 11/03/2015 07:50 AM, skinnydragon said:

Well AC, at least you got me to Google Famous-Barr. Wikipedia was, as usual, a good friend.

At least I've heard of Macy's, which I guess is now their nameplate. Macy's is that old peoples's store, if I'm correct. :rolleyes:

OK, enough of that ...on to Chapter 1

Thanks, Skinny-D. The wiki page is pretty lean, and not too friendly to the store either. I have sketched out a more proper history, and put it here: http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/blog/513/entry-15882-the-amazing-and-wonderful-famous-barr/

 

I guess I'll go into the prologue and add the link as well.

 

Thank You! I hope you like the story

ColumbusGuy

Sounds like the history of Lazarus here in Columbus--started around 1850, run by the same family throughout, built suburban stores, very nice environment, stock and employees...even had six restaurants downtown--then they joined Federated, got bought by Macy's--who then ran it into the ground and eventually closed it down...I believe there were other stores in Ohio's surrounding states too. The downtown store, a landmark now sits empty--the newer mall across the street died a quick death and is now a parking lot.
Lazarus too had Christmas themed childrens sections, and a tv show called Lucy's Toy Shop with a talking tree! I still remember the song Lucy sang to wake him up!
More please my friend!

AC Benus
On 11/03/2015 04:08 PM, ColumbusGuy said:

Sounds like the history of Lazarus here in Columbus--started around 1850, run by the same family throughout, built suburban stores, very nice environment, stock and employees...even had six restaurants downtown--then they joined Federated, got bought by Macy's--who then ran it into the ground and eventually closed it down...I believe there were other stores in Ohio's surrounding states too. The downtown store, a landmark now sits empty--the newer mall across the street died a quick death and is now a parking lot.

Lazarus too had Christmas themed childrens sections, and a tv show called Lucy's Toy Shop with a talking tree! I still remember the song Lucy sang to wake him up!

More please my friend!

Thanks, ColumbusGuy, for your enthusiasm. I made an historical sketch of FB, and you can continue the conversation here if you like. http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/blog/513/entry-15882-the-amazing-and-wonderful-famous-barr/

 

I will just say I was surprised to lean a while back that Lazarus was one of the founding enterprises of Federated Department Stores Company. Their original concept was for independent stores to band together and share expenses for marketing, procurement, paperwork, etc. In other words, to follow the original General Motors business plan.

 

That was surprising to learn, as somehow Lazarus lost that Federated association, and it was The May Company who bought the company in the late 80s or early 90s.

 

May's business model was totally non-invasive: retain the individual store's name, identity, branding, history and celebrate it. So, it's likely you would never know May owned Lazarus unless you read it someplace, like the newspaper.

 

Lazarus started wearing the 'Macy's' name after May and Federated merged in 2006. Federated's approach is completely opposite to May's: all the stores' identities were dissolved, the names and histories tossed aside.

 

Thanks for your review and support!

AC Benus
On 11/04/2015 02:19 AM, aditus said:

To my shame I must confess I never heard of Famous-Barr before you mentioned it some weeks ago. Seeing your excitement and delight writing these stories, it must be something good. I'm curious.

Oh Adi, there's no reason to feel that way. Department stores are supposed to be local things, and reflect the community they serve. I'm sure I've never heard of the big stores close to you when you were growing up (unless it's KaDeWe…lol) http://www.kadewe.de/

 

But, see – I'm a department store nut, so I know some things.

 

Thanks for the review. I hope you like the story.

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