I like to photograph storefronts and store windows, especially ones with really interesting mannequins or unique items or any that are just really arty. Like this one:
But I wanted to include in this post some vintage photos of storefronts that I had in my collection of photographs.
The first one most resembles the prompt photo of the two men standing in front of a coffee shop. These men aren't interested in coffee. They appear to be employees of the T. F. Fuller Grocery Store.
I couldn't find any information on this store. There are no clues about location and I can't read any of the signs in the window. So I'm at a loss to tell you anything about it.
I bought this photo at a local antique shop. It came with an
assortment of items from a dress designer including some of her
illustrations. This must have been a store that carried some of her
designs. I love that they sell felt scraps for 50 cents. It's an interesting store with the fancy tiles. But as with the other photo there are no clues about where it might have been.
This guy really makes me sad. His suit doesn't fit well, he looks like he'd like to have one of those potatoes in the basket. I wonder if he worked at this store or was just passing by. Then why have his picture taken? Also, this looks like a photograph of a photo. Again, a puzzle. Who would have taken a photo of this particular photo? Maybe a family member?
Here's another storefront with lots of signs. No coffee or tea, though. The closest that comes to the theme is what appears to be an ad for a cooking class. Maybe you could learn to make coffee cake!
See other stories about men, coffee, storefronts, etc. by clicking here
Sepia Saturday.
Shopfronts are a very interesting theme, and some collectors of old photos concentrate only on this. I'm guessing that they are almost always taken by an owner or employee - as you say, what would be the point otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that T.F. Fuller's Grocery Store must be in a pretty small town - it's too small a building to have much in it. I can, however, just make out signs for "Coffee" and "Tea" in the window! That bare-footed boy with a tattered straw hat seated on the step to the left of the men could be straight out of Huckleberry Finn - wonderful.
OK, here we go. This is what I found:
ReplyDeletefrom Stevens Point Daily Journal, Saturday, December 05, 1891, page 5
"Newby Brothers I C and W A have bought out T F Fuller's grocery store on the South Side and took session on Monday last. The Newby boys are well known throughout this county as straightforward honorable men. They have already had considerable experience in the business world. I.C. was interested in a store in Dakota and is familiar with work to be done in a grocery. They have commenced the erection of a barn on A.P. Jackson's property and will keep one or two horses which will enable them to deliver good to all parts of the city. They will keep on hand a full line of groceries, provisions, &c., and will endeavor by strict attention to business to merit a continuance of the liberal patronage heretofore extended to their predecessors."
It seems to me around the right time frame, but whether Stevens Point, Wisconsin is anywhere near where you purchased the photograph, I have of course no idea.
The next question - assuming that I have the location correct - is whether this during T.F. Fuller's tenure, or whether it was taken to celebrate the Newby Brothers' taking it over.
In 1915, Irvin C Newby owned the land now occupied by this parking lot on Franklin Street, Stevens Point. I wonder if that's where the grocery store was.
ReplyDeleteOnce started, it's difficult to know where to stop. This from The Stevens Point Gazette, 12 Dec 1894:
ReplyDelete"I.C. Newby has rented the Burr building on Division street, one door north of his present location, and will move his grocery stock the latter part of this week. T.F. Fuller, who owns the store now occupied by Mr Newby, expects to again engage in business within a few months."
I think that pretty much confirms the location.
Only one more, I promise, from The Stevens Point Journal, 14 Nov 1891:
ReplyDelete"Irvin Newby is clerking at Fuller's grocery store on the South side."
Wow Brett, I wish I had your same research skills. You've made this humble photo come alive.
DeleteNancy
The third one is quite an elegant store, the display windows are nicely made up not completely filled up higgledy piggledy as they usually are. Interesting old shopfronts, what did they sell, who came to buy, the stories told...fine post.
ReplyDeleteI really like this storefront too. Someday I will post more of the collection from this designer.
DeleteSnap! I too thought of shop fronts. I do like yours - especially the clothing store.
ReplyDeletegreat minds think alike.
DeleteBrett was joking of course. As you will already have realised Fullers shop is part of a reconstruction of a wild west street for the now bankrupt American Adventure Theme Park between Derby and Nottingham. http://goo.gl/TT79A
ReplyDeleteThe last photo on that Wikipedia page is surreal.
DeleteWhat? A Western theme park in England. That's too bizarre. Yes, as Brett says, the last photo of the poor Indian is surreal.
DeleteI like photos of store window and storefronts too.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about storefronts : they are perfect candidates for photographs that, in time, will become of historic significance - they portray a specific time so well.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that T F Fuller's Grocery Store could be set in a 'Western' but never expected to find out until Brett's and Nigel's comments. These add value to an already excellent post.
ReplyDeleteShop/store fronts are endlessly fascinating in old pictures; it's a kind of vicarious 'window-shopping in the past'. Brett has added an amazing amount of detail too. As for the American Adventure, until I wandered over to the Wikipedia link on Nigel's comment, I had no idea that it had closed. I took my kids there in the 1980's when it was fairly new.
ReplyDeleteThe horse-shoe shaped storefront with tiles reminds me of so many old stores in downtown Portsmouth (Virginia) where I grew up. The malls and shopping centers make it difficult for independent stores to keep going, but I always appreciate the efforts to revitalize downtown. The shops have so much more charm and personality, just like the ones in your collection.
ReplyDeleteGreat store front photos. I wondered what Banko was - the Google search yielded "Punto Banco" also known as Baccarat. I associate Baccarat with places like Monaco or those really special gambling rooms in Las Vegas casinos reserved for high rollers.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of Banko must be different. Love the huge cuffs on those jackets in the window. I'm guessing you could roll them down to cover your hands up in cold weather or they'd be very handy (pardon the pun) for a shop lifter. You could hide a 10 pound ham in the number on the extreme right and still look good although a mite heavy-handed.
That little boy at the Fuller establishment does look like he is right out of Huckleberry Finn!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful photos. I'm with you in loving images of store windows. As a kid there was a book of fancy store windows I used to always check out of the library. So many wondrous things to see.
ReplyDeleteThe guy with the hat and the potatoes...right out of an old movie. "Buddy can you spare a dime?"
The only two shop fronts that I have ever photographers are 1. The Carnivale Masks in Venice (just beautiful) and butchers in Cairo (meat hanging outside in 30 degree Celsius plus temperature with flys). These are alot more appealing!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting set of photos. Whilst I have many images of shop frontages and displays abroad, I have never thought to record them here. I must keep my eyes open more!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy taking pictures of storefronts and the reflections in their windows. Glad that Brett figure out where the oldest photo was taken.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Wow, I just completely enjoy window shopping, especially when they are old or from places I've never seen or ever would, if not for the photos. A very fun post indeed, thanks so much! Brett is a great sleuth too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the blog and the comments! What a friendly group:)
ReplyDelete