Arlans Department Store ads
Anyone else remember Arlans stores? We had one close by when I was growing up in Warren, Michigan, in the early '70s, and I remember always loving it! Here's two great vintage Maryland newspaper ad pages from 1970, for your retro shopping convienience...
Oh, notice the 'bear next to a telephone booth' photo in the above ad? Yeah, me too.
posted by Keith @ 10/29/2005
72 Comments:
I remember Arlan's--there was one in Bay City, MI when I was growing up there. I used to get clothes there in the 70s while I was in high school--it wasn't "cool" to shop there but it was all we could afford and I don't think anyone really knew the difference in those days....
Yes I do remember Arlans there was one in Lansing when I was growing up in the 60's. It was in a shopping plaza and they had a circus performing there. One of the elephants got spooked and went on a rampage and crashed right through the front of the store and the police eventually shot and killed it about 10 blocks away.
I remember Arlans stores. My family shopped there for nearly everything. I grew up in St. Louis, MO. Just seeing the logo brought back a flood of memories!
Thanks for the comments, guys! Great stuff! I'm glad others remember Arlans so fondly, too. :)
I Love the concept of Laying away a $4 portable radio.
We used to shop at the Arlans at Nakoma Plaza in Madison, Wisconsin. I remember the logo, too.
there was an Arlans in Rochester NY, my mom and brother used to shop there all the time!
braesYes, I do remember Arlan's. There was one on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan a few blocks from where I grew up. it was in part of the old Packard Automobile Plant. We shopped there quite a bit as money was very scarce. Seemed they always had good values.
There was an Arlans in New Bedford, in a former textile mill building, near where County Street merged with Purchase Street.It was across the tracks from Arlans Supermarket, also an old factory building. The market later became Almacs, and the department store moved some blocks west to near Mt.Pleasant St, in a building more like the old Zayre's. Down here in Florida, Arlan's opened a similar store in the 70, though the actual name escapes me.
We shopped at and Arlan's in Detroit that was on Lonyo, I think, close to West Warren.
There were two Arlan's stores in the Rochester, NY area.
One was located on Jefferson Road in Henrietta, directly across the street from South Town Plaza. Back in the days before The Marketplace Mall (pre-1982), South Town was the regional shopping center with anchors Sears, Penney's and Sibley's. Arlan's was in an unnamed plaza across the street with Jo-Mor's Towne Movie Theatre, in a 100,000+ square foot store. Sometime in the early-1970's Arlan's became Atlantic Department Stores, then went out of business. In the mid-1970's K-Mart opened in the former Arlan's space. It moved to a larger locale in the 1990s, and the store was split between CompUSA, PetSmart, City Mattress store.
The other Arlan's store was at 999 East Ridge Road in Irondequoit. Like the Henrietta store, it went from Arlan's to Atlantic, to K-Mart. It is still a K-Mart today.
I remember an Arlan's up the street from my grandparent's house in Milwaukee, Wis. in the early 1970s. I also remember an Arlan's in Charleston or South Charleston, W.Va. in the 1973-74 timeframe.
I remember an Arlan's in Louisville on Preston St. I would play in a children's play area on the 2nd floor while my Mom shopped. It was in a small strip center with a Walgreen's and a Winn-Dixie. Today, the whole strip center is a Value City & Value City Furniture.
I remenber Arlan's in Southfield Michigan at 8 mile and Telegraph. The buliding is now used for industrial purposes, but the A logo is still on the building...
I shopped at Arlans as a teenager in Atlanta GA. It was located on Clevland AVenue and was huge!!
New Hampshire didn't have an Arlan's when I was growing up. But in 1971, I worked for Syntex Spinning and Dyeing Inc. of Manchester. We produced synthetic (Orlon) and natural (wool) yarns under the "Kolorkraft" brand name. Arlan's sold a line of our yarns with their own self-branded label and unique color scheme. It had such colors as 'Aztec Gold' and others. I've traveled across the country since then, but never came across one of their stores.
Arlans was at 8 and Telegraph in Southfield Michigan. We always went there Sunday after church. They had a popcorn wagon when you walked in, great deals of 45 rpm records, and cheap clothes. I don't know where they got them, but I spent my teen years wearing clothes from Arlan's. I also remember going to the Arlan's on East Grand Blvd. in Detroit, in the old Packard plant.
I remember the one in Madison (Nakoma)as well, there may also have been one on the north side (Northport Dr) as well. There was also a Treasure Island around Nakoma, may have been overlapping time frame OR maybe the same building, not sure. I remember the Treasure Island had an odd multiple-peak roof and the advertisement on radio about "the store with the squiggley roof".
I have some matchbox cars on eBay with the Arlans tag on them. This one I have out has a $1.07 price tag on it and a sale tag "6/$1.00"
there was an arlans in flint, mi back in the early to mid 70s in flint, mi my mom and dad and i would go there on sunday afternoon s. while my mom shopped for bargains, dad and i sat at the dad and i would sit at small food counter and have something to eat. it was special, and some of my best memories as a child!
There was one in Warren on Schoenherr road and 8 mile road. I use to take the bus there and have a burger and pop at the snack bar. Use to buy 45 records with a small hole in them from a juke box.
Our was on the west side of Gratiot, just north of 16 Mile Road. I remember a gold shirt that after two washings the collar would never stand up again. That was how my mother was able to clothe us on one income.
I was at my high school reunion with some girls that used to work at our Arlan's but would not admit it any more. I'm from Toledo, OH and I used to love that store. Unfortunately the building has been empty since it closed probably twenty years ago. Thanks for the memories.
There was one in Waterloo, IA in the late 60s/early 70s. I remember the midnight madness sale when they were closing...had to be very early 70s. Was used by John eere co in the 70s/80s for office space prior to the farm economy downturn.
My mom is the original ARLAN- here name is Arlan Wise and her father and uncles started the business. It was named after her. It's amazing to read all these recollections of the store- I have the original ticker tape of the first day Arlans went public on the NYSE- it's framed and hangs in my bedroom.
-Julian Wise
Massachusetts
HI, I'm Arlan. The stores were named after me. My father started the first store in New Bedford on the first two floors of his building where he manufactured mens' outerwear. I used to go to the store on Friday nights and sell popcorn. I was 8 and my father let me "go to work" once a week since i could do the math for a 10 cent bag of popcorn. He gave me a dollar at the end of the night and I'd run to the toy department and spend it.
It's fun to read these memories of the store.
Did anybody else's Arlans Department Store "hip-out" before it closed? The Arlans in Tiffin, Ohio painted its ceiling black, put in a loft of used jeans, had neon signs for certain sections, and had local rock bands play in the middle of store. Their last Christmas season ads were "far-out". I saved them somewhere.
Was this the only Arlans that did this?
I remember Arlans. There was one in galesburg Il. We went there all the time when I was a kid in the early 70s. With remarks to Tray Hunker yes the Galesburg store also "hipped out" before it closed. It had a loft with hippy clothes and in the middle of the store was a seating area with plants etc.. thanks for the memories
I definitely remember Arlan's, there was one in Waterbury CT where I grew up, it was so close it was actually the only store we could walk to and spend our allowance, it was such independence in those days, I have so many fond memories of Arlan's!!
teArlans of the 70's nice cheap kmart. Cutlerville Mi. south of G.R.
Bought many 3/$1.00 records, LPs just to hear how they sounded or cheap skeet,. shoot at.
I remember waiting in my fathers car.. summer evening.. we took the trip from our town to Milwaukee to go to the Arlans store. There was also a store called "Moreway" right nearby.. this was about 1969 or 1970.. I was 8..
There was an Arlan's in Edgewater, Colo., just across the street from Denver's western limit, in the '60s. It seemed to be on the lowest rung of big discount stores, below GEM, Target and Kmart. I remember spending a long time in there once when I was about 12, looking for something cool to spend my allowance on, while my mom waited in the car. I ended up with a propane torch, which my mom immediately took back and chewed out the manager for selling to me.
I remember the Arlan's on Hampton & Chippewa in South St. Louis. It was built on a vacant lot, behind a small strip center and a White Castle. The strip center was demolished for more parking. Target took over the store. Recently, Target demolished the old store and built a new store on the same spot. I won $5 worth of tropical fish at an in store drawing.
We shopped at Arlans on 8 Mile in Detroit!
There was an Arlan's in PERU,IL on Shooting Park Road. there was also a CARR'S Department Store directly across the street.
I also remember when our ARLAN'S went "far out". They used to run a strobe light in the "funky" clothes section.
We used to have a Circus/Carnival in our ARLAN'S parking lot, too.
I actually picked up some paper ARLAN'S shopping bags at an estate auction!
Ahh, the memories!! :)
i bought my first pair of baseball shoes at Arlans in Atlanta in 1967.
We used to live right behind an Arlans in Jacksonville, Florida back in the 70's.
There were 2 in Rockford Illinois both of which closed in the early 70's...also remember the "hipped" out
store with the black ceiling...I was about 4 and thought they were dressed up for Halloween. There was also a giant slide outside of the Bypass 20 location
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Arlan's was right down the St from me. We loved it.
I remember an Arlans store in Charleston, WV as a kid ( approx: 1970.. I was 11 yrs old ) My parents didnt drive so we had to walk across Patrick St. bridge to Arlans and on our way back home I would have to have a bag of popcorn and an RC fountain drink. That site has been differnt things since then ( Hecks dept store, LA Joes, and now a Sport Mart )
I have a Arlans shopping cart from 1965 in my garage green handle and seat plate in my garage. It is for sale. christmasguydan@yahoo.com
My grandmother worked at an Arlan's store somewhere in southeastern Wisconsin sometime in the 1960's.
I was too young to know where and the actual year, but for some reason the store name is seared in my memory. We went to visit her there when she was working, but I don't think my parents shopped there much.
There was an Arlens in Lancaster Pa in the 1970's. It became a Two Guys and finally a Maxwells. If memory serves.
There was an Arlan's on the South Side of Milwaukee I used to love to go to as a kid, probably the late 1960's. I'd go and hang out in the toy dept while my Mom or Dad shopped.
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We had one in Bowie Maryland in the Free State Plaza...boy that takes me back
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I remember going to Arlan's on Cleveland Ave in Atlanta as a child. Looking at the sales add makes me think of the Brach's candy stand in the stores in the old days. Also, we would often eat at Arby's across the street from Arlan's on Stewart Ave.
Arlans' was my first job in high school (Aurora Colorado) back in 71-71. I started as a stock clerk and eventually became a department manager.
I used to go to the Arlans in Portland, Maine (where Union Station Plaza is now - it was Portland Shopping Center at the time.) It had two levels - a ground level and a basement level. Bought a lot of 45s there in the early 70s. Too bad it closed, but in retrospect 105 stores from Maine to Colorado was probably too big a territory to cover.
The developers of the shopping center never lived down the demolition of the legendary Union Station - a victim of the decline of passenger railroads and Urban Renewal.
I remember Arlan's in Portland, ME (Union Station). My dad bought a lot of toys at their closeout. What really brought back memories;I just cleaned out my grandfather's drawers in his kitchen and found an opened roll of diamond foil with Arlans price tag on the side. Incredible...
Oh how well I remember Arlans in Rochester NY We purchased our first bedroom set there, it was beautiful, french provential, holywood style bed !!! It was cherry wood and I loved it !!!Wish we still had it too ! we also purchased an early americian styled living room set plus two end tables and a beautiful maple coffee table, two table lamps and a beautiful hob nailed pole lamp, red in color and I treasured it !! Had not been married long, and we were thrilled with our NEW furniture ! The people working there were so kind and helpfull ! I will never forget Arlans in Rochester NY in the early 1960's !!!
There was an Arlan's on W. Silver Spring Road around 92nd Street in Milwaukee. I worked there fall of '73 until early '74. It had been having financial trouble and had hired people out of NYC to radically redo the interior. The ceiling was painted black and a child care center was installed to care for shoppers' kids while they shopped. I painted the walls of the child care center with circus themes. I was an art student at the time and the gig helped pay for college. I also created displays for the store. It closed for good before too much longer. It was a JC Penny's outlet store for a while after that.
I bought my first guitar at the Beloit, WI Arlans-a Teisco Del Rey ET-210, for $34.95, which was a lot of paper route money in 1968.
My mom was transferred from Toledo Ohio to be the office manager at the Arlans store on Sheridan in Edgewater, Co. The store manager was Michael Honig. My first job was at the snack bar there. I really enjoyed reading all the comments about the stores! Thank you!
I am trying to get in touch with te family Arlan itself. I believe we are related since that was MY dad.could you se end me a email address or somehow or way I can correspond with the correct people. thanks Janie
I remember sitting in my fathers station wagon at the Arlans in Milwaukee, WI. On the radio was news about Vietam. I was 8. He never really explained what that was all about.
We had one in Denver and my mom worked at it.
There was an Arlens in Redford Twp Michigan a suburb of Detroit.Was one of the nicer buildings.
There was one in Fairfield,CT. too in the 70's it closed and turned into a Caldors.Don't know what it is now haven't been back.Anyone know?
i used to work for Arlans in 1969 it was located in Toledo, Oh. on secor rd
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My first job was at Arlans Department store at 16. I'm from Rockford, Illinois. I've been looking all over for a picture of Arlans for a long time, cant find one anywhere. Is there anyone out there that might have a photo of the store. Could you please send me a copy, or let me know where I could get one. Thank You Michael Asbury MAJC@comcast.net
My first job was at Arlans Department Store in Rockford, Illinois at 16 years old. I'v been looking all over for a picture of a Arlans Store, but cant find one. If anyone out there has a picture, or know where I may get one, could you pleas let me know. MAJC@comcast.net Michael Asbury
When I was a young-un in High School (early 70's) I was hired at Arlans in Aurora Colorado. It was a temp job to stock candy on the shelves for Easter. I guess I did a good job because after the three days this part-time job was supposed to last, I was asked if I'd like a permanent job as a stock boy. AFter a couple of months, I ended up being a "department manager" for the mens's and boy's department. It was a good experience and help me appreciate hard work and work ethic.
One of my first jobs was at the Arlans on Gratiot just north of 16 mile rd in Mt Clemens MichiganI was 16 years old
My first job ever was a cashier at Arlan's in Rockford Illinois. We were trained to respect the customer always: SALES=Sales Always Leave Everyone Satisified.
Great place to work!!
We went to Arlans every week!! I was under 5 when I found a bin by the front door with a small toy named Hobo Joe. He was made from the gray and navy blue striped pillow fabric. His hat and face was made from felt. I have looked in every antique and estate sale I can find but no luck. Anyone remember him, or better yet, know where I could look? We shopped there until they closed.
Had an Arlan's in the Birney Plaza, Moosic (Scranton)PA in the early/mid 70's. Was only in the store once or twice. Don't remember much of the interior other than buying a "sissy" bar for my "banana bike" 5 speed bicycle around 1971. What an upgrade to that bike! Store is now a Kmart.
My first job was at the Arlan's on East State St in Rockford when it first opened in 1970. My Mom married the assistant store manager and I had to transfer to the store on Sandy Hollow Rd which is now a K Mart. I go in once in a while to reminisce.
My first job was at the Arlan's on East State St in Rockford Il in 1970. My mom married the assistant store manager and I had to transfer to the store on Sandy Hollow. It's now a K Mart. I go in from time to time to reminisce.
There were two stores in Atlanta Ga. Cleveland Avenue and upper Piedmont Ave NE. I was the manager of the huge music dept on Piedmont Ave, We had many promotions with locally reared taleent ..Tommy Roe, Joe South Arthur Conley, Billy Joe Royal and others.It was a fun place to work..This was 1969.
Interesting that was Arlan's location in Louisville. My dad was boss of Arlan's not located in Louisville but several other places.
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