Eastwood uncovered
Lonnie April 30th, 2008
Once in awhile we get a glimpse of what Eastwood used to look like, usually in old photos that come to light. This week, we got a peek at a building facade that is advertising Green Stamps (remember them?). It’s the front of the Pomco Building, and for a few days, we’ve been able to get some idea of what was sold in here before it was a bunch of offices.
Anyone remember what this store was? Got any stories connected to it?
It seems to me, from somewhere in the deep mists of time, that there was a Green Stamp redemption center somewhere around there. Now THOSE places were like Aladdin’s Cave to kids. Where else could you pour for months over a wish book (catalog) and count the books you needed to have to get the item of your dreams and then go and actually get the thing - and pay nothing for it? (Kids really didn’t grasp that those stamps represented exorbitant grocery bills…..)
See, catalogs in those days were real dream books. Especially the Montgomery Ward (”Monkey Ward”, as my mother used to say) catalog - and that store was in the shopping center just around the corner from the main drag in Eastwood - I know that is still there - I went through it when I was home in March. We would pour over those books, especially for Christmas and back to school clothes.
Ahhhhh - you really brought back memories…..
Patty
Here’s a page with some more information about S&H Green Stamps as well as a photo of an old post card featuring a redemption center elsewhere in Syracuse:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18195158@N02/1919825347
I remember an S&H Green Stamps store in Shop City-where the grocery store is now. I saved up enough stamps to buy a tambourine (channeling Davy Jones of the Monkees)! If you were around back then, you would have probably seen a 13 year old girl happily banging on a tambourine on the swings at Cumming’s Field in 1970.
I don’t remember the Green Stamp store on James St in that photo but I do remember it being a dress shop. And next door to it was Eleanor’s and on the corner of James & North Ave was Wagner’s Soda Fountain. My sister worked there for awhile and remember sitting on the counter drinking a milk-shake.
One correction - it was Wager’s Pharmacy - owned by Mr. Don Wager - the pharmacist was George Phillips who lived with his wife Wanda and daughters Lorraine and Carol two doors from me on Forest Hill Drive. You are really taking me back now!
Hah! You’re right Patty, I’m still mispronouncing like I was still 5 years old.
Ungerer’s Store was in that area, as well as Woolworth’s 5 & 10cent store. I got many items in the James street Green Stamp Store.