The Denholms Blog

Denholms lecture and book signing

2012-02-05T10:13:00.001-05:00

Upcoming book signings and lectures. I hope that you all can attend. Books will be on hand at both events for sale.

Saturday February 11th 2:00 pm book signing and lecture
Shrewsbury Public Library
609 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA, 01545

Saturday March 31st 1:00pm book signing
Barnes and Noble
70 Worcester Providence Turnpike #5
Millbury, Massachusetts 01527

Another great review

2012-02-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

This review is from Steve Eide who is the Senior Research Associate for the Research Bureau in Worcester. I was so happy with this review, and we were able to chat on the phone regarding the Denholms building present day.

Enjoy!

Research Bureau Angle 1-23-12

Hi, this is Steve Eide for the Research Bureau Angle. Today I want to talk about a fascinating book on Worcester’s history that came out last year, called Denholms: The Story of Worcester’s Premier Department Store.

Anyone with a passing familiarity with Worcester’s industrial history knows about the city’s proud tradition of technological innovation. This book’s contribution consists in showing what a glamorous and exciting place Worcester used to be, especially downtown Worcester.

Denholm and McKay’s opened in 1870. Branded by its owners as “The Boston Store,” Denholms prided itself on being on the cutting edge of retail and department store fashion. It had seven floors and 450 employees, 600 at Christmastime. Like America’s other grand department stores, Denholms was a distinctly middle class institution. In modern times, retailers are strictly divided between high end specialty stores like Neiman Marcus and low end discounters like Wal-Mart.

Denholms was both: it had something for everyone, but it was also classy and elegant.

The authors of this book about Denholms are relatives of longtime and high ranking former employees, and they provide an impressively detailed account of Denholms operations.

This is one of the best books of Worcester history ever written and easily the best book about downtown. It vividly captures the connection between commercial and civic life that characterized downtown in its heyday. People had to go downtown because it was the most convenient place to buy most goods and services, but they also wanted to go downtown, because of the spectacle and excitement. And Denholms was responsible for much of that spectacle and excitement. In addition to its legendary Christmas decorations, Denholms hosted fashion shows and cutest baby contests; for several months in 1968, it ran store-wide a promotion with the Italian Trade Commission; and it had an entire department just devoted to its interior and window displays. Indeed, at times the book reads like a love letter to the dying art of window dressing.

But nothing good ever lasts. Shortly after its centennial celebration in 1970, Denholms was overwhelmed by a perfect storm. Suburbanization and the construction of the Worcester Center Galleria in 1971 both cut into sales. A series of rapid ownership changes between non-local companies then delivered the death blow, by diverting profits and corporate expenditures away from Denholms to other, less profitable entities. In 1973, Denholms closed its doors and was forced into liquidation. For the next ten years, the city had possession of the property, until it was bought by a Boston-based property manager and converted into its current form of office space condominiums.

Aside from stores in big wealthy cities like Boston and New York, retailing in general has lost most of its glamor. Denholms thrived in the old retail economy, wherein people believed in a close connection between showmanship and sales. In modern times Wal-Mart sets the agenda, with its relentless focus on providing the lowest prices to the consumer, period. Denholms defined “customer service” in a much broader, and, from Wal-Mart’s perspective, vaguer, sense. Denholms was extravagant and probably also wasteful. We must admit that the public has benefited in many ways from the decline of stores like Denholms. It’s never been easier to buy things, and many consumer goods have become cheaper over time. But there has also been a loss, in terms of charm and, I would argue, civic life. Depicting what was lost is what this valuable new book accomplishes.

This has been Steve Eide for The Research Bureau Angle on AM 830 WCRN.

When Denholms was king

2012-01-21T12:13:00.002-05:00

Here is such a great article written by Albert B. Southwick which appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. The press that the book has been receiving has been wonderful and I cannot thank the Telegram and Gazette enough for all that they have done. I also want to thank Cruisin Bruce from The Pike 100 FM for interviewing Pat Wolf and myself. The podcast is available online at www.worcesterpike.com In a week I will be posting more dates for future book signings and lectures.

Best,
Christopher

When Denholms was king
The rise and decline of Worcester’s heavy manufacturing base has been duly chronicled over the past century and a half.

Less attention has been paid to the parallel rise and decline of downtown retailing, which in its heyday here employed thousands and dominated the central city for decades.

Fifty or sixty years ago, downtown Worcester was a lively place. More and more automobiles rolled along the streets and jammed the available parking spaces. The street cars and then the buses brought loads of people ready to shop at the retail stores within walking distance of City Hall.

The J. C. MacInness store was directly across from City Hall. C.T. Sherer was located on Front Street, Barnard’s a block or two north on Main Street. Filene’s with its bargain basement sat on Main Street next to the Park Building. Bargain shoppers headed for Woolworth’s or Newberry’s on Front Street or Kresge’s on Main Street across from City Hall. There were also a clutch of more specialized stores — Richard Healy’s, Ware Pratt, etc.

But the grand dame of downtown stores was Denholms, originally Denholm and McKay, now the subject of a memoir and history: “DENHOLMS — The Story of Worcester’s Premium Department Store,” by Christopher Sawyer and Patricia A. Wolf.

Pat Wolf’s father was Harry Wolf, the man who guided Denholms for years until his death in 1966. He was a fine tennis player, great rival of Bob Bowditch, another icon of Worcester tennis.

Denholm and McKay was founded by a couple of canny Scots, William Alexander Denholm and William C. McKay. They set up a dry goods shop in Worcester in 1870, at the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. Within a few years, their business was bursting at the seams and they were looking for more space. Enter Jonas G. Clark.

Mr. Clark had gone into shipping at the time of the California gold rush and it made him wealthy. He later moved to New York and went into the furniture business. When he moved back to Worcester, he built a big granite house on Elm Street and watched as the thriving city grew. He paid special attention to the store on Mechanic Street and its diligent owners.

He owned a large piece of land diagonally across from City Hall where he built a large, five-floor, state-of-the-art building with every modern improvement, including electric lights powered by its own generating plant. It probably was the first Worcester building wired for electricity, years before there was any central power plant. It had capacious elevators and wide stairways linking its five floors. By contrast, the old City Hall diagonally across Main Street looked worn and dilapidated.

Mr. Denholm and Mr. McKay wasted no time in setting up their new “Boston Store.” They aimed to be as progressive as any store in Boston with a full range of offerings. Mr. McKay died in 1884 and Mr. Denholm in 1891. They left an establishment with a tradition and a momentum that carried it triumphantly through the next 70 years and made it a byword throughout New England.

This booklet explains why it thrived, decade after decade. Time and again Denholms was able to find, one after another, unusually able leaders. For 50 years after 1920, Frank Krim, Harry Wolf and Russ Corsini led the store to new heights of service and quality merchandise. At its peak, it employed more than 500.

It was a full-service store in all respects. Women’s wear, men’s clothing, kitchen utensils, toys, hosiery, costume jewelry, cosmetic creams, electrical appliances, furniture, draperies, rugs and many other lines were offered over the years. And the store managed to stay on the cutting edge of fashion, particularly in regard to women’s styles and fashions. The store had sophisticated window displays and promotional literature. A sixth floor was built and repeated interior expansions added 100,000 square feet to the original 150,000. The adjoining empty Richard Healy store was added and a large addition was built in back on the High Street side. The new façade and Worcester’s first escalators were installed in the ‘60s.

Pat Wolf describes Denholms as “a combination Disneyland, a shopping adventure and a community center.” It was all that and more. Its imaginative window displays were a constant education and entertainment for passersby. Holidays were especially important. Many recall the spectacular Denholms Christmas tree, 80 feet high, emblazoned by thousands of lights over the Main Street entrance.

The final days of the great store were sad. Business started to decline in the 1960s when outlying and suburban shopping malls transformed the retailing business. When plans for the new Worcester Center galleria were being drawn up, the developers wanted Denholms to be an anchor store. After much deliberation, Russ Corsini decided against it. Denholms later opened a branch in the Auburn Mall, but the magic of the mother store could not be easily transferred.

Could Denholms have been saved? Probably not. Inner cities all over the land were suffering the same fate as downtown Worcester. The galleria here drained the retail life out of Main Street. Even if Mr. Corsini had moved the store to the galleria, it probably would not have made much different in the long run. It would have been impossible to duplicate the grand old store — all six stories of it — in the new structure.

Denholms closed its doors on January 14, 1974. All that was left was the memory, thankfully preserved in this heartfelt memoir-history.

Albert B. Southwick’s column appears regularly in the Telegram & Gazette.

Denholms radio interview with Al Vuona

2012-01-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

I recently had an interview with Al Vuona from WICN 90.5 Public Radio. The interview aired on Sunday December 18th and revolved around the Denholms history. Al was such a pleasure to speak with, and we talked for another hour after the interview was over. Great guy!
For those of you who missed it, please click on the link below.

*Please note the introduction repeats 3 times before the interview. You can fast forward it to start at 2:55.
http://www.wicn.org/podcasts/audio/christopher-sawyer

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

I look forward to sharing new imagery, stories, and a Denholms product line with all of you in 2012. Until then, I wish everyone a safe,healthy and happy new year.

Christopher

Over 1,300 Denholms books sold!

2011-12-18T10:26:00.003-05:00

I cannot thank everyone enough for buying the Denholms book. The two signings have been amazing, and it was such a pleasure to be able to speak with everyone in person and relive their days at Denholms. I am constantly amazed how the store has lived on in peoples hearts for all of these years. If you would still like to purchase a book, they are available at The Worcester Historical Museum as well as the Tatnuck Booksellers, as well as through the Historypress.net

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and warm wishes for the New Year!
Christopher

Denholms Main floor 1970. Image courtesy of Bob Brancyzk and Irving Bostock.

The Denholms book is still available!

2011-12-09T17:49:00.008-05:00

Hi Everyone. The Denholms book has sold out on Amazon.com. Please order through the publishers directly if you want to give this as a Christmas gift. Here is the link below.

https://www.historypress.net

The book is also available at the Worcester Historical Museum located at

30 Elm st Worcester,Ma

508-753-8278

Denholms book signings

2011-11-26T14:25:00.003-05:00

Please join myself and Pat Wolf for a nostalgic look back at the Denholms legacy. Each of the events listed below will contain a full discussion on the former store as well as a book signing. If you have already purchased your book, please bring it by and Pat and myself will sign it for you. I would love for anyone to spread the word about the signings as well as let us know if you think of another good venue to hold a discussion and/or book signing event. I look forward to hopefully meeting some of you in person!

Saturday December 10th
Worcester Historical Museum
10:00am-1:00pm book signing, 1:00pm-2:00pm lecture
30 Elm st Worcester,Ma
508-753-8278

Saturday December 17th
Tatnuck Booksellers
10:00am-12:00pm
Tatnuck Bookseller
18 Lyman Street
Westborough, MA 01581
508-366-4959

www.historypress.net

The Denholms book has arrived!

2011-11-07T18:40:00.037-05:00

Book Cover

As I have said in previous posts, this book has been a labor of love. It has been such a pleasure and an honor to speak with the many individuals who contacted me, and hear their stories about shopping at Denholms. The book contains the history of the company from its incarnation in 1871 to the untimely closing in 1973, as well as personal recollections from the former presidents daughter Pat Wolf. With over 50 images (many of which have not been seen in over 40 years) the book is a visual delight which is sure to conjure up your own memories!
I hope you all enjoy what what a very special experience for me.
Best,
Christopher

When William Denholm and William McKay teamed up in 1870 to form a dry goods store in the factory town of Worcester, Massachusetts, they couldn’t have imagined the 103-year legacy that would make their store a beloved New England landmark. Former customers may well recall the store’s elaborate promotions that took shoppers to exotic locales, from an African holiday to a trip through the Italian fashion world. Join authors Christopher Sawyer and Patricia Wolf, daughter of a former Denholms president, as they take a behind-the-scenes view of the history and memory of Massachusetts largest department store outside of Boston. With vivid descriptions of the festive holiday displays and personal recollections from former employees, this book is sure to make any reader nostalgic for the bygone days of shopping at Denholms.-History Press

To obtain your copy please click on the History Press link-https://www.historypress.netTo order through Amazon.com use this link.http://www.amazon.com/Story-Worcesters-Premier-Department-History/dp/1609493958/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1321130463&sr=1-17

The Denholms Book

2011-09-24T12:35:00.000-04:00

The book is done being written and everything has been submitted in. It was such a great process to finally be able to highlight this once great store. In the coming weeks I will be posting a link to the website to order the book directly. The book begins with a history of the company starting with its opening in 1871 on Main and Mechanics street, and follows with its move to 484 main street. The facade change, Escal-Aires, visits with Santa, fashion shows and the overall modernization of the building are all covered in a behind the scenes look at the rise and fall of the Denholm and McKay Company. In a special memoirs section, Pat Wolf (the former Presidents daughter) recounts her memories at Denholms during the stores golden years.
I hope that everyone enjoys this nostalgic trip back in time and is able to relive your days at Denholms!

Denholm and McKay Company 1945

Denholm and McKay 1951

The Denholms book

2011-08-13T07:12:00.001-04:00

Denholms in 1968. From the collection of the Worcester Historical Museum

I have never written anything in a lengthy form especially a short book since I was in school. I must say, the process has been an amazing labor of love. I have been able to speak with so many former associates and relatives of the Denholms management team, and hear their stories firsthand about their time spent at Denholms. What amazed me is how much everyone still cares for a store that closed long ago. The book has exposed me to a group of people that I am so honored to have the chance to reminisce with. Presently I am in the process of finishing up my portion of the book which covers the stores history from 1871 till its closing in 1974. All of the imagery has been collected and sorted, and the art department of the History Press (publishers of the book) are in the process of designing the front and back cover....very exciting! The book is slated for release in November 2011 just in time for the holiday season. I look forward to being able to share the history of this once grand store with all of you, and I hope that it conjures up your own memories of your shopping experience at Denholms!

Summer!

2011-07-19T18:06:00.000-04:00

Still writing the book....again I apologize for any lapse in posting. Here is a shot of the swing shop that used to reside on the third floor behind women's sportswear. During the holidays, this would convert to pastel cruise wear, or whatever was in fashion at the time. During the late spring and summer it would change over to swim wear, and for fall wool skirts and sweater sets might be housed in here.

Again, if anyone has any stories about Denholms that they would like to add to the book, please email me at denholms1@yahoo.com

Have a wonderful summer!

More Denholms then and now

2011-06-18T13:36:00.000-04:00

High Street entrance now and then. Still looks relatively the same.

Man floor now and then. It really could use a face lift to modernize it. new paint and replacing the tile floor would be a great start.

I am still writing for the book, so if you have any stories to tell, I would love to hear them! denholms1@yahoo.com

Denholms then and now

2011-05-14T09:49:00.001-04:00

Main floor Spring 1964

Main floor spring 2011

Denholms 1951

Denholm Building Fall 2010

I have still been writing a lot on the book and doing research, and working at the Denholm building on the windows. In the meantime, I am going to start posts to show everyone before and after shots of the building. Some things have changed, but there are still traces of the old store ie; the gilded escalators.

I hope everyone is well, and I apologize for not being able to regularly post on this blog.

Millinery on 3

2011-04-17T07:43:00.000-04:00

I have been working hard doing research for the new Denholms book, so please pardon my lapse in updates to the blog. I thought that this photo would be appropriate for the upcoming Easter Holiday.

This is a photo for the Millinery Department which was located on the third floor by the Up escalator. It showcases all of the hats from the Spring collection of 1967. I love how full and colorful this window is!

A Book about Denholms

2011-03-13T16:37:00.002-04:00

I have been approached to write a book about the Denholm and McKay company by a well know publishing house. The very thought of this excites me, as it would be a great way to have a written time-line about the company that grew to be Worcester's leading Department store. There is the possibility of co-authoring or writing this book alone. Either way, it would be a great addition to the history of Worcester...

I want to get this done so it can be sold in the early fall. I am asking for anyone who has any information or memories to write me at denholms1@yahoo.com. I do have a lot of history presently on the company, and more will be done to round out this book. Did you work for Denholms? Did you shop there? Tell me your stories!!!

The Post Cards of Denholms

2011-02-26T17:48:00.000-05:00

Back before the days of email blasts and tweets, the main form of communication was the post card . These were,( and still are) used for promotional distribution but rarely for personal use. Stores like Denholms would sometimes sell post cards for customers to send back home, letting others know of their travels to Worcester Massachusetts. Of all of the things available via eBay and antique shops, the post card is the most commonly found. The one below of the clown is the face side, and the message is an advertisement of what the Denholm and McKay Co. offered at the turn of the century.

Denholms in 1916

Denholms in 1965

The Fashion Shows at Denholms

2011-01-27T15:29:00.001-05:00

Fashion shows have always been an integral part of the retail industry. My grandmother executed many of them with her years at Denholms. Some were hosted in store while others were hosted at various charity and local establishments. Back then a fashion show was a great way to showcase the new arrivals for that given season. Today you dont see as many in store shows as in previous years....mostly due to the rising costs of models and staging. Some of the productions were low cost "informal modeling" which a model would walk about the store and educate the customers on a new trend, color or designer. Some of them were on a larger scale and held on the third floor in the dress boutique. Here are some images from the 60's and 70's. The fashions are dated, but lovely at the same time.

bridal show from March 1967

Evening show October 1967

Top September 1967

Bottom October 1968

May 1963 ( my mother on the right)

My Grandmother commentating during a show

October 1968

Searching For Denholms

2011-01-09T09:05:00.002-05:00

I am reaching out to all of you for any imagery that you might have of Denholms. I am looking for both exterior and interior shots. As well, I am wondering if anyone knows of any surviving store memorabilia that might still be floating around? I.E, signage, photographs, fixtures, mannequins...

Please contact me at denholms1@yahoo.com if you know of anything that you would like to sell, or the whereabouts of anything related to Denholms.

Thank you!

My Christmas card to all of you

2010-12-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

Here are a few Photo's that were taken in December of 1960.

I got these images when I was working in the Denholm building earlier this year by a very kind woman named Becky. Her father in law had taken them, and they were originally in slide format. These are the only color images that I have of the tree of lights. It was so beautiful...it reminds me of the exterior of Macy's New York with their light tree on the facade. I hope you enjoy my card to all of you! Thank you for all of your kind words and memories over the past year. It is greatly appreciated.

Denholms Holiday 2010

2010-12-12T09:35:00.001-05:00

I spent a few days at the Denholm Building this week installing some seasonal trim into the retrospective windows. We went with a "winter" them as it can stay up a bit longer. It was great to be able to work in that space again, and give it a mini face-lift. When I stood back and looked at the building, I was so pleased that it was starting to have life again breathed into the exterior, and I could only imagine what it was like during it's heyday with the large lighted tree and festive window displays.

The Holidays are here!

2010-11-27T10:43:00.000-05:00

Here is a toy window from 1953 showcasing the various dolls available in the Toy department (which at that time was in the lower level). The facade of the building and iconic Christmas tree make up the propping for this holiday display.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2010-11-20T07:43:00.000-05:00

Here is my latest Ebay win. An original Housewares mailer from Denholms. My grandmother had the set of the green pots and pans which the salesgirls gave her.I remember Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners made with these...

The higher the hair...

2010-10-23T14:41:00.000-04:00

Summer was Great, But did your hair take a toll? A great window showcasing the former Beauty Salon that used to be on the sixth floor. I love this mannequin, and her wig.

Denholms in The Department Store Museum!

2010-10-01T17:58:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to a wonderful blog that was started to highlight the various department stores that existed in the United States. It's a great way to "tour the stores" as they were, and view the various imagery consisting of old shopping bags and store photo's.
Enjoy!

http://departmentstoremuseum.blogspot.com/2010/09/denholm-and-mckay-co-worcester.html

100th anniversary bag

2010-09-18T13:41:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of a Denholms bag that was sent to me by LB Worm. It shows the various locations and facades of the building. I cannot thank you enough, I love it!

Denholms Auburn

2010-09-04T17:37:00.001-04:00

Here is an archival photo of Denholms only branch store in Auburn Ma. The store opened in the spring of 1973 in the space that now houses Macy's Home collection. The total square feet was 175,000. First floor was primarily Men's and Women's sportswear,Children's, millinery, jewelry and cosmetics. Second floor was comprised of Home and electronics . This store stayed open just a few months after the downtown Worcester store closed in 1973.

Richard Healy Building

2010-08-15T09:58:00.000-04:00

I dont have many photographs showing the left side of the building, but here is one again showing the Richard Healy building abuting Denholms. Richard Healy was a high end store( founded as a furrier) which carried expensive womens wear and accessories as well as it's fur selection.. To the left of that was Wallgreens pharmacy. Denholms purchased the heally building in 1970 and had plans on expanding into that space.

Denholms Directory

2010-07-24T16:02:00.028-04:00

When the Denholm building was being renovated in 1985 (into offices). I was able to go in and take whatever memorabilia I wanted. There was not too much there, as the building had been stripped in preparation for the massive remodel that was taking place. I was able to get the old directory from the third floor bank of elevators. Below is how the store was layed out and the various departments within it.

Post Office unveiling at the Denholm Building

2010-07-08T18:41:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday July6th there was an official "Unveiling" of the new window display at the Denholm building. I cannot even teel you how great it was. My mother attended as well as Pat and Heidi Wolf. The two are Mr Harry Wolfs ( the former president of Denholms) daughters. Even though it was 100 degrees that day, the heat didn't even matter...I was with a wonderful group of people. Each of us here were awarded a framed collection of stamps which are being featured in the window, as well as a retro photo of Denholms.

Shown from left to right are , Troy Siebels of the Hanover Theater, Assistant City Manager Julie Jacobson, Worcester Postmaster Dan O'Neil, Creative Designer Christopher Sawyer, Congressman Jim McGovern, Worcester Community Action Council Executive Director Jill Dagilis, and Greater Boston District Grow Global and Team Member Dawn Doucet

Photos by Paul Bresnahan Worcester MA

Denholm building Post Office window

2010-07-01T16:23:00.002-04:00

The empty window before

I spent the early part of this week working at the Denholm building. As an ongoing effort to bring back the dignity to this building. 6 of the 10 window spaces have been updated (4 more to go). This trip was to install a window in the vacant space housed by the US Post Office. Working with Jill Dagilis (amazing woman) and the US Post office (thanks Joanne). We collaborated on a design I did, and then got the materials and lighting to re vamp the empty window space. The display consists of 8 stamp designs chosen by the Post Office and an envelope sculpture (500 total), all amidst a blue sky backdrop. An official "unveiling" will be taking place on Tuesday of this week.

The present space during the 1950's

The completed window

Downtown Main Street

2010-06-06T14:27:00.002-04:00

Here is a view of what Downtown Worcester used to look like during the mid 60's. You see Denholms, and Kresge's, as well as the various that buildings that stood before the present day Glass high rise.

Another Denholms shopping bag!

2010-05-22T16:45:00.000-04:00

Denholms 1958 spring windows

2010-05-12T18:44:00.000-04:00

Presently, this is my personal screen saver at home. I love the mannequin on the left with her clam shell hat, low chignon, and animated pose. Pure 1950's fashion! I also love the animal on the left announcing fur storage for the summer.

Shopping bag graphic

2010-04-18T10:52:00.001-04:00

Here is a graphic from a shopping bag that was used for the woman's third floor. Primarily for the better dress department and Salisbury shop. Does anyone remember this bag? I have 2 of them in my possession.

2010-03-26T16:32:00.002-04:00

Here is a picture of a very Dear friend. Her name is Linda, and she was a model for Denholms. We called her the "face" of Denholms as she used to partake in many of the runway shows, and store activities. Her and my grandmother were very close up untill my grandmothers passing.

I was very lucky to have lunch with her over the holiday season, and she still looks as beautiful as ever. This picture was taken on the third floor during a fashion show that Denholms routinely did. In the background you can see the evening shop and bridal salon.

Spring is almost here

2010-03-14T17:25:00.000-04:00

I know we are all waiting in anticipation for spring, and for these rains to stop. Here is a photo from the 1962 spring collection at Denholms. Enjoy!

Thank You

2010-03-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

How can I ever say thank you to all of the wonderful people who have written in about my article in the Telegram and the Bostonian. I cannot tell you how much your kind words have meant to me. This is a labor of love for me, and I do it in memory of my grandmother and everyone else who worked and shopped at Denholms. I hope that I can stir up some of your own memories with this blog, and I would love for you to share yours with me.

I also want to thank everyone who has voted on my site. I did purchase the "Denholms" name and would love to re-open the store. I will keep you all posted with the progress of that venture.

Much love to you all!
Christopher

Another article on the Bostonist!

2010-03-03T08:25:00.002-05:00

When 40-year-old Jamaica Plain resident Christopher Sawyer was a young boy growing up just outside Worcester, he spent many weekends at the Denholm & McKay Co. Department store. Nicknamed "The Boston Store" (but not to be confused with Boston Store), Denholms was the largest New England department store outside of Boston until it closed in 1975. Sawyer often shadowed his late grandmother, Josephine Carbone, who started working at the store in 1945 as a stock girl and moved her way up to Divisional Merchandise Manager at a time when few women were part of the executive team.

Sawyer, who is now the creative director at the Boston Ralph Lauren store, said his grandmother's influence on him has been immeasurable. So when he visited the remains of the Denholm & McKay store almost two years ago, he was disheartened to see the sad, eroding facade of the building and other offices in the area. Fondly remembering the beautiful Denholm & McKay of his youth, Sawyer took it upon himself to clean up the building's exterior. Since April of 2009, he has worked to restore the building's windows to their 1951 appearance. He has kept a blog about his experience, providing personal thoughts and numerous pictures as the project progresses.

"My goal was two-part: one, to pay tribute to the building and company that stood there, and the second part was to help beautify buildings in the Worcester area that were in really bad shape," he says. Restoring the building's facade included "draping out all of the back walls with sheers, updating the lighting system, and re-introducing the original logo back on the glass show windows," Sawyer explains. He also installed archival images of the store in the windows. All of these improvements—illustrated in the image above—help keep the story of the Denholm's store alive, he says.

"The windows are the eyes and ears of what the building is projecting, whether it be a story or whether it be something for the community," Sawyer says.

The building, constructed in 1871, is now home to several offices of non-profit groups, and Sawyer has started working with some of them to help clean up more windows in the building. He says several Worcester and Boston area resident who have connections in the area have sent him messages of encouragement, as well as their own stories of what Denholms meant to them. Sawyer's efforts were recently profiled in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and he is currently polling people on his blog regarding their hopes for a Denholm & McKay reopening.

"People really don't shop in department stores anymore but back then, that was the main hub where people would meet. They would spend the day and get dressed up. It was a social outing to go to a department store," Sawyer says. "I'm hoping that by showcasing the building, people will have a remembrance of a time gone by. I think it's a way of reminiscing of times gone by when life was a little bit simpler."

Denholms Article in Worcester Telegram

2010-02-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

Touch of elegance returns

Princeton native spurs Denholms face-lift

By Nancy Sheehan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
nsheehan@telegram.com

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On the cover, Christopher Sawyer stands before one of the windows he has redesigned. Above are recent before and after photos of the windows. (Cover photo by T&G photographer Dan Gould.)
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Once upon a time every city had its big downtown department store. In Worcester, it was Denholms.

When the six-story Denholm & McKay Co. closed for good in 1973 it marked the end of a more genteel era in retailing. The store’s elegant boutique-style layout gave the expansive space an intimate feeling. Attentive service meant no one had to hunt through long racks on their own or guess whether the shoe fit properly. Lavish decorations heralded each change of season, while store windows displayed the latest fashion finery.

The world has changed since then and so has the Denholms building at 474 Main St. The former home of a single large retailer, the inside has shifted to a warren of smaller businesses, offices and condos. Hints of the building’s heyday remained long after, however, in things like the elaborate Baroque detailing of the escalators and the modern façade that won awards when it was added in 1951. Now, the building’s windows also will recall the store’s glory days.

Christopher Sawyer of Jamaica Plain, independently and at his own expense, has undertaken the restoration of 10 display windows at the Denholms building. Many windows had become an unattractive hodgepodge of signs. Others were vacant, a hollow reflection of downtown’s decline.

The windows won’t display the latest fashions like they once did. Rather, some will showcase photos and artifacts detailing the history of the grand old department store, complete with the “Denholms” painted across the glass in a jaunty black script, a store signature that once adorned shopping bags, gift boxes and newspaper ads. Other window displays will echo the activities of the building’s current occupants, including the Worcester Community Action Council and J&N Fournier Antiques. Sawyer has completed four windows and plans to finish the remaining ones within a year.

Sawyer, who grew up in Princeton, is creative director at Ralph Lauren in Boston. His experience in retailing and window design partially explain his dedication to the project. His connection to the store goes deeper than that, however. His grandmother was the late Josephine Carbone, who started her career with Denholms in 1947 as a stock girl. Over the years she was promoted several times, ultimately reaching the executive position of divisional merchandise manager.

It was she who introduced her little grandson to Denholms, taking him to work occasionally on weekends. But it was when Sawyer was 13, more than a decade after the store had closed and the building had been sold to a new owner, that his passion for the venerable place came alive. One afternoon, while the new owner was gutting the building and subdividing the interior into smaller offices, “My grandmother and I were walking by on our way to get some lunch and I said ‘Grandma let’s go in,’ ” Sawyer said. “So she told the construction guys that she used to work there for 25 years, could we go in and walk around.”

The workmen ushered them in, and Sawyer immediately fell in love with the elegant interior, much of which could still be seen, although it was coated with dust from the ongoing construction efforts. “I’ve always been interested in retail but that was when retail was in its heyday,” he said. “There were big, grand couture rooms and there was the wedding gown department and where the millinery used to be and the escalators with all the Baroque detailing. Seeing all that is what triggered me to start my whole career.”

He was instantly enthralled with the store and the more graceful era it represented. He began collecting Denholms memorabilia shortly after that first visit and has amassed an extensive collection since. “I went back six months later and asked if I could do another tour on my own, and they said, ‘Take whatever you want,’ ” he said. “I got old signs and the directory and things like that. They were probably thinking ‘What is he doing?’ but I fell in love.” Those first forays eventually led to an award-graced career spanning more than 20 years in the luxury retail trade. He worked for Jordan Marsh Co. and Neiman Marcus before joining Ralph Lauren.

Last May, when he came back to the city to research Denholms at the Worcester Historical Museum, he headed downtown and took a stroll by the building. “I just got so sad,” he said. “I thought ‘This is not what this building was. This building used to be so grand.’ ” So, since he does windows for a living, he called the building management and offered his services. “I said ‘I do this. I’m a professional. I’d love to offer my services and do a retrospective and show people how grand that building was in downtown,’ and they were thrilled.”

“I wanted to give the building and the downtown area a facelift so that people could relive their moments at Denholms,” he said. “I also wanted to show the newer generations how this building and the city of Worcester looked back in previous times, when streets were crowded, stores were bustling with business and times were a bit simpler.”

Denholms Article Coming

2010-02-21T08:26:00.001-05:00

1960's exterior shot

2009-12-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

Here is a shot of the exterior of Denholms during the mid 1960's. I remember the large snowflake ornaments hanging from the lights down Main St.

I love the simplicity of the 3 small trees of lights on the facade.

Christmas Window Display

2009-11-25T11:16:00.001-05:00

Here is a photo of a 1965 window display at Denholms. I love the scroll signage that is on the right hand side of the image.

The Holidays are coming!

2009-10-31T10:40:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year for all of us to start thinking about the holidays coming up. In retail, there is no Thanksgiving, just Christmas.... Here is a shot of Denholms in the early 1960's with the infamous tree of lights that adorned the facade.

2009-10-17T10:11:00.000-04:00

Here is an article that my grandmother gave on the importance of window displays, and how they relate to a stores image.

Denholms windows completed!

2009-10-02T09:18:00.000-04:00

This week I had the pleasure to work on the windows at the Denholm building, and finished my retrospective of the Denholm and McKay department store. I cannot even begin to thank all of the people who helped and encouraged me with this dream of mine. I want to thank Pat and Diane who allowed me access to their Denholms archive. I also want to thank Mellisa,Matt, Doug, and Ernie and everyone at the Denholm building for their kindness and hard work. You all are amazing!!!

This building is really a gem, and I look forward to working on more windows with the Denholm team.

A big thanks to all.

image of the day

2009-09-24T07:39:00.001-04:00

Late 1950's window display at Denholms.

Denholms Retrospective

2009-09-13T11:19:00.000-04:00

I am starting the Denholms window retrospective the last week of September. As you can see, the windows are in pretty rough shape, and the building could really use some TLC. I can't wait to get in and restore at least the three windows back to their original glory. It is going to be a lot of work, but keep your fingers crossed.

My Grandmother at work

2009-08-31T19:32:00.000-04:00

My Grandmother was Josephine Carbone ( second from the left). She worked for Denholms starting in 1947 as a stock girl. After working her way up through the ladder, she eventually became a woman's buyer, and then from there went on to be a Divisional Merchandise Manager of the all of the Women s departments. Besides being a very career minded woman, she was also a major part of my life, and I miss her dearly. I am so lucky to have been able to call her my grandmother as she was, and still is larger than life to me.

Denholm and McKay window installation

2009-08-31T19:21:00.000-04:00

I am currently in the process of renovating the 3 large windows between the two entrances, and doing a retrospective of the store that spans from it's beginning in 1871 till closing in 1973.

My plan is to restore the windows back to their original 1951 opening look. Keep your fingers crossed!!! Window install goes in the last week of September.