WANAMAKER'S - Moorestown Mall

A stunning shot of a legendary American store. This was one of the Philadelphia-based merchant's 13 stores. This is the one at Moorestown Mall in Moorestown, New Jersey. Thanks to "Malls of America" for this great photo, taken in the 1960s. MOA is a great blog for vintage photos and facts from American shopping malls in the 1960s and '70s.

Wanamaker's was one of America's first department stores, and a crucial Philadelphia institution for nearly 120 years. This certainly won't be my last Wanamaker's post, Lord willing. I plan on even posting a short bio of Mr. John Wanamaker himself, who not only was one of America's greatest merchants, but a statesman and a man who gave back to the Philadelphia community. A lot of his greatness was led by his strong Christian faith.

I'll post a bio of him along with other great American merchants. Stay tuned!

Welcome!

Hey! I am Jordan M. Iwanyszyn, a department store enthusiast! Although I am only 21, I am fond of the department stores of years ago. I am especially fond of the stores between the 1950s through the early 1980s. With this blog, I intend to make an internet collection of pictures and stories from these stores. We'll cover the stores from John Wanamaker's and Strawbridge & Clothier in Philadelphia (the stores I grew up with) to Pizitz in Birmingham to Dayton's in Minneapolis to J.W. Robinson's in Los Angeles. We'll cover the mall stores to the downtown flagships. We'll post videos of these stores and their commercials courtesy of YouTube. We'll try to re-create the grandness of these great institutions who have left a huge mark on American history.

Feel free to "shop" around and enjoy yourself. Thank you for window-shopping at the Grand Emporiums and come again!