Quantcast RochesterSubway.com : Window Shopping at McCurdy & Co.
Rochester Subway
Subscribe for Email UpdatesBecome a Facebook FanFollow Us on TwitterRSS Feed Rochester History + New Ideas. Fresh from the Rochester Subway.

Topics


Rochester Subway Gift Shop


¤ Visit the Gift Shop


Modern Rochester Subway Map


Modern Rochester Subway Map

¤ View Details
¤ Buy at MetroPosters.com


City of Rochester, New York


City of Rochester, New York

¤ View Details
¤ Buy at MetroPosters.com


Rochester Neighborhoods Map

Rochester Neighborhoods Map

¤ View Details
¤ Buy at MetroPosters.com


Rochester Subway DVD

The End of the Line - Rochester’s Subway (DVD)

¤ View Details
¤ Buy at MetroPosters.com


Rochester Landmarks Poster

Rochester Landmarks Poster

¤ View Details

 | 

SOLD OUT


Work in Rochester

Work in Rochester

¤ View Details
¤ Buy from Amazon


Original Streetart by SPACEMAN

Original Streetart by SPACEMAN

¤ View All Spaceman Art


Old Rochester Photos<br>and Historical Views

Old Rochester Photos
and Historical Views

(Framed Reprints Available)

¤ View All Rochester Photos


Rochester Subway Cap

Embroidered Subway Cap

¤ View Details


Rochester Subway T-Shirt

Rochester Subway T-Shirt

¤ View Details


Rochester Subway Token T-Shirt

RTC Token T-Shirt

¤ View Details


Rochester RTC Token

RTC Token (1948)

¤ View Details

 | 

SOLD OUT


Roch. & Brighton Token

Roch. & Brighton Token
(1887-90)

¤ View Details

 | 

Add To Cart


Rochester Railway Co. Token

Rochester Railway Co. Token (1900-09)

¤ View Details

 | 

SOLD OUT


Rochester School Fare Token

School Fare Token (1948)

¤ View Details

 | 

Add To Cart


Rochester NYS Railways Token

NYS Railways Token (1909-38)

¤ View Details

 | 

Add To Cart


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (1941),
Rochester Rail Equipment

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (1938),
Subway & Broad Street

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (1942),
Rochester City Hall & Subway

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (c.1912),
Rochester’s Four Corners

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (c.1905),
Erie Canal Aqueduct

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway Vintage Postcard

Vintage Postcard (c.1928),
South Entrance to Subway

¤ View Details

 | 

Order Reprint

¤ See All Vintage Postcards


Rochester Subway + Trolley Transit Passes

Original Subway, Trolley,
and Bus Weekly Transit Passes

¤ View All Transit Passes





Window Shopping at McCurdy & Co.

December 4th, 2012

The McCurdy & Norwell Company department store was located at 285-291 Main Street East, at the corner of Elm Street. The display windows are crowded with goods. The store occupied several attached buildings of various heights and styles. c.1901-1913 [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]
Do you remember window shopping at the big downtown department stores? Freezing cold holiday shoppers all pressed up against the plate glass like moths to a porch light. Dreams of sugar plums and reindeer and presents under the tree were fueled by these sparkling menageries of the latest and greatest stuff. The displays themselves were an art form; and drawing people in off the street was the ultimate goal. In all but our largest metros, scenes like these have been lost as retailers gradually moved to suburban malls. Yesterday we went window shopping at the old Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. department store. Today let’s browse a series of pictures (also from the Rochester Public Library) documenting some of the windows at McCurdy & Co. department store in downtown Rochester more than 70 years ago…

This view shows a tree and fireplace scene with children looking up the chimney. A banner proclaims 'Christmas: Keep it Shining For All the World.' c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
A tree and fireplace scene with children looking up the chimney. A banner proclaims “Christmas: Keep it Shining For All the World.” c.1940

This scene shows Santa Claus in a sleigh carrying a Tappan range. 'Six reasons why Santa delivers more Tappans.' c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
This scene shows Santa Claus in a sleigh carrying a Tappan range. “Six reasons why Santa delivers more Tappans.” c.1940.

This scene shows a mannequin in an evening gown with a reindeer. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
A beautiful evening gown for a night on the town – with a reindeer. c.1940.

'The return of the hat of consequence!' This scene shows a display of hats, including one on a mannequin who is seated in front of a mirror. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“The return of the hat of consequence!” This scene shows a display of hats, including a woman seated in front of a mirror. c.1940.

This scene shows mannequins dressed in fashionable women's clothing. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
Fashionable women’s clothing. c.1940. Not sure what the creepy painting is behind the lovely ladies.

This scene shows a group of female mannequins dressed in fashionable clothes. They are seated at a table. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
A group of women fashionably dressed and seated at a table. c.1940.

This scene was set up for Valentine's Day, and shows a Victorian era couple in a heart shape. A jewelry display is below them. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
This scene was set up for Valentine’s Day, and shows a Victorian era couple in a heart shape. A jewelry display is below them. c.1940.

This scene shows mannequins dressed up for a concert. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
Dressed up for a concert. c.1940.

'The Romantic 1889 Viennese Fashions of 'Mayerling'' This scene shows mannequins in evening gowns. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“The Romantic 1889 Viennese Fashions of ‘Mayerling'” Evening gowns. c.1940.

'Gifts she'll love to wear!' This scene features a mannequin in a fashionable dress posed alongside of various accessories. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“Gifts she’ll love to wear!” A fashionable dress and various accessories. c.1940.

'Salute to a citizen... The college into career girl. You'll study more today to make your place in the world of tomorrow.' This scene features a mannequin modeling career-wear for college graduates. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“Salute to a citizen… The college into career girl. You’ll study more today to make your place in the world of tomorrow.” This scene features a young woman in career-wear for college graduates. c.1940.

This scene features mannequins in women's lingerie. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
Ooh la la… Women’s lingerie. c.1940.

'See your home of the future that you are dreaming about now.' This scene shows a family looking into the sky at a dream home. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“See your home of the future that you are dreaming about now.” A family looking into the sky at a dream home. c.1940.

'See yourself on Metropolitan Opera Night another star... in red and white. $69.75' An evening gown. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“See yourself on Metropolitan Opera Night another star… in red and white. $69.75” c.1940.

'What vitamins are doing for us!' A display of vitamins for sale. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
A display of vitamins for sale. “What vitamins are doing for us!” c.1940.

This scene shows mannequins in fashionable dress in front of a mirror. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
Women fashionably dressed, in front of a mirror. c.1940.

This scene shows a display of men's Arrow shirts and neckwear. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
A display of men’s Arrow shirts and neckwear. c.1940.

This scene shows several skier mannequins amid a wintry scene. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
Several skiers amid a wintry scene. c.1940.

'Christmas, Keep it Shining for all the World.' This scene shows a child praying before a Christmas star. c.1940. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]
“Christmas, Keep it Shining for all the World.” A child praying before a Christmas star. c.1940.

About McCurdy & Co.
Department Store…

McCurdy & Norwell was a department store founded in 1901 by John Cooke McCurdy. It was located on the corner of Main and Elm. In 1913, it became McCurdy and Robinson, and then McCurdy & Co., Inc. in 1918. A leading department store in the Rochester area, McCurdy’s later expanded to include a number of branch stores. It was sold to May Department Stores in 1994.

Happy Holidays and Shop Local!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 8:03 am and is filed under Rochester History, Rochester Images. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

3 Responses to “Window Shopping at McCurdy & Co.”

  1. Jan Gargan says:

    Worked in the display dept. for about 10yrs back in the late 60′- 70’s. I was a hard goods trimmer (anything that wasn’t clothing) Loved seeing pictures of the old windows. Christmas time downtown was magical. We would start the Xmas on the upper floors right after Halloween (but no trims were lit) and work right up to the day before Thanksgiving.6am day after Thanksgiving we would come in and light up all the trims throughout the store, when we opened at 10am it was a spectacular effect. Thanks for the beautiful photos of days past. I’m over 60 mow and miss so of the past traditions
    Jan Gargan

  2. Craig Campbell says:

    Great pictures of the 1940 display windows!

    I started out in McCurdy’s display department and well remember working with Jan on not only putting up Christmas trims in the stores, but opening the Eastview store with her and working with her refurbishing the “Old Fashioned Christmas” mechanical windows that were in the Main Street windows at Christmas time for several years.

    Thanks to some great mentors in McCurdy’s management, I went on to become Store Planning Director from the later 70’s until I left in 1984. I am forever grateful for Gil McCurdy’s interest in all aspects of the business, beyond just merchandising, which created an environment where I could have learning experiences I wouldn’t have gotten in most retail companies.

    Rochesterians rightly have great memories of McCurdy’s and the traditions it was known for and I have great memories of the time I spent working there and the foundation it gave me to go forward and enjoy a rich career.

  3. Meriel says:

    I am 77 years old and my Dad always took me to see these magical windows, I guess that is the reason I love Christmas and all of the glitz, that was so wonderful


Post a Comment...



Earn 75,000 Bonus Points for travel with the Chase Sapphire card when you use this referral link.

  Most Popular...
  1. Inside Rochester’s Terrence Tower(views: 69.8k)
  2. Pot Holds Bowie in Rochester(views: 39.2k)
  3. University of Rochester’s Lost Swimming Pool(views: 38.1k)
  4. Inside Abandoned Medley Centre (a.k.a Irondequoit Mall)(views: 36k)
  5. Inside Rochester’s Abandoned Walters Psychiatric Building(views: 35.7k)
  6. The Old Barber House(views: 33.9k)
  7. History of Seabreeze Amusement Park(views: 30.4k)
  8. Deep Inside Rochester’s Big Old Sibley Building(views: 27.7k)
  9. Abandoned Glass House(views: 24.1k)
  10. Durand Eastman Park and the Lady In White(views: 22.4k)
  11. Rochester Mafia, the Banana King, and the Infamous “Barrel Murder”(views: 21k)
  12. Abandoned Girl Scout Camp Beech-Wood(views: 19.2k)
  13. Exploring the Caves of Rochester, NY(views: 18.9k)
  14. Inside the Abandoned Vacuum Oil Refinery(views: 17.2k)
  15. Inside the Abandoned Camp Haccamo, Penfield(views: 16.2k)
  16. Inside 65-67 Chestnut St. – Old Hotel Richford(views: 15.9k)
  17. The Best Holiday Light Displays in Rochester v1.0(views: 15.1k)
  18. Martha Matilda Harper – Innovator in Beauty and Business(views: 14.1k)
  19. Abandoned Theme Park: Frontier Town(views: 14k)
  20. Rochester’s Mercury Statue, Up Close and Personal(views: 12.5k)

Topics

  • Architecture (64)
  • Art + Culture (127)
  • Events (110)
  • Freebies (9)
  • Interviews (32)
  • Opinion (110)
  • Other (15)
  • Reader Submitted Stories (126)
  • Rochester Apartments (6)
  • Rochester Destinations (107)
  • Rochester Gifts (19)
  • Rochester History (203)
  • Rochester Homes for Sale (13)
  • Rochester Images (208)
  • Rochester News (378)
  • Rochester Subway (51)
  • Rochester Subway Stories (17)
  • Subways Around the Globe (11)
  • Train/Railroad Stuff (47)
  • Transit + Infrastructure (208)
  • Uncategorized (24)
  • Urban Development (262)
  • Urban Exploration (63)


  • Earn 75,000 Bonus Points for travel with the Chase Sapphire card when you use this referral link.

    Rochester Subway Information

    Get Email Updates...
    Stay up-to-date on Rochester-related stories, artifacts, and ideas that you won't find in the mainstream news. Totally free, never spammy, and you can unsubscribe at any time.


    ¤ See Past Issues
    ¤ Our Privacy Policy

    Links

    Get Involved...

    ¤ Reconnect Rochester

    Related Blogs...

    ¤ A Town Square
    ¤ Moderate Urban Champ
    ¤ Our Tiny Earth
    ¤ The Rochesterian
    ¤ RocVille
    ¤ Rust Wire

    Resources...

    ¤ RochesterDowntown.com
    ¤ Rochester's Public Library
    ¤ ROCwiki


    Earn 75,000 Bonus Points for travel with the Chase Sapphire card when you use this referral link.



    Want to Advertise
    on RocSubway?
    Drop us a line.


    Other ways to follow RochesterSubway.com...

    Subscribe for Email Updates

    Email

    Become a Facebook Fan

    Facebook

    Follow Us on Twitter

    Twitter

    RSS Feed

    RSS

    Questions + Comments

    For questions about the Rochester Subway Poster or about your order, please email [email protected].

    Want to SAVE Shipping Costs?
    Buy the Subway Posters at these local shops...

    About the Rochester Subway Poster...

    ¤ Parkleigh [ ...map it ]
    ¤ Poster Art [ ...map it ]
    ¤ Rochester Public Library Store [ ...map it ]

    ¤ Rochester Subway Poster Press Release
    ¤ Article by Otto M. Vondrak
    ¤ Design by Mike Governale

    More About The Rochester Subway

    Help Support...

    ¤ Rochester Subway (Wikipedia)
    ¤ The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway, DVD
    ¤ Abandoned Subway Photos (Opacity.us)
    ¤ Walking the Rails (YouTube Video)

    ¤ Friends of RochesterSubway.com




    RochesterSubway.com