tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post1157756398231304067..comments2024-03-21T01:17:34.038-05:00Comments on Pleasant Family Shopping: Wards Strikes Up the BandDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-78465306618345246562010-07-17T16:21:16.769-05:002010-07-17T16:21:16.769-05:00Dan – It’s a look that seems to blend in with most...Dan – It’s a look that seems to blend in with most architectural settings of the past 50 years or so, and depending on the quality of finish used, some actually look very nice. Nothing revolutionary though, of course. <br /><br />Didi – I’m with you on that!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-5261892442160670302010-06-30T18:00:06.718-05:002010-06-30T18:00:06.718-05:00I’ve definitely seen some bland Wards stores from ...<i>I’ve definitely seen some bland Wards stores from this era that would deserve the “meh” designation, but I actually rather like this bunch – the stone work around the windows in the first photo shows an obvious American Indian influence, and the Houston store’s mosaic tilework is very nice in my opinion. The California store is a decent example of (now classic) MCM architecture.<br /></i><br /><br />Dave, re-looking at the photos I do agree with you on all three accounts. My favorite is definately the last picture of the bunch but looking at the tile work on the other two are definately a treat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-55107906532509737762010-06-28T22:47:54.663-05:002010-06-28T22:47:54.663-05:00The second and third picture are interesting in th...The second and third picture are interesting in that I've noticed this architectural style seems to have made a return, mostly on office buildings. Though I've never been impressed with this look aesthetically, lately I have grown to appreciate some of the clean lines of these buildings. Nonetheless, I always thought buildings with that boxy look looked dated even when they were new.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-83821185658636610332010-06-27T00:26:11.120-05:002010-06-27T00:26:11.120-05:00Didi – I got a kick out of the Northwestern (Kello...Didi – I got a kick out of the Northwestern (Kellogg)/Wards tie as well. In the course of my research for this site, I’m constantly amazed by the connections that turn up between the various retailers and other well known entities.<br /><br />I’ve definitely seen some bland Wards stores from this era that would deserve the “meh” designation, but I actually rather like this bunch – the stone work around the windows in the first photo shows an obvious American Indian influence, and the Houston store’s mosaic tilework is very nice in my opinion. The California store is a decent example of (now classic) MCM architecture.<br /><br />Psuedo3D – Didn’t mean to unsettle you there, and apologies for the lack of a return email! I’ll have to dig yours up so I can reply to your reply to my reply… :)<br /><br />Thanks for the additional info on Wonderland.<br /><br />Anonymous – Thanks very much - glad you like the site! I believe I’ve heard of the “Focus” stores but I’m not absolutely sure they’re the same ones you’re talking about. The Parkersburg Wards store sounds like it was a real beauty! <br /><br />I agree with you regarding the Apache Plaza store. Considering the modern-day tributes out there to the memory of Apache Plaza, I was expecting something grander if and when I ever got the chance to see what the MW store looked like, and when I finally came across the photo I was disappointed as well. <br /> <br />Here’s a link to an earlier post – the first photo shows a fairly close view of the “MW” door handles, in this case at the famous Dixie Square Mall. Are these the style you remember? <br /><br /><a href="http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/2010/01/2009-retro-retrospective.html" rel="nofollow">2009 - A Retro-Retrospective</a>Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788722183424550052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-30145778985554246762010-06-25T23:44:38.875-05:002010-06-25T23:44:38.875-05:00I remember that the door handles on the MW Ward st...I remember that the door handles on the MW Ward store in Parkersburg were in the shape of the "MW" logo shown in the photos. Also disappointed that the Apache Plaza store is not more impressive from the outside, when compared to the other stores of the era. <br /><br />Fantastic site.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-84386742194729789662010-06-25T23:42:31.958-05:002010-06-25T23:42:31.958-05:00We never shopped a lot of Ward's, but there wa...We never shopped a lot of Ward's, but there was a spectacular store in Parkersburg, W.Va., built I would guess in the mid to late 1960's. It held on to the end and is now a furniture and appliance store. This was a completely free-standing store far apart from the mall in town. I remember in the 80's when they remodeled and became "Focus."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-33716661104340996152010-06-25T19:02:31.386-05:002010-06-25T19:02:31.386-05:00I replied to an email you sent back and had not go...I replied to an email you sent back and had not gotten a reply. Coupled with a long dry period of no updates, it was...unsettling.<br /><br />I wanted to add that Wonderland Shopping City (now Crossroads of San Antonio) is still around. The mall has admittedly been dying a slow painful death and is still open with some service tenants. The Wards, however, was partially torn down for a SuperTarget (with no mall access). The rest is a conference center.Pseudo3Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848368606946150471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033289293807518844.post-54655950043908494982010-06-25T14:58:37.426-05:002010-06-25T14:58:37.426-05:00Sweeeeeet! Kellogg School of Management has retail...Sweeeeeet! Kellogg School of Management has retail roots? I never would have thought.<br /><br />Love the photos but I see Ward's was channeling their inner "meh" at the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com