The following article was commissioned by Pointe Foure, a vintage clothing boutique in Erie PA, during my recent internship. This is article two in a series of three.
While today’s shopping experience is reduced to a few clicks on the computer and a cardboard box dropped at your doorstep, there was once an endearing and memorable time when shopping was a full-day, family event in downtown Erie at the familiar Halle’s Department Store.
The first Halle’s opened on February 7, 1891, in Ohio. By the turn of the century, the company was expanding and made its way to downtown Erie in 1929.
Seasonally, families would plan shopping days to find school clothes, Christmas party attire, Easter bonnets, and just about anything for the family and home. Shopping in Erie was reserved for the downtown area, with both women and men fully dressed for the special outing. Block by block ladies in day dresses, heels, and handbags, and gentlemen in suits, ties, and fedoras would make their way to the front entrance of Halle’s. It was a must-visit with specialized departments, including men’s tailored suits, women’s dresses, jewelry, and housewares. The expansive shoe department was top-rated, with styles for every family member. Despite its enormous size, Halle’s specialized in keeping their merchandise organized and easy to find with the help of individual sales staff.
Long before the internet shopping we experience today, Halle’s introduced the concept of mail-order with the help of their own designated personal shopper, Mrs. Edith Scarlett. As an Erie native, she hand-selected items from the flagship Halle’s store in Cleveland and had them sent to her home where she processed individual mail orders to local residents. Her sales efforts were instrumental in bringing the downtown store to Erie. Once the store opened, she remained a personal shopper and buyer for many years at the downtown location.
Personalized service was the hallmark of Halle’s. When you entered the store, sales staff were eager to help you find just the right item. Then, each selection was wrapped and packaged for the trip home. One particular marketing idea was Halle’s hatbox which proudly featured the store logo and allowed ladies to safely carry and store their special purchase of the day.
By the 1950s, retail was expanding out to the suburbs. Halle’s led the movement by building an expansive, modern store in the West Erie Plaza with a celebrated grand opening that made headline news in the local Erie Times newspaper. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Halle, the store’s namesake owners from Cleveland. Also attending the premiere event was the Murphy family of the acclaimed Boston Store, who complimented their competitor’s efforts by stating, “The layout is perfect, and merchandise is displayed beautifully. We at the Boston Store wish them the very best success.” The most noted addition at the new store was the full-service beauty and nail salon which featured a wall of mirrors and soft shades of pink throughout.
Whether you shopped at the traditional downtown store or the modern West location, Halle’s was more than just a day of shopping. The cafe was a popular lunch spot that featured fashion shows with the latest trends. The salon, known as the “Design Studio,” booked regular appointments with the ladies of Erie. It was a landmark place to meet friends and make memories.
Today, there is an active movement to revitalize downtown shopping. Pointe Foure is at the center of it all with a new location on State Street. We admire and respect the history Halle’s brought to downtown Erie, and we also hope to be your destination boutique for a memorable and personalized shopping service.
Photos courtesy of
Pointe Foure
The Hagen History Center
Mercyhurst Library
fashionpastforward.com 