My mom anxiously looked forward to Hess's fashion shows & May flower shows. She loved Hess's patio restaurant & their signature strawberry pies. Every Sunday in the Morning Call, Hess's ran an ad for their bargain basement with first come, first served items available Monday morning (most stores back then were closed on Sunday--remember "the Blue Laws").
As a kid, just walking into Hess's was mind-boggling. The place was awesome--so many floors & lots of people. What fascinated me most about Hess's were "the moving steps". We never saw escalators at Bright's Department Store in Lansford or Lehighton. Another shopping bonus for me--a used book & comic book store 1 block down the street from Hess's. I still have some paperbacks & most of the comic books I bought in that store. After a day of shopping in Allentown, my brother & I usually slept all the way home.
Hess's opened in Allentown in 1897. On December 23, 1947, Hess's giant sign was lit for the 1st time. It was the biggest of its type outside New York City--45 feet tall, weighed 8 tons, & had 2,250 light bulbs & neon lights. It could be seen up & down Hamilton Street. Down through the years Hess's attracted many celebrities like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Johnny Carson, George Reeves (1950s TV Superman), Burt Ward (1960s Robin) & Rock Hudson. Hess's ultimately fell victim to suburban sprawl. More stores were opening on MacArthur Road & they had lots of free parking. Hess's in downtown Allentown never celebrated its 100th anniversary as it closed its doors forever on January 15, 1996. That marked the end of an era & a shopping destination for generations of shoppers.
What do you remember about Hess's in downtown Allentown? Do you recall Hess's delivery trucks driving through coal region towns? Do you have any Hess's memorabilia--a gift box, hat box, shopping bag, or a cup or plate from the patio? Please COMMENT below.