With the re-closing of the Western Reserve Historical society due to the surge of COVID-19 infections it’s unclear what’s going on with their holiday-themed Century of Celebrations exhibit, which was scheduled to run November 27-January 3. Perhaps they’ll put it online as they have with other exhibits.
Meanwhile, you can browse their Then and Now blog where the latest post explores a holiday tradition once beloved of urban residents: shopping downtown. Once upon a time, people made special trips to check out the lavishly decorated holiday windows, have lunch in one of the department store restaurants and visit Mr. Jingeling. And of course there was gift shopping and just dreaming at the multitude of departments stores, of which Higbees, Halle’s and the May Company were the largest and best known (and last to close).
Western Reserve Historical Society Historian/Senior Vice President for Research and Publications John Grabowski shares how shopping habits have changed throughout the years, from small one-owner specialty stores to downtown retail palaces to suburban shopping malls to Amazon. Go here to read his post.