INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's—more or less. Here’s the 11th installment, again with thanks to The Croton Historical Society. SEE THE PHOTOS FROM THEIR CURRENT EXHIBIT--THE MASSES--HERE HTTP://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/02/photos-from-opening-reception-of-masses.html ELLIOTT’S DEPARTMENT STORE: Long before there was a daycare center, a Yoga school, a real estate office, a Grand Union, and many many other businesses at 10 Old Post Road South, Elliott’s Department Store was THE place to go for just about everything—and for decades. Owned initially by Robert Sr. and Barbara Elliott, it is fondly remembered as the “lynchpin” of the Upper Village, as keenly missed when it closed then as Wondrous Things was for newer residents now.
Local contractors missed the True Value hardware, Moms missed the clothing, housewares, domestics, and toys. One resident remembered that when it came to BACK TO SCHOOL, she did it all locally. Elliott’s carried Buster Brown Shoes, school supplies, boys and girls clothing. Another resident, whose children attended a local dance school, said that Elliott’s even carried ballet slippers and Danskin—and that if they didn’t have something, Barbara Elliott would order it without hesitation. You could even ship your UPS parcels and overnight mail from that location. And no one ever went out of town to Christmas shop when Elliott’s was around. Click on the link to see a list of what Elliott’s carried circa 1960s, 1970s http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6143598282/in/photostream/
Sadly, Elliott’s closed in the 1990’s. You may also have an interest in:
CHIMNEY CORNER CABIN http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-chimney-corner.htm
GINO’S POST INN http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-ginos-post-inn.html
OTTO’S COFFEE SHOP http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-ottos-coffee-shop.html
THE STARLIGHT DRIVING RANGE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-starlight-driving.html
HARMON SWEET SHOPPE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-special-request_29.html
CARVEL A.K.A. CROTON CREAMY http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-special-request.html
SCOOP ‘N JUDY’S http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-scoop-n-judys.html
THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN, parts 1 & 2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/croton-memories-starlight-drive-in_15.html AND http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-more-on-starlight.html
This was such a great store but children don't always do well after the parents are gone. The Elliotts were such nice people and they really helped to keep the upper village alove and thriving. Their store is very much missed.
ReplyDeleteMy earliest memories are of shopping for something for my mom at Pop Bergers and getting my PF Flyers at Elliotts. What a great store this was.
ReplyDeleteThe village went downhill a long time after it closed. Newer folks don't know that. They just look at Wondrous Things and go awwwwwwww. But when Elliott's closed, it was the same thing. Fortunately we have Treasures to take up the slack and Groovy and Trinkets to differing degrees.
ReplyDeleteYes, but I do miss Elliott's. Mrs. Elliott always made sure to order the latest Colorforms which I loved. That was one of the best toys around.
ReplyDeleteThis place was one of the reasons why we moved here. The saddest day was when it closed. We were told it was for renovations but we all knew what was coming.
ReplyDeleteWe used to get ALL our craft supplies there. When Mrs. Elliott ran the place, you could get feathers, ribbons, gold leaf, buttons, jewels, etc. etc. etc. She was the greatest.
ReplyDeleteChildren are often the WORST stewards of their parents' legacies.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Elliotts ran the place, it was just great. I rarely if ever left town for Christmas or Easter Shopping. Mrs. Elliott even brought in white, pink and yellow plain straw hats for girls that mothers could decorate themselves with the ribbons, tiny flowers, and other embellishments she also kept in stock. She always had white tulle at communion time so we could make our daughter's communion veils. It was a sad day when they retired. The store was never the same after that.
I feel like I went into Elliotts almost everyday walking home from Holy Name of Mary. If I had a nickel there was candy to be had! My brother Chris by the age of 7 & 8 were independently Christmas shopping for our parents and siblings. Plastic snow globes, wigwam socks, 6 foot striped scarves..... They had some of everything!
ReplyDeletei lived in croton when it was the grand union I walked there with my mom to go shopping
ReplyDeleteBuster Brown's...the pair lasted me the whole school year! They had to, my parent's had 7 children! I always looked at the barbies..I never bought one. When I got married, I told my husbacpnd that story,, and he bought me one for my birthday..thing is, I didn't tell him until I was 35...
ReplyDelete