Originally published on June 10, 2015 (Episode 19)
Introduction
From Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia to small-town shops across the country, department stores once shaped the way Americans bought, worked, and dreamed. In her new book From Main Street to Mall: The Rise and Fall of the American Department Store (Penn, 2015), Vicki Howard explores their origins, cultural significance, and decline.
We discuss how department stores transformed American consumer culture, what they offered that had never existed before, and how the very forces that created them also contributed to their undoing. Along the way, I share a few personal recollections—please forgive the nostalgia.
About the Guest
Vicki Howard is a historian of business and consumer culture. Her works include Brides, Inc.: American Weddings and the Business of Tradition.
For Further Investigation
Vicki Howard, Brides, Inc.: American Weddings and the Business of Tradition (Penn, 2008)
—, From Main Street to Mall: The Rise and Fall of the American Department Store (Penn, 2015)
Michael J. Lisicky, Wanamaker’s: Meet Me at the Eagle (Arcadia, 2010)
💬 Listen & Discuss
What did department stores mean for small-town and big-city life? Do you miss them—or are we better off with today’s malls and online shopping? Share your reflections below, and send this to someone who still remembers their favorite store.
