{"id":76,"date":"2016-06-03T14:09:22","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T18:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/?post_type=chapter&p=76"},"modified":"2018-11-29T13:22:07","modified_gmt":"2018-11-29T18:22:07","slug":"halles-a-treasure-house-of-gift","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/chapter\/halles-a-treasure-house-of-gift\/","title":{"rendered":"Halle’s: A Treasure House of Gift"},"content":{"raw":"Another major Cleveland department store debuted in 1891 when two enterprising brothers named Samuel and Salmon P. Halle\u00a0paid $75,000 to purchase Paddock & Company\u00a0at 89-91 Euclid Avenue.[footnote]Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store.<\/em>\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 12.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Originally a furrier and hat repair shop, the Halle brothers quickly expanded their merchandise lines to include clothing, shoes and home furnishings.\u00a0 They also developed a large regional customer-base based on mail orders.\u00a0 Mail order shoppers bought mostly suits, jackets and capes.[footnote] \u201cLook at Our Stock Before Going Elsewhere.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 19, 1897.[\/footnote] One of the Halle Brothers early slogans summed it best when it said, \u201cLook at Our Stock before Going Elsewhere.\u201d\r\n\r\nThese ambitious retailers, in 1898, moved their business to larger quarters in the Nottingham Building.\u00a0 Now called the Halle Brothers Company, this store quickly became a favorite place for those demanding the very best in fashions and home furnishings.[footnote]\u201cGay Spring Things, A Suburb Exhibition of Women\u2019s Tailored Garments Shown at Halle Bros\u2019 Opening.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 17, 1898.[\/footnote] Bathing suits, neck pieces, umbrellas and gloves represent some of the new items they carried.\u00a0 Local newspapers praised them for their courtesy sales staff and straight-forward pricing.\u00a0 The Halle brothers, in 1902, remodeled their establishment.\u00a0 Improvements included updating the front fa\u00e7ade; expanding floor space and adding new elevators.\u00a0 They also expanded their merchandise lines to include jewelry, leather goods and perfume.\r\n\r\nTheir expanding business soon required additional space.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers, in 1908, rented the entire Pope Building\u00a0for $1,000,000 a year.[footnote] \u201cEuclid Scene of Two Great Deals.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 29, 1908.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Located on the south side of Euclid Avenue to the east of East 12th Street, this 140,000 square foot, terra-cotta clad, 10-story building featured about 100 foot display windows.\u00a0 The new Halle\u2019s included a first class furniture department, enlarged book store and bargain store.\u00a0 The book store gained national recognition for its many book signings and lectures by prominent authors while the bargain store\u2019s two items for the price of one won the hearts of many thrifty shoppers.\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s profits continued to soar.\u00a0 Officials, in 1911, unveiled plans for a new 665,000 square foot store.\u00a0 Adjacent to the Pope Building\u00a0at 1228 Euclid Avenue, this retail establishment cost $1,500,000.[footnote] Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 69.[\/footnote]\u00a0 It featured a specially designed vacuum cleaning system and special slide for packages.\u00a0 This impressive terra-cotta clad structure, designed by the nationally-recognized architect Henry Bacon\u00a0(1866-1924) with interiors by Owen Coghlin, later served as the backdrop for the popular Drew Carey Show.\r\n\r\nThis new retail facility nearly doubled Halle\u2019s floor space.\u00a0 Yet, in spite of its massive size, such things as short distances between counters and normal aisle widths offered the intimate shopping experience most Halle\u2019s customers wanted.[footnote] Ibid<\/em>. pp. 12.[\/footnote]\u00a0 The same could not be said about the new Wanamaker store in Philadelphia, PA.\u00a0 An impressive Neo-Renaissance\u00a0department store, designed in 1910 by noted Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham, this monumental structure with its shinny granite walls, super-sized ornamentation, numerous art galleries, and huge organ main floor intimidated many customers.\u00a0 Further expansion by Halle\u2019s occurred on the east side of Huron Road\u00a0just opposite the south entrances to the main store.\u00a0 Designed in 1927 by the architectural firm of Walker & Weeks\u00a0and called the Huron-Prospect Building, it housed Halle\u2019s Men\u2019s Department for the next thirty years.\r\n\r\nThe Halle Brothers Company set the pace for Cleveland retailers for many years to come.\u00a0 It began in 1913 when Halle\u2019s sponsored its-own shopper\u2019s calendar.[footnote]\u201cA Shoppers\u2019 Calendar, Friday April 16th.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 16, 1915.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it contained prose and poetry dedicated to fashion.\u00a0 This retailer also led the pack when, in 1916, it introduced summer furniture sales and fall rug sales.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, during the First World War, also offered excellent high quality shoes for businessmen.[footnote] \u201cExcellent Shoes at $6.00 and $7.00.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 23, 1917.[\/footnote] Store officials also sold Liberty Bonds.\r\n\r\nAn intensive training program for sales personnel, begun in 1912, was also a Halle\u2019s first.\u00a0 Store executives, two years later, also took the lead when they adopted an electrically-powered credit system.\u00a0 Developed by National Cash Register Company, it enabled Halle salespersons to check the credit status of their customers by phoning the credit department from their cashier stations.\u00a0 Steinway Hall, an in-house auditorium for recitals and plays, symbolized another first.\u00a0 It also operated two popular restaurants: the Geranium Room\u00a0and Minotaur Room.\u00a0 Store officials, in the 1920s, added a pneumatic tube system whereby salespersons using canisters now could send money directly to cashiers.[footnote] Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 13.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s also offered a children\u2019s playground and miniature golf course.\r\n\r\nShoppers loved the Halle Brothers promotions of the \u201cRoaring Twenties.\u201d\u00a0 They ran the gamut from contests and fashion show hints on WTAM-radio\u00a0to bridge tournaments and charity drives.[footnote] \u201cRadio Fashion Talk.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 5, 1928. \u201cNational Bridge Tourney in Cleveland This Week.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 18, 1928.[\/footnote] The store even got into the motion picture business when in cooperation with First National Pictures\/Warner Brothers\u00a0Pictures and WHK-radio, Halle\u2019s served as the set for a 1933 film called \u201cGood Bye Again.\u201d[footnote] Marsh, W. Ward. \u201cCleveland is Background for Lake\u2019s Comedy.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 7, 1933.[\/footnote] Halle Brothers also worked closely with local builders.\u00a0 It furnished interiors for model suits built by Arcy Steel Frame Houses\u00a0in the Forest Hill\u00a0section of East Cleveland, OH\u00a0and later the Ridgewood Country Club Estates.\r\n\r\nTime Magazine\u00a0in its June 6, 1927 issue commended Halle\u2019s.[footnote]Time Magazine<\/em>, June 6, 1927.[\/footnote]\u00a0 It said it was one of the best run department stores in the country equal to Lord & Taylor\u2019s, B. Altman\u2019s, R.H. Stearns and Marshall Field\u2019s.\u00a0 With the intention of becoming a major regional force in retailing, officials opened branch stores in Erie, PA\u00a0(1928), New Castle, PA\u00a0(1930) and Canton, OH\u00a0(1930).[footnote] Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 136.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, over the next forty-five years, added nine more stores primarily in Northeast\u00a0Ohio.\r\n\r\nThis premier store led the pack during the Great Depression of the 1930s when it offered a special line of affordable, quality clothing.\u00a0 Called the \u201cRight Line,\u201d this clothing line appealed to thrifty shoppers.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also believed that baby items must be safe.\u00a0 Their advertisements, in the early 1930s, claimed that educators and pediatricians examined and tested all baby garments before they sold them.[footnote] \u201cThe Halle Bros. Co, Babies Are Sure of a Great Start.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 10, 1935.[\/footnote] Executives in 1935 offered their customers two-hour parking for $.15 at the nearby Hanna Garage.\u00a0 In an attempt to help their shoppers even further, Halle\u2019s in the mid-1930s introduced its-own installment plan.\u00a0 Qualified customers now had up to three months to pay off their debt.\r\n\r\nThe surge in the U.S. economy, during the late 1930s, encouraged store officials to open a new travel agency and Steuben glass shop.[footnote] \u201cAmerican Express Travel Service in Halle Store Now.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 2, 1941.[\/footnote] The outbreak of the Second World War\u00a0led to shorter store hours, limited home deliveries and elimination of free gift wrapping.[footnote] Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>. pp. 157.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s also remained open Sundays during the war years and encouraged shoppers to buy both war bonds and savings stamps.\u00a0 Many of its employees served with distinction in the Armed Services.\u00a0 These efforts apparently paid-off.\u00a0 Total taxes paid by Halle Brothers increased from $529,865 in 1939 to $856.741 by 1941.[footnote]Rockwell, Guy T. \u201cHalle\u2019s \u201941 Unit Sales Were Best in History.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 10, 1942.[\/footnote] Dividends over those same two years rose from $745,211 to $854,445.\u00a0 The value of common stock increased from $2.69 a share to $3.18 a share.\r\n\r\nThis positive earnings trend continued throughout the war.\u00a0 Pre-tax earnings for 1944 totaled $2,707,336, with dividends at $765,336 and common stock selling at $2.79 a share.\u00a0 Federal taxes took 72% of the net earnings that year.\u00a0 Even so, those figures represented an increase over pre-tax net earnings for 1943 which were $2,233,953 with dividends at $733,953 and common stock selling for $2.52 a share.[footnote]Rockwell, Guy T. \u201cHalle Sales Set New High, but Earnings Gain is Slight.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 13, 1945.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThe Halle Brothers Company, after the war, led competitors when they installed modern escalators.\u00a0 Carrying up to 8,000 shoppers per hour, these escalators provided shoppers panoramic views of merchandise on each and every floor.\u00a0 It represented subliminal advertising at its finest.\u00a0 On another note, rumors circulated in the late 1950s that many department stores relied on a similar technique to promote sales.\u00a0 This time the subliminal approach involved faint voice-overs superimposed in background music.\u00a0 This voice, periodically, would tell customers to purchase certain items.\u00a0 Of course, department store officials claimed that they never employed such \u201cdishonest\u201d tactics.\u00a0 However, these rumors persisted for years.\r\n\r\nHalle Brothers, in 1947, erected an 11--story service building at the corner of Prospect Avenue and East 14th Street.[footnote] Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 182.[\/footnote] This $2,600,000 structure handled special deliveries and sorted out supplies.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also sponsored a number of new, community-based promotions.\u00a0 They began with the Halle Air Races.\u00a0 A part of the annual Cleveland Air Races, these closed course races were geared for women pilots.\u00a0 Winners received a special trophy, while runner-ups got store prizes.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also hosted \u201cRecognition Day.\u201d\u00a0 First held on November 11, 1946, it recognized the important contributions made by U.S. veterans during the Second World War.[footnote] \u201cRecognition Day Comes for Vets Back at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 2, 1946.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nOther post-war events included an annual Scholastic Magazine\u00a0art exhibition for students and a host of exhibitions.\u00a0 One of the more popular exhibitions, occurred during the spring of 1952, when Halle\u2019s displayed a 99.52 caret diamond owned by the Shah of Iran.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s to Display \u2018Shah of Persia.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 23, 1950.[\/footnote] Store executives also hosted Ernie\u2019s Miniature Circus.\u00a0 All proceeds from that event went towards polio research.\u00a0 Board members, in 1954, arranged a special visit by the children\u2019s comedian Pinky Lee.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, the following year, in conjunction with the Cleveland News\u00a0and Cleveland Plain Dealer sponsored the Cleveland Music and Dance Festival.[footnote] \u201cGiant Music and Dance Fete to Aid Charities.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 20, 1955.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThe late 1940s and early 1950s represented a time of great change and innovation for this leading Cleveland department store. \u00a0It began in late 1946 when the Board of Directors expanded its mail order business and customer phone service.[footnote] \u201cTelephone Shopping Service Makes a Move.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 25, 1946.[\/footnote] In the latter case, shoppers now had the opportunity of phoning in their orders twenty-four hours a day.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also provided additional financial incentives for those purchasing luxury items.\u00a0 Housewares, for example, introduced a new special program for customers wishing to purchase beautiful sterling silver sets.\u00a0 Known as the Silver Budget Plan, it enabled qualified shoppers to purchase individual pieces for $. 51.[footnote] \u201cEnroll Now in Halle\u2019s New Silver Budget Plan.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 16, 1950.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s led other local retailers in other significant ways.\u00a0 It began in February 1947 when it opened an apparel and accessory shop for children at the corner of Cedar Road\u00a0and Boulevard in Cleveland Hts., OH.\u00a0 It closed in 1950.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in 1948, debuted its first full-service branch store at 13000 Shaker Boulevard, just west of Shaker Square.\u00a0 This 15,900 square foot, contemporary-styled building designed by the architectural firm of Conrad, Hays, Simpson & Little\u00a0featured special interior lighting by Abraham Feder.\u00a0 This store contained 35 departments.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Store in Heights.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 15, 1947. \u201cNew Halle Store is Flexible, Vital.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 24, 1948.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nExecutives, in 1948, also unveiled plans for their first west side store.\u00a0 Part of a $6,000,000 expansion program, this Rocky River, OH\u00a0site cost about $175,000.[footnote] \u201cBig Halle Store to Adorn Suburb, Rocky River Branch Plans Parking for 500 Autos.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 17, 1948.[\/footnote] Unfortunately, legal entanglements prevented groundbreaking for several years.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in 1954, became one of the anchor stores for the new Westgate Shopping Center.[footnote] \u201cGround Breaking Due at Halle\u2019s in Fairview.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 9, 1952.[\/footnote] This new, state-of-the-art $10,000,000 structure, designed by William T. Spaith, featured a white brick veneer set against a dramatic backdrop of cement blocks and rough-cut fieldstone.\r\n\r\nEmployees, in September 1954, mourned the loss of one of the store\u2019s founders Salmon P. Halle.\u00a0 He had retired, in 1921, to pursue his philanthropic interests.\u00a0 Mr. Halle supported a great many philanthropies such things as the Cleveland Community Federation; Cleveland Hospital Service Association, Mt. Sinai Hospital\u00a0and the Cleveland Orchestra.\u00a0 A gregarious person, Mr. Halle enjoyed talking with customers.[footnote] \u201cObituaries, Salmon P. Chase.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 14, 1949.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s, in 1949, approved another branch store in University Hts., OH.\u00a0 Designed by Anthony Visconsi, this two-story, 25,000 square foot store featured wired in music, light colored wood showcases and fitting rooms.\u00a0 A 1,500 car parking lot surrounded it.[footnote] \u201cHalle Bros. Previews Second Suburban Store Weds.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 31, 1950.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, in 1952, renovated one of its two Canton, OH\u00a0stores at the Shopping Center.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s to Build New Canton Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 19, 1951.[\/footnote] Store officials, in 1955, announced plans to build another suburban outlet at the new Southland Shopping Center\u00a0located at 6875 Pearl Road\u00a0in Middleburg Hts., OH.\r\n\r\nThis two-story, $2,000,000 white brick veneer building, also designed by Anthony Visconsi, resembled the Westgate store.[footnote]Rider, Aiden C. \u201cHalle to Expand Operations Here.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 10, 1955.[\/footnote] This air conditioned structure featured a patio area, 5,000 car parking lot, pharmacy and opticians.\u00a0 Hot water pipes placed below the sidewalks melted away the ice and snow.[footnote] \u201cSouthland\u2019s Halle Store Opens February 5, Newest and Largest of Four Branches.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 25, 1957.[\/footnote] A popular Akron-based department store known as Polsky\u2019s\u00a0bought the two Canton stores.\r\n\r\nThe Board of Directors, in July 1949, expanded the store\u2019s Huron Road\u00a0facility.\u00a0 This $5,000,000 expansion effort added more than 100,000 square feet to the original store.[footnote]Greenough, Peter B. \u201cHalle Building Plan Climaxed: West Wing to Open All Doors.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 27, 1949.[\/footnote] This new facility featured an impressive employee\u2019s cafeteria, 15-room hospital, education department, silverware department and huge lounge.\u00a0 Also, a new 75,000 gallon water tank was placed on its roof.\u00a0 An even more ambitious project followed several years later.\u00a0 A study by the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, in the early 1950s, suggested that retail sales would be increasing anywhere from 7% to 10% annually for the next decade, and that downtown Cleveland would remain the most important shopping center.\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s board members, in 1954, authorized downtown renovations that exceeded $1,000,000.\u00a0 The world renowned New York designer Raymond Loewy\u00a0directed these efforts.\u00a0 Major changes included converting the upper four levels from office space to open retail space, moving all store and employee services to the new Service Building, installing store-wide air-conditioning and expanding current elevator service.\u00a0 To defray these expenses, Halle Brothers issued 30,000 shares of preferred stock with warrants for common shares at $25.00 per share.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Expansion of Store on Euclid to Cost Million.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 4, 1955. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle to Offer $1,500,000 of New Preferred Stock.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1955.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThe Board of Directors and staff, in August 1954, mourned the passing of the other store founder Samuel H. Halle.\u00a0 A quiet man, he shared his brother\u2019s passion for the store.\u00a0 Mr. Halle remained the store\u2019s President until 1945 when he became Board Chairman.\u00a0 Samuel Halle, during the First World War, served as a Major in the Quartermasters Corp.\u00a0 He also piloted planes and supported the Cleveland Air Races.[footnote] \u201cSamuel H. Halle Rites Tomorrow Memorial Service to Be Held in Store\u2019s Lounge.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 12, 1954.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s board members, in 1954, approved plans to convert the store\u2019s Huron-Prospect Building\u00a0into office space.\u00a0 The basement store also received a major facelift.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Is Opening Remodeled Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 12, 1954.[\/footnote] Improvements in the basement store included grouping departments by function, installing new perimeter lighting and introducing self-service. The $250,000 renovation of the Huron-Prospect Building, completed in 1957, created a new 300-car indoor garage operated by Hanna Parking Company.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s Men\u2019s Shop, for the first time in thirty years, returned to the main store.\u00a0 Its third floor housed the Cuyahoga County\u00a0Board of Elections.\u00a0 The county rented this facility for $50,000 a year.[footnote] \u201cWelfare Levy Considered a Must, $1,250,000 for Election Board Building.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 27, 1957.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThese many construction projects required a great deal of capital.\u00a0 However, that was no major obstacle in the 1950s when profits remained high.\u00a0 To illustrate this point, Halle\u2019s net earnings for 1954, before taxes, stood at $1,729,501, a gain of 9.46% from 1953 levels.\u00a0 Store officials paid $363,480 in dividends on both preferred and common stock.\u00a0 Liabilities, in 1954, were $2,000,000 net, while working capital remained strong at $8,083,434.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Annual Net Income Advances to $3.08 a Share.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 27, 1954.[\/footnote] This was indeed good news.\u00a0\u00a0 Halle\u2019s executives responded by initiating a five-day a week work schedule for their full-time staff.\u00a0 Officials hired part-timers to handle slack periods.\r\n\r\nThe store\u2019s highly competent managers and aggressive sales staff made this success possible.\u00a0 They provided customers with what they wanted and needed, and they did it efficiently.\u00a0 For example, Halle\u2019s led the pack when it introduced a full week devoted to brides.[footnote] \u201cPremier of Bride\u2019s Week at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 1, 1950.[\/footnote] This annual autumn event included fashion shows, special prizes and significant savings on merchandise needed by brides.\u00a0 Periodic sales brought thousands of shoppers to Euclid Avenue store.\u00a0 Their sales on large ticket items such as televisions, pianos, organs, roller skates and mattresses especially appealed to budget-minded customers.\r\n\r\nBut, Halle\u2019s long-term success as a retailer was not predicated exclusively on promotions and sales.\u00a0 Its board members considered themselves part of the community.\u00a0 This connection with the community manifested itself in many unique ways.\u00a0 For example, store officials, in the 1950s, provided a helpful service for customers wishing to enroll their children in summer camps.\u00a0 Throughout the month of April, summer camp directors and teachers met with hundreds of parents to discuss the various options available for their children.\u00a0 These experts matched the child with the camp.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Camp Bureau Open April 7th Through April 12th.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 6, 1952.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nFirst class entertainment also entered into this success equation.\u00a0 To illustrate this last point, store officials announced in November 1952 that their 22nd Fashion Show would be hosted by the famous film star Gloria Swanson\u00a0(1899-1983). Annual autograph parties in the book department proved equally popular.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in cooperation with the Danish Ambassador Henrik Kaufmann, sponsored an exhibition showcasing nine artists in the Jensen silver\u00a0tradition.[footnote]The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 15, 1952. \u201cExhibition June 2nd through June 7th Nine Modern Artists.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 1, 1952.[\/footnote] Store officials, in 1952, also operated a contest called the \u201cDoll Festival for Children.\u201d[footnote] \u201cJudge 700 Dolls in Halle Contest.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 25, 1952.[\/footnote] Over 700 girls submitted entries.\u00a0 Top winners received prizes and had their entries displayed in the toy department.\u00a0 Store executives later sent these dolls to poor children in Europe.\u00a0 Halle Brothers, in 1953, along with Seventeen Magazine\u00a0sponsored the \u201cModel Teen Room Contest.\u201d\u00a0 Winners received their-own $300 room makeover.[footnote]\u201cSee Prize-Winning Rooms of Halle\u2019s Model Teen Room Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 5, 1953.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nCommunity service also included such things as free typing classes courtesy of Royal Typewriting\u00a0Company and an Annual Art Carnival\u00a0hosted by the Cleveland Institute of Art.[footnote] \u201cRoyal Typewriting Co. Offers Typing Classes.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 28, 1953. \u201cArt Carnival for Shaker Square.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 13, 1953.[\/footnote] Store officials, beginning in 1954, offered free Cleveland Pops\u00a0concerts in the store\u2019s courtyard.[footnote] \u201cPorter Heaps in a Seminar for Organists.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 28, 1952.[\/footnote] They also provided space for the Society of the Blind to sell their merchandise.[footnote]Bergman, Oscar A. \u201cAlong the Buy-Lines in Stores and Shops.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 9, 1953.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, in January 1955, introduced its first International Travel Show\u00a0which featured Mexico and India.[footnote] \u201cAll Dressed Up.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 9, 1955.[\/footnote] Those shoppers using Halle\u2019s travel agency received special assistance from a Pan American Airlines\u00a0stewardess.[footnote] \u201cMeet Miss Joan Murchison Pan American World Airways Stewardess.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer,<\/em>\u00a0February 5, 1953.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nSpecial exhibitions brought thousands of customers to Halle\u2019s on a regular basis.\u00a0 For example, to commemorate the coronation, in 1952, of the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, the store sold its first minted British coins bearing her likeness.[footnote] \u201cFirst Mint Elizabeth II Coins.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1953.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s also led its competitors in selling the latest knitting machine.\u00a0 These machines significantly reduced the time necessary to make sweaters, shirts, stoles and wraps.\u00a0 This retailer also furnished a special hand blended face powder just for women for $1.00 a box.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Hand-blend a Regular Box of Antoine Face Powder.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 22, 1953.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s, in the 1952 shopping season, set the fashion pace by becoming the exclusive agent for both Angelus clocks and Continental ties.[footnote] \u201cIntroducing Halle\u2019s Own Continental Collection of the World\u2019s Finest Ties.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 23, 1952. \u201cHalle\u2019s Finest Clocks Measure Your Happiest Moments.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 15, 1952.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Other unique promotions included stock market forums, street bazaars and lessons on how to purchase planting trees.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Import Bazaar.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 21, 1958.[\/footnote] Its highly popular British Art\u2019s Fair\u00a0and Golden Age Hobby Show\u00a0brought many customers downtown.\u00a0 For those wishing to visit up-state New York, its first class travel shop furnished a New York State Thruway\u00a0guide for free.[footnote] \u201cPlanning a Trip?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 11, 1960.[\/footnote] Halle Brothers also gave away gift catalogs containing hundreds of items for even the most discriminating shopper.\r\n\r\nThe escalating cost of high ticket items, in the early 1950s, led Halle Brothers to initiate a new installment plan with no finance charges for the first thirty days.\u00a0 Qualified customers enjoyed two options under this new plan.\u00a0 One enabled them to take full advantage of the thirty day offer by making a 10% down payment on all items purchased, and then, through a pre-arranged monthly payment schedule, pay the remainder-off.\u00a0 A second option required customers to place all items purchased in layaway.\u00a0 They had anywhere from one to ninety days to pay-off the balance.\u00a0 A breach of contract often led to legal repercussions.\u00a0 Failure to meet obligation, as specified through this voluntary contractual agreement, meant the possible forfeiture of the items, in question, as well as the assumption, by the customer or customers involved, of any and all additional administrative and\/or legal costs incurred by the Halle Company.[footnote] \u201cKashmoor, The Coats You Can Count On.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 26, 1954.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s love of children led officials, in 1956, to introduce their-own version of Santa Claus\u00a0called Mr. Jingeling.\u00a0 A Chicago advertising agent and friend of Walter M. Halle\u00a0named Frank Jacobi\u00a0developed the idea.\u00a0 Known as \u201cthe Keeper of the Keys,\u201d Mr. Jingeling entertained thousands of children annually during the Christmas season.\u00a0 Many Clevelanders could not imagine Christmas without him.\u00a0 Max Ellis, Karl Mackey, Earl Keyes\u00a0and Jonathan Wilhelm\u00a0played the role.\r\n\r\nHoping to boost downtown sales in the mid-1950s, Halle\u2019s provided free daily bus rides from Public Square to Playhouse Square\u00a0and back.\u00a0 Its managers also sold tickets to the opera, various sports events and, of course, the annual flower show.\u00a0 The advertising department\u2019s latest slogan \u201cA Gift from Halle\u2019s Means More\u201d meant something special to many Clevelanders.[footnote] \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 14, 1954.[\/footnote] One new service the store introduced helped to take the guess work out of choosing quality carpeting.\u00a0 Halle Brothers Home Carpet Showroom\u00a0now brought samples to the customers\u2019 home or office for their inspection.\u00a0 The opening of a new and delicious bakery impressed nearly everyone.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers, in 1955, hosted a fashion show at Westgate for girl scouts.\u00a0\u00a0 Part of Girl Scout\u2019s Week, this event attracted over 2,000 youngsters.[footnote] \u201cWestgate Halle\u2019s Is Careful After Girl Scout Fete.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 12, 1955.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s also provided tennis lessons; gardening tips and organ lessons courtesy of the Hammond Organ Company.[footnote] \u201cThe Halle Bros Co.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 7, 1957.[\/footnote] An expanded optical department also brought crowds.\u00a0 Executives, in the late 1950s, played an increasingly important role in the local Community Chest, Goodrich Settlement House\u00a0and the Federation for Community Planning.\r\n\r\nThe 1960s ushered in a new wave of community-focused activities, keynote events and special promotions.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s advertising department worked closely with the West Side Association for the Retarded Child\u00a0to help them develop new fundraising approaches.[footnote] \u201cTwo Activities Set By West Side Group.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 18, 1960.[\/footnote] This non-profit, over the next decade, received more than $1,000,000 in contributions.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in November 1960, distributed the first in a series of publications entitled \u201cNews of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago.\u201d[footnote] \u201cYou\u2019ll Enjoy Reading News of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 16, 1960.[\/footnote] The local media praised store officials for their dedication to Cleveland.\r\n\r\nBoard members, beginning in January 1961, sponsored eight week-two hour sewing classes for $20.00.\u00a0 Not to be outdone by competitors, Halle Brothers unveiled a new Thursday night family buffet served at the Minotaur Room.\u00a0 It cost $2.00 for the host and $1.50 for others.\u00a0 Children ate for $1.00.[footnote]\u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 15, 1961.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Nineteen sixty-one marked the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.\u00a0 To commemorate it, Halle\u2019s showed several documentary films including \u201cA Civil War Diary.\u201d[footnote] \u201cCivil War at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 4, 1961. \u201cCivil War Films Showing at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 10, 1961.[\/footnote] The National Civil War Centennial Commission\u00a0presented Halle\u2019s with its Achievement Award for its valiant effort.[footnote] \u201cPlain Dealer, Halle\u2019s Honored by Civil War Unit.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1962.[\/footnote] Store executives, in cooperation with WHK-radio, sponsored a new contest they called the \u201cMiss Teenage Cleveland of 1961.\u201d\u00a0 Its winner received $500 in store merchandise and a fully chaperoned trip to the national finals in Dallas, TX.\r\n\r\nAll these community activities and special promotions benefited this local retailer.\u00a0 Even though Halle\u2019s earnings in 1960 dipped to $870,534 or $1.73 a common share as compared to $1,418,351 or $3.46 a common share the previous year, stock analysts expressed little concern.\u00a0 They attributed this downturn in sales to the current recession.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s net capital, at the end of that year, increased from $14,350,171 to $15,210,514.\u00a0 Such things as liquidating over $1,000,000 in slow moving items and converting the store\u2019s accounting system from conventional means to electronic recording led to further losses.\u00a0 However, Halle\u2019s losses paled when compared to their competitors.\u00a0 Overall, Cleveland department store sales that year had dropped by 21%.[footnote] \u201cSales, Earnings Down for Halle\u2019s; Capital Added.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1961.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nAttempting to recoup these earlier losses proved far harder than was first imagined.\u00a0 Store officials tried to reverse this downward trend in sales by introducing new, innovative items throughout the 1961-62 shopping season.\u00a0 They ranged from two speed automatic dish washers and electrically-controlled television antennas to electric food processors and easy-clean vinyl wallpaper.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s 7th floor art gallery, for the first time, sold framed and unframed paintings ranging in price from $2.00 to $2,000.[footnote]Relihan, Cecil. \u201cThe Home Front, What\u2019s New for Your Man\u2019s Castle?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 25, 1961. Metzler, Paul B. \u201cHalle\u2019s Art Show.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 22, 1961[\/footnote]\u00a0 Executives also offered a special package deal during the Christmas season.\u00a0 Customers now could rent a room in the nearby Statler Hotel\u00a0from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for only $4.00 a day.\u00a0 Store officials saw it as an opportunity for shoppers to relax in a comfortable hotel room between visits to Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 That low price not only included the room, but also, parking at the Hanna Garage\u00a0and delivery of all packages purchased that day at Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The store also offered a baby-sitting service for $1.00 per hour.[footnote] \u201cHotel, Store Set Shoppers Rest Break.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 21, 1961.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nBoard members, in February 1962, approved plans to construct a new branch store in Cleveland Hts., OH.[footnote]Rider, Adin C. \u201cSeverance Center to Have Bazaar Air.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 25, 1962.[\/footnote] A part of the 151-acre shopping complex called Severance Center, this full-service operation opened the following year.\u00a0 Raymond Loewy\u00a0designed it.[footnote] \u201cNew Tearoom Reflects Spirit of the late Mrs. Samuel Halle.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 4, 1963.[\/footnote] This new store featured a beige brick exterior veneer highlighted by a pastel geometric pattern placed above its main entrance.\u00a0 Unsubstantiated rumors, at the time, suggested that Severance Center\u00a0might become Cleveland\u2019s new fashion hub.\u00a0 The press praised Walter M. Halle\u00a0for his enthusiastic support of this project.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in March 1962, opened an organ studio at its new 3,200 square foot store located at the Shore Center Drive Shopping Center\u00a0in Euclid, OH.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Organ Studio.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 1, 1962.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s, during the 1962 shopping season, offered a wide variety of new items and contests.\u00a0 Its Epicure Shop, for example, now included specialty foods shipped from S.S. Pierce\u00a0in Boston, MA.[footnote] \u201cServe Up Delicious Summer Meals Easily with Specialties from Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 28, 1962.[\/footnote] Store executives also hosted a special contest called \u201cThat Touch of Mink.\u201d\u00a0 Winners received a trip to Bermuda and quality luggage.\u00a0 The \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt\u201d contest, a part of the annual downtown summer festival, included a wide range of special store prizes and gift certificates.\u00a0 \u201cCleveland and the World Fair,\u201d that October, offered nearly 3,000 lbs. of merchandise from Europe.[footnote] \u201cUp and Down the Aisles.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 15, 1962. \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 23, 1962. \u201cPlane Brings Halle\u2019s Goods from Europe.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 24, 1962.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nStore sales, in 1962, rose slightly to $49,851,261 as compared to $49,524,119 one year earlier.\u00a0 Net earnings also increased slightly to $1,050,710 or $2.13 per common share vs. $1,043,680 or $2.11 per common share in 1961.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle\u2019s Lists Slight Gains.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 23, 1963.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, that year, reduced its long-term debt to $5,214,000 from $5,851,715.\u00a0 Fortunately, the recent slump in sales ended the following year.\u00a0 A rebounding economy enabled Halle\u2019s, in 1963, to break all previous sales records.\u00a0 Sales topped $53,472,001 as compared to $49,851,261 the previous year.\u00a0 Net earnings also climbed to $1,120,242 or $2.30 per common share.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s net capital increased slightly to $15,592,278 vs. $15,574,551 in 1962, while its long-term debt decreased to $4,849,000.\u00a0 That represented a $365,000 decrease from the 1962 level.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle\u2019s Sales Hit Highest Ever in Past Year; Profits Up Too.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1964.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nExciting new store promotions highlighted the mid-1960s.\u00a0 Customers of all ages loved the new, fun-filled ski package to Clear Fork State Park.[footnote] \u201cRegister Now for Halle\u2019s Ski Week-end and Trophy Race.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 19, 1964.[\/footnote] Coin collectors flocked to Halle Brothers new money store where they could talk with experts in this field.\u00a0 Expanded credit options provided even more customers the opportunity to participate in installment buying.\u00a0 Under this new arrangement, shoppers could take up to 12-months to pay-off their debt.\u00a0 Those wishing to extend their payment time had to either pay a small additional service charge for this courtesy or place their purchases in layaway\u00a0until the balance had been paid-off.[footnote] \u201cChoose from Five Halle Purchase Plans.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 13, 1964.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nStore officials, in August 1964, sponsored a special table setting contest called the \u201cTen Best-Dressed Tables.\u201d[footnote]Beighle, Janet. \u201cBlack and White Theme Judged Tops in Table Setting Contest.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 6, 1964.[\/footnote] Winners received a free trip to the nationals in New York along with a cash prize of $1,000.\u00a0 The new Discovery Shop provided customers with a full array of merchandise ranging from inexpensive knickknacks to high priced apparel.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s shareholders, in 1965, approved an amendment to the store\u2019s corporate charter that permitted it to operate any kind of business under Ohio law.[footnote] \u201cBusiness Briefs, Halle\u2019s Moves to Diversify.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1965.[\/footnote] President Walter M. Halle\u00a0argued that the ever-changing department store industry mandated this change.\u00a0 However, analysts, at that time, questioned the wisdom of such a move based on the fact that Halle\u2019s had just experienced its best year ever.\r\n\r\nWith the idea of capturing a larger percentage of the Cleveland retail trade, board members, in 1965, spent over $1,000,000 to update downtown and Westgate facilities.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Bros. Spending $1 Million on Two Stores.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 13, 1965.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Renovations at the Euclid Avenue store included power cleaning its terra-cotta facade and remodeling the shoe department.\u00a0 The closing of the Garden Spot\u00a0at Westgate provided an additional 5,000 square feet of floor space at that outlet.\u00a0 Relocating its stock room added another 12,000 square feet.\r\n\r\nOn the heels of these efforts, executives announced plans to construct a new $2,500,000, 113,000 square foot suburban store in Akron\u2019s Summit Mall.[footnote]Bloomfield, Douglas. \u201cDry Run Gusher; Halle Opens in Summit.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 15, 1965.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, in January 1966, publicized its new golf school and renovation plans for its University Height, OH store.\u00a0 Halle Brothers, that same year, paid $.25 on common stock, $.60 on preferred stock and $.75 on a second preferred stock option.\u00a0 A 1966 retail study indicated that over 50% of Halle\u2019s sales emanated from its branch stores, and that 6% of its shoppers lived outside Cleveland.\u00a0 Employee morale, in the mid-1960s, remained very positive.\u00a0 In fact, 70% of the store\u2019s employees rated Halle\u2019s as a better than average work place.\u00a0 They also enjoyed their 20% discount on store merchandise and the no compulsory retirement clause in their contracts.\r\n\r\nThe store\u2019s President Chisholm Halle\u00a0(1933-1982), speaking at a Cleveland Advertising Club\u00a0luncheon, discussed the critical need for both federal officials and private investors to come together and solve the current blight facing urban America.\u00a0 Mr. Halle believed that Cleveland\u2019s future growth depended on a viable downtown, and that Halle\u2019s Department Store\u00a0would do whatever it could to make this happen.\u00a0 He then suggested several ways to improve downtown.\u00a0 His recommendations ranged from building more quality residential units and creating additional office space to promoting new parks and constructing safer highways.\u00a0 Halle further pointed out that all the major downtown department stores paid their employees over $100,000,000 in wages annually.\u00a0 He concluded by saying that Halle\u2019s, in 1966, paid $1,426,000 in state and local taxes and donated $103,000 towards charitable causes.[footnote] \u201cToo Little, Too Late Halle Rates War on Decay.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 12, 1967.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHalle Brothers, also in 1966, teamed up with Playskool\u00a0and Field Enterprises\u00a0to promote quality play materials for children.\u00a0 The store\u2019s book store, beginning in 1967, offered a special service for Cleveland teachers whereby students who lost their assigned reading lists could now obtain another one from Halle\u2019s at no additional cost.[footnote] \u201cPaperbacks on Summer Readings Lists for Senior High and College Students.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 5, 1967.[\/footnote] Store officials also initiated driving lessons for teenagers and beauty workshops for young women.[footnote] \u201cHot Line of Happenings.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 25, 1967. \u201cHot Line of Happenings.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 9, 1967.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, in the autumn of 1967, sponsored a Cleveland Exploration Photography Contest plus a fashion show that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Harper\u2019s Bazaar magazine.[footnote]\u201cFun Day Fashions.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 15, 1967.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nShoppers responded positively to the many promotional activities and services offered by this retailer.\u00a0 Halle reported that its 1966 sales exceeded $65,283,040.\u00a0 Earnings that year reached the third highest level ever at $1,270,999 or $2.81 per share.\u00a0 Sales volume also increased by 5% over the previous year.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s reduced its inventory by $1,499,502, while its net capital topped $16,420,510.\u00a0 Common stock equity in 1966 increased $2.60 from $56.36 to $58.96 per share.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Expects Year-End Sale Surge.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 22, 1967.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nNineteen sixty-seven presented a different financial picture.\u00a0 Mounting deficit, inventory shortages and decreasing sales greatly concerned board members.\u00a0 Rumors began to circulate that Walter M. Halle\u00a0intended to sell the store as soon as possible.\u00a0 However, few analysts paid much attention to these rumors until stockholders, in May 1968, decided to reissue common stock.\u00a0 This action increased the number of shares from 500,000 to 1,500,000 shares.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s stockholders, at that same meeting, also approved issuing 200,000 shares of new serial preferred stock.[footnote] \u201cHalle Denies Merger Rumor.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 21, 1968.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nRumors of a pending sale notwithstanding, the store\u2019s daily activities continued.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s in conjunction with the Little Italy\u00a0Development Corporation\u00a0co-sponsored its first annual benefit for Cleveland\u2019s Little Italy.\u00a0 Called \u201cThe Two Worlds of Italy,\u201d this October 11, 1968 benefit collected $10,000.[footnote] \u201cBig Plans for Little Italy.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 12, 1968.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Proceeds went towards the rejuvenation of Little Italy, one of the city\u2019s oldest ethnic neighborhoods.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers Company, in July 1968, launched its-own special training sessions for its salespersons in housewares.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Forum, Insuring Satisfied Customer.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 24, 1968.[\/footnote] Several of Halle\u2019s suburban stores, in 1969, added cocktails to their restaurant menus.[footnote] \u201cSuburbia.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 7, 1969.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nPromotional activities, during the 1968 shopping season, helped Halle\u2019s to recoup some of its earlier losses.\u00a0 The store, that year, broke all previous sales records at $67,900,000.\u00a0 This represented a 5.3% increase over the previous year.\u00a0 Earnings reached $1,030,955 equal to $2.27 per share as compared to $974,700 equal to $2.09 per share in 1967.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s is Expanding; \u201968 Sales Set Record.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 15, 1969.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s, that June, built two more retail complexes one at Belden Village\u00a0in Canton, OH\u00a0and the other adjacent to Great Lakes Mall\u00a0in Mentor, OH.\r\n\r\nThe board also renovated one of its two Erie, PA\u00a0outlets along with its Shaker Hts.\u00a0and Westgate stores.\u00a0 In the case of Westgate, officials approved a 45,000 square foot third-story.[footnote] Ibid<\/em>.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s board members also constructed a 400,000 square foot service center on Rockside Road.\u00a0 The board mentioned no future plans for expanding Severance Center.\u00a0\u00a0 Severance Center\u00a0remained open until the 1990s.\u00a0 An open air shopping center replaced it in 1998.\u00a0 It included an Office Max, Bally Total Fitness Center, Conway Fashions\u00a0and A.J. Wright.\r\n\r\nHalle Brothers, in 1970, introduced a new method for paying bills by phone.\u00a0 Under this arrangement, customers authorized their banks to transfer funds automatically from their accounts or lines of credit to Halle\u2019s.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cProfit Gain Due, Cleveland Trust Told.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 17, 1970.[\/footnote]\u00a0 It became very popular.\u00a0 Store sales reached a new all-time record of $70,600,000.\u00a0 That represented a 4% increase from 1968 levels.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that increase in sales did not result in greater profits.\u00a0 Mounting expenses due to higher employee wages and growing payroll taxes along with the dissolution of the partnership with Playskool\u00a0and Field Enterprises\u00a0negated any potential profit gains.\u00a0 The high expenses incurred by the refurbishing of the Westgate store only added to this predicament.\u00a0 Net income in 1969 was a measly $112,350.\u00a0 That resulted in a 2% drop in the value of common stock that year.[footnote] Bryan, John E. \u201cSales at Peak but Halle Reports Loss.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 30, 1970.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nWould another retailer be interested in purchasing Halle\u2019s or would this store be forced to declare bankruptcy?\u00a0 It was anyone\u2019s guess during the last months of 1969.\u00a0 The winter of 1970 showed respectable sales gains.\u00a0 However, Halle employees knew that change was coming soon.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s officials, on June 25, 1970, announced that Chicago-based Marshall Fields & Co. had just purchased this seventy-nine year old department store.\u00a0 Board members emphasized that Marshall Fields possessed both the professional expertise and vast financial resources necessary to bring Halle\u2019s into the next generation.\r\n\r\nComparisons between the two stores supported the board\u2019s contention.\u00a0 Marshall Fields employed 17,500, while Halle\u2019s had a staff of 3,500.\u00a0 Net sales for Marshall Fields & Company, in 1969, topped $402,506,707, while Halle\u2019s reached $70,680,476.\u00a0 In terms of assets, this giant Chicago retailer led at $243,873,854, while Cleveland\u2019s-own trailed far behind at $40,669,868.[footnote]Cleary, John J. \u201cHalle Bros. To Be Sold to Marshall Field & Company.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 25, 1970.[\/footnote] Halle\u2019s board members knew what they must do.\u00a0 The merger occurred on November 30, 1970.[footnote]Stock, Robert. \u201cStores Hopeful but Concerned.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 11, 1971.[\/footnote]\u00a0 \u00a0Cleveland\u2019s media praised Walter M. Halle\u00a0for his commitment to the store that bore his family\u2019s name.\u00a0 However, the time had come for change.\u00a0 Under this merger agreement, Marshall Fields & Company bought Halle stock on a \u201cshare-for-share basis.\u201d\u00a0 This transfer involved about $10,000,000 and the Cleveland store retained its name.\u00a0 This merger prompted some major innovations.\r\n\r\nThe \u201cnew and improved\u201d Halle\u2019s now extended its Phone-In-Hotline hours to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.[footnote]\u201cCaldwell\u2019s Half Sizes Brushed Jewel Jerseys.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 9, 1970.[\/footnote] It also sponsored a special \u201cSewing Festival.\u201d\u00a0 The Arts League of Parma, OH, in October 1970, showed its support of this merger by hosting a special exhibition at the Southland store.\u00a0 This exhibition featured the works of 150 artists from throughout Northeast\u00a0Ohio.[footnote] \u201cCooper Debut for Akron Two.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 27, 1970.[\/footnote] Nineteen seventy ended with a special demonstration on \u201cEating Out at Home;\u201d three hours of free parking downtown and a new music exhibition.\r\n\r\nMarshall Fields, in March 1971, approved extensive renovations within its downtown facility.\u00a0 Officials hoped to increase sales in luxury items.[footnote]Kelly, Michael. \u201cRetailers Hopeful of Last-Minute Selling Spree.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 22, 1970.[\/footnote] This refurbishing effort included repainting the interior, updating bathrooms, modernizing display cases and installing state-of-the-art lighting.[footnote]Kelly, Michael. \u201cHalle\u2019s Downtown Launches First-Floor Part of Big Renovations.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 25, 1971.[\/footnote] Modifications in operational services also occurred.\u00a0 Store officials also renewed bus service between the Euclid Avenue store and Terminal Tower.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s sales figures increased to $103,137,000 by mid-year.[footnote]Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Gets Credit for Field Gain.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 31, 1971.[\/footnote] Unfortunately, that increase in sales did not last.\u00a0 A sluggish economy, in the autumn of 1971, prompted further losses.\u00a0 However, this downturn did not seem to faze the store\u2019s new owner.\r\n\r\nA December 1970 study released by the Greater Cleveland Growth Association\u00a0pointed out that over 128,000 persons worked downtown and that they overwhelmingly enjoyed shopping in big department stores.\u00a0 Analysts at the Growth Association sincerely hoped that large downtown retailers, such as Marshall Fields, would continue to provide them with the best possible merchandise at reasonable prices.\u00a0 The Growth Association study concluded with a warning.\u00a0 Those downtown retailers offering the best value will survive and prosper, while less dedicated stores will soon disappear.\u00a0 The leaders at Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0expressed every confident that they could meet the expectations of their Cleveland customer-base.\r\n\r\nThat sense of confidence led Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0to sponsor a number of successful promotional events including two in April 1972.\u00a0 Both the \u201cAll-American Geranium Fair\u201d and \u201cCome to the Fair\u201d drew hundreds downtown.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Run a Spring Geranium Fair.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 2, 1972.[\/footnote] Even though profits increased during the 1972-73 shopping season, they did not reach earlier projected goals.\u00a0 Hoping to accelerate sales quickly, Marshall Fields, in June 1973, added a new budget clothing department at its Severance, Southland and Westgate stores.[footnote] \u201cHalle\u2019s Adds Budget Clothing Sessions.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 13, 1972.[\/footnote] Further renovations downtown and a new beauty salon at Westgate brought more shoppers.[footnote]Slimak, Paula. \u201cHair Stylist\u2019s Color Technique Based on Natural Overtones.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 18, 1972.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nThe death of Walter M. Halle, in January 1972, saddened Halle\u2019s employees and the Greater Cleveland business community.\u00a0 A respected retailer and philanthropist for over thirty years, Mr. Halle had played an instrumental role in the recent merger.\u00a0 After graduating, in 1927, from Princeton University, he served as Halle\u2019s General Manager of Merchandise.\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Second World War, Walter M. Halle\u00a0became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Corp.\r\n\r\nThe Board of Directors, immediately following the war, appointed Mr. Halle its President.\u00a0 He took over from his father Samuel Halle.\u00a0 Walter M. Halle\u00a0held that post from 1946 until 1966 when he became Board Chairman.\u00a0 A distinguished leader in civic and philanthropic organizations such as the Greater Cleveland Growth Association; Cleveland Trust Bank, United Appeal and Ohio Retail Merchant Association, Mr. Halle never walked away from a challenge.\u00a0 He wanted Cleveland to grow and prosper and he did everything within his power to make that happen.[footnote] \u201cWalter M. Halle, 66, Dies.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 11, 1972.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nHoping to bolster sales with Baby Boomers, Halle\u2019s, in 1975, hired a prominent Cleveland advertising agency Meldrum & Fewsmith\u00a0to coordinate its broadcasts and printed materials.[footnote] \u201cHalle Appoints an Ad Agency.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1975.[\/footnote] The store sponsored, that same year, a bicycle contest for children.\u00a0 It also added Lladro figurines\u00a0to its glassware department.\u00a0 Store officials also introduced a do-it-yourself art corner with a wide variety of precut metal frames, mats, Plexiglas\u00a0and box frames.[footnote] \u201cIt\u2019s All New, Halle\u2019s Picture Framing.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 5, 1976.[\/footnote] The big question, in 1976, was whether or not the board should invest in a new branch store at Randall Park Mall?\u00a0 The mall\u2019s developer Edward J. DeBartolo\u00a0had saved a prime site for this retailer.[footnote] \u201cRandall Park Mall Opens Doors Today.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 11, 1976.[\/footnote] Following some discussion, Marshall Fields turned his offer down.\u00a0 Store officials claimed that they had enough stores.\r\n\r\nNineteen seventy-seven began with a new menu at Halle\u2019s restaurants.\u00a0 More emphasizes placed on healthy foods at reasonable prices.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, that March, hosted a special benefit for the Playhouse Square\u00a0foundation.\u00a0 Called \u201cThe Grand Tour,\u201d each floor of the Euclid Avenue facility featured food, drink and music from different cities.\u00a0 Tickets ranged from $7.50 to $25.00.\u00a0 They sold 900 tickets.\u00a0 Both the golf clinics and driving schools remained popular with customers as did etiquette classes for children.\u00a0 The introduction of the Wine of the Month Club\u00a0brought additional shoppers downtown.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, all these promotional activities failed to significantly improve Halle\u2019s financial slate.\u00a0 The store never fully rebounded from the merger.\u00a0 Customers, increasingly, took their business elsewhere.\u00a0 Shopper complaints ranged from unfair pricing and shoddy merchandise to abrupt salespersons and unreasonable return policies.\u00a0 Shrinking profits and mounting debt led Marshall Fields to take stringent action.\u00a0 The Board of Directors announced, in January 1977, that they were cutting store hours in all branch stores.[footnote] \u201cPublic Square Announcement to Halle Customers.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 19, 1977.[\/footnote] They claimed that the current energy crunch prompted this decision.\r\n\r\nHowever, other retailers were not convinced that the energy crunch was the reason behind their action.\u00a0 Some theorized that Marshall Fields planned to close Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The appearance of cheap imported merchandise, beginning in the summer of 1977, lent credence to this idea although Marshall Field executives vehemently denied it.\u00a0 Store officials claimed that the crippling dock strike in New York City, earlier that same year, had slowed down deliveries of high quality imports.[footnote]Kelly, Michael.\u201cDreaming of a Green Christmas, How Sweet the Sound of Ash Register Bells.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 21, 1977.[\/footnote] Many shoppers expressed outrage when Mr. Jingeling, a staple of Cleveland Christmas since the mid-1950s, was cut from the Halle\u2019s calendar.\u00a0 What was going on?[footnote]Green, Tom. \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 9, 1977.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nBehind the scenes, a large Californian retail chain Carter, Hawley, & Hale had approached Marshall Fields about a possible merger.\u00a0 This West Coast conglomerate operated more than seventy stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus\u00a0and the Walden Books\u00a0chain.\u00a0 Carter Hawley\u00a0wanted a tax-free 49% exchange in stock at $36.00 a share.\u00a0 Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0took a dim view of this offer.\u00a0 Considered it an attempted hostile takeover, Marshall Fields\u2019 filed a law suit against Carter Hawley with the U.S. District Court\u00a0in Chicago.\u00a0 Attorneys representing the Chicago retailer claimed that the terms of the merger represented a direct violation of federal antitrust laws.\u00a0 Specifically, they said it would be a restraint of trade in that in some places Marshall Fields would be competing head-to-head against one of its-own store namely Neiman Marcus.[footnote]Green, Tom. \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 9, 1977.[\/footnote]\u00a0 The District Court found in favor of Marshall Fields and merger plans were dropped.\r\n\r\nHowever, this favorable court decision symbolized a hollow victory for Marshall Field.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s profits were marginal.\u00a0 Its central management team in Cleveland was not provided customers with the kind of affordable, high quality merchandise they demanded.\u00a0 The Board of Directors, in October 1978, took bold action and called for the reorganization of Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 They turned over store operations to a new dual management team who they believed would make Halle\u2019s profitable again.\u00a0 These new managers began by evaluating the store\u2019s strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0 They next conducted informal customer surveys to determine what shoppers really needed and wanted.\u00a0 The conclusions derived from this evaluation process served as the basis for corporate policy decisions for the next three years.\u00a0 They also determined no further expansion.\u00a0 Instead, the local management team would focus its attention on improving existing facilities with one noticeable exception.\u00a0 Earlier plans calling for the construction of a new store in the Sandusky Mall\u00a0in Perkins Township, OH would proceed as scheduled.\u00a0 These managers also decided to revitalize the downtown store.\u00a0 That meant not only modernizing the Euclid Avenue facility itself; but also, updating its lines of merchandise to better reflect the changing needs and wants of today\u2019s customers.\r\n\r\nThe team at Marshall Fields\u2019 firmly believed that practical products not luxury items, represented the future for Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 They reached that conclusion after reviewing a host of other successful national retail chains such as Sears & Roebuck.\u00a0 In the case of Sears, their leadership did not challenge other profitable middle and upper class department stores.\u00a0 Instead, it concentrated on selling affordable merchandise including no-frills appliances, durable home furnishings and quality tools.\u00a0 The \u201cSofter Side of Sears\u201d may have been that store\u2019s latest promotional campaign; however, it was secondary when measured against its financial mainstay, everyday necessities.\u00a0 Perhaps Marshall Fields might learn a lesson from Sears and adopt a similar business strategy for Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Discussions, like these, continued for several years.\r\n\r\nHalle\u2019s sales in 1979 picked up slightly with expensive items such as home entertainment centers setting the trend that year.\u00a0 Traditional big sellers such as fine jewelry and expensive furs did not fare as well.\u00a0 Marshall Fields attempted to offset mounting losses by bringing back \u201cThe World of Wedgewood\u201d pottery collection at a reasonable price.[footnote] \u201cMarshall Field Opposes Merger Plan.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 13, 1977.[\/footnote] The Board of Directors, behind the scenes, began to weigh future options.[footnote] \u201cThe World of Wedgewood.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 3, 1976.[\/footnote] One viable option involved expanding Halle\u2019s into the Columbus market area.\u00a0 It called for Marshall Fields to acquire six specialty stores at an estimated value of $8,000,000.\u00a0 However, the board in Chicago considered such a venture too risky.\r\n\r\nThey fully understood that Halle\u2019s was losing money at a feverous pace.\u00a0 The question facing them was what to do about it?\u00a0 The closing, in 1961, of Taylor\u2019s Department Store followed by Bailey\u2019s, Bonwit Teller\u2019s and Sterling-Lindner\u2019s, in the late 1960s, signaled tough times ahead for those stores who survived.\u00a0 Racially-charged riots in the Hough and Glenville\u00a0neighborhoods, during the mid and late-1960s, sent shock waves throughout the community including the local retail sector.\u00a0 Increasingly, Cleveland customers abandoned traditional downtown stores for newer suburban outlets.\r\n\r\nLike most of its competitors, Marshall Fields assumed that Halle\u2019s would continue to play a dominate role in local retailing for many years to come.\u00a0 Of more immediate concern to the Board of Directors was how to reverse this current slide in sales without jeopardizing the future prospects of this retailer?\u00a0 Specifically, should the board infuse great amounts of capital to insure Halle\u2019s survival or would it make more sense to try and sell it or even close it?\u00a0 It was anyone\u2019s guess as to what these leaders might do.\r\n\r\nNo one could have predicted, with any certainty, the economic and social upheavals of the 1970s and 1980s, let alone how that turmoil would impact local and national buying habits.\u00a0 Marshall Fields\u2019 really had no idea of what lay ahead.\u00a0 How could they?\u00a0 They practiced what they knew best: traditional retailing.\u00a0 Their enthusiasm regarding the area\u2019s unlimited growth potential, so apparent in their actions and thoughts, throughout the 1950s and 1960s, all but evaporated over the next twenty years.\u00a0 In its wake, a new, unnerving pessimism permeated the national retail scene.\u00a0 With no business precedents to guide them through this mine field, it literally stopped them in their tracks.\u00a0 In Halle\u2019s case, crushing debt and dwindling profits resulted in a seemingly endless downward economic slide.\u00a0 The immediate post-war years characterized by high profit levels, reasonable debt levels and seemingly endless opportunities for growth and expansion were now only a dim memory.\r\n\r\nCleveland\u2019s retail market, by the mid-1970s, was utterly saturated.\u00a0 There were far just too many shopping centers and malls.\u00a0 A shrinking population, growing inflation and uncertain economic prospects for the immediate future did not bode well for traditional department stores\u00a0such as Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Increasingly, Halle\u2019s found itself competing against other, similar stores for a piece of a dwindling retail pie.\u00a0 Fierce competition from regional discount department stores\u00a0made this situation even more tenuous.\r\n\r\nCrushing debt increasingly eroded sales gains.\u00a0 Yet, store owners, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Walter M. Halle\u00a0remained resilient.\u00a0 Mr. Halle firmly believed that a little financial belt tightening would solve the store\u2019s current financial dilemma.\u00a0 The question was not whether such actions were prudent, especially given the changing complexities of the local economic scene; but rather, if such actions, in themselves, were sufficient to accomplish the task at hand? Like so many of its competitors, Halle\u2019s executives believed that they could recoup their losses by simply closing unprofitable branches, cutting the sales force and offering cheaper merchandise.\u00a0 Their 1969 slogan reflected this new attitude, \u201cToday\u2019s Halle\u2019s is Building for a Greater Tomorrow with an Eye on the Traditions of Yesterday.\u201d\u00a0 At first, this new business approach seemed to be working.\u00a0 In fact, store sales from 1969-70 rebounded.\u00a0 However, these gains soon disappeared.\u00a0 The growing financial complexities of operating a modern retail chain overwhelmed the Halle family.\u00a0 Facing bankruptcy, they merged with Marshall Fields & Company.\r\n\r\nThis Chicago retailer, as stated earlier, renovated the downtown store and introducing affordable fashions.\u00a0 Unfortunately, anticipated sales gains based on these initial actions never materialized.\u00a0 Unable to reach their goals, Marshall Fields, in March 1981, sold Halle\u2019s for $27,000,000 to Associated Investors Corporation.\u00a0 It was under the leadership of a Columbus-based developer named Jerome Schottenstein\u00a0(1926-1992).[footnote] \u201cSale of Halle\u2019s is Now Complete.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 8, 1981.[\/footnote] Brown & Williamson, a subsidiary of the British-American Tobacco Company, in 1982, purchased Marshall Fields.\u00a0 It later reverted to Frederick & Nelson and Crescent Investments\u00a0and then Dayton-Hudson\u00a0(Target).\u00a0 The May Company, in 2004, bought it.\u00a0 Federated acquired it in 2005 and made it a Macy\u2019s.\r\n\r\nIn terms of the Halle purchase, Jerome Schottenstein\u00a0was certainly not a stranger to retailing.\u00a0 He owned and operated the successful Value City Discount Department Store\u00a0chain.[footnote]Sabath, Donald. \u201cHalle\u2019s Sold but Its Name Remains.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 18, 1981.[\/footnote] Local newspapers hoped that Schottenstein would be able to save Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The press noted that this 90-year old institution had survived both the Great Depression of the 1930s and post-war suburban migration to become a nationally-recognized store.\u00a0 Surely, it could survive this latest round of financial reversals.\u00a0 Schottenstein intended to convert Halle\u2019s into one of the area\u2019s leading discount department store.\r\n\r\nHowever, before that could happen, the new owner set about to review present conditions and make some major changes.\u00a0 He also suggested the possibility of staff layoffs; reduced inventories, store closings and merchandise rebranding.\u00a0 Schottenstein said that it would take some time, but he was sure it was worth it.\u00a0 However, behind the scenes things were not so rosy.\r\n\r\nUnable to secure the necessary capital, Jerome Schottenstein, in January 1982, closed the downtown store along with Severance Center, Shaker Square\u00a0and Southland.\u00a0 He also shut down branches in Canton, OH; Chillicothe, OH; Erie, PA\u00a0and Sandusky, OH.[footnote]Fuller, John and Donald Sabath. \u201cSix Halle\u2019s Spared; One at Westgate.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 29, 1982.[\/footnote] However, the Summit and Westgate stores remained opened due to the prodding of his Executive Vice President Barbara Ragen.\u00a0 The local press praised Schottenstein and Ragen for their efforts.[footnote]Arman, Fran. \u201cHalle\u2019s Manager Refuses to Let City Institution Perish.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 19, 1982.[\/footnote]\u00a0 Salvaging two stores was certainly better than closing all of them.\u00a0 Unfortunately, their optimism soon changed to pessimism.\r\n\r\nJerome Schottenstein, that August, closed Westgate; fired Ms. Ragen and transferred the Summit Mall\u00a0store to Higbee\u2019s.[footnote]Fuller, John and John Lee Koshar, \u201cHigbee Co. to Get Halle\u2019s Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 12, 1982. Sabath, Donald, John Fuller and Mary Strassmeyer. \u201cRumors Say Halle\u2019s to Close All Five Stores.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 2, 1982. Fuller, John \u201cHalle\u2019s Chief, Ragan, fired by Jerome Shottenstein.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 3, 1982.[\/footnote] That action marked the end of Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Forest City Enterprises, later in the 1980s, renovated the Euclid Avenue landmark.\u00a0 The upper floors became prime office space, while small shops and a food court occupied the street and basement levels.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s may be gone, but its legacy lives on in the heart of many Clevelanders.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Endnotes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n \t
  1. James M. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, (Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987), 12.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. \u201cLook at Our Stock Before Going Elsewhere,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 19, 1897.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. \u201cGay Spring Things, A Suburb Exhibition of Women\u2019s Tailored Garments Shown at Halle Bros\u2019 Opening,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 17, 1898.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. \u201cEuclid Scene of Two Great Deals,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 29, 1908.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 69.<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Ibid. 12.<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. \u201cA Shoppers\u2019 Calendar, Friday April 16th,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 16, 1915.<\/li>\r\n \t
  8. \u201cExcellent Shoes at $6.00 and $7.00,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 23, 1917.<\/li>\r\n \t
  9. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 13.<\/li>\r\n \t
  10. \u201cRadio Fashion Talk,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 5, 1928. \u201cNational Bridge Tourney in Cleveland This Week,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 18, 1928.<\/li>\r\n \t
  11. W. Ward Marsh, \u201cCleveland is Background for Lake\u2019s Comedy,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 7, 1933.<\/li>\r\n \t
  12. Time Magazine, June 6, 1927.<\/li>\r\n \t
  13. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 136.<\/li>\r\n \t
  14. \u201cThe Halle Bros. Co, Babies Are Sure of a Great Start,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 10, 1935.<\/li>\r\n \t
  15. \u201cAmerican Express Travel Service in Halle Store Now,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 2, 1941.<\/li>\r\n \t
  16. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 157.<\/li>\r\n \t
  17. Guy T. Rockwell, \u201cHalle\u2019s \u201941 Unit Sales Were Best in History,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 10, 1942.<\/li>\r\n \t
  18. Guy T. Rockwell, \u201cHalle Sales Set New High, but Earnings Gain is Slight,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 13, 1945.<\/li>\r\n \t
  19. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 182.<\/li>\r\n \t
  20. \u201cRecognition Day Comes for Vets Back at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 2, 1946.<\/li>\r\n \t
  21. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Display \u2018Shah of Persia,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 23, 1950.<\/li>\r\n \t
  22. \u201cGiant Music and Dance Fete to Aid Charities,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 20, 1955.<\/li>\r\n \t
  23. \u201cTelephone Shopping Service Makes a Move,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1946.<\/li>\r\n \t
  24. \u201cEnroll Now in Halle\u2019s New Silver Budget Plan,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 16, 1950.<\/li>\r\n \t
  25. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Store in Heights,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 15, 1947. \u201cNew Halle Store is Flexible, Vital,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 24, 1948.<\/li>\r\n \t
  26. \u201cBig Halle Store to Adorn Suburb, Rocky River Branch Plans Parking for 500 Autos,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 17, 1948.<\/li>\r\n \t
  27. \u201cGround Breaking Due at Halle\u2019s in Fairview,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 9, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  28. \u201cObituaries, Salmon P. Chase,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 14, 1949.<\/li>\r\n \t
  29. \u201cHalle Bros. Previews Second Suburban Store Weds,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 31, 1950.<\/li>\r\n \t
  30. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Build New Canton Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 19, 1951.<\/li>\r\n \t
  31. Aiden C. Rider, \u201cHalle to Expand Operations Here,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 10, 1955.<\/li>\r\n \t
  32. \u201cSouthland\u2019s Halle Store Opens February 5, Newest and Largest of Four Branches,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 1957.<\/li>\r\n \t
  33. Peter B. Greenough, \u201cHalle Building Plan Climaxed: West Wing to Open All Doors, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 27, 1949.<\/li>\r\n \t
  34. \u201cHalle\u2019s Expansion of Store on Euclid to Cost Million,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 4, 1955. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle to Offer $1,500,000 of New Preferred Stock,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1955.<\/li>\r\n \t
  35. \u201cSamuel H. Halle Rites Tomorrow Memorial Service to Be Held in Store\u2019s Lounge,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 1954.<\/li>\r\n \t
  36. \u201cHalle\u2019s Is Opening Remodeled Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 12, 1954.<\/li>\r\n \t
  37. \u201cWelfare Levy Considered a Must, $1,250,000 for Election Board Building,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 27, 1957.<\/li>\r\n \t
  38. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle Annual Net Income Advances to $3.08 a Share,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 1954.<\/li>\r\n \t
  39. \u201cPremier of Bride\u2019s Week at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 1, 1950.<\/li>\r\n \t
  40. \u201cHalle\u2019s Camp Bureau Open April 7th Through April 12th,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 6, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  41. \u201c,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 15, 1952. \u201cExhibition June 2nd through June 7th Nine Modern Artists,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  42. \u201cJudge 700 Dolls in Halle Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  43. \u201cSee Prize-Winning Rooms of Halle\u2019s Model Teen Room Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 5, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  44. \u201cRoyal Typewriting Co. Offers Typing Classes,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 28, 1953. \u201cArt Carnival for Shaker Square,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 13, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  45. \u201cPorter Heaps in a Seminar for Organists,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 28, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  46. Oscar A. Bergman, \u201cAlong the Buy-Lines in Stores and Shops,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 9, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  47. \u201cAll Dressed Up,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 1955.<\/li>\r\n \t
  48. \u201cMeet Miss Joan Murchison Pan American World Airways Stewardess,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer,\u201d February 5, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  49. \u201cFirst Mint Elizabeth II Coins,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  50. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Hand-blend a Regular Box of Antoine Face Powder,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 22, 1953.<\/li>\r\n \t
  51. \u201cIntroducing Halle\u2019s Own Continental Collection of the World\u2019s Finest Ties,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 23, 1952. \u201cHalle\u2019s Finest Clocks Measure Your Happiest Moments,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 15, 1952.<\/li>\r\n \t
  52. \u201cHalle\u2019s Import Bazaar,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 21, 1958.<\/li>\r\n \t
  53. \u201cPlanning a Trip?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 11, 1960.<\/li>\r\n \t
  54. \u201cKashmoor, The Coats You Can Count On,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 26, 1954.<\/li>\r\n \t
  55. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 14, 1954.<\/li>\r\n \t
  56. \u201cWestgate Halle\u2019s Is Careful After Girl Scout Fete,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 12, 1955.<\/li>\r\n \t
  57. \u201cThe Halle Bros Co,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 7, 1957.<\/li>\r\n \t
  58. \u201cTwo Activities Set By West Side Group,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 18, 1960.<\/li>\r\n \t
  59. \u201cYou\u2019ll Enjoy Reading News of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 1960.<\/li>\r\n \t
  60. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 15, 1961.<\/li>\r\n \t
  61. \u201cCivil War at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 4, 1961. \u201cCivil War Films Showing at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 10, 1961.<\/li>\r\n \t
  62. \u201cPlain Dealer, Halle\u2019s Honored by Civil War Unit,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1962.<\/li>\r\n \t
  63. \u201cSales, Earnings Down for Halle\u2019s; Capital Added,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1961.<\/li>\r\n \t
  64. Cecil Relihan, \u201cThe Home Front, What\u2019s New for Your Man\u2019s Castle?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 25, 1961. Paul B. Metzler, \u201cHalle\u2019s Art Show,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 22, 1961.<\/li>\r\n \t
  65. \u201cHotel, Store Set Shoppers Rest Break,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 21, 1961.<\/li>\r\n \t
  66. Adin C. Rider, \u201cSeverance Center to Have Bazaar Air,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 25, 1962.<\/li>\r\n \t
  67. \u201cNew Tearoom Reflects Spirit of the late Mrs. Samuel Halle,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 4, 1963.<\/li>\r\n \t
  68. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Organ Studio,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 1, 1962.<\/li>\r\n \t
  69. \u201cServe Up Delicious Summer Meals Easily with Specialties from Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 28, 1962.<\/li>\r\n \t
  70. \u201cUp and Down the Aisles,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 15, 1962. \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 23, 1962. \u201cPlane Brings Halle\u2019s Goods from Europe,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 24, 1962.<\/li>\r\n \t
  71. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle\u2019s Lists Slight Gains,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 23, 1963.<\/li>\r\n \t
  72. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle\u2019s Sales Hit Highest Ever in Past Year; Profits Up Too,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1964.<\/li>\r\n \t
  73. \u201cRegister Now for Halle\u2019s Ski Week-end and Trophy Race,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 19, 1964.<\/li>\r\n \t
  74. \u201cChoose from Five Halle Purchase Plans,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 13, 1964.<\/li>\r\n \t
  75. Janet Beighle, \u201cBlack and White Theme Judged Tops in Table Setting Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 6, 1964.<\/li>\r\n \t
  76. \u201cBusiness Briefs, Halle\u2019s Moves to Diversify,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1965.<\/li>\r\n \t
  77. \u201cHalle\u2019s Bros. Spending $1 Million on Two Stores,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 13, 1965.<\/li>\r\n \t
  78. Douglas Bloomfield, \u201cDry Run Gusher; Halle Opens in Summit,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 15, 1965.<\/li>\r\n \t
  79. \u201cToo Little, Too Late Halle Rates War on Decay,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 12, 1967.<\/li>\r\n \t
  80. \u201cPaperbacks on Summer Readings Lists for Senior High and College Students,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 5, 1967.<\/li>\r\n \t
  81. \u201cHot Line of Happenings,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 25, 1967. \u201cHot Line of Happenings,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 9, 1967.<\/li>\r\n \t
  82. \u201cFun Day Fashions,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 15, 1967.<\/li>\r\n \t
  83. John E, Bryan, \u201cHalle Expects Year-End Sale Surge,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 22, 1967.<\/li>\r\n \t
  84. \u201cHalle Denies Merger Rumor,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 21, 1968.<\/li>\r\n \t
  85. \u201cBig Plans for Little Italy,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 12, 1968.<\/li>\r\n \t
  86. \u201cHalle\u2019s Forum, Insuring Satisfied Customer,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 24, 1968.<\/li>\r\n \t
  87. \u201cSuburbia,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 1969.<\/li>\r\n \t
  88. \u201cHalle\u2019s is Expanding; \u201968 Sales Set Record,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 15, 1969.<\/li>\r\n \t
  89. Ibid.<\/li>\r\n \t
  90. John E. Bryan, \u201cProfit Gain Due, Cleveland Trust Told,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 17, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  91. John E. Bryan, \u201cSales at Peak but Halle Reports Loss,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  92. John J. Cleary, \u201cHalle Bros. To Be Sold to Marshall Field & Company.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 25, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  93. Robert Stock, \u201cStores Hopeful but Concerned,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 11, 1971.<\/li>\r\n \t
  94. \u201cCaldwell\u2019s Half Sizes Brushed Jewel Jerseys,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 9, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  95. \u201cCooper Debut for Akron Two,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 27, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  96. Michael Kelly, \u201cRetailers Hopeful of Last-Minute Selling Spree,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 22, 1970.<\/li>\r\n \t
  97. Michael Kelly, \u201cHalle\u2019s Downtown Launches First-Floor Part of Big Renovations,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 25, 1971.<\/li>\r\n \t
  98. John E, Bryan, \u201cHalle Gets Credit for Field Gain,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 31, 1971.<\/li>\r\n \t
  99. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Run a Spring Geranium Fair,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 2, 1972.<\/li>\r\n \t
  100. \u201cHalle\u2019s Adds Budget Clothing Sessions,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 13, 1972.<\/li>\r\n \t
  101. Paula Slimak, \u201cHair Stylist\u2019s Color Technique Based on Natural Overtones,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 18, 1972.<\/li>\r\n \t
  102. \u201cWalter M. Halle, 66, Dies,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 11, 1972.<\/li>\r\n \t
  103. \u201cHalle Appoints an Ad Agency,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1975.<\/li>\r\n \t
  104. \u201cIt\u2019s All New, Halle\u2019s Picture Framing,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 5, 1976.<\/li>\r\n \t
  105. \u201cRandall Park Mall Opens Doors Today,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 1976.<\/li>\r\n \t
  106. \u201cPublic Square Announcement to Halle Customers,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 19, 1977.<\/li>\r\n \t
  107. Michael Kelly, \u201cDreaming of a Green Christmas, How Sweet the Sound of Ash Register Bells,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 21, 1977.<\/li>\r\n \t
  108. Tom Green, \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 9, 1977.<\/li>\r\n \t
  109. \u201cMarshall Field Opposes Merger Plan,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 13, 1977.<\/li>\r\n \t
  110. \u201cThe World of Wedgewood,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 3, 1976.<\/li>\r\n \t
  111. \u201cHalle to Acquire Six-Store Chain in Columbus,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 8, 1980.<\/li>\r\n \t
  112. \u201cSale of Halle\u2019s is Now Complete,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 8, 1981.<\/li>\r\n \t
  113. Donald Sabath, \u201cHalle\u2019s Sold but Its Name Remains,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 18, 1981.<\/li>\r\n \t
  114. John Fuller and Donald Sabath, \u201cSix Halle\u2019s Spared; One at Westgate,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 29, 1982.<\/li>\r\n \t
  115. Fran Arman, \u201cHalle\u2019s Manager Refuses to Let City Institution Perish,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 19, 1982.<\/li>\r\n \t
  116. John Fuller and John Lee Koshar, \u201cHigbee Co. to Get Halle\u2019s Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 1982. Donald Sabath, John Fuller and Mary Strassmeyer, \u201cRumors Say Halle\u2019s to Close All Five Stores, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 2, 1982. John Fuller, \u201cHalle\u2019s Chief, Ragan, fired by Jerome Shottenstein, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 3, 1982.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","rendered":"

    Another major Cleveland department store debuted in 1891 when two enterprising brothers named Samuel and Salmon P. Halle\u00a0paid $75,000 to purchase Paddock & Company\u00a0at 89-91 Euclid Avenue.[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Originally a furrier and hat repair shop, the Halle brothers quickly expanded their merchandise lines to include clothing, shoes and home furnishings.\u00a0 They also developed a large regional customer-base based on mail orders.\u00a0 Mail order shoppers bought mostly suits, jackets and capes.[2]<\/sup><\/a> One of the Halle Brothers early slogans summed it best when it said, \u201cLook at Our Stock before Going Elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

    These ambitious retailers, in 1898, moved their business to larger quarters in the Nottingham Building.\u00a0 Now called the Halle Brothers Company, this store quickly became a favorite place for those demanding the very best in fashions and home furnishings.[3]<\/sup><\/a> Bathing suits, neck pieces, umbrellas and gloves represent some of the new items they carried.\u00a0 Local newspapers praised them for their courtesy sales staff and straight-forward pricing.\u00a0 The Halle brothers, in 1902, remodeled their establishment.\u00a0 Improvements included updating the front fa\u00e7ade; expanding floor space and adding new elevators.\u00a0 They also expanded their merchandise lines to include jewelry, leather goods and perfume.<\/p>\n

    Their expanding business soon required additional space.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers, in 1908, rented the entire Pope Building\u00a0for $1,000,000 a year.[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Located on the south side of Euclid Avenue to the east of East 12th Street, this 140,000 square foot, terra-cotta clad, 10-story building featured about 100 foot display windows.\u00a0 The new Halle\u2019s included a first class furniture department, enlarged book store and bargain store.\u00a0 The book store gained national recognition for its many book signings and lectures by prominent authors while the bargain store\u2019s two items for the price of one won the hearts of many thrifty shoppers.<\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s profits continued to soar.\u00a0 Officials, in 1911, unveiled plans for a new 665,000 square foot store.\u00a0 Adjacent to the Pope Building\u00a0at 1228 Euclid Avenue, this retail establishment cost $1,500,000.[5]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It featured a specially designed vacuum cleaning system and special slide for packages.\u00a0 This impressive terra-cotta clad structure, designed by the nationally-recognized architect Henry Bacon\u00a0(1866-1924) with interiors by Owen Coghlin, later served as the backdrop for the popular Drew Carey Show.<\/p>\n

    This new retail facility nearly doubled Halle\u2019s floor space.\u00a0 Yet, in spite of its massive size, such things as short distances between counters and normal aisle widths offered the intimate shopping experience most Halle\u2019s customers wanted.[6]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The same could not be said about the new Wanamaker store in Philadelphia, PA.\u00a0 An impressive Neo-Renaissance\u00a0department store, designed in 1910 by noted Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham, this monumental structure with its shinny granite walls, super-sized ornamentation, numerous art galleries, and huge organ main floor intimidated many customers.\u00a0 Further expansion by Halle\u2019s occurred on the east side of Huron Road\u00a0just opposite the south entrances to the main store.\u00a0 Designed in 1927 by the architectural firm of Walker & Weeks\u00a0and called the Huron-Prospect Building, it housed Halle\u2019s Men\u2019s Department for the next thirty years.<\/p>\n

    The Halle Brothers Company set the pace for Cleveland retailers for many years to come.\u00a0 It began in 1913 when Halle\u2019s sponsored its-own shopper\u2019s calendar.[7]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it contained prose and poetry dedicated to fashion.\u00a0 This retailer also led the pack when, in 1916, it introduced summer furniture sales and fall rug sales.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, during the First World War, also offered excellent high quality shoes for businessmen.[8]<\/sup><\/a> Store officials also sold Liberty Bonds.<\/p>\n

    An intensive training program for sales personnel, begun in 1912, was also a Halle\u2019s first.\u00a0 Store executives, two years later, also took the lead when they adopted an electrically-powered credit system.\u00a0 Developed by National Cash Register Company, it enabled Halle salespersons to check the credit status of their customers by phoning the credit department from their cashier stations.\u00a0 Steinway Hall, an in-house auditorium for recitals and plays, symbolized another first.\u00a0 It also operated two popular restaurants: the Geranium Room\u00a0and Minotaur Room.\u00a0 Store officials, in the 1920s, added a pneumatic tube system whereby salespersons using canisters now could send money directly to cashiers.[9]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s also offered a children\u2019s playground and miniature golf course.<\/p>\n

    Shoppers loved the Halle Brothers promotions of the \u201cRoaring Twenties.\u201d\u00a0 They ran the gamut from contests and fashion show hints on WTAM-radio\u00a0to bridge tournaments and charity drives.[10]<\/sup><\/a> The store even got into the motion picture business when in cooperation with First National Pictures\/Warner Brothers\u00a0Pictures and WHK-radio, Halle\u2019s served as the set for a 1933 film called \u201cGood Bye Again.\u201d[11]<\/sup><\/a> Halle Brothers also worked closely with local builders.\u00a0 It furnished interiors for model suits built by Arcy Steel Frame Houses\u00a0in the Forest Hill\u00a0section of East Cleveland, OH\u00a0and later the Ridgewood Country Club Estates.<\/p>\n

    Time Magazine\u00a0in its June 6, 1927 issue commended Halle\u2019s.[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It said it was one of the best run department stores in the country equal to Lord & Taylor\u2019s, B. Altman\u2019s, R.H. Stearns and Marshall Field\u2019s.\u00a0 With the intention of becoming a major regional force in retailing, officials opened branch stores in Erie, PA\u00a0(1928), New Castle, PA\u00a0(1930) and Canton, OH\u00a0(1930).[13]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, over the next forty-five years, added nine more stores primarily in Northeast\u00a0Ohio.<\/p>\n

    This premier store led the pack during the Great Depression of the 1930s when it offered a special line of affordable, quality clothing.\u00a0 Called the \u201cRight Line,\u201d this clothing line appealed to thrifty shoppers.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also believed that baby items must be safe.\u00a0 Their advertisements, in the early 1930s, claimed that educators and pediatricians examined and tested all baby garments before they sold them.[14]<\/sup><\/a> Executives in 1935 offered their customers two-hour parking for $.15 at the nearby Hanna Garage.\u00a0 In an attempt to help their shoppers even further, Halle\u2019s in the mid-1930s introduced its-own installment plan.\u00a0 Qualified customers now had up to three months to pay off their debt.<\/p>\n

    The surge in the U.S. economy, during the late 1930s, encouraged store officials to open a new travel agency and Steuben glass shop.[15]<\/sup><\/a> The outbreak of the Second World War\u00a0led to shorter store hours, limited home deliveries and elimination of free gift wrapping.[16]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s also remained open Sundays during the war years and encouraged shoppers to buy both war bonds and savings stamps.\u00a0 Many of its employees served with distinction in the Armed Services.\u00a0 These efforts apparently paid-off.\u00a0 Total taxes paid by Halle Brothers increased from $529,865 in 1939 to $856.741 by 1941.[17]<\/sup><\/a> Dividends over those same two years rose from $745,211 to $854,445.\u00a0 The value of common stock increased from $2.69 a share to $3.18 a share.<\/p>\n

    This positive earnings trend continued throughout the war.\u00a0 Pre-tax earnings for 1944 totaled $2,707,336, with dividends at $765,336 and common stock selling at $2.79 a share.\u00a0 Federal taxes took 72% of the net earnings that year.\u00a0 Even so, those figures represented an increase over pre-tax net earnings for 1943 which were $2,233,953 with dividends at $733,953 and common stock selling for $2.52 a share.[18]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    The Halle Brothers Company, after the war, led competitors when they installed modern escalators.\u00a0 Carrying up to 8,000 shoppers per hour, these escalators provided shoppers panoramic views of merchandise on each and every floor.\u00a0 It represented subliminal advertising at its finest.\u00a0 On another note, rumors circulated in the late 1950s that many department stores relied on a similar technique to promote sales.\u00a0 This time the subliminal approach involved faint voice-overs superimposed in background music.\u00a0 This voice, periodically, would tell customers to purchase certain items.\u00a0 Of course, department store officials claimed that they never employed such \u201cdishonest\u201d tactics.\u00a0 However, these rumors persisted for years.<\/p>\n

    Halle Brothers, in 1947, erected an 11–story service building at the corner of Prospect Avenue and East 14th Street.[19]<\/sup><\/a> This $2,600,000 structure handled special deliveries and sorted out supplies.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also sponsored a number of new, community-based promotions.\u00a0 They began with the Halle Air Races.\u00a0 A part of the annual Cleveland Air Races, these closed course races were geared for women pilots.\u00a0 Winners received a special trophy, while runner-ups got store prizes.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also hosted \u201cRecognition Day.\u201d\u00a0 First held on November 11, 1946, it recognized the important contributions made by U.S. veterans during the Second World War.[20]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Other post-war events included an annual Scholastic Magazine\u00a0art exhibition for students and a host of exhibitions.\u00a0 One of the more popular exhibitions, occurred during the spring of 1952, when Halle\u2019s displayed a 99.52 caret diamond owned by the Shah of Iran.[21]<\/sup><\/a> Store executives also hosted Ernie\u2019s Miniature Circus.\u00a0 All proceeds from that event went towards polio research.\u00a0 Board members, in 1954, arranged a special visit by the children\u2019s comedian Pinky Lee.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, the following year, in conjunction with the Cleveland News\u00a0and Cleveland Plain Dealer sponsored the Cleveland Music and Dance Festival.[22]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    The late 1940s and early 1950s represented a time of great change and innovation for this leading Cleveland department store. \u00a0It began in late 1946 when the Board of Directors expanded its mail order business and customer phone service.[23]<\/sup><\/a> In the latter case, shoppers now had the opportunity of phoning in their orders twenty-four hours a day.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s also provided additional financial incentives for those purchasing luxury items.\u00a0 Housewares, for example, introduced a new special program for customers wishing to purchase beautiful sterling silver sets.\u00a0 Known as the Silver Budget Plan, it enabled qualified shoppers to purchase individual pieces for $. 51.[24]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s led other local retailers in other significant ways.\u00a0 It began in February 1947 when it opened an apparel and accessory shop for children at the corner of Cedar Road\u00a0and Boulevard in Cleveland Hts., OH.\u00a0 It closed in 1950.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in 1948, debuted its first full-service branch store at 13000 Shaker Boulevard, just west of Shaker Square.\u00a0 This 15,900 square foot, contemporary-styled building designed by the architectural firm of Conrad, Hays, Simpson & Little\u00a0featured special interior lighting by Abraham Feder.\u00a0 This store contained 35 departments.[25]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Executives, in 1948, also unveiled plans for their first west side store.\u00a0 Part of a $6,000,000 expansion program, this Rocky River, OH\u00a0site cost about $175,000.[26]<\/sup><\/a> Unfortunately, legal entanglements prevented groundbreaking for several years.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in 1954, became one of the anchor stores for the new Westgate Shopping Center.[27]<\/sup><\/a> This new, state-of-the-art $10,000,000 structure, designed by William T. Spaith, featured a white brick veneer set against a dramatic backdrop of cement blocks and rough-cut fieldstone.<\/p>\n

    Employees, in September 1954, mourned the loss of one of the store\u2019s founders Salmon P. Halle.\u00a0 He had retired, in 1921, to pursue his philanthropic interests.\u00a0 Mr. Halle supported a great many philanthropies such things as the Cleveland Community Federation; Cleveland Hospital Service Association, Mt. Sinai Hospital\u00a0and the Cleveland Orchestra.\u00a0 A gregarious person, Mr. Halle enjoyed talking with customers.[28]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s, in 1949, approved another branch store in University Hts., OH.\u00a0 Designed by Anthony Visconsi, this two-story, 25,000 square foot store featured wired in music, light colored wood showcases and fitting rooms.\u00a0 A 1,500 car parking lot surrounded it.[29]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, in 1952, renovated one of its two Canton, OH\u00a0stores at the Shopping Center.[30]<\/sup><\/a> Store officials, in 1955, announced plans to build another suburban outlet at the new Southland Shopping Center\u00a0located at 6875 Pearl Road\u00a0in Middleburg Hts., OH.<\/p>\n

    This two-story, $2,000,000 white brick veneer building, also designed by Anthony Visconsi, resembled the Westgate store.[31]<\/sup><\/a> This air conditioned structure featured a patio area, 5,000 car parking lot, pharmacy and opticians.\u00a0 Hot water pipes placed below the sidewalks melted away the ice and snow.[32]<\/sup><\/a> A popular Akron-based department store known as Polsky\u2019s\u00a0bought the two Canton stores.<\/p>\n

    The Board of Directors, in July 1949, expanded the store\u2019s Huron Road\u00a0facility.\u00a0 This $5,000,000 expansion effort added more than 100,000 square feet to the original store.[33]<\/sup><\/a> This new facility featured an impressive employee\u2019s cafeteria, 15-room hospital, education department, silverware department and huge lounge.\u00a0 Also, a new 75,000 gallon water tank was placed on its roof.\u00a0 An even more ambitious project followed several years later.\u00a0 A study by the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, in the early 1950s, suggested that retail sales would be increasing anywhere from 7% to 10% annually for the next decade, and that downtown Cleveland would remain the most important shopping center.<\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s board members, in 1954, authorized downtown renovations that exceeded $1,000,000.\u00a0 The world renowned New York designer Raymond Loewy\u00a0directed these efforts.\u00a0 Major changes included converting the upper four levels from office space to open retail space, moving all store and employee services to the new Service Building, installing store-wide air-conditioning and expanding current elevator service.\u00a0 To defray these expenses, Halle Brothers issued 30,000 shares of preferred stock with warrants for common shares at $25.00 per share.[34]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    The Board of Directors and staff, in August 1954, mourned the passing of the other store founder Samuel H. Halle.\u00a0 A quiet man, he shared his brother\u2019s passion for the store.\u00a0 Mr. Halle remained the store\u2019s President until 1945 when he became Board Chairman.\u00a0 Samuel Halle, during the First World War, served as a Major in the Quartermasters Corp.\u00a0 He also piloted planes and supported the Cleveland Air Races.[35]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s board members, in 1954, approved plans to convert the store\u2019s Huron-Prospect Building\u00a0into office space.\u00a0 The basement store also received a major facelift.[36]<\/sup><\/a> Improvements in the basement store included grouping departments by function, installing new perimeter lighting and introducing self-service. The $250,000 renovation of the Huron-Prospect Building, completed in 1957, created a new 300-car indoor garage operated by Hanna Parking Company.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s Men\u2019s Shop, for the first time in thirty years, returned to the main store.\u00a0 Its third floor housed the Cuyahoga County\u00a0Board of Elections.\u00a0 The county rented this facility for $50,000 a year.[37]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    These many construction projects required a great deal of capital.\u00a0 However, that was no major obstacle in the 1950s when profits remained high.\u00a0 To illustrate this point, Halle\u2019s net earnings for 1954, before taxes, stood at $1,729,501, a gain of 9.46% from 1953 levels.\u00a0 Store officials paid $363,480 in dividends on both preferred and common stock.\u00a0 Liabilities, in 1954, were $2,000,000 net, while working capital remained strong at $8,083,434.[38]<\/sup><\/a> This was indeed good news.\u00a0\u00a0 Halle\u2019s executives responded by initiating a five-day a week work schedule for their full-time staff.\u00a0 Officials hired part-timers to handle slack periods.<\/p>\n

    The store\u2019s highly competent managers and aggressive sales staff made this success possible.\u00a0 They provided customers with what they wanted and needed, and they did it efficiently.\u00a0 For example, Halle\u2019s led the pack when it introduced a full week devoted to brides.[39]<\/sup><\/a> This annual autumn event included fashion shows, special prizes and significant savings on merchandise needed by brides.\u00a0 Periodic sales brought thousands of shoppers to Euclid Avenue store.\u00a0 Their sales on large ticket items such as televisions, pianos, organs, roller skates and mattresses especially appealed to budget-minded customers.<\/p>\n

    But, Halle\u2019s long-term success as a retailer was not predicated exclusively on promotions and sales.\u00a0 Its board members considered themselves part of the community.\u00a0 This connection with the community manifested itself in many unique ways.\u00a0 For example, store officials, in the 1950s, provided a helpful service for customers wishing to enroll their children in summer camps.\u00a0 Throughout the month of April, summer camp directors and teachers met with hundreds of parents to discuss the various options available for their children.\u00a0 These experts matched the child with the camp.[40]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    First class entertainment also entered into this success equation.\u00a0 To illustrate this last point, store officials announced in November 1952 that their 22nd Fashion Show would be hosted by the famous film star Gloria Swanson\u00a0(1899-1983). Annual autograph parties in the book department proved equally popular.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in cooperation with the Danish Ambassador Henrik Kaufmann, sponsored an exhibition showcasing nine artists in the Jensen silver\u00a0tradition.[41]<\/sup><\/a> Store officials, in 1952, also operated a contest called the \u201cDoll Festival for Children.\u201d[42]<\/sup><\/a> Over 700 girls submitted entries.\u00a0 Top winners received prizes and had their entries displayed in the toy department.\u00a0 Store executives later sent these dolls to poor children in Europe.\u00a0 Halle Brothers, in 1953, along with Seventeen Magazine\u00a0sponsored the \u201cModel Teen Room Contest.\u201d\u00a0 Winners received their-own $300 room makeover.[43]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Community service also included such things as free typing classes courtesy of Royal Typewriting\u00a0Company and an Annual Art Carnival\u00a0hosted by the Cleveland Institute of Art.[44]<\/sup><\/a> Store officials, beginning in 1954, offered free Cleveland Pops\u00a0concerts in the store\u2019s courtyard.[45]<\/sup><\/a> They also provided space for the Society of the Blind to sell their merchandise.[46]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, in January 1955, introduced its first International Travel Show\u00a0which featured Mexico and India.[47]<\/sup><\/a> Those shoppers using Halle\u2019s travel agency received special assistance from a Pan American Airlines\u00a0stewardess.[48]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Special exhibitions brought thousands of customers to Halle\u2019s on a regular basis.\u00a0 For example, to commemorate the coronation, in 1952, of the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, the store sold its first minted British coins bearing her likeness.[49]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s also led its competitors in selling the latest knitting machine.\u00a0 These machines significantly reduced the time necessary to make sweaters, shirts, stoles and wraps.\u00a0 This retailer also furnished a special hand blended face powder just for women for $1.00 a box.[50]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s, in the 1952 shopping season, set the fashion pace by becoming the exclusive agent for both Angelus clocks and Continental ties.[51]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Other unique promotions included stock market forums, street bazaars and lessons on how to purchase planting trees.[52]<\/sup><\/a> Its highly popular British Art\u2019s Fair\u00a0and Golden Age Hobby Show\u00a0brought many customers downtown.\u00a0 For those wishing to visit up-state New York, its first class travel shop furnished a New York State Thruway\u00a0guide for free.[53]<\/sup><\/a> Halle Brothers also gave away gift catalogs containing hundreds of items for even the most discriminating shopper.<\/p>\n

    The escalating cost of high ticket items, in the early 1950s, led Halle Brothers to initiate a new installment plan with no finance charges for the first thirty days.\u00a0 Qualified customers enjoyed two options under this new plan.\u00a0 One enabled them to take full advantage of the thirty day offer by making a 10% down payment on all items purchased, and then, through a pre-arranged monthly payment schedule, pay the remainder-off.\u00a0 A second option required customers to place all items purchased in layaway.\u00a0 They had anywhere from one to ninety days to pay-off the balance.\u00a0 A breach of contract often led to legal repercussions.\u00a0 Failure to meet obligation, as specified through this voluntary contractual agreement, meant the possible forfeiture of the items, in question, as well as the assumption, by the customer or customers involved, of any and all additional administrative and\/or legal costs incurred by the Halle Company.[54]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s love of children led officials, in 1956, to introduce their-own version of Santa Claus\u00a0called Mr. Jingeling.\u00a0 A Chicago advertising agent and friend of Walter M. Halle\u00a0named Frank Jacobi\u00a0developed the idea.\u00a0 Known as \u201cthe Keeper of the Keys,\u201d Mr. Jingeling entertained thousands of children annually during the Christmas season.\u00a0 Many Clevelanders could not imagine Christmas without him.\u00a0 Max Ellis, Karl Mackey, Earl Keyes\u00a0and Jonathan Wilhelm\u00a0played the role.<\/p>\n

    Hoping to boost downtown sales in the mid-1950s, Halle\u2019s provided free daily bus rides from Public Square to Playhouse Square\u00a0and back.\u00a0 Its managers also sold tickets to the opera, various sports events and, of course, the annual flower show.\u00a0 The advertising department\u2019s latest slogan \u201cA Gift from Halle\u2019s Means More\u201d meant something special to many Clevelanders.[55]<\/sup><\/a> One new service the store introduced helped to take the guess work out of choosing quality carpeting.\u00a0 Halle Brothers Home Carpet Showroom\u00a0now brought samples to the customers\u2019 home or office for their inspection.\u00a0 The opening of a new and delicious bakery impressed nearly everyone.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers, in 1955, hosted a fashion show at Westgate for girl scouts.\u00a0\u00a0 Part of Girl Scout\u2019s Week, this event attracted over 2,000 youngsters.[56]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s also provided tennis lessons; gardening tips and organ lessons courtesy of the Hammond Organ Company.[57]<\/sup><\/a> An expanded optical department also brought crowds.\u00a0 Executives, in the late 1950s, played an increasingly important role in the local Community Chest, Goodrich Settlement House\u00a0and the Federation for Community Planning.<\/p>\n

    The 1960s ushered in a new wave of community-focused activities, keynote events and special promotions.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s advertising department worked closely with the West Side Association for the Retarded Child\u00a0to help them develop new fundraising approaches.[58]<\/sup><\/a> This non-profit, over the next decade, received more than $1,000,000 in contributions.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in November 1960, distributed the first in a series of publications entitled \u201cNews of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago.\u201d[59]<\/sup><\/a> The local media praised store officials for their dedication to Cleveland.<\/p>\n

    Board members, beginning in January 1961, sponsored eight week-two hour sewing classes for $20.00.\u00a0 Not to be outdone by competitors, Halle Brothers unveiled a new Thursday night family buffet served at the Minotaur Room.\u00a0 It cost $2.00 for the host and $1.50 for others.\u00a0 Children ate for $1.00.[60]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Nineteen sixty-one marked the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.\u00a0 To commemorate it, Halle\u2019s showed several documentary films including \u201cA Civil War Diary.\u201d[61]<\/sup><\/a> The National Civil War Centennial Commission\u00a0presented Halle\u2019s with its Achievement Award for its valiant effort.[62]<\/sup><\/a> Store executives, in cooperation with WHK-radio, sponsored a new contest they called the \u201cMiss Teenage Cleveland of 1961.\u201d\u00a0 Its winner received $500 in store merchandise and a fully chaperoned trip to the national finals in Dallas, TX.<\/p>\n

    All these community activities and special promotions benefited this local retailer.\u00a0 Even though Halle\u2019s earnings in 1960 dipped to $870,534 or $1.73 a common share as compared to $1,418,351 or $3.46 a common share the previous year, stock analysts expressed little concern.\u00a0 They attributed this downturn in sales to the current recession.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s net capital, at the end of that year, increased from $14,350,171 to $15,210,514.\u00a0 Such things as liquidating over $1,000,000 in slow moving items and converting the store\u2019s accounting system from conventional means to electronic recording led to further losses.\u00a0 However, Halle\u2019s losses paled when compared to their competitors.\u00a0 Overall, Cleveland department store sales that year had dropped by 21%.[63]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Attempting to recoup these earlier losses proved far harder than was first imagined.\u00a0 Store officials tried to reverse this downward trend in sales by introducing new, innovative items throughout the 1961-62 shopping season.\u00a0 They ranged from two speed automatic dish washers and electrically-controlled television antennas to electric food processors and easy-clean vinyl wallpaper.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s 7th floor art gallery, for the first time, sold framed and unframed paintings ranging in price from $2.00 to $2,000.[64]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Executives also offered a special package deal during the Christmas season.\u00a0 Customers now could rent a room in the nearby Statler Hotel\u00a0from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for only $4.00 a day.\u00a0 Store officials saw it as an opportunity for shoppers to relax in a comfortable hotel room between visits to Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 That low price not only included the room, but also, parking at the Hanna Garage\u00a0and delivery of all packages purchased that day at Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The store also offered a baby-sitting service for $1.00 per hour.[65]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Board members, in February 1962, approved plans to construct a new branch store in Cleveland Hts., OH.[66]<\/sup><\/a> A part of the 151-acre shopping complex called Severance Center, this full-service operation opened the following year.\u00a0 Raymond Loewy\u00a0designed it.[67]<\/sup><\/a> This new store featured a beige brick exterior veneer highlighted by a pastel geometric pattern placed above its main entrance.\u00a0 Unsubstantiated rumors, at the time, suggested that Severance Center\u00a0might become Cleveland\u2019s new fashion hub.\u00a0 The press praised Walter M. Halle\u00a0for his enthusiastic support of this project.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, in March 1962, opened an organ studio at its new 3,200 square foot store located at the Shore Center Drive Shopping Center\u00a0in Euclid, OH.[68]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s, during the 1962 shopping season, offered a wide variety of new items and contests.\u00a0 Its Epicure Shop, for example, now included specialty foods shipped from S.S. Pierce\u00a0in Boston, MA.[69]<\/sup><\/a> Store executives also hosted a special contest called \u201cThat Touch of Mink.\u201d\u00a0 Winners received a trip to Bermuda and quality luggage.\u00a0 The \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt\u201d contest, a part of the annual downtown summer festival, included a wide range of special store prizes and gift certificates.\u00a0 \u201cCleveland and the World Fair,\u201d that October, offered nearly 3,000 lbs. of merchandise from Europe.[70]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Store sales, in 1962, rose slightly to $49,851,261 as compared to $49,524,119 one year earlier.\u00a0 Net earnings also increased slightly to $1,050,710 or $2.13 per common share vs. $1,043,680 or $2.11 per common share in 1961.[71]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, that year, reduced its long-term debt to $5,214,000 from $5,851,715.\u00a0 Fortunately, the recent slump in sales ended the following year.\u00a0 A rebounding economy enabled Halle\u2019s, in 1963, to break all previous sales records.\u00a0 Sales topped $53,472,001 as compared to $49,851,261 the previous year.\u00a0 Net earnings also climbed to $1,120,242 or $2.30 per common share.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s net capital increased slightly to $15,592,278 vs. $15,574,551 in 1962, while its long-term debt decreased to $4,849,000.\u00a0 That represented a $365,000 decrease from the 1962 level.[72]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Exciting new store promotions highlighted the mid-1960s.\u00a0 Customers of all ages loved the new, fun-filled ski package to Clear Fork State Park.[73]<\/sup><\/a> Coin collectors flocked to Halle Brothers new money store where they could talk with experts in this field.\u00a0 Expanded credit options provided even more customers the opportunity to participate in installment buying.\u00a0 Under this new arrangement, shoppers could take up to 12-months to pay-off their debt.\u00a0 Those wishing to extend their payment time had to either pay a small additional service charge for this courtesy or place their purchases in layaway\u00a0until the balance had been paid-off.[74]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Store officials, in August 1964, sponsored a special table setting contest called the \u201cTen Best-Dressed Tables.\u201d[75]<\/sup><\/a> Winners received a free trip to the nationals in New York along with a cash prize of $1,000.\u00a0 The new Discovery Shop provided customers with a full array of merchandise ranging from inexpensive knickknacks to high priced apparel.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s shareholders, in 1965, approved an amendment to the store\u2019s corporate charter that permitted it to operate any kind of business under Ohio law.[76]<\/sup><\/a> President Walter M. Halle\u00a0argued that the ever-changing department store industry mandated this change.\u00a0 However, analysts, at that time, questioned the wisdom of such a move based on the fact that Halle\u2019s had just experienced its best year ever.<\/p>\n

    With the idea of capturing a larger percentage of the Cleveland retail trade, board members, in 1965, spent over $1,000,000 to update downtown and Westgate facilities.[77]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Renovations at the Euclid Avenue store included power cleaning its terra-cotta facade and remodeling the shoe department.\u00a0 The closing of the Garden Spot\u00a0at Westgate provided an additional 5,000 square feet of floor space at that outlet.\u00a0 Relocating its stock room added another 12,000 square feet.<\/p>\n

    On the heels of these efforts, executives announced plans to construct a new $2,500,000, 113,000 square foot suburban store in Akron\u2019s Summit Mall.[78]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, in January 1966, publicized its new golf school and renovation plans for its University Height, OH store.\u00a0 Halle Brothers, that same year, paid $.25 on common stock, $.60 on preferred stock and $.75 on a second preferred stock option.\u00a0 A 1966 retail study indicated that over 50% of Halle\u2019s sales emanated from its branch stores, and that 6% of its shoppers lived outside Cleveland.\u00a0 Employee morale, in the mid-1960s, remained very positive.\u00a0 In fact, 70% of the store\u2019s employees rated Halle\u2019s as a better than average work place.\u00a0 They also enjoyed their 20% discount on store merchandise and the no compulsory retirement clause in their contracts.<\/p>\n

    The store\u2019s President Chisholm Halle\u00a0(1933-1982), speaking at a Cleveland Advertising Club\u00a0luncheon, discussed the critical need for both federal officials and private investors to come together and solve the current blight facing urban America.\u00a0 Mr. Halle believed that Cleveland\u2019s future growth depended on a viable downtown, and that Halle\u2019s Department Store\u00a0would do whatever it could to make this happen.\u00a0 He then suggested several ways to improve downtown.\u00a0 His recommendations ranged from building more quality residential units and creating additional office space to promoting new parks and constructing safer highways.\u00a0 Halle further pointed out that all the major downtown department stores paid their employees over $100,000,000 in wages annually.\u00a0 He concluded by saying that Halle\u2019s, in 1966, paid $1,426,000 in state and local taxes and donated $103,000 towards charitable causes.[79]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Halle Brothers, also in 1966, teamed up with Playskool\u00a0and Field Enterprises\u00a0to promote quality play materials for children.\u00a0 The store\u2019s book store, beginning in 1967, offered a special service for Cleveland teachers whereby students who lost their assigned reading lists could now obtain another one from Halle\u2019s at no additional cost.[80]<\/sup><\/a> Store officials also initiated driving lessons for teenagers and beauty workshops for young women.[81]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, in the autumn of 1967, sponsored a Cleveland Exploration Photography Contest plus a fashion show that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Harper\u2019s Bazaar magazine.[82]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Shoppers responded positively to the many promotional activities and services offered by this retailer.\u00a0 Halle reported that its 1966 sales exceeded $65,283,040.\u00a0 Earnings that year reached the third highest level ever at $1,270,999 or $2.81 per share.\u00a0 Sales volume also increased by 5% over the previous year.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s reduced its inventory by $1,499,502, while its net capital topped $16,420,510.\u00a0 Common stock equity in 1966 increased $2.60 from $56.36 to $58.96 per share.[83]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Nineteen sixty-seven presented a different financial picture.\u00a0 Mounting deficit, inventory shortages and decreasing sales greatly concerned board members.\u00a0 Rumors began to circulate that Walter M. Halle\u00a0intended to sell the store as soon as possible.\u00a0 However, few analysts paid much attention to these rumors until stockholders, in May 1968, decided to reissue common stock.\u00a0 This action increased the number of shares from 500,000 to 1,500,000 shares.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s stockholders, at that same meeting, also approved issuing 200,000 shares of new serial preferred stock.[84]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Rumors of a pending sale notwithstanding, the store\u2019s daily activities continued.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s in conjunction with the Little Italy\u00a0Development Corporation\u00a0co-sponsored its first annual benefit for Cleveland\u2019s Little Italy.\u00a0 Called \u201cThe Two Worlds of Italy,\u201d this October 11, 1968 benefit collected $10,000.[85]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Proceeds went towards the rejuvenation of Little Italy, one of the city\u2019s oldest ethnic neighborhoods.\u00a0 The Halle Brothers Company, in July 1968, launched its-own special training sessions for its salespersons in housewares.[86]<\/sup><\/a> Several of Halle\u2019s suburban stores, in 1969, added cocktails to their restaurant menus.[87]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Promotional activities, during the 1968 shopping season, helped Halle\u2019s to recoup some of its earlier losses.\u00a0 The store, that year, broke all previous sales records at $67,900,000.\u00a0 This represented a 5.3% increase over the previous year.\u00a0 Earnings reached $1,030,955 equal to $2.27 per share as compared to $974,700 equal to $2.09 per share in 1967.[88]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s, that June, built two more retail complexes one at Belden Village\u00a0in Canton, OH\u00a0and the other adjacent to Great Lakes Mall\u00a0in Mentor, OH.<\/p>\n

    The board also renovated one of its two Erie, PA\u00a0outlets along with its Shaker Hts.\u00a0and Westgate stores.\u00a0 In the case of Westgate, officials approved a 45,000 square foot third-story.[89]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s board members also constructed a 400,000 square foot service center on Rockside Road.\u00a0 The board mentioned no future plans for expanding Severance Center.\u00a0\u00a0 Severance Center\u00a0remained open until the 1990s.\u00a0 An open air shopping center replaced it in 1998.\u00a0 It included an Office Max, Bally Total Fitness Center, Conway Fashions\u00a0and A.J. Wright.<\/p>\n

    Halle Brothers, in 1970, introduced a new method for paying bills by phone.\u00a0 Under this arrangement, customers authorized their banks to transfer funds automatically from their accounts or lines of credit to Halle\u2019s.[90]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It became very popular.\u00a0 Store sales reached a new all-time record of $70,600,000.\u00a0 That represented a 4% increase from 1968 levels.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that increase in sales did not result in greater profits.\u00a0 Mounting expenses due to higher employee wages and growing payroll taxes along with the dissolution of the partnership with Playskool\u00a0and Field Enterprises\u00a0negated any potential profit gains.\u00a0 The high expenses incurred by the refurbishing of the Westgate store only added to this predicament.\u00a0 Net income in 1969 was a measly $112,350.\u00a0 That resulted in a 2% drop in the value of common stock that year.[91]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Would another retailer be interested in purchasing Halle\u2019s or would this store be forced to declare bankruptcy?\u00a0 It was anyone\u2019s guess during the last months of 1969.\u00a0 The winter of 1970 showed respectable sales gains.\u00a0 However, Halle employees knew that change was coming soon.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s officials, on June 25, 1970, announced that Chicago-based Marshall Fields & Co. had just purchased this seventy-nine year old department store.\u00a0 Board members emphasized that Marshall Fields possessed both the professional expertise and vast financial resources necessary to bring Halle\u2019s into the next generation.<\/p>\n

    Comparisons between the two stores supported the board\u2019s contention.\u00a0 Marshall Fields employed 17,500, while Halle\u2019s had a staff of 3,500.\u00a0 Net sales for Marshall Fields & Company, in 1969, topped $402,506,707, while Halle\u2019s reached $70,680,476.\u00a0 In terms of assets, this giant Chicago retailer led at $243,873,854, while Cleveland\u2019s-own trailed far behind at $40,669,868.[92]<\/sup><\/a> Halle\u2019s board members knew what they must do.\u00a0 The merger occurred on November 30, 1970.[93]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Cleveland\u2019s media praised Walter M. Halle\u00a0for his commitment to the store that bore his family\u2019s name.\u00a0 However, the time had come for change.\u00a0 Under this merger agreement, Marshall Fields & Company bought Halle stock on a \u201cshare-for-share basis.\u201d\u00a0 This transfer involved about $10,000,000 and the Cleveland store retained its name.\u00a0 This merger prompted some major innovations.<\/p>\n

    The \u201cnew and improved\u201d Halle\u2019s now extended its Phone-In-Hotline hours to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.[94]<\/sup><\/a> It also sponsored a special \u201cSewing Festival.\u201d\u00a0 The Arts League of Parma, OH, in October 1970, showed its support of this merger by hosting a special exhibition at the Southland store.\u00a0 This exhibition featured the works of 150 artists from throughout Northeast\u00a0Ohio.[95]<\/sup><\/a> Nineteen seventy ended with a special demonstration on \u201cEating Out at Home;\u201d three hours of free parking downtown and a new music exhibition.<\/p>\n

    Marshall Fields, in March 1971, approved extensive renovations within its downtown facility.\u00a0 Officials hoped to increase sales in luxury items.[96]<\/sup><\/a> This refurbishing effort included repainting the interior, updating bathrooms, modernizing display cases and installing state-of-the-art lighting.[97]<\/sup><\/a> Modifications in operational services also occurred.\u00a0 Store officials also renewed bus service between the Euclid Avenue store and Terminal Tower.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s sales figures increased to $103,137,000 by mid-year.[98]<\/sup><\/a> Unfortunately, that increase in sales did not last.\u00a0 A sluggish economy, in the autumn of 1971, prompted further losses.\u00a0 However, this downturn did not seem to faze the store\u2019s new owner.<\/p>\n

    A December 1970 study released by the Greater Cleveland Growth Association\u00a0pointed out that over 128,000 persons worked downtown and that they overwhelmingly enjoyed shopping in big department stores.\u00a0 Analysts at the Growth Association sincerely hoped that large downtown retailers, such as Marshall Fields, would continue to provide them with the best possible merchandise at reasonable prices.\u00a0 The Growth Association study concluded with a warning.\u00a0 Those downtown retailers offering the best value will survive and prosper, while less dedicated stores will soon disappear.\u00a0 The leaders at Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0expressed every confident that they could meet the expectations of their Cleveland customer-base.<\/p>\n

    That sense of confidence led Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0to sponsor a number of successful promotional events including two in April 1972.\u00a0 Both the \u201cAll-American Geranium Fair\u201d and \u201cCome to the Fair\u201d drew hundreds downtown.[99]<\/sup><\/a> Even though profits increased during the 1972-73 shopping season, they did not reach earlier projected goals.\u00a0 Hoping to accelerate sales quickly, Marshall Fields, in June 1973, added a new budget clothing department at its Severance, Southland and Westgate stores.[100]<\/sup><\/a> Further renovations downtown and a new beauty salon at Westgate brought more shoppers.[101]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    The death of Walter M. Halle, in January 1972, saddened Halle\u2019s employees and the Greater Cleveland business community.\u00a0 A respected retailer and philanthropist for over thirty years, Mr. Halle had played an instrumental role in the recent merger.\u00a0 After graduating, in 1927, from Princeton University, he served as Halle\u2019s General Manager of Merchandise.\u00a0 With the outbreak of the Second World War, Walter M. Halle\u00a0became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Corp.<\/p>\n

    The Board of Directors, immediately following the war, appointed Mr. Halle its President.\u00a0 He took over from his father Samuel Halle.\u00a0 Walter M. Halle\u00a0held that post from 1946 until 1966 when he became Board Chairman.\u00a0 A distinguished leader in civic and philanthropic organizations such as the Greater Cleveland Growth Association; Cleveland Trust Bank, United Appeal and Ohio Retail Merchant Association, Mr. Halle never walked away from a challenge.\u00a0 He wanted Cleveland to grow and prosper and he did everything within his power to make that happen.[102]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Hoping to bolster sales with Baby Boomers, Halle\u2019s, in 1975, hired a prominent Cleveland advertising agency Meldrum & Fewsmith\u00a0to coordinate its broadcasts and printed materials.[103]<\/sup><\/a> The store sponsored, that same year, a bicycle contest for children.\u00a0 It also added Lladro figurines\u00a0to its glassware department.\u00a0 Store officials also introduced a do-it-yourself art corner with a wide variety of precut metal frames, mats, Plexiglas\u00a0and box frames.[104]<\/sup><\/a> The big question, in 1976, was whether or not the board should invest in a new branch store at Randall Park Mall?\u00a0 The mall\u2019s developer Edward J. DeBartolo\u00a0had saved a prime site for this retailer.[105]<\/sup><\/a> Following some discussion, Marshall Fields turned his offer down.\u00a0 Store officials claimed that they had enough stores.<\/p>\n

    Nineteen seventy-seven began with a new menu at Halle\u2019s restaurants.\u00a0 More emphasizes placed on healthy foods at reasonable prices.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s, that March, hosted a special benefit for the Playhouse Square\u00a0foundation.\u00a0 Called \u201cThe Grand Tour,\u201d each floor of the Euclid Avenue facility featured food, drink and music from different cities.\u00a0 Tickets ranged from $7.50 to $25.00.\u00a0 They sold 900 tickets.\u00a0 Both the golf clinics and driving schools remained popular with customers as did etiquette classes for children.\u00a0 The introduction of the Wine of the Month Club\u00a0brought additional shoppers downtown.<\/p>\n

    Unfortunately, all these promotional activities failed to significantly improve Halle\u2019s financial slate.\u00a0 The store never fully rebounded from the merger.\u00a0 Customers, increasingly, took their business elsewhere.\u00a0 Shopper complaints ranged from unfair pricing and shoddy merchandise to abrupt salespersons and unreasonable return policies.\u00a0 Shrinking profits and mounting debt led Marshall Fields to take stringent action.\u00a0 The Board of Directors announced, in January 1977, that they were cutting store hours in all branch stores.[106]<\/sup><\/a> They claimed that the current energy crunch prompted this decision.<\/p>\n

    However, other retailers were not convinced that the energy crunch was the reason behind their action.\u00a0 Some theorized that Marshall Fields planned to close Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The appearance of cheap imported merchandise, beginning in the summer of 1977, lent credence to this idea although Marshall Field executives vehemently denied it.\u00a0 Store officials claimed that the crippling dock strike in New York City, earlier that same year, had slowed down deliveries of high quality imports.[107]<\/sup><\/a> Many shoppers expressed outrage when Mr. Jingeling, a staple of Cleveland Christmas since the mid-1950s, was cut from the Halle\u2019s calendar.\u00a0 What was going on?[108]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Behind the scenes, a large Californian retail chain Carter, Hawley, & Hale had approached Marshall Fields about a possible merger.\u00a0 This West Coast conglomerate operated more than seventy stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus\u00a0and the Walden Books\u00a0chain.\u00a0 Carter Hawley\u00a0wanted a tax-free 49% exchange in stock at $36.00 a share.\u00a0 Marshall Fields & Company\u00a0took a dim view of this offer.\u00a0 Considered it an attempted hostile takeover, Marshall Fields\u2019 filed a law suit against Carter Hawley with the U.S. District Court\u00a0in Chicago.\u00a0 Attorneys representing the Chicago retailer claimed that the terms of the merger represented a direct violation of federal antitrust laws.\u00a0 Specifically, they said it would be a restraint of trade in that in some places Marshall Fields would be competing head-to-head against one of its-own store namely Neiman Marcus.[109]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The District Court found in favor of Marshall Fields and merger plans were dropped.<\/p>\n

    However, this favorable court decision symbolized a hollow victory for Marshall Field.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s profits were marginal.\u00a0 Its central management team in Cleveland was not provided customers with the kind of affordable, high quality merchandise they demanded.\u00a0 The Board of Directors, in October 1978, took bold action and called for the reorganization of Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 They turned over store operations to a new dual management team who they believed would make Halle\u2019s profitable again.\u00a0 These new managers began by evaluating the store\u2019s strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0 They next conducted informal customer surveys to determine what shoppers really needed and wanted.\u00a0 The conclusions derived from this evaluation process served as the basis for corporate policy decisions for the next three years.\u00a0 They also determined no further expansion.\u00a0 Instead, the local management team would focus its attention on improving existing facilities with one noticeable exception.\u00a0 Earlier plans calling for the construction of a new store in the Sandusky Mall\u00a0in Perkins Township, OH would proceed as scheduled.\u00a0 These managers also decided to revitalize the downtown store.\u00a0 That meant not only modernizing the Euclid Avenue facility itself; but also, updating its lines of merchandise to better reflect the changing needs and wants of today\u2019s customers.<\/p>\n

    The team at Marshall Fields\u2019 firmly believed that practical products not luxury items, represented the future for Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 They reached that conclusion after reviewing a host of other successful national retail chains such as Sears & Roebuck.\u00a0 In the case of Sears, their leadership did not challenge other profitable middle and upper class department stores.\u00a0 Instead, it concentrated on selling affordable merchandise including no-frills appliances, durable home furnishings and quality tools.\u00a0 The \u201cSofter Side of Sears\u201d may have been that store\u2019s latest promotional campaign; however, it was secondary when measured against its financial mainstay, everyday necessities.\u00a0 Perhaps Marshall Fields might learn a lesson from Sears and adopt a similar business strategy for Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Discussions, like these, continued for several years.<\/p>\n

    Halle\u2019s sales in 1979 picked up slightly with expensive items such as home entertainment centers setting the trend that year.\u00a0 Traditional big sellers such as fine jewelry and expensive furs did not fare as well.\u00a0 Marshall Fields attempted to offset mounting losses by bringing back \u201cThe World of Wedgewood\u201d pottery collection at a reasonable price.[110]<\/sup><\/a> The Board of Directors, behind the scenes, began to weigh future options.[111]<\/sup><\/a> One viable option involved expanding Halle\u2019s into the Columbus market area.\u00a0 It called for Marshall Fields to acquire six specialty stores at an estimated value of $8,000,000.\u00a0 However, the board in Chicago considered such a venture too risky.<\/p>\n

    They fully understood that Halle\u2019s was losing money at a feverous pace.\u00a0 The question facing them was what to do about it?\u00a0 The closing, in 1961, of Taylor\u2019s Department Store followed by Bailey\u2019s, Bonwit Teller\u2019s and Sterling-Lindner\u2019s, in the late 1960s, signaled tough times ahead for those stores who survived.\u00a0 Racially-charged riots in the Hough and Glenville\u00a0neighborhoods, during the mid and late-1960s, sent shock waves throughout the community including the local retail sector.\u00a0 Increasingly, Cleveland customers abandoned traditional downtown stores for newer suburban outlets.<\/p>\n

    Like most of its competitors, Marshall Fields assumed that Halle\u2019s would continue to play a dominate role in local retailing for many years to come.\u00a0 Of more immediate concern to the Board of Directors was how to reverse this current slide in sales without jeopardizing the future prospects of this retailer?\u00a0 Specifically, should the board infuse great amounts of capital to insure Halle\u2019s survival or would it make more sense to try and sell it or even close it?\u00a0 It was anyone\u2019s guess as to what these leaders might do.<\/p>\n

    No one could have predicted, with any certainty, the economic and social upheavals of the 1970s and 1980s, let alone how that turmoil would impact local and national buying habits.\u00a0 Marshall Fields\u2019 really had no idea of what lay ahead.\u00a0 How could they?\u00a0 They practiced what they knew best: traditional retailing.\u00a0 Their enthusiasm regarding the area\u2019s unlimited growth potential, so apparent in their actions and thoughts, throughout the 1950s and 1960s, all but evaporated over the next twenty years.\u00a0 In its wake, a new, unnerving pessimism permeated the national retail scene.\u00a0 With no business precedents to guide them through this mine field, it literally stopped them in their tracks.\u00a0 In Halle\u2019s case, crushing debt and dwindling profits resulted in a seemingly endless downward economic slide.\u00a0 The immediate post-war years characterized by high profit levels, reasonable debt levels and seemingly endless opportunities for growth and expansion were now only a dim memory.<\/p>\n

    Cleveland\u2019s retail market, by the mid-1970s, was utterly saturated.\u00a0 There were far just too many shopping centers and malls.\u00a0 A shrinking population, growing inflation and uncertain economic prospects for the immediate future did not bode well for traditional department stores\u00a0such as Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Increasingly, Halle\u2019s found itself competing against other, similar stores for a piece of a dwindling retail pie.\u00a0 Fierce competition from regional discount department stores\u00a0made this situation even more tenuous.<\/p>\n

    Crushing debt increasingly eroded sales gains.\u00a0 Yet, store owners, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Walter M. Halle\u00a0remained resilient.\u00a0 Mr. Halle firmly believed that a little financial belt tightening would solve the store\u2019s current financial dilemma.\u00a0 The question was not whether such actions were prudent, especially given the changing complexities of the local economic scene; but rather, if such actions, in themselves, were sufficient to accomplish the task at hand? Like so many of its competitors, Halle\u2019s executives believed that they could recoup their losses by simply closing unprofitable branches, cutting the sales force and offering cheaper merchandise.\u00a0 Their 1969 slogan reflected this new attitude, \u201cToday\u2019s Halle\u2019s is Building for a Greater Tomorrow with an Eye on the Traditions of Yesterday.\u201d\u00a0 At first, this new business approach seemed to be working.\u00a0 In fact, store sales from 1969-70 rebounded.\u00a0 However, these gains soon disappeared.\u00a0 The growing financial complexities of operating a modern retail chain overwhelmed the Halle family.\u00a0 Facing bankruptcy, they merged with Marshall Fields & Company.<\/p>\n

    This Chicago retailer, as stated earlier, renovated the downtown store and introducing affordable fashions.\u00a0 Unfortunately, anticipated sales gains based on these initial actions never materialized.\u00a0 Unable to reach their goals, Marshall Fields, in March 1981, sold Halle\u2019s for $27,000,000 to Associated Investors Corporation.\u00a0 It was under the leadership of a Columbus-based developer named Jerome Schottenstein\u00a0(1926-1992).[112]<\/sup><\/a> Brown & Williamson, a subsidiary of the British-American Tobacco Company, in 1982, purchased Marshall Fields.\u00a0 It later reverted to Frederick & Nelson and Crescent Investments\u00a0and then Dayton-Hudson\u00a0(Target).\u00a0 The May Company, in 2004, bought it.\u00a0 Federated acquired it in 2005 and made it a Macy\u2019s.<\/p>\n

    In terms of the Halle purchase, Jerome Schottenstein\u00a0was certainly not a stranger to retailing.\u00a0 He owned and operated the successful Value City Discount Department Store\u00a0chain.[113]<\/sup><\/a> Local newspapers hoped that Schottenstein would be able to save Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 The press noted that this 90-year old institution had survived both the Great Depression of the 1930s and post-war suburban migration to become a nationally-recognized store.\u00a0 Surely, it could survive this latest round of financial reversals.\u00a0 Schottenstein intended to convert Halle\u2019s into one of the area\u2019s leading discount department store.<\/p>\n

    However, before that could happen, the new owner set about to review present conditions and make some major changes.\u00a0 He also suggested the possibility of staff layoffs; reduced inventories, store closings and merchandise rebranding.\u00a0 Schottenstein said that it would take some time, but he was sure it was worth it.\u00a0 However, behind the scenes things were not so rosy.<\/p>\n

    Unable to secure the necessary capital, Jerome Schottenstein, in January 1982, closed the downtown store along with Severance Center, Shaker Square\u00a0and Southland.\u00a0 He also shut down branches in Canton, OH; Chillicothe, OH; Erie, PA\u00a0and Sandusky, OH.[114]<\/sup><\/a> However, the Summit and Westgate stores remained opened due to the prodding of his Executive Vice President Barbara Ragen.\u00a0 The local press praised Schottenstein and Ragen for their efforts.[115]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Salvaging two stores was certainly better than closing all of them.\u00a0 Unfortunately, their optimism soon changed to pessimism.<\/p>\n

    Jerome Schottenstein, that August, closed Westgate; fired Ms. Ragen and transferred the Summit Mall\u00a0store to Higbee\u2019s.[116]<\/sup><\/a> That action marked the end of Halle\u2019s.\u00a0 Forest City Enterprises, later in the 1980s, renovated the Euclid Avenue landmark.\u00a0 The upper floors became prime office space, while small shops and a food court occupied the street and basement levels.\u00a0 Halle\u2019s may be gone, but its legacy lives on in the heart of many Clevelanders.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Endnotes<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. James M. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, (Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987), 12.<\/li>\n
    2. \u201cLook at Our Stock Before Going Elsewhere,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 19, 1897.<\/li>\n
    3. \u201cGay Spring Things, A Suburb Exhibition of Women\u2019s Tailored Garments Shown at Halle Bros\u2019 Opening,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 17, 1898.<\/li>\n
    4. \u201cEuclid Scene of Two Great Deals,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 29, 1908.<\/li>\n
    5. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 69.<\/li>\n
    6. Ibid. 12.<\/li>\n
    7. \u201cA Shoppers\u2019 Calendar, Friday April 16th,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 16, 1915.<\/li>\n
    8. \u201cExcellent Shoes at $6.00 and $7.00,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 23, 1917.<\/li>\n
    9. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 13.<\/li>\n
    10. \u201cRadio Fashion Talk,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 5, 1928. \u201cNational Bridge Tourney in Cleveland This Week,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 18, 1928.<\/li>\n
    11. W. Ward Marsh, \u201cCleveland is Background for Lake\u2019s Comedy,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 7, 1933.<\/li>\n
    12. Time Magazine, June 6, 1927.<\/li>\n
    13. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 136.<\/li>\n
    14. \u201cThe Halle Bros. Co, Babies Are Sure of a Great Start,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 10, 1935.<\/li>\n
    15. \u201cAmerican Express Travel Service in Halle Store Now,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 2, 1941.<\/li>\n
    16. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 157.<\/li>\n
    17. Guy T. Rockwell, \u201cHalle\u2019s \u201941 Unit Sales Were Best in History,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 10, 1942.<\/li>\n
    18. Guy T. Rockwell, \u201cHalle Sales Set New High, but Earnings Gain is Slight,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 13, 1945.<\/li>\n
    19. Wood, Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store, 182.<\/li>\n
    20. \u201cRecognition Day Comes for Vets Back at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 2, 1946.<\/li>\n
    21. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Display \u2018Shah of Persia,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 23, 1950.<\/li>\n
    22. \u201cGiant Music and Dance Fete to Aid Charities,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 20, 1955.<\/li>\n
    23. \u201cTelephone Shopping Service Makes a Move,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1946.<\/li>\n
    24. \u201cEnroll Now in Halle\u2019s New Silver Budget Plan,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 16, 1950.<\/li>\n
    25. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Store in Heights,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 15, 1947. \u201cNew Halle Store is Flexible, Vital,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 24, 1948.<\/li>\n
    26. \u201cBig Halle Store to Adorn Suburb, Rocky River Branch Plans Parking for 500 Autos,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 17, 1948.<\/li>\n
    27. \u201cGround Breaking Due at Halle\u2019s in Fairview,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 9, 1952.<\/li>\n
    28. \u201cObituaries, Salmon P. Chase,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 14, 1949.<\/li>\n
    29. \u201cHalle Bros. Previews Second Suburban Store Weds,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 31, 1950.<\/li>\n
    30. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Build New Canton Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 19, 1951.<\/li>\n
    31. Aiden C. Rider, \u201cHalle to Expand Operations Here,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 10, 1955.<\/li>\n
    32. \u201cSouthland\u2019s Halle Store Opens February 5, Newest and Largest of Four Branches,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 1957.<\/li>\n
    33. Peter B. Greenough, \u201cHalle Building Plan Climaxed: West Wing to Open All Doors, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 27, 1949.<\/li>\n
    34. \u201cHalle\u2019s Expansion of Store on Euclid to Cost Million,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 4, 1955. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle to Offer $1,500,000 of New Preferred Stock,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1955.<\/li>\n
    35. \u201cSamuel H. Halle Rites Tomorrow Memorial Service to Be Held in Store\u2019s Lounge,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 1954.<\/li>\n
    36. \u201cHalle\u2019s Is Opening Remodeled Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 12, 1954.<\/li>\n
    37. \u201cWelfare Levy Considered a Must, $1,250,000 for Election Board Building,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 27, 1957.<\/li>\n
    38. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle Annual Net Income Advances to $3.08 a Share,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 1954.<\/li>\n
    39. \u201cPremier of Bride\u2019s Week at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 1, 1950.<\/li>\n
    40. \u201cHalle\u2019s Camp Bureau Open April 7th Through April 12th,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 6, 1952.<\/li>\n
    41. \u201c,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 15, 1952. \u201cExhibition June 2nd through June 7th Nine Modern Artists,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 1952.<\/li>\n
    42. \u201cJudge 700 Dolls in Halle Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1952.<\/li>\n
    43. \u201cSee Prize-Winning Rooms of Halle\u2019s Model Teen Room Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 5, 1953.<\/li>\n
    44. \u201cRoyal Typewriting Co. Offers Typing Classes,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 28, 1953. \u201cArt Carnival for Shaker Square,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 13, 1953.<\/li>\n
    45. \u201cPorter Heaps in a Seminar for Organists,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 28, 1952.<\/li>\n
    46. Oscar A. Bergman, \u201cAlong the Buy-Lines in Stores and Shops,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 9, 1953.<\/li>\n
    47. \u201cAll Dressed Up,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 1955.<\/li>\n
    48. \u201cMeet Miss Joan Murchison Pan American World Airways Stewardess,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer,\u201d February 5, 1953.<\/li>\n
    49. \u201cFirst Mint Elizabeth II Coins,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1953.<\/li>\n
    50. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Hand-blend a Regular Box of Antoine Face Powder,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 22, 1953.<\/li>\n
    51. \u201cIntroducing Halle\u2019s Own Continental Collection of the World\u2019s Finest Ties,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 23, 1952. \u201cHalle\u2019s Finest Clocks Measure Your Happiest Moments,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 15, 1952.<\/li>\n
    52. \u201cHalle\u2019s Import Bazaar,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 21, 1958.<\/li>\n
    53. \u201cPlanning a Trip?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 11, 1960.<\/li>\n
    54. \u201cKashmoor, The Coats You Can Count On,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 26, 1954.<\/li>\n
    55. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 14, 1954.<\/li>\n
    56. \u201cWestgate Halle\u2019s Is Careful After Girl Scout Fete,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 12, 1955.<\/li>\n
    57. \u201cThe Halle Bros Co,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 7, 1957.<\/li>\n
    58. \u201cTwo Activities Set By West Side Group,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 18, 1960.<\/li>\n
    59. \u201cYou\u2019ll Enjoy Reading News of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 1960.<\/li>\n
    60. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 15, 1961.<\/li>\n
    61. \u201cCivil War at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 4, 1961. \u201cCivil War Films Showing at Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 10, 1961.<\/li>\n
    62. \u201cPlain Dealer, Halle\u2019s Honored by Civil War Unit,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1962.<\/li>\n
    63. \u201cSales, Earnings Down for Halle\u2019s; Capital Added,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1961.<\/li>\n
    64. Cecil Relihan, \u201cThe Home Front, What\u2019s New for Your Man\u2019s Castle?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 25, 1961. Paul B. Metzler, \u201cHalle\u2019s Art Show,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 22, 1961.<\/li>\n
    65. \u201cHotel, Store Set Shoppers Rest Break,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 21, 1961.<\/li>\n
    66. Adin C. Rider, \u201cSeverance Center to Have Bazaar Air,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 25, 1962.<\/li>\n
    67. \u201cNew Tearoom Reflects Spirit of the late Mrs. Samuel Halle,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 4, 1963.<\/li>\n
    68. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Organ Studio,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 1, 1962.<\/li>\n
    69. \u201cServe Up Delicious Summer Meals Easily with Specialties from Halle\u2019s,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 28, 1962.<\/li>\n
    70. \u201cUp and Down the Aisles,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 15, 1962. \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 23, 1962. \u201cPlane Brings Halle\u2019s Goods from Europe,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 24, 1962.<\/li>\n
    71. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle\u2019s Lists Slight Gains,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 23, 1963.<\/li>\n
    72. John E. Bryan, \u201cHalle\u2019s Sales Hit Highest Ever in Past Year; Profits Up Too,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 21, 1964.<\/li>\n
    73. \u201cRegister Now for Halle\u2019s Ski Week-end and Trophy Race,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 19, 1964.<\/li>\n
    74. \u201cChoose from Five Halle Purchase Plans,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 13, 1964.<\/li>\n
    75. Janet Beighle, \u201cBlack and White Theme Judged Tops in Table Setting Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 6, 1964.<\/li>\n
    76. \u201cBusiness Briefs, Halle\u2019s Moves to Diversify,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1965.<\/li>\n
    77. \u201cHalle\u2019s Bros. Spending $1 Million on Two Stores,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 13, 1965.<\/li>\n
    78. Douglas Bloomfield, \u201cDry Run Gusher; Halle Opens in Summit,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 15, 1965.<\/li>\n
    79. \u201cToo Little, Too Late Halle Rates War on Decay,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 12, 1967.<\/li>\n
    80. \u201cPaperbacks on Summer Readings Lists for Senior High and College Students,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 5, 1967.<\/li>\n
    81. \u201cHot Line of Happenings,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 25, 1967. \u201cHot Line of Happenings,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 9, 1967.<\/li>\n
    82. \u201cFun Day Fashions,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 15, 1967.<\/li>\n
    83. John E, Bryan, \u201cHalle Expects Year-End Sale Surge,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 22, 1967.<\/li>\n
    84. \u201cHalle Denies Merger Rumor,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 21, 1968.<\/li>\n
    85. \u201cBig Plans for Little Italy,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 12, 1968.<\/li>\n
    86. \u201cHalle\u2019s Forum, Insuring Satisfied Customer,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 24, 1968.<\/li>\n
    87. \u201cSuburbia,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 1969.<\/li>\n
    88. \u201cHalle\u2019s is Expanding; \u201968 Sales Set Record,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 15, 1969.<\/li>\n
    89. Ibid.<\/li>\n
    90. John E. Bryan, \u201cProfit Gain Due, Cleveland Trust Told,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 17, 1970.<\/li>\n
    91. John E. Bryan, \u201cSales at Peak but Halle Reports Loss,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 1970.<\/li>\n
    92. John J. Cleary, \u201cHalle Bros. To Be Sold to Marshall Field & Company.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 25, 1970.<\/li>\n
    93. Robert Stock, \u201cStores Hopeful but Concerned,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 11, 1971.<\/li>\n
    94. \u201cCaldwell\u2019s Half Sizes Brushed Jewel Jerseys,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 9, 1970.<\/li>\n
    95. \u201cCooper Debut for Akron Two,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 27, 1970.<\/li>\n
    96. Michael Kelly, \u201cRetailers Hopeful of Last-Minute Selling Spree,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 22, 1970.<\/li>\n
    97. Michael Kelly, \u201cHalle\u2019s Downtown Launches First-Floor Part of Big Renovations,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 25, 1971.<\/li>\n
    98. John E, Bryan, \u201cHalle Gets Credit for Field Gain,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 31, 1971.<\/li>\n
    99. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Run a Spring Geranium Fair,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 2, 1972.<\/li>\n
    100. \u201cHalle\u2019s Adds Budget Clothing Sessions,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 13, 1972.<\/li>\n
    101. Paula Slimak, \u201cHair Stylist\u2019s Color Technique Based on Natural Overtones,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 18, 1972.<\/li>\n
    102. \u201cWalter M. Halle, 66, Dies,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 11, 1972.<\/li>\n
    103. \u201cHalle Appoints an Ad Agency,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 4, 1975.<\/li>\n
    104. \u201cIt\u2019s All New, Halle\u2019s Picture Framing,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 5, 1976.<\/li>\n
    105. \u201cRandall Park Mall Opens Doors Today,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 1976.<\/li>\n
    106. \u201cPublic Square Announcement to Halle Customers,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 19, 1977.<\/li>\n
    107. Michael Kelly, \u201cDreaming of a Green Christmas, How Sweet the Sound of Ash Register Bells,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 21, 1977.<\/li>\n
    108. Tom Green, \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 9, 1977.<\/li>\n
    109. \u201cMarshall Field Opposes Merger Plan,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 13, 1977.<\/li>\n
    110. \u201cThe World of Wedgewood,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 3, 1976.<\/li>\n
    111. \u201cHalle to Acquire Six-Store Chain in Columbus,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 8, 1980.<\/li>\n
    112. \u201cSale of Halle\u2019s is Now Complete,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 8, 1981.<\/li>\n
    113. Donald Sabath, \u201cHalle\u2019s Sold but Its Name Remains,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 18, 1981.<\/li>\n
    114. John Fuller and Donald Sabath, \u201cSix Halle\u2019s Spared; One at Westgate,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 29, 1982.<\/li>\n
    115. Fran Arman, \u201cHalle\u2019s Manager Refuses to Let City Institution Perish,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 19, 1982.<\/li>\n
    116. John Fuller and John Lee Koshar, \u201cHigbee Co. to Get Halle\u2019s Store,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 1982. Donald Sabath, John Fuller and Mary Strassmeyer, \u201cRumors Say Halle\u2019s to Close All Five Stores, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 2, 1982. John Fuller, \u201cHalle\u2019s Chief, Ragan, fired by Jerome Shottenstein, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 3, 1982.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      1. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store.<\/em>\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 12. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      2. \u201cLook at Our Stock Before Going Elsewhere.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 19, 1897. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      3. \u201cGay Spring Things, A Suburb Exhibition of Women\u2019s Tailored Garments Shown at Halle Bros\u2019 Opening.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 17, 1898. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      4. \u201cEuclid Scene of Two Great Deals.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 29, 1908. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      5. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 69. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      6. Ibid<\/em>. pp. 12. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      7. \u201cA Shoppers\u2019 Calendar, Friday April 16th.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 16, 1915. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      8. \u201cExcellent Shoes at $6.00 and $7.00.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 23, 1917. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      9. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 13. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      10. \u201cRadio Fashion Talk.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 5, 1928. \u201cNational Bridge Tourney in Cleveland This Week.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 18, 1928. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      11. Marsh, W. Ward. \u201cCleveland is Background for Lake\u2019s Comedy.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 7, 1933. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      12. Time Magazine<\/em>, June 6, 1927. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      13. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 136. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      14. \u201cThe Halle Bros. Co, Babies Are Sure of a Great Start.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 10, 1935. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      15. \u201cAmerican Express Travel Service in Halle Store Now.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 2, 1941. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      16. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>. pp. 157. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      17. Rockwell, Guy T. \u201cHalle\u2019s \u201941 Unit Sales Were Best in History.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 10, 1942. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      18. Rockwell, Guy T. \u201cHalle Sales Set New High, but Earnings Gain is Slight.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 13, 1945. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      19. Wood, James M. Halle\u2019s Memoirs of a Family Department Store<\/em>.\u00a0Cleveland: Germaine Press, 1987, pp. 182. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      20. \u201cRecognition Day Comes for Vets Back at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 2, 1946. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      21. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Display \u2018Shah of Persia.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 23, 1950. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      22. \u201cGiant Music and Dance Fete to Aid Charities.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 20, 1955. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      23. \u201cTelephone Shopping Service Makes a Move.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 25, 1946. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      24. \u201cEnroll Now in Halle\u2019s New Silver Budget Plan.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 16, 1950. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      25. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Store in Heights.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 15, 1947. \u201cNew Halle Store is Flexible, Vital.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 24, 1948. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      26. \u201cBig Halle Store to Adorn Suburb, Rocky River Branch Plans Parking for 500 Autos.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 17, 1948. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      27. \u201cGround Breaking Due at Halle\u2019s in Fairview.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 9, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      28. \u201cObituaries, Salmon P. Chase.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 14, 1949. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      29. \u201cHalle Bros. Previews Second Suburban Store Weds.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 31, 1950. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      30. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Build New Canton Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 19, 1951. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      31. Rider, Aiden C. \u201cHalle to Expand Operations Here.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 10, 1955. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      32. \u201cSouthland\u2019s Halle Store Opens February 5, Newest and Largest of Four Branches.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 25, 1957. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      33. Greenough, Peter B. \u201cHalle Building Plan Climaxed: West Wing to Open All Doors.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 27, 1949. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      34. \u201cHalle\u2019s Expansion of Store on Euclid to Cost Million.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 4, 1955. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle to Offer $1,500,000 of New Preferred Stock.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1955. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      35. \u201cSamuel H. Halle Rites Tomorrow Memorial Service to Be Held in Store\u2019s Lounge.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 12, 1954. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      36. \u201cHalle\u2019s Is Opening Remodeled Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 12, 1954. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      37. \u201cWelfare Levy Considered a Must, $1,250,000 for Election Board Building.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 27, 1957. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      38. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Annual Net Income Advances to $3.08 a Share.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 27, 1954. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      39. \u201cPremier of Bride\u2019s Week at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 1, 1950. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      40. \u201cHalle\u2019s Camp Bureau Open April 7th Through April 12th.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 6, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      41. The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 15, 1952. \u201cExhibition June 2nd through June 7th Nine Modern Artists.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 1, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      42. \u201cJudge 700 Dolls in Halle Contest.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 25, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      43. \u201cSee Prize-Winning Rooms of Halle\u2019s Model Teen Room Contest,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 5, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      44. \u201cRoyal Typewriting Co. Offers Typing Classes.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 28, 1953. \u201cArt Carnival for Shaker Square.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 13, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      45. \u201cPorter Heaps in a Seminar for Organists.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 28, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      46. Bergman, Oscar A. \u201cAlong the Buy-Lines in Stores and Shops.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 9, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      47. \u201cAll Dressed Up.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 9, 1955. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      48. \u201cMeet Miss Joan Murchison Pan American World Airways Stewardess.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer,<\/em>\u00a0February 5, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      49. \u201cFirst Mint Elizabeth II Coins.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      50. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Hand-blend a Regular Box of Antoine Face Powder.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 22, 1953. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      51. \u201cIntroducing Halle\u2019s Own Continental Collection of the World\u2019s Finest Ties.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 23, 1952. \u201cHalle\u2019s Finest Clocks Measure Your Happiest Moments.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 15, 1952. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      52. \u201cHalle\u2019s Import Bazaar.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 21, 1958. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      53. \u201cPlanning a Trip?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 11, 1960. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      54. \u201cKashmoor, The Coats You Can Count On.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 26, 1954. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      55. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 14, 1954. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      56. \u201cWestgate Halle\u2019s Is Careful After Girl Scout Fete.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 12, 1955. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      57. \u201cThe Halle Bros Co.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 7, 1957. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      58. \u201cTwo Activities Set By West Side Group.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 18, 1960. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      59. \u201cYou\u2019ll Enjoy Reading News of the Week in Cleveland 100 Years Ago.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 16, 1960. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      60. \u201cGoing On at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 15, 1961. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      61. \u201cCivil War at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 4, 1961. \u201cCivil War Films Showing at Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 10, 1961. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      62. \u201cPlain Dealer, Halle\u2019s Honored by Civil War Unit.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1962. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      63. \u201cSales, Earnings Down for Halle\u2019s; Capital Added.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1961. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      64. Relihan, Cecil. \u201cThe Home Front, What\u2019s New for Your Man\u2019s Castle?\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 25, 1961. Metzler, Paul B. \u201cHalle\u2019s Art Show.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 22, 1961 ↵<\/a><\/li>
      65. \u201cHotel, Store Set Shoppers Rest Break.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 21, 1961. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      66. Rider, Adin C. \u201cSeverance Center to Have Bazaar Air.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 25, 1962. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      67. \u201cNew Tearoom Reflects Spirit of the late Mrs. Samuel Halle.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 4, 1963. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      68. \u201cHalle\u2019s to Open Organ Studio.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 1, 1962. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      69. \u201cServe Up Delicious Summer Meals Easily with Specialties from Halle\u2019s.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 28, 1962. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      70. \u201cUp and Down the Aisles.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 15, 1962. \u201cCome to the Treasure Hunt.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 23, 1962. \u201cPlane Brings Halle\u2019s Goods from Europe.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 24, 1962. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      71. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle\u2019s Lists Slight Gains.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 23, 1963. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      72. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle\u2019s Sales Hit Highest Ever in Past Year; Profits Up Too.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 21, 1964. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      73. \u201cRegister Now for Halle\u2019s Ski Week-end and Trophy Race.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 19, 1964. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      74. \u201cChoose from Five Halle Purchase Plans.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 13, 1964. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      75. Beighle, Janet. \u201cBlack and White Theme Judged Tops in Table Setting Contest.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 6, 1964. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      76. \u201cBusiness Briefs, Halle\u2019s Moves to Diversify.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1965. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      77. \u201cHalle\u2019s Bros. Spending $1 Million on Two Stores.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 13, 1965. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      78. Bloomfield, Douglas. \u201cDry Run Gusher; Halle Opens in Summit.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 15, 1965. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      79. \u201cToo Little, Too Late Halle Rates War on Decay.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 12, 1967. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      80. \u201cPaperbacks on Summer Readings Lists for Senior High and College Students.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 5, 1967. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      81. \u201cHot Line of Happenings.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 25, 1967. \u201cHot Line of Happenings.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 9, 1967. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      82. \u201cFun Day Fashions.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 15, 1967. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      83. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Expects Year-End Sale Surge.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 22, 1967. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      84. \u201cHalle Denies Merger Rumor.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 21, 1968. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      85. \u201cBig Plans for Little Italy.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 12, 1968. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      86. \u201cHalle\u2019s Forum, Insuring Satisfied Customer.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 24, 1968. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      87. \u201cSuburbia.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 7, 1969. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      88. \u201cHalle\u2019s is Expanding; \u201968 Sales Set Record.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 15, 1969. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      89. Ibid<\/em>. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      90. Bryan, John E. \u201cProfit Gain Due, Cleveland Trust Told.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 17, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      91. Bryan, John E. \u201cSales at Peak but Halle Reports Loss.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 30, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      92. Cleary, John J. \u201cHalle Bros. To Be Sold to Marshall Field & Company.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 25, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      93. Stock, Robert. \u201cStores Hopeful but Concerned.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 11, 1971. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      94. \u201cCaldwell\u2019s Half Sizes Brushed Jewel Jerseys.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 9, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      95. \u201cCooper Debut for Akron Two.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 27, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      96. Kelly, Michael. \u201cRetailers Hopeful of Last-Minute Selling Spree.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 22, 1970. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      97. Kelly, Michael. \u201cHalle\u2019s Downtown Launches First-Floor Part of Big Renovations.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 25, 1971. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      98. Bryan, John E. \u201cHalle Gets Credit for Field Gain.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 31, 1971. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      99. \u201cHalle\u2019s Will Run a Spring Geranium Fair.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 2, 1972. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      100. \u201cHalle\u2019s Adds Budget Clothing Sessions.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 13, 1972. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      101. Slimak, Paula. \u201cHair Stylist\u2019s Color Technique Based on Natural Overtones.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 18, 1972. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      102. \u201cWalter M. Halle, 66, Dies.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 11, 1972. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      103. \u201cHalle Appoints an Ad Agency.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 4, 1975. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      104. \u201cIt\u2019s All New, Halle\u2019s Picture Framing.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 5, 1976. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      105. \u201cRandall Park Mall Opens Doors Today.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 11, 1976. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      106. \u201cPublic Square Announcement to Halle Customers.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 19, 1977. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      107. Kelly, Michael.\u201cDreaming of a Green Christmas, How Sweet the Sound of Ash Register Bells.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 21, 1977. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      108. Green, Tom. \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 9, 1977. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      109. Green, Tom. \u201cSanta Claus is Alive and Well and Living in Cleveland Downtown.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 9, 1977. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      110. \u201cMarshall Field Opposes Merger Plan.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 13, 1977. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      111. \u201cThe World of Wedgewood.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, October 3, 1976. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      112. \u201cSale of Halle\u2019s is Now Complete.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 8, 1981. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      113. Sabath, Donald. \u201cHalle\u2019s Sold but Its Name Remains.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 18, 1981. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      114. Fuller, John and Donald Sabath. \u201cSix Halle\u2019s Spared; One at Westgate.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 29, 1982. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      115. Arman, Fran. \u201cHalle\u2019s Manager Refuses to Let City Institution Perish.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 19, 1982. ↵<\/a><\/li>
      116. Fuller, John and John Lee Koshar, \u201cHigbee Co. to Get Halle\u2019s Store.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, August 12, 1982. Sabath, Donald, John Fuller and Mary Strassmeyer. \u201cRumors Say Halle\u2019s to Close All Five Stores.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 2, 1982. Fuller, John \u201cHalle\u2019s Chief, Ragan, fired by Jerome Shottenstein.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 3, 1982. ↵<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":4,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[47],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-76","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-standard"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/76","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/76\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/76\/revisions\/189"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/76\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=76"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=76"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/lets-go-shopping\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=76"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}