I would love to hear stories, jingles and or pictures of the John A Brown department store that was located in Oklahoma City. I have two postcards that were sent by Della Brown from London and Paris trip in 1963. I remember the familar John A Brown and Company gift boxes. I also have a bridal book from the store, very intresting indeed.

GREATAMERICAparks.com: miscellaneous audio (http://www.greatamericaparks.com/temp/audio.html)

My first job and I wasn't old enough to drive a car. Sold leisure suits (God help me) and outsold all the old pros in the suit department. Had a blast, but I know I'm going to hell for selling that much polyester.

I think the store was located in the old downtown Capitol Hill district. If I remember correctly the building is still there but is occupied by someone else now. There is still a cornerstone in that building with the company's name on it.

I'm dating myself, but here's what I remember.

There was a John A. Brown in downtown OKC. I don't remember the exact location, but I do remember that the store spanned an alley. If you were on the first floor, you might have to walk across the alley to get to another department.

Wasn't the Anna Maude's cafeteria in the basement of the same building?

There was a John A. Brown in Penn Square when it first opened and also a small one on Campus Corner in Norman. There was probably one in Capitol Hill, too, but I never went to that store.

I remember being taken to see Santa at the downtown Brown's store (on Main, IIRC). It was torn down as part of the Urban Renewal fiasco of the late 60s/early 70's.

The other Brown's store I remember were on SW 25th/Commerce in Capitol Hill, Penn Square and Crossroads. The last two were taken over by Dillards when they bought out JAB.

I remember being taken to see Santa at the downtown Brown's store (on Main, IIRC). It was torn down as part of the Urban Renewal fiasco of the late 60s/early 70's.

The other Brown's store I remember were on SW 25th/Commerce in Capitol Hill, Penn Square and Crossroads. The last two were taken over by Dillards when they bought out JAB.

There was also a JAB at Shepard Mall in the far north end. That one also became a Dillards when Dillards bought all the JABs. I have several memories of the downtown store from when I was a kid. Actually, I remember several of the stores. My favorite was (Rothschilds, I believe) that had a big stuffed lion. I believe it was a real lion. I just loved going there to see that lion. And JAB downtown was on 3-4 floors IIRC, and the elevators had operators who ran then up and down. What a great time.

I have better images that I've not scanned, but here are a pair of small ones:

In the 1960s
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1960s.browns.jpg

In the 1970s
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1970s.browns1.jpg

It is hard to imagine a more "fun place to shop" than the John A. Brown Department store, generally between Harvey & Robinson on the West and East, and between Park Avenue and Main on the North and South. Various older buildings had been interconnected and sort of "strung together". Shopping was a delight.

Although it had earlier origins, it existed at the above location from sometime in the 1930s until its destruction in 1977.

Both these images view the main entrance on the North side of Main.

ON EDIT: Have done some research this morning, it appears that the main building was used by Brown's (and it's predecessors) as early as the late 1910's (e.g., 1918), if not sooner (but not then Browns but a predecessor). If I get the date pinned down, I'll add another post.

There was also a JAB at Shepard Mall in the far north end. That one also became a Dillards when Dillards bought all the JABs. I have several memories of the downtown store from when I was a kid. Actually, I remember several of the stores. My favorite was (Rothschilds, I believe) that had a big stuffed lion. I believe it was a real lion. I just loved going there to see that lion. And JAB downtown was on 3-4 floors IIRC, and the elevators had operators who ran then up and down. What a great time.

Sorry, bro. The charter north end anchor was a Kerrs department store. When the Kerr family got out of the department store business (late 60s, IIRC), they sold that store to Dillard-Brown-Duncan, the predecessor of the present day Dillards chain. I don't remember Browns ever having a presence at Shepherd Mall.

It is hard to imagine a more "fun place to shop" than the John A. Brown Department store, generally between Harvey & Robinson on the West and East, and between Park Avenue and Main on the North and South. Various older buildings had been interconnected and sort of "strung together". Shopping was a delight.

Although it had earlier origins, it existed at the above location from sometime in the 1930s until its destruction in 1977.

Both these images view the main entrance on the North side of Main.

I had forgotten that, but now that you mention it, I remember that the floor levels of the various interconnected buildings didn't line up exactly, so you'd walk up or down ramps as you went from one end of the store to the other. In looking at that 1970's photo, you can see the different architectural facades of the buildings.

Wasn't there a JAB at Crossroads?...I remember you could get ALL of your Cub Scout needs at the JAB in Capitol HIll...Got my wolf badge there.

Yes, when Crossroads opened, Browns was one of the original anchors. Somewhere around 1980, Dillards bought them out and changed that location as well.

Here's an old picture from Woodland Hills in Tulsa:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/142544771_4ca620aac5.jpg?v=1167464096

This thread has caught my fancy and I've been doing some research this morning in the Oklahoman's archives ... I'll do a blog post over the weekend, maybe today, and will show some additional information in this thread. I don't know why I've not done an article already ... downtown Brown's was such a neat place!

Does everyone remember the pneumatic tubes used when making payment?

I've edited my earlier post ... the main Brown's building on main was used much earlier than the 1930s ... a Brown's predecessor used the main building at least as early as 1918, if not sooner. More later.

So I guess it backed up to Robinson Renaissance/Perrine Bldg? You can see City Place in the background in the second pic.

What made OCURA decide to keep Robinson Renaissance and the Colcord while ripping down everything else on those 4 blocks?

So I guess it backed up to Robinson Renaissance/Perrine Bldg? You can see City Place in the background in the second pic.

What made OCURA decide to keep Robinson Renaissance and the Colcord while ripping down everything else on those 4 blocks?
Location: very close but not quite. The Park Avenue side of Brown's wasn't as wide (east/west) as was the Main Street side ... if I'm remembering correctly. I'll try and pin that down. The north (Park Ave) buildings were just sort of eclectically added, I think.

Steve is a much better source for the OCURA history ... Chapter 4 of OKC 2nd Time discusses this ... the Perrine/Cravens/now Robinson Renaissance WAS on the chopping block as the "gateway" to the Carrozza projects, mainly the proposed Galleria shopping mall. The image below is from page 62 of Steve & Jacks' wonderful OKC: 2nd Time Around and shows the proposal for that space ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/literature/okc2nd_p62s.jpg

Why it was spared, I'm not completely certain (I'd need to re-read Steve's Chapter 4) ... preservationists opposed the Perrine's destruction, but, also, I think that OCURA was running out of money, plus, as time went on, the Galleria project was becoming far less than certain to ever occur. Probably all such factors combined to avoid the Perrine's destruction. Carrozza lobbied the city heavily to include the demolition basically saying that it was critical to the success of the Galleria, if I'm recalling correctly from OKC: 2nd Time.

The Colcord was one of the spared historic buildings in all of the Urban Renewal plans as they developed, probably because of its more profound history and lineage, but I don't know that for sure.

Oh wow.

I'd never seen that rendering. Thank God that didn't happen. Is Carozza the architect of Oklahoma Tower and Corporate Tower?

I don't know if he was the architect or only the developer. But he was certainly the latter.

Oh I see. So the mall was intended to connect to the two buildings with a big grand entrance there, it appears. That is probably why the bottom 3 floors or so of Oklahoma Tower have no windows on the back.

Does anyone remember the jingle "Hey look us over see what we've done Brown's is the store for everyone"? I also seem to remember something about a daisy sale. Below is the PC signed by Della Duncan Brown on her European trip during the summer of 63.

Image of Della Dunkin Brown - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (http://s395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/rondvu/?action=view&current=DellaDunkinBrown.jpg)

So the mall was intended to connect to the two buildings with a big grand entrance there, it appears. That is probably why the bottom 3 floors or so of Oklahoma Tower have no windows on the back.

Exactly.

There was to be a Trusthouse Forte hotel where the IRS building is now and a 50-story building where the library sits. And the big parking lot had subterranean level(s) and the mall was to sit on top of that:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/carroza.jpg

Sorry, bro. The charter north end anchor was a Kerrs department store. When the Kerr family got out of the department store business (late 60s, IIRC), they sold that store to Dillard-Brown-Duncan, the predecessor of the present day Dillards chain. I don't remember Browns ever having a presence at Shepherd Mall.

You are correct...my mistake...I remembered the name Brown in the DBD, and was thinking of the wrong thing. The JAB was at Penn Square, west end.

So I guess it backed up to Robinson Renaissance/Perrine Bldg? You can see City Place in the background in the second pic.
Having done much more research than when I replied to your question earlier, and earlier having said "close, not quite," I now STAND CORRECTED.

Having located lots of images along Park Avenue (formerly NW 1st), it is absolutely clear that on Park Avenue the frontage of Browns ran from the west edge of Perrine/Cravens/Robinson Renaissance all the way west to Harvey. My personal memory is consistently suspect ... I've pretty much completed my research but, as is absolutely observable from the photo below, the Perrine was the east boundary of the part of Browns that was on Park Ave/NW 1st:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_perrine_ohs.jpg

More to come.

Some memories of JAB.

I don't remember it having an entrance on Main Street. The various buildings were indeed disjointed. I remember having to exit the main building in the alley between Park and Main, and re-entering another building on an escalator which was outside in the alley. I have never seen another escalator on the outside of a building like that.

The Men's department was on the West end at Harvey and Park. It featured a life-size stuffed Tiger. On the right shoulder of the tiger was a little wire hook, that when pulled would emit a loud "roar." Whenever we went to Brown's I had to find the Tiger and my mom would lift me up so I could "moo the tiger." I continued this event until Brown's closed its downtown location. I guess the tiger was quite old (as was all of JAB's fixtures) by then, and I was a grown man. The commotion "mooing the tiger" brought was great fun as JAB's customers and employees were totally unaware of my discovery.

I do remember the pneumatic tubes, and also the little metal "JAB charge card" my mother cherished. JAB issued the metal cards, which looked like military dog tags, with a small leather cover. All of the pertinent data was on raised letters that printed on receipts with carbon paper. Totally mechanical.

JAB was a fabulous store! Especially since we lived nearly 100 miles away from OKC when I was growing up, and the "big" trip to THE City meant we would go to John A Brown's! We'd park in a lot near the old YWCA somewhere off of Hudson St. and walk to Brown's. To a small town gal, it was heaven to see all those clothes in one place!

Oh yes, anyone remember a store called "Haliburton's" in downtown? [I think I've spelled it correctly.] It was similar to Brown's.

I was deeply saddened when Brown's and Rothschild's closed. Never been any stores like them since!

Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

Papajack, you always have such great stories! The tiger one is completely new to me -- what a hoot!

I recall the south (Main St) entrances better than the north (Park Ave), as is evident from the fact that I still don't remember Brown's abutting what was then the Cravens Building, the above photo notwithstanding. Here are a few more perimeter shots ...

From Harvey & Park, looking easterly

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_parkandharvey2_ohs.jpg

From Harvey & Park, looking southeast

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_parkandharvey_ohs.jpg

Main Street looking northwest

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_ohs.jpg

Main Street looking northeast

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns2_ohs.jpg

Main Street Christmas Decoration

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_christmas1947_ohs.jpg

Judy the Elephant parade looking west on Main from west of Broadway

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_judy_stephenss.jpg

Crop of Judy the Elephant parade showing adjoining shops, looking west from Robinson

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_judy_stephens3s.jpg

The Brown's cafeteria did not escape the 1960's sit-ins ... I'll have some pics of some of that when I get the article done, some time this afternoon, I hope.

The early-day history turned out to be not as hard to trace as I expected -- the Oklahoman's archives really helped big time with that. In a nutshell, Brown's origins are: By 1901, the Mitscher-Mitchell Dry Goods store existed; by 1905, it became Brock Dry Goods; around 1915 it became Rorabaugh-Browns (Rorabaugh being a major department store Kansas person); in 1932 Rorabaugh sold his interest to John A. Brown. You can recognize the main element of Browns in this 12/1921 ad for Rorabaugh-Browns:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_12_4_1921.jpg

I'd also forgotten that there was a Brown's in Norman on Campus Corner ... my then wife shopped there while in law school ... it may have just been women's clothes, I don't recall ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_campuscorner2_ohss.jpg

There was also a Brown's Tire Shop at NW 39th & Penn.

If you want to peruse what I've found, articles & pics, they are in this photobucket folder: DougLoudenback/browns - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/) . As I find anything else, it will go there, also.

Isn't it interesting how two individuals can have totally different memories of the same thing; John A. Browns? My mother was a denizen of the Brown's Bargain Basement which was in the Park side. She may have been intimidated to enter the front door with two kids in tow, or maybe her routine of hitting the shops led her to the Park side.

I distinctly remember that the Cravens entry had to be made only from the ground floor. In it was the young girl's fashion department, which irked me but delighted my older sister. Now that I think about it, the Renaissance, nee Cravens, still doesn't have entries on other than the ground floor, as per the sky way (Underground?) from First National Center.

Thanks for the shot of the Judy Parade. I gave my pennies for her, and mourned her passing.

I'll see you on the 23rd.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/rondvu/JohnandDellaBrown1stOKChome.jpg


http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/rondvu/JohnandDellaBrown2ndOKChome.jpg

Here are the photos of the two homes the Brown's lived in. I know the Estate was the Syphony 2003 Designers Show House and the 1st home on NW 18th has been showcased on the Heritage Hills homes fall tour.

That info will be good for the blog article ... thanks!

The 2nd house is familiar but I don't immediately place it. Do you know?

Doug the 1st home is located at 301 NW 18th and the Estate now sits on 1601 Guilford Ln. I have the 2003 booklet for the 2003 Symphony Designers Show House, it has some intresting facts. If you need information from the booklet feel free to contact me.

Are there are any pictures of the browns in capitol hill? I remember when I was a kid riding up and down the escalator woo hoo.

Grantgeneral78 check out Doug's photobucket on page one. You will be surprised at the pictures you will find.

Looks like they're on different pages now after adding stuff, so I'll post the Capitol Hill images I copied here, grantgeneral78 ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_319wcommerce2_ohs.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_319wcommerce_ohs.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_capitolhill_1956_ohs.jpg

Most of the better images, although they are small and not high resolution (you have to pay $$ for that privilege) are at the OHS research archives ... Star | Archives (http://okhistory.cuadra.com/starweb3/b.archives/servlet.starweb3?path=b.archives/STARArchives.public.web) ... type in what you're looking for and search. I recall that there were other Capitol Hill photos that I did not save, if you're wanting more.

Looks like they're on different pages now after adding stuff, so I'll post the Capitol Hill images I copied here, grantgeneral78 ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_319wcommerce2_ohs.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_319wcommerce_ohs.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_capitolhill_1956_ohs.jpg

Most of the better images, although they are small and not high resolution (you have to pay $$ for that privilege) are at the OHS research archives ... Star | Archives (http://okhistory.cuadra.com/starweb3/b.archives/servlet.starweb3?path=b.archives/STARArchives.public.web) ... type in what you're looking for and search. I recall that there were other Capitol Hill photos that I did not save, if you're wanting more.



These are great pics Doug I appreciate you posting them, only if you find anymore please post them these bring back so many memories for me....thanks again

I have to say seeing all these old photos of a thriving downtown retail area and an up-scale department store in Capitol Hill makes me incredibly sad given the current state of those areas.

I know both are on a comeback path but it absolutely sickens me to think about how we just throw away these neighborhoods and just keep moving further out. I know big chunks NW OKC -- where I grew up -- are headed in the same direction if they aren't there already. Very depressing.

I have to say seeing all these old photos of a thriving downtown retail area and an up-scale department store in Capitol Hill makes me incredibly sad given the current state of those areas.

I know both are on a comeback path but it absolutely sickens me to think about how we just throw away these neighborhoods and just keep moving further out. I know big chunks NW OKC -- where I grew up -- are headed in the same direction if they aren't there already. Very depressing.

It really is bad, but we live in this "throw away" generation. Not like the old days if it broke you fix itnow you just replace it with a different not so made one....doing the same with our community`s

QUOTE: "What made OCURA decide to keep Robinson Renaissance and the Colcord while ripping down everything else on those 4 blocks?"

One word answer: Luck.
Longer answer: Both buildings barely escaped the wrecking ball. The Colcord was in the hand's of Charlie Colcord's heirs and they disagreed as to whether to let it be torn down or sell it to Neal Horton, who fought hard to convince the family to give him a shot at bringing the fading landmark back to its original glory.
Mind you, this was before Horton got involved in Bricktown. He got the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which helped the building survive the onslaught of Urban Renewal. Also helpful - Urban Renewal's then sizable operations (150 or so employees) were then officing at the Colcord. I've been told that city leaders always less than enthused about tearing down the Colcord.
As for what is now known as Robinson Renaissance, Doug is exactly right - Urban Renewal was running out of money by the time Carrozza was insisting it had to be torn down to make way for his proposed galleria mall. This story is actually more than I can tell here (lots of upsetting irony, stupidity, etc) - at the risk of sounding like a huckster... read "OKC Second Time Around."

I need to ask for that for Christmas or something. ;)

I can't BELIEVE anyone would ever remotely consider tearing the Colcord down. LOUIS SULLIVAN!!! Good lord.

Is it true Judy injured or killed a trainer or visitor?
Seems like I recall Judy with Ho Ho the clown.
I loved Ho Ho.
Used to come to birthday parties. Not with Pokey

Some memories of JAB.

I don't remember it having an entrance on Main Street. The various buildings were indeed disjointed. I remember having to exit the main building in the alley between Park and Main, and re-entering another building on an escalator which was outside in the alley. I have never seen another escalator on the outside of a building like that.

The Men's department was on the West end at Harvey and Park. It featured a life-size stuffed Tiger. On the right shoulder of the tiger was a little wire hook, that when pulled would emit a loud "roar." Whenever we went to Brown's I had to find the Tiger and my mom would lift me up so I could "moo the tiger." I continued this event until Brown's closed its downtown location. I guess the tiger was quite old (as was all of JAB's fixtures) by then, and I was a grown man. The commotion "mooing the tiger" brought was great fun as JAB's customers and employees were totally unaware of my discovery.

I do remember the pneumatic tubes, and also the little metal "JAB charge card" my mother cherished. JAB issued the metal cards, which looked like military dog tags, with a small leather cover. All of the pertinent data was on raised letters that printed on receipts with carbon paper. Totally mechanical.

Well, again I stand corrected...I was thinking it was a lion, but you are correct it was a tiger, and I too always had to make him roar. I just loved that tiger. Made mom take me there every time we went downtown to shop and see dad at his office in what was then the Liberty Tower, (now City Place.) He was on one of the upper floors, and in addition to making the tiger roar, I always made him show me the spiral fire escape slide. I begged him every time to let me slide down from the 30th floor, but he never would.

Is it true Judy injured or killed a trainer or visitor?
Seems like I recall Judy with Ho Ho the clown.
I loved Ho Ho.
Used to come to birthday parties. Not with Pokey

I loved Ho Ho also. Pokey was a friend of our family. We went to church with him for many many years. Bill Howard is his name. Because of him, I got to go to KOCO and watch a taping of the Ho Ho show once. That was quite a treat. Saw him just last week at the funeral of mutual friend. He is getting along in years, but is still as funny as he ever was, and he is and always has been one of the funniest guys I have ever know.

It's funny in a sad way that every time I see Krusty the Clown on The Simpsons I think of Ho Ho.

That is so uncool. Krusty and Ho Ho were polar opposites. You are a sick sick person.

http://tulsatvmemories.com/imag2004/hoho.jpg


I wonder if Hoho ever shopped JAB?

I've got a large part of the Brown's article up, that part which takes it up the late 50s early 60s sit-ins. The rest should be up fairly quickly.

Doug Dawgz Blog: John A. Brown's (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2008/10/john-browns.html)

There is one image in the John A. Brown portfolio at the Oklahoma Historical Society that I've not been able to place, and no information is presented there which does so. It was clearly not in the Main Street or Park Ave. elements of Brown's and I'm trying to figure it out.

Anyone know? Here's the photo:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_appliances_ohs.jpg

I wonder if it was in some other town?

You are correct...my mistake...I remembered the name Brown in the DBD, and was thinking of the wrong thing. The JAB was at Penn Square, west end.

IIRC, when Dillard-Brown-Duncan bought out Kerr's and made their entry to OKC, both DBD and JAB put out statements that the two companies weren't connected.

I think it is some other town, but I' not sure where. I don't remember the Brown's, but I remember the buildings on either side. Probably Enid.

I've not found anything on an Enid store ... can you help with that?

I located one (only one) Oklahoman ad which gives a "stray" address. An 11/5/1948 article contains an ad for a Frigidare automatic washer for sale at "Appliance Store 215 N.W. First Street" and the ad uses a John A. Brown Company logo at the bottom. That address would be on the north side of Park Avenue ... I've been unable to duplicate that address in other searches.

I can't. All I remember is seeing the two buildings on either side, and my memory says it was Enid. What really sticks in memory is that book store sign. But I've been in about every town in the state at one time or another, so I may be wrong about the place.

What would be at 215 NW 1st today... Leadership Square?

What would be at 215 NW 1st today... Leadership Square?
Yes.

I was wrong about Enid. It was in downtown OKC. I found it... on your blog, ironically enough. It's the building that once housed the Britling Cafeteria. (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2008/04/okc-postcards.html)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/Postcards/downtownfood02_britlingcafeterias.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_appliances_ohs.jpg

I hijacked your thumbnails... hope you don't mind.

Ha! What a hoot! :dizzy: Great sleuthing, even amazing! :dizzy::tiphat::bright_id Even the signage is the same!

Looks like it would have been an interesting place to have dinner. What a cool cafeteria.

Apparently they were a regional chain based in Birmingham, Alabama.

And, here we have it, thanks to bornhere: 221 NW 1st in 1938 & 1951:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_221nw1_1938.jpghttp://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/browns/browns_221nw1_1951.jpg

The complete article is finally done: Doug Dawgz Blog: John A. Brown's (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2008/10/john-browns.html)

Enjoy!

Great article Doug. I think the most fascinating pictures were the ones of Penn Square. I'd never seen any from that era. It sure looks different now.

Also interesting: Della Brown died on my exact birthday, and Brown's sold in my birth year.

Doug:

A totally awesome article.

My memories of John A Brown's came back to life, flooding me with a longing for the past. Then I realized how grateful I am to have experienced it firsthand.

Thanks for the journey.

pj

The JAB store in Capitol Hill had a photography studio where we went to have our high school senior pictures taken....and all the royalty pictures too.(football queen, etc.) There was a JC Penney's on one side and Langston's on the other side....it may have been an C.R. Anthony store before Langston's...really don't remember. I think it was the Penney's store that my mom went to where she traded in her S&H green stamps. That's back in the days when Capitol Hill had all kinds of stores: Emmer Brothers, Peyton-Marcus, Jack & Jill Children's clothing, OTASCO, TG&Y. Capitol Hill Hospital was nearby, too.