I am too young for Elander & Swanton. The independent shops are disappearing. I buy stuff at John Tarr's in Rockport when I am up there. We'd by shoes at Abbot Shoe in North Reading when I was a kid and that just went out of business.
Yes, I knew both of them and Al Legendre too! E&S was my Mum's "go to" store for my clothes and occasionally shoes but Reinhold's across the street was the stop for my feet most of the time. Pants, Easter sports coats, and ties from E&S. And every pair of pants tailored to fit. Great place!
Sadly Elander & Swanton closed a few years (ok, 20-years!) before we relocated from Nashville (via LA) to Andover. Gail's story is so reminiscent of my "formative years" growing up in Detroit. Stores then were so much warmer and inviting, a far cry from Kohl's (ugh!) and Bob's and whatever's left of malls and major department stores. The Amazons of today's iPhone-world don't hold a candle to the allure that independent merchants once offered. Like so many other things, they're going, going...GONE.
Just wonderful images! I was just a baby at the time of many of these photos (and in others I hadn't been born!) but just great to see...as for beautiful storefronts, I remember Danny Hartigan's pharmacy window display with the large antique hanging glass globes (red and green if I recall)...would love to see a photo of that sometime...his place had a beautiful marble soda fountain and and items for sale were displayed in lovely built mahogany display cases - a far cry from CVS!!!!
I'm blessed with a lot of memories of Andover Elaine! Really enjoy the 'History Buzz' and amazed at the depth of resources available at the Andover Historical Society - Alicia
Thank you so much! I’m honored! Just a side note, my name is Julia Henri. Maybe you might be kind enough to change that? Lovely article and I am appreciative of this kind nod!
I am too young for Elander & Swanton. The independent shops are disappearing. I buy stuff at John Tarr's in Rockport when I am up there. We'd by shoes at Abbot Shoe in North Reading when I was a kid and that just went out of business.
Yes, I knew both of them and Al Legendre too! E&S was my Mum's "go to" store for my clothes and occasionally shoes but Reinhold's across the street was the stop for my feet most of the time. Pants, Easter sports coats, and ties from E&S. And every pair of pants tailored to fit. Great place!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Jim.
Sadly Elander & Swanton closed a few years (ok, 20-years!) before we relocated from Nashville (via LA) to Andover. Gail's story is so reminiscent of my "formative years" growing up in Detroit. Stores then were so much warmer and inviting, a far cry from Kohl's (ugh!) and Bob's and whatever's left of malls and major department stores. The Amazons of today's iPhone-world don't hold a candle to the allure that independent merchants once offered. Like so many other things, they're going, going...GONE.
Too true, Tom. A lot of small businesses do keep that warm, welcoming feeling, but they are sadly overshadowed by the big box stores.
Just wonderful images! I was just a baby at the time of many of these photos (and in others I hadn't been born!) but just great to see...as for beautiful storefronts, I remember Danny Hartigan's pharmacy window display with the large antique hanging glass globes (red and green if I recall)...would love to see a photo of that sometime...his place had a beautiful marble soda fountain and and items for sale were displayed in lovely built mahogany display cases - a far cry from CVS!!!!
Thank you for sharing your memories of downtown Andover, Alicia!
I'm blessed with a lot of memories of Andover Elaine! Really enjoy the 'History Buzz' and amazed at the depth of resources available at the Andover Historical Society - Alicia
Thank you so much! I’m honored! Just a side note, my name is Julia Henri. Maybe you might be kind enough to change that? Lovely article and I am appreciative of this kind nod!
Done! And thank you so much for commenting. I'm happy to share your newsletter with our readers.
I spent most of my life as a young writer in Massachusetts and have a warm spot for New England that never dims. Again, thank you so very much!