Business

Stores in Miami used to look like that? See early photos of Burdines, Sears and others

READ MORE

Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

Expand All

Downtown Miami had them. The malls and strip centers still do, though not as many.

The department store. A place to shop for clothes or glassware or towels and sheets.

A place to get an ice cream sundae and check out the TVs.

So many are now gone. Burdines. Jordan Marsh. Mervyn’s. Richards. Gold Triangle. Treasury. J. Byrons, W.J. Grant, Kress, most Sears stores.

Here’s a look at some of the old Miami department stores through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

SEARS

Sears in downtown Miami in 1941, site of today’s Arsht performing arts theater.
Sears in downtown Miami in 1941, site of today’s Arsht performing arts theater. Miami Herald File
In 2001, the old Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard at 13th Street was closed, to be replaced by a performing arts complex.
In 2001, the old Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard at 13th Street was closed, to be replaced by a performing arts complex. Miami Herald File
Sears employees and customers watch coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
Sears employees and customers watch coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. Carl Juste Miami Herald File
Carl Juste Miami Herald File

TREASURY

In 1981, a customer leaves a Treasury store on 49th Street in Hialeah with amplifiers for his car.
In 1981, a customer leaves a Treasury store on 49th Street in Hialeah with amplifiers for his car. Alan Freund Miami Herald File

KRESS

The Kress store on Flagler Street in Miami at the time it was going out of business in 1980.
The Kress store on Flagler Street in Miami at the time it was going out of business in 1980. Bob East Miami Herald File


MERVYN’S

In 1997, customers at Mervyn’s department store on U.S. 1 in Coconut Grove.
In 1997, customers at Mervyn’s department store on U.S. 1 in Coconut Grove. al diaz herald staff
A Mervyn’s sign goes up at a former Lord & Taylor location.
A Mervyn’s sign goes up at a former Lord & Taylor location. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
A Merwin’s employee moves boxes at the International Mall in West Miami-Dade in 1991.
A Merwin’s employee moves boxes at the International Mall in West Miami-Dade in 1991. Andrew Innerarity Miami Herald File

JEFFERSON

General Store -- ’62 model Is this a store of the Future? not exactly. It’s a broad lens view of a discount department store - one of the two that opened in Greater Miami this past week. Jefferson and CMA opened the new ones here, the third and fourth giant discount houses to go up in six months.
General Store -- ’62 model Is this a store of the Future? not exactly. It’s a broad lens view of a discount department store - one of the two that opened in Greater Miami this past week. Jefferson and CMA opened the new ones here, the third and fourth giant discount houses to go up in six months. Miami Herald File
In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami.
In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami. Miami Herald File

BLANCK’S

Blanck’s Department Store in 1913 (12 of Miami’s first 16 businesses were operated by Jewish merchants)
Blanck’s Department Store in 1913 (12 of Miami’s first 16 businesses were operated by Jewish merchants) Miami Herald File

JORDAN MARSH

In 1991, the closed Jordan Marsh department store at Dadeland Mall.
In 1991, the closed Jordan Marsh department store at Dadeland Mall. Miami Herald File


Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale.
Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Herald File
Jordan Marsh interior.
Jordan Marsh interior. John Pineda Miami Herald File
In 1991, third-floor entrance to Jordan Marsh at the Omni next to the restaurant.
In 1991, third-floor entrance to Jordan Marsh at the Omni next to the restaurant. Bill Frakes Miami Herald File

BURDINES

Burdines department store on South Miami Avenue at First Street in 1933.
Burdines department store on South Miami Avenue at First Street in 1933. Miami Herald File/Florida State Archives


Burdines’ Royal Palm Cafe, featuring a salad bar in 1983.
Burdines’ Royal Palm Cafe, featuring a salad bar in 1983. Robin Shields Miami Herald File
Shoppers in front of Burdines in Miami in 1959.
Shoppers in front of Burdines in Miami in 1959. Bob East Miami Herald File
Customers entering Burdines in Miami.
Customers entering Burdines in Miami. Miami Herald File
Burdines in downtown Miami during the 1993 Christmas season.
Burdines in downtown Miami during the 1993 Christmas season. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File

J. BYRON’S

Jackson’s, a forerunner of J, Byrons, on Northwest Seventh Avenue in Miami.
Jackson’s, a forerunner of J, Byrons, on Northwest Seventh Avenue in Miami. Joe Schuppe Miami Herald File
Jackson Byron.
Jackson Byron. Miami Herald File

GOLD TRIANGLE

Before its opening in 1970, the Gold Triangle store on North Kendall Drive, in the Dadeland area.
Before its opening in 1970, the Gold Triangle store on North Kendall Drive, in the Dadeland area. Miami Herald File


A Gold Triangle store in Fort Lauderdale in 1970.
A Gold Triangle store in Fort Lauderdale in 1970. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published September 6, 2023 at 4:31 AM.

Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

Back to Story