Business

Remember these Miami stores? See what Spec’s, Burdines, Kress and others looked like

By Miami Herald Archives

It’s shopping season. Even though Black Friday is in the rear-view mirror, there’s still plenty of presents to buy.

Maybe you’ll head to Jordan Marsh or Burdines for cosmetics or a new dress. Perhaps to Incredible Universe for electronics. Eckerd always has last-minute holiday gifts in the aisles. Or maybe you want to browse Luria’s jewelry cases. Oh, Spec’s surely has the latest record or concert tickets in the back window.

Yes, we’re in a time warp.

Before Walmart and Target and Costco came to town, Miami had a different shopping landscape. Many of the stores were locally owned or managed.

Alas, those stores are gone. How we loved them so.

Do you have a favorite store no longer around?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and through the Miami Herald photo archives to revisit some of the lost stores of South Florida.

Burdines

Burdines in downtown Miami.
Burdines in downtown Miami.
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
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

Luria’s

Peter Luria President of Luris’s in front of the Coral Gables store.
Peter Luria President of Luris’s in front of the Coral Gables store. JON KRAL Miami Herald File

Food Fair

A Food Fair in Florida, a precursor to Pantry Pride and later Woolley’s..
A Food Fair in Florida, a precursor to Pantry Pride and later Woolley’s.. State Library & Archives of Florida

Service Merchandise

Service Merchandise in Hialeah.
Service Merchandise in Hialeah.

Blockbuster

A Blockbuster Video store at Alton Road and 15th Street in 1995.
A Blockbuster Video store at Alton Road and 15th Street in 1995. /Miami Herald FIle

Eckerd

Jack Eckerd in 1968 at one of his Eckerd drugstores.
Jack Eckerd in 1968 at one of his Eckerd drugstores. Miami Herald File

Levitz

A Levitz store.
A Levitz store.

Jefferson

In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami.
In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami. Miami Herald File
A new South Florida Jefferson store in 1962.
A new South Florida Jefferson store in 1962. Miami Herald File

Syms

Syms at 5300 NW 12th Ave. in Miami.
Syms at 5300 NW 12th Ave. in Miami. Miami Herald File

Spec’s

Spec’s in the 1950s.
Spec’s in the 1950s. Miami Herald File

Woolworth

Woolworth on Lincoln Road in South Beach.
Woolworth on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Miami Herald File
Woolworth downtown Miami store reopens in November 1990 after a fire. Elena Alonso was the first person into the store when it opened after a fire gutted the store in May. The store, which has been downtown since the 1930s, was back in business for the holidays much to the delight of people who shop downtown.
Woolworth downtown Miami store reopens in November 1990 after a fire. Elena Alonso was the first person into the store when it opened after a fire gutted the store in May. The store, which has been downtown since the 1930s, was back in business for the holidays much to the delight of people who shop downtown. Tim Chapman Miami Herald

Jordan Marsh

Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale.
Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Herald File
Jordan Marsh interior.
Jordan Marsh interior. John Pineda Miami Herald File

Incredible Universe

Customerslook at computers at Incredible Universe store near Miami International Airport in 1995.
Customerslook at computers at Incredible Universe store near Miami International Airport in 1995. Patrick Farrell Miami Herald File

Kresge

Christmas shoppers filled the S.S. Kresge Store in downtown Lexington on Dec. 9, 1948. S.S. Kresge, a Detroit, Mich., company, brought their 5 and 10 cent stores to Lexington in 1912. The downtown store was at 250 West Main Street, across from Cheapside Park. The store closed in 1967 and is now the site of the Lexington Financial Center, also known as the “Big Blue Building.” The Kresge was renamed Kmart Corp. in 1977.
Christmas shoppers filled the S.S. Kresge Store in downtown Lexington on Dec. 9, 1948. S.S. Kresge, a Detroit, Mich., company, brought their 5 and 10 cent stores to Lexington in 1912. The downtown store was at 250 West Main Street, across from Cheapside Park. The store closed in 1967 and is now the site of the Lexington Financial Center, also known as the “Big Blue Building.” The Kresge was renamed Kmart Corp. in 1977. Herald-Leader

Kmart

In January 2002, Gary McDonald leaves Big Kmart on Northwest 57th Avenue and 183rd Street after picking up a few home supplies.
In January 2002, Gary McDonald leaves Big Kmart on Northwest 57th Avenue and 183rd Street after picking up a few home supplies. C.W. Griffin 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

B Dalton Bookseller

B. Dalton Booksellers in the Omni mall.
B. Dalton Booksellers in the Omni mall. Bob East Miami Herald File
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