Most of the photos here at Rabbit Run Cottage
can be enlarged just by clicking on each one!
There you go...see? Easy!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Warm Memory...

For most of us who grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area, going downtown to Rike's department store during the holidays was a must do! Their windows were just such fun! I can still remember standing in the bitter cold, nose pressed to the icy glass, drinking in every single detail each scene offered. To us, the children of the 50s and 60s, they were an integral part of our Christmas experience. When Rike's was imploded to make way for the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts, these scenes were salvaged and reconditioned. What a treat for the children of today and for those of of a *certain* age who still remember childhood...and have kept their child like enthusiasm locked securely in their heart!

22 comments:

Connie said...

Merry Christmas, my sweet cherub. I still think the best posts I've ever read anywhere in blogland is the one with the dog going through the fast food place. Those 2 posts had me laughing for days when I thought about them. I doubt anyone could top those.....even me!! LOL
Smooches,
Connie

Harbor Hon said...

Beautiful post! I have good memories of department store windows like Hecht's and Stewarts. Baltimore Gas & Electric used to have Santa Claus around the world displays in theirs. I'll have to dig up those discs for next Christmas. Weren't those windows a wonder? I am, in my heart, still a child too. xxoo

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Hello Sweet Susie. I absolutely love your blog and could not pass up the chance to honor you with a Christmas Spirit Award awaiting you at my blog. You definitely have the spirit!

bj said...

What a lovely post,dear Susie Q...I lived in Dallas for awhile as a kid and the downtown area was alive and well...their hugh department store windows were always filled with dreamy, beautiful things such as you showed us here. Thanks for the memories.....
Have a blessed and wonderful Merry Christmas...
oh, and come by today to see your sweetie.....heh heh heh.....
love, bj

Cherdecor said...

I remember those days when we stood made our traditional holiday shopping trip to Rike's Department Store to shop and to spend a whole lot of time watching the animated displays in each window! My mother was a relative of Rikes so it meant a lot to her to shop there.

You know I have some of their pictures in a box under my bed. I should get them out to show you. I keep them away from sunlight to protect them. Some day I will do that!

I love reading about places and seeing the pictures from back home. Have a Merry Christmas week and enjoy your friends and family.
Blessings,
Cheryl

Bonnie said...

You always have the best posts and the most awesome pictures. I love reliving the memories of Christmas past. We didn't have a Rike's and honestly (sad to say) I don't remember any window displays for Christmas. But I really enjoyed your memories. Thanks.

Deb said...

Rike's Dept store windows sound wonderful - what great memories! I loved all your little photo vignettes.
Sending wishes for a Blessed and Very Merry Christmas Susie!

Anonymous said...

wow those are so cute!

Sugar Bear said...

So adorable! We had a similar store here in CT. It closed up several years ago but the building is still there and used to host different community events.
Karla

Gretchen said...

Your sentimentality is something all too rare, and something which I so cherish about you, SQ. Beautiful pictures. Beautiful memories.

SmilingSally said...

I've never lived there, so I don't have those memories. However, the department stores in my city (DC) where I grew up had motorized displays similar, and I loved them!

Anonymous said...

One hundred percent fabulous! We don't have any good department store windows anymore -- they're all in the mall and you know what that means. These bring back a fabulous memory.

This is Jeanie at Marmelade Gypsy, but for whatever reason, it's not "taking" so I'm also anonymous! Hate it when blogger does that!

nikkicrumpet said...

Very nice that they saved the images....although that possum thingy with the human hands is freaking me out a wee bit!

Ms. ~K said...

Your blog is always a joy to visit...
Those were the days,
Ms.~K

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Aren't they beautiful?
Next year, I WILL go see them again!!
:)
~Becca~

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Your home is cozy, warm and just precious! I loved every minute of my visit with you. Merry Christmas! I will be back soon.
Mona

Terri Steffes said...

Don't you just love it when smart people are in charge? (it must have been a woman) To save those displays for future generations (and the present who remembers...) was very admirable!

Merry Christmas to you!

Melissa said...

Those remind me of our Enchanted Forest in Memphis. Look to be from the same era, too!

Lisa Pogue said...

These windows are fantastic. I always loved going to downtown Kansas City to Halls and all the great stores and their fancy windows. I miss being close to the city this time of year!!

Neabear said...

These are great. I can remember going to SF for my 9th birthday on a bus and seeing the pretty window displays all decorated for Christmas. I wish the pretty displays would come back. The younger generation is really missing out on what we used to see.

Jim Rittenhouse said...

Oh, I remember the Rike's windows well. There's something similar - or used to be at the old Marshall Fields stores in downtown Chicago. I'm not sure if 'Macys' still has them as the new owner.

Anonymous said...

I hadn't thought about those Christmas scenes in Rike's windows for years!! Thank you so much for bringing back such a wonderful memory for me!