Rike's was a wonderful 7 story department store in downtown Dayton, Ohio
which began in the 1850s as a Dry Goods store.
Rike's former main store is now the site of the Schuster Performing Arts Center.
Although I have had glorious theater and musical experiences at The Schuster, each time I visit I get a wee twinge...oh the memories that come flooding back!
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, these scenes were salvaged and reconditioned. What a treat for the children of today and for those of us of a...um...*certain* age. Those of us who still fondly remember their years as a little one and have kept their child like enthusiasm locked securely in their heart!
The famous Christmas window displays that delighted children of all ages in the old Rike’s department store at Second and Main Streets in downtown Dayton actually migrated here from New York City.
The display, now shown each December at the Wintergarden in the Schuster Center, first appeared in the windows of the NCR offices in New York City in 1943!
According to research done by author Curt Dalton of Dayton, and one of the interesting stories in his latest book of little-known facts about Dayton, the display is based on the Charles Dicken’s story “A Christmas Carol.”
Dalton said each scene of the original display was painstakingly researched and the Dickens-like characters were dressed in period attire and set against three dimensional backgrounds built by carpenters of NCR here in Dayton.
The display was such a hit in New York that in 1945 Frederick Rike, owner of the Rike-Kumler store which later became Rike’s, negotiated and was given permission to erect the Christmas display, including the moving characters, in the windows of his store in Dayton.
It soon became the focal point of Christmas in downtown Dayton, and nearly every family would bring children downtown each December to enjoy the magnificent presentation with dancing elves, and starring Santa Claus.
When the complex that housed Rikes was eventually razed in November of 1999 many of the little figures of the display were placed in storage in an empty store. Eventually they were resurrected, repaired, and now are displayed each Christmas in The Schuster's Wintergarden.
Yes, once upon a time, a wonderful and magical holiday tradition was on prominent display, entertaining and delighting children of all ages~ hopefully creating memories that would last for the duration of their lives.
These glorious windows became the focal point of Christmas in downtown Dayton, and nearly every area family would bring children downtown each December to enjoy the magnificent presentations featuring dancing elves, woodland creatures, happy families and all manner of holiday delights! Oh what sweet memories!
Just yours truly, doing what I love to do...
I hope you have all had a sweet Thanksgiving week end and that your holiday plans are falling into place.
With love...
Susie Q
