The holiday shopping season is about to ramp up, and that got us wondering: Where were Chattanoogans shopping, say, 75 years ago? They certainly didn’t have the internet — we know that — so where were they getting their clothes? Read on to find out.
Moskin’s Clothing Store | December 1950
Located at 906 Market St., Moskin’s Clothing Store was once known as America’s largest credit clothing chain and had the slogan: “The Store That Treats You Fair.” Credit cards didn’t exist at the time, so store-specific charge accounts gave people the option to pay for clothes over time. Moskin’s was part of a downtown block that was demolished in the 1970s to make room for Miller Park.
J.C. Penney Company | April 1951
J.C. Penney Company — now known as JCPenney — occupied the corner of 6th and Market streets downtown from 1937 to 1982. Today, the Hamilton County Courts Building stands on the site. Fun facts: J.C. Penney Company was originally called “The Golden Rule,” and it still operates about 650 stores across the country.
Uncle Herman’s Shoe Store | May 1951
Uncle Herman’s, also known as the Chattanooga Shoe Store, was a discount store on the 800 block of Market Street. Like Moskin’s, it was demolished to make way for the expansion of Miller Park. Fun fact: After Herman Brenner opened the store in 1929, he became known as “Uncle Herman” because of his family-friendly reputation.
The Jo-Ann Shop | November 1951
The Jo-Ann Shop wasn’t technically in Chattanooga; it was located at 201 Chickamauga Ave. in Rossville, GA. For 50 years, it sold women’s clothing and accessories — including Sunday hats — before closing up shop in 1982.
Dean Clothing Co. + Peoples Credit Clothing | 1951
In the same year this photo was taken, Dean Clothing Co. closed its 828 Market St. location and moved a couple of blocks away to 614 Market St., where it closed for good in 1976. Just like Dean Clothing Co., the neighboring Peoples Clothing advertised its credit department as a convenience for customers.
Do you or your family members have memories of any of these stores? I’d love to hear them.
