By ROBERT BITZER For the Recorder (2/13/2021)
This is a topic I don’t think I have ever written about — shoestores from the past — and I have written extensively about stores and businesses that were part of Greenfield years ago.
One of the nicest shoe stores in town, Flemmings, was located on lower Federal Street. Elsewhere, on the north side of Main Street, there was Endicott- Johnson.
Another retailer, Rosen’s, might have sold shoes although I am not positive about that.
Of course, the former Wilson’s Department Store always had a shoe department and almost next door there was Hamilton’s, a family owned shop. Goodnow’s Department Store may have sold shoes as well. Further down the street, there was Tom McCann’s, a chain. Later on, one called Kinney ’s opened nearby.
J.C. Penny, Montgomery Ward and Sears sold shoes as well. Rooney’s, on the south side of Main Street in the former Aliber’s building, also had a shoe department. The Outlet Store on Chapman Street continues to sell boots of all kinds.
Bootleggers near the Big Y on the Mohawk Trail is one of the more recent stores to offer shoes and slippers to its customers.
I might now add another one that I remember: Flurry’s Shoe Store, which was on Main Street.
Robert Bitzer, of Erving is a lifelong resident of Franklin County who is in his 90s, having been born in Greenfield. His columns are inspired by his own memories of the county.
Our FB page
