This Is Framingham

Today someone stopped in at work who was looking for old pictures of the Shoppers World soldiers being built because he is part of a carpenters union volunteering their time to build replicas off the soldiers.  The town is providing the materials and workspace while these generous men are donating their skills and effort.  The town asked them to make 6 soldiers to better balance the amount of soldiers displayed throughout town during the holiday season (most soldiers are placed downtown and around the southside)
I was kindly invited to the shop to check out the progress and as you may know from reading this blog, I was a big fan of the original Shoppers World so it was a real treat to get to see this project in action.

There are two original soldiers that they’ve taken apart to investigate all the support beams and angles.  These guys are replicating every inch of the interior and exterior to make them look and hold up just like the originals.
Here are some pictures from my visit.
A dissected original soldier:

Four pairs of new legs

Almost completed new soldier:

Dismantled original:

Upper half of an original next to legs and feet of a new soldier

Thanks to Charlie Ryan and the members of Carpenters Local 475 for taking the time and effort to take on such a noble task.

It’s finally here!  My work, the Framingham History Center, is holding their monthly History Roundtable discussion and this month we’re discussing the sorely missed original Shoppers World.

Saturday, December 5
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Edgell Memorial Library (3 Oak St.)

Tell you own stories or listen to others and check out the display of photos and artifacts, including the old route 30 sign which was “fun” for my gracious volunteer crew to move into the display area:

We’ll be serving “Jordan Marsh” blueberry muffins provided by the culinary students at Keefe Tech and Panache coffee will graciously be supplying the joe.  So before you go to battle route 9 to do holiday shopping at the current stupid “Shoppers World”, stop by and remember the original!

A thoughtful reader wrote to me about an artist she follows Flickr who created some designs based on our sorely missed Shoppers World.
Brandon Schaefer makes insanely creative images that are mostly retro-inspired re-designs of movie posters, book covers and miscellaneous subjects, like Shoppers World and made these fantastic designs:

Of course I had to write to Brandon and ask him how he got to making these, what inspires him when designing images and what his background is.   Being the nice guy that he is, he answered all my questions and told me about his work.  Brandon is a 25 year freelance graphic designer who has been designing since high school.  While various subjects inspire him, he has an appreciation for American Modernism during the 40’s and 50’s which clearly comes through in his style.  He has a special place in a his heart (like most of us do) for the old Shoppers World, which I think is great for someone so young.  If you like what you see, you can buy it by clicking here. And if you like these, be sure to check out the rest of his work at http://www.seekandspeak.com, it’s just fantastic stuff- enjoy!

Last month I started my awesome new job at the Framingham History Center and we recently began a monthly event called “History Roundtable Discussion”.  I suggested having one about the old Shopper’s World and my boss was very supportive of the idea.  So now I’m looking for any old photos and artifacts to display (I love my job!).

We’d love it if people would loan or donate anything for this event, a few people have already submitted some great old photos and items but there’s always room for more.  We’ll also be showing the old neon sign that was on route 30 and serving Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins!  The event will be December 5th so I’ll be posting again as we get closer, but if anyone wants to contribute you can email me at: michelle@framinghamhistory.org

A reader sent me this photo which is so funny that I had to post it.
Thanks reader!

As I’ve mentioned these stills were taken from a video camera in a moving car and these screen shots were, believe it or not, the best I could get from this tape.  The reason I’m posting these is because I’ve had a few requests from people who would like to see them and even through the blurriness, I found these to evoke crystal clear images in my head of how these places really looked, it’s funny how  the brain works with what it gets. So hopefully someone can also get some enjoyment from these shots. 

Classic dome of Jordan Marsh

The Jordan Marsh Car Care Center

Caldor (and CVS to the far right)

This one I think is the worst picture but I would have totally forgot about the Mr. Donut on route 9 if I hadn’t seen this.

The hotel that was where Trader Joe’s is now.

 Also, even though it’s not Framingham I could’t resist posting some of Natick. 
Sears with it’s multiple flags

Side entrance of the mall next to Anderson-Little

Of course the legendary York’s Steak house.

Star Market where the Container Store is now.

Thats it really for Route 9 footage.  I owe you Mitch : )

 In my internet travels I found an old ad for Rohm and Haas Plexiglas signs for sale on ebay.  The ad boasts that “Three-fourths of the stores at Shopper’s World use Plexiglas signs”.  I remember I did actually wonder what kind of factory could make those humungous letters for the “CINEMA” sign.

This ad was interesting because of what seems to be the presence of enclosed walkways, which were before my time and I think I remember being mentioned in great the documentary “Shopper’s World: A look back“.  I forget the reason they did away with these, maybe it got insanely hot in the summer.

I always liked the exposed walkways, even in the winter.  It’s no different than shopping in the city in the winter and it was kind of fun before leaving a store to make the game plan of what store to run to next.  I know it wasn’t fun for some people but I think it was a fair trade off to have such a unique shopping experience as S.W.

Any new readers can click on the Shopper’s World category to read my feelings about Shopper’s World.  I’ll save my usual rant…for now!