Stores in Miami used to look like that? See early photos of Burdines, Sears and others

Jeff Kleinman
·1 min read

Downtown Miami had them. The malls and strip centers still do, though not as many.

The department store. A place to shop for clothes or glassware or towels and sheets.

A place to get an ice cream sundae and check out the TVs.

So many are now gone. Burdines. Jordan Marsh. Mervyn’s. Richards. Gold Triangle. Treasury. J. Byrons, W.J. Grant, Kress, most Sears stores.

Here’s a look at some of the old Miami department stores through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

SEARS

Sears in downtown Miami in 1941, site of today’s Arsht performing arts theater.
Sears in downtown Miami in 1941, site of today’s Arsht performing arts theater.
In 2001, the old Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard at 13th Street was closed, to be replaced by a performing arts complex.
In 2001, the old Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard at 13th Street was closed, to be replaced by a performing arts complex.
Sears employees and customers watch coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
Sears employees and customers watch coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
The TV department at Sears on Coral Way in 2001.
The TV department at Sears on Coral Way in 2001.

TREASURY

In 1981, a customer leaves a Treasury store on 49th Street in Hialeah with amplifiers for his car.
In 1981, a customer leaves a Treasury store on 49th Street in Hialeah with amplifiers for his car.

KRESS

The Kress store on Flagler Street in Miami at the time it was going out of business in 1980.
The Kress store on Flagler Street in Miami at the time it was going out of business in 1980.

MERVYN’S

In 1997, customers at Mervyn’s department store on U.S. 1 in Coconut Grove.
In 1997, customers at Mervyn’s department store on U.S. 1 in Coconut Grove.
A Mervyn’s sign goes up at a former Lord & Taylor location.
A Mervyn’s sign goes up at a former Lord & Taylor location.
A Merwin’s employee moves boxes at the International Mall in West Miami-Dade in 1991.
A Merwin’s employee moves boxes at the International Mall in West Miami-Dade in 1991.

JEFFERSON

General Store -- ’62 model Is this a store of the Future? not exactly. It’s a broad lens view of a discount department store - one of the two that opened in Greater Miami this past week. Jefferson and CMA opened the new ones here, the third and fourth giant discount houses to go up in six months.
General Store -- ’62 model Is this a store of the Future? not exactly. It’s a broad lens view of a discount department store - one of the two that opened in Greater Miami this past week. Jefferson and CMA opened the new ones here, the third and fourth giant discount houses to go up in six months.
In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami.
In 1966, the three-story Jefferson in downtown Miami.

BLANCK’S

Blanck’s Department Store in 1913 (12 of Miami’s first 16 businesses were operated by Jewish merchants)
Blanck’s Department Store in 1913 (12 of Miami’s first 16 businesses were operated by Jewish merchants)

JORDAN MARSH

In 1991, the closed Jordan Marsh department store at Dadeland Mall.
In 1991, the closed Jordan Marsh department store at Dadeland Mall.
Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale.
Jordan Marsh in Fort Lauderdale.
Jordan Marsh interior.
Jordan Marsh interior.
In 1991, third-floor entrance to Jordan Marsh at the Omni next to the restaurant.
In 1991, third-floor entrance to Jordan Marsh at the Omni next to the restaurant.

BURDINES

Burdines department store on South Miami Avenue at First Street in 1933.
Burdines department store on South Miami Avenue at First Street in 1933.
Burdines’ Royal Palm Cafe, featuring a salad bar in 1983.
Burdines’ Royal Palm Cafe, featuring a salad bar in 1983.
Shoppers in front of Burdines in Miami in 1959.
Shoppers in front of Burdines in Miami in 1959.
Customers entering Burdines in Miami.
Customers entering Burdines in Miami.
Burdines in downtown Miami during the 1993 Christmas season.
Burdines in downtown Miami during the 1993 Christmas season.

J. BYRON’S

Jackson’s, a forerunner of J, Byrons, on Northwest Seventh Avenue in Miami.
Jackson’s, a forerunner of J, Byrons, on Northwest Seventh Avenue in Miami.
Jackson Byron.
Jackson Byron.

GOLD TRIANGLE

Before its opening in 1970, the Gold Triangle store on North Kendall Drive, in the Dadeland area.
Before its opening in 1970, the Gold Triangle store on North Kendall Drive, in the Dadeland area.
A Gold Triangle store in Fort Lauderdale in 1970.
A Gold Triangle store in Fort Lauderdale in 1970.