I loved this trip down memory lane. I grew up in Modesto California and it had some of the same feel but we never had a Santa Train that hung from the ceiling. I would love riding on that. This is just wonderful and must be a delight to the old timers in down. Oh - and you get snow too.
In the 80's I worked downtown and a friend was Santa Claus at Steketee's. When I took my 3 yr old daughter to visit Santa there, he knew her name as she was approaching. It was priceless...
Thank you for sharing this. It brought back many memories. I remember getting my $3 to buy gifts for my mom, dad, Aunt Mary and grandma. I would go to Green's and Grant's, Woolworth's and Kresge's to find just the right things. I enjoyed the soda fountain at Woolworth's. I also remember Wurzburg's and Herps. They were "fancy" stores. I used to shop at Steketees and enjoyed all the floors and what they had to offer.
You've made my Christmas day with this video! I grew up in rural Rockford and our TRIP to downtown Grand Rapids was a BIG event. We'd get all dressed up. The anticipation was almost as exciting as the actual trip. Those big retailers really made Christmas come alive for us in the 50s and 60s. Thanks again for putting this together.
We WERE blessed. Downtown was a wonderland at Christmas, and you felt to safe and warm and very happy. Sorry, today none of that is felt, and the faces of the people don't say much. Although sometimes pretty, it is never a wonderland..
I can remember having a Christmas job at Herpolsheimer's and had to drive the Santa Express in the basement for several days during the holiday season. Downtown at Christmas was a magical season and time of the year. Thanks for the memory.
Brought back such wonderful memories of growing up in GR. We are truly blessed with one of the best cities in the world. Thanks for sharing. oh and Merrry Chrrristmas.....
As a young child, My Grandma used to take my brother and I to ride the "Sky Train" every winter! What great memories!...thanks for that video! ( I remember it being much bigger back then tho!)
We have feelers out everywhere and are hoping to get some soon. They will be posted on our Facebook page as soon as we get them! Fingers crossed. (See link to FB page on our description if you want to stay close)
Hello Mary Ann, Yes, we've seen Polar Express - so fun! If you visit our Facebook page (link in our description here) you can see more photos. Glad you enjoyed watching as much as we enjoyed making!
I knewJohn Logie When I was homeless in 1994 I went to his Office and after Chatting with me for a while he takes a picture with me then hugs me and gives me a box of donuts a few years later he looked at papers I had to sign to get an apartment he even wrote a letter to the people who ran the apartment building saying he knew me and to please help get me a new home People seemed impressed they were like Wow u know the Mayor?
Lee Morgan It’s actually pretty diverse and while gentrification is unfortunately occurring in some areas, higher diversity is one of the major goals for GRForward.
Love my city!
I once saw Grand Rapids while I was driving on the Cross Bronx Expressway heading to Queens, NY.
Oh the sweet memories!
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Much Love 💞
Thank You!💯
Nadine
I rode that train back in the 80s
My mother was a waitress at Herpolshimers in the 1950"s. Downtown Grand Rapids was Christmas magic then.
I loved this trip down memory lane. I grew up in Modesto California and it had some of the same feel but we never had a Santa Train that hung from the ceiling. I would love riding on that. This is just wonderful and must be a delight to the old timers in down. Oh - and you get snow too.
In the 80's I worked downtown and a friend was Santa Claus at Steketee's. When I took my 3 yr old daughter to visit Santa there, he knew her name as she was approaching. It was priceless...
Thank you for sharing this. It brought back many memories. I remember getting my $3 to buy gifts for my mom, dad, Aunt Mary and grandma. I would go to Green's and Grant's, Woolworth's and Kresge's to find just the right things. I enjoyed the soda fountain at Woolworth's. I also remember Wurzburg's and Herps. They were "fancy" stores. I used to shop at Steketees and enjoyed all the floors and what they had to offer.
Thank you
You've made my Christmas day with this video! I grew up in rural Rockford and our TRIP to downtown Grand Rapids was a BIG event. We'd get all dressed up. The anticipation was almost as exciting as the actual trip. Those big retailers really made Christmas come alive for us in the 50s and 60s. Thanks again for putting this together.
We WERE blessed. Downtown was a wonderland at Christmas, and you felt to safe and warm and very happy. Sorry, today none of that is felt, and the faces of the people don't say much. Although sometimes pretty, it is never a wonderland..
What a treat to watch on Christmas Eve. Thank you for doing this. It brought back so many wonderful
memories.
I can remember having a Christmas job at Herpolsheimer's and had to drive the Santa Express in the basement for several days during the holiday season. Downtown at Christmas was a magical season and time of the year. Thanks for the memory.
Brought back such wonderful memories of growing up in GR. We are truly blessed with one of the best cities in the world. Thanks for sharing. oh and Merrry Chrrristmas.....
If you want that warm feeling, watch "A Christmas Story". A fun trip down memory lane...
As a young child, My Grandma used to take my brother and I to ride the "Sky Train" every winter! What great memories!...thanks for that video! ( I remember it being much bigger back then tho!)
That'd be awesome! Great video of memories you've made though. Nothing beat downtown GR at Christmas!
Everyone new the real Santa was at Herpolsheimer's.
I am so glad to see one of my images that I shot in 1969 in your video. You are welcome.
bahumbug
It seems nobody can ever find photos of the Christmas window displays of Wurzburg's and Herp's.
We have feelers out everywhere and are hoping to get some soon. They will be posted on our Facebook page as soon as we get them! Fingers crossed. (See link to FB page on our description if you want to stay close)
Who remembers city centre?
Hello Mary Ann, Yes, we've seen Polar Express - so fun! If you visit our Facebook page (link in our description here) you can see more photos. Glad you enjoyed watching as much as we enjoyed making!
I knewJohn Logie When I was homeless in 1994 I went to his Office and after Chatting with me for a while he takes a picture with me then hugs me and gives me a box of donuts a few years later he looked at papers I had to sign to get an apartment he even wrote a letter to the people who ran the apartment building saying he knew me and to please help get me a new home People seemed impressed they were like Wow u know the Mayor?
Grand Rapids looked like a fun place downtown for privileged people. Or white folk. Cool
Lee Morgan It’s actually pretty diverse and while gentrification is unfortunately occurring in some areas, higher diversity is one of the major goals for GRForward.
So many memories of growing up in GR! My cousins still talk about walking downtown after the Thanksgiving meal, to look at all the decorations.
Literally all of the shops featured in this video were run by immigrant families…