Author Topic: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.  (Read 2731 times)

Offline loobylooayr

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Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« on: Thursday 08 October 20 09:05 BST (UK) »
Hi everyone,

I'm looking, please, for info and/or memories of Lewis's department store which was situated on Argyle Street in Glasgow ( not to be confused with John Lewis).
I'm writing a short article for my writing group on the store and any info would be very much appreciated. The article is unlikely to be published ( I'm a hobby writer)
My own memories include :
a basement record dept which I think had listening booths?
a wonderful Food Hall - remember buying broken biscuits and warm doughnuts.
creaky lifts.
an in-store hairdressers?
beautiful Christmas display windows.

Thanks for reading,

Looby  ;)


Offline Tickettyboo

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 08 October 20 09:16 BST (UK) »

Offline Skoosh

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 08 October 20 10:02 BST (UK) »
Remember it well!  ;D

Skoosh.

Offline loobylooayr

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 08 October 20 10:56 BST (UK) »
No personal memories but this may help?
http://discuss.glasgowguide.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3940&st=45

Boo

Thank you , Boo. I'll take a read at the link. I'm sure it will be helpful.

Still would appreciate any info from Rootschatters  :)
Was there an escalator?
I remember a self service cafe but think there could have been a posher waitress/ waiter service restaurant?

Looby  :)


Offline doddsie4

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 08 October 20 12:23 BST (UK) »
    At Christmas time, there used to be Santa on one of the upper floors, and there was always a huge queue on the stairs: parents with their excited children, and a great hub-bub of expectation.    When you finally got to Santa, you sat on his knee and got a small present.      I remember (away back in the early fifties) getting a box of dominoes - and I was quite happy with that.    Lewis's was a great shop!

Offline loobylooayr

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #5 on: Thursday 08 October 20 14:25 BST (UK) »
    At Christmas time, there used to be Santa on one of the upper floors, and there was always a huge queue on the stairs: parents with their excited children, and a great hub-bub of expectation.    When you finally got to Santa, you sat on his knee and got a small present.      I remember (away back in the early fifties) getting a box of dominoes - and I was quite happy with that.    Lewis's was a great shop!

Thank you for your reply Doddsie4. I have good memories about queuing for Santa too (1960s)
Found this short film on National Library of Scotland website. which might interest you. https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/5098
Looby :)

Offline doddsie4

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #6 on: Thursday 08 October 20 16:57 BST (UK) »
Looby,
          Enjoyed watching that film.      At one point, it shows you huge crowds of shoppers in the store.      That's the way I remember Argyle Street in the 1950's.      There was a tremendous "Hustle & Bustle" about the place, and you got a real buzz out of it.     I can remember Woolworth on the other side of the street, and St Enoch railway station was very busy.      The trams added to the hustle-bustle.     Just loved the trams!!!     

         I can remember Queen Street railway station.  They had a toy railway for the public to see, and wee boys, like myself, were fascinated.

Offline loobylooayr

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #7 on: Thursday 08 October 20 20:52 BST (UK) »
Looby,
          Enjoyed watching that film.      At one point, it shows you huge crowds of shoppers in the store.      That's the way I remember Argyle Street in the 1950's.      There was a tremendous "Hustle & Bustle" about the place, and you got a real buzz out of it.     I can remember Woolworth on the other side of the street, and St Enoch railway station was very busy.      The trams added to the hustle-bustle.     Just loved the trams!!!     

         I can remember Queen Street railway station.  They had a toy railway for the public to see, and wee boys, like myself, were fascinated.
 

Great memories, Doddsie4 . So different today.

Looby :)

Offline Skoosh

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Re: Lewis's Department Store, Argyle Street, Glasgow - info requested.
« Reply #8 on: Friday 09 October 20 10:25 BST (UK) »
Lewis's did superb big Vienna rolls packed with assorted fillings!  ;D

Skoosh.