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| This confectionery, with its multi-color décor, light bulbs, and polka dot flooring, must have made for an exciting experience for those who went there. Postcard printed before 1907 in Germany .
Some American purists in the early 1900s denounced confectionery
stores that served ice cream and sweet drinks because they were damaging the
morals of young boys and girls. They also blamed Greek immigrants – who owned and
operated many of the shops at the time – for engaging in unlawful activities to
make money.
“The men who own the ‘joints’ are as a rule rascals, and
stop at nothing short of murder to gain wealth,” according to Samuel Paynter
Wilson, the author of the 1910 book Chicago By Gaslight. Wilson wrote
that some of the shops had private quarters for boys and girls to engage in
romantic activities.
He also believed that the ice cream and drinks were spiked
with liquor. In one example detailed in the book, Wilson and a friend ordered a
popular drink at one of these shops, and both concluded that it was probably 80% alcohol. Wilson said
he promptly called the police, and the place was closed within 24 hours.
The postcard shown here is popular among collectors. The postcard
was printed in Germany and has an undivided back, which indicates that it was most
likely produced before 1907.
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The aisle on the first floor of the State Street store is 358 feet long. Postcard publisher is unknown. Many Chicagoans continue to miss visiting Marshall Field’s during the holiday season. Just talking about the famed Christmas windows and holiday decorations brings about memories of the department store’s glory days. Many of us can recall the strong smell of perfume that would greet visitors upon entering the flagship State Street store, along with the huge white Romanesque columns decorated with Christmas fare on the first floor. The real fun, however, was taking the elevator to the 7 th floor to get a glimpse of the giant Christmas tree inside the Walnut Room restaurant. The best place to view the tree was one floor up on a balcony area. Christmas decorations on the first floor. Postcard publisher is unknown. Frango mint chocolates were piled high in various areas throughout the store, and many visitors couldn’t resist buying a box. Frango chocolates were once made in a kitc
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