Dayton's department store, grand in scope and company spirit, enjoyed a century in the limelight as one of the nation's leading retailers. Its disappearance has been a challenge to the community, but it is a sign of the times, as many other urban department stores have shared the same fate. Originally called Goodfellows, the store got its start in 1902 when real estate investor and banker George Draper Dayton became a silent partner in the business. He soon took over the company but had to learn the ropes of retail as he went along since he had never intended to become a merchant. The early years were not without struggles, but Dayton's department store was nevertheless an instant hit with its daylight-filled aisles, generous return policies, and quality merchandise. The Minneapolis store became a vibrant self-contained community with a post office, newspaper, infirmary, laundry, bakery, and even a college. "Daytonians" worked and played together around the clock, in baseball and bowling teams, glee clubs, and orchestras. Over time, the reach of Dayton's extended far into the upper Midwest, with stores in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, including the development of the nation's first indoor mall.
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About the Author
Author and freelance writer Mary Firestone is a native Minnesotan and one among a large community of DaytonÂ’s devotees who treasures the memory of the store.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dayton's-Those Were the Days!,
By Sometimes a Critic (St.Croix Valley, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dayton's Department Store (Images of America: Minnesota) (Paperback)
At one time, working at Dayton's was a rite of passage for youthful Minneapolis residents. In the early 1970's, I worked as a salad and sandwich girl in what was once the Skyroom kitchen. That was back when Dayton's and downtown Minneapolis were enjoyable places to spend the day.
Lunch at The Oak Grill Room is a Christmas season shopping traditon that we haven't given up. The book is interesting, brings back fond memories & has great photos.... but I wish it was longer! Still, it presents a very nice slice of history & nostalgia. I most definitely wish Dayton's Department Store was still around, but alas,time marches on.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Treasure of a book for a treasure of a store,
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This review is from: Dayton's Department Store (Images of America: Minnesota) (Paperback)
Enjoyed the book a lot and learned many things about Dayton's early history I was not aware of (the clubs, promotions and large letters on the building just above street level.
Nice piece on George Dayton's life and philosophies. Wish there would have been some additional photos and segments on the 1970's. Overall will satisfy your desire for bringing back the memories of the great store in downtown Minneapolis.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Before George Dayton invested in downtown Minneapolis, he spent time on the city's street corners paying close attention to how many people were passing by. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society, George Dayton, Nicollet Avenue, Eighth Street, Courtesy of the Minneapolis Library, Dayton Company, Nelson Dayton, Oval Room, Minnesota State Fair, Dayton Dry Goods, Draper Dayton, New York, Lake Minnetonka Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Before George Dayton invested in downtown Minneapolis, he spent time on the city's street corners paying close attention to how many people were passing by. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society, George Dayton, Nicollet Avenue, Eighth Street, Courtesy of the Minneapolis Library, Dayton Company, Nelson Dayton, Oval Room, Minnesota State Fair, Dayton Dry Goods, Draper Dayton, New York, Lake Minnetonka Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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