In 1878, Frank Woolworth embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that redefined retail as the world knew it. With the establishment of his initial business ventures and the subsequent launch of Woolworths, he pioneered a revolutionary concept – the five-tenths store. This innovative retail model revolutionized shopping, introduced fixed prices, and attracted a wide clientele. With the establishment of this line of stores, Main Street became synonymous with these vibrant centers of commerce and community.
The transformation from traditional convenience stores, where customers often picked up goods from bulk bins or counters, to these captivating displays in five-centimetre stores marked a significant shift in the retail landscape. Each item was carefully displayed, inviting customers to explore a world of affordable yet diverse merchandise, and providing an unparalleled shopping experience.
1950s downtown Muskegon, Michigan, including a side-by-side Woolworth’s and Kresge. Via Flickr
A far cry from the convenience stores of the past, where much of the merchandise had to be picked up from bulky bins or behind the counter, eye-catching displays and innovative merchandising methods offered customers an experience unlike any other.
Stationary section at Woolworth’s, St. Paul,
1964. Via/Flickr
In Memphis, Tennessee, Sebastian Kresge and John McCrory started their own dime store in 1897. Within 15 years of opening his first store, Kresge’s company grew to a $7 million business with 85 locations!
Miami, Kress shop, 1951. Via Flickr
Christmas shopping at Kresge with the lunch counter in the background. Via Flickr
After amassing millions of dollars by 1910, Frank Woolworth began building the world’s tallest skyscraper in New York, which he financed entirely with hard currency. Although Woolworths actually only occupied one and a half floors of the elaborate Woolworth’s Building, the building served as a symbol of the company’s extraordinary success.
Ten years after its completion, in 1923, the Woolworth’s Building remained the tallest building in the world. Through the Library of Congress
It wasn’t long before different stores had a wider range of products, dividing them into departments and serving food at their dining counters. Five-cent businesses were sometimes referred to as dollar stores after the Great Depression, and inflation drove prices up past five and ten cents.
Woolworths established retail locations around the world and became one of the largest global retailers.
Lunch counter for five and a dime. Via Flickr
Oregon served as headquarters for the Sprouse-Reitz dime companies. image from 1949. Via Flickr
St. Paul, Woolworth’s lunch counter, 1964. Via Flickr
St. Paul, Woolworth’s, 1964. Via Flickr
Eventually, five-inch stores disappeared from the United States due to mergers, the emergence of large retailers, and brick-and-mortar drugstores. While other local retailers had already closed their doors, Woolworths struggled to stay competitive for decades, closing its last store in 1997. Kresge eventually morphed into Kmart.
Kresge Retail Store, 1987. Via Flickr
We will never forget the excitement we felt when our parents and I walked into these legendary stores or when we had our first jobs there. At that time, there was nowhere else to get such a wide range of goods at affordable prices in one place.
The legacy of five-inch stores like Woolworths and Kresge still resonates in many people’s memories, having been an integral part of countless communities for generations. These stores have changed the retail landscape by offering a diverse range of affordable products, introducing the concept of fixed prices, and creating an engaging shopping experience through innovative displays.
The rise of these stores marked a departure from traditional stores and revolutionized the way people shopped. From stationery to housewares, these stores provided a one-stop shop for a variety of needs and became a staple on high streets across America.
Over time, however, changes in consumer preferences, the emergence of larger retailers, and economic changes led to the decline of five-centimeter stores. Once a global retail giant, Woolworths finally closed its doors in 1997, marking the end of an era. Kresge morphed into Kmart and adapted to changing market dynamics.
Still, the nostalgia and fond memories associated with these iconic stores remain. They weren’t just places to shop, they also served as community landmarks where people gathered, found affordable goods, and made lasting memories.
While these stores may have disappeared from the modern retail landscape, the impact and legacy they left behind are undeniable. They were more than just stores – they were institutions that shaped the way people shopped and interacted within their communities. The spirit of these stores lives on in the collective memories of those who experienced the magic of the dime era.