Where Fort Lauderdale shopped in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s

 

Downtown Fort Lauderdale circa 1950
Florida State Archives/Florida Memory

By Jane Feehan

Many remember the big department stores in Fort Lauderdale, but some smaller stores and businesses listed below may have fallen from memory. A quick and incomplete survey of where Fort Lauderdale shopped in December-March of 1950, and December of 1960 and 1970 indicates a shift from the smaller family-run businesses to the larger, more ubiquitous department stores. The chain stores gained in popularity when they migrated from shopping districts to shopping centers or plazas. 

Also listed are a few car dealerships and other businesses whose owners gained wide recognition because of signature advertising or other well-known pursuits. Complete addresses are included where they could be found. Note – these businesses serve as a snapshot in each of the years mentioned. Other businesses that some may remember but are not on this list may have operated later in the decade. Again, the list is incomplete (of course there was/is Publix, Winn Dixie, etc.) 

Las Olas Boulevard circa 1980
Florida State Archives/Florida Memory

December-March 1950

Belk-Lindsey – (department stores) 108 S. Andrews

Bunning the Florist – South Andrews

Burdines Department Store on Andrews Avenue.

Causeway Lumber – 2701 S. Andrews Avenue

Chemist Shop – 817 E. Las Olas Boulevard

David Leonard Shoes – 716 E. Las Olas Boulevard

Duval Jewelry – 208 S. Andrews Avenue

Fort Lauderdale Lincoln Mercury - 501 S. Federal Highway

Gill Construction Company – 105 E. Las Olas Boulevard (and later hotels)

Holsum Bakery – “Home-town bakers for 37 years”

Jordan Marsh – Sunrise Shopping Center

King Oldsmobile - Sunrise Boulevard

Lauderdale Shoe Store – 224 S. Andrews Avenue

Lovett’s Food Stores – 220 N. Federal Highway

McFarlenes – (televisions) – 300 East Las Olas Boulevard

Ray Allen (men’s and boy’s fashion) – 114 E. Las Olas Boulevard

R.H. Gore Orchids – 1611 SW 9^th Avenue

Rhode’s Furniture – 203 SW First Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue – Sunrise Shopping Center

Scott’s (fashion) – Andrews and 2^nd Avenue

Sears on Andrews Avenue

Smith’s Boulevard Pharmacy - 607 E. Las Olas Boulevard

Thomas F. Gustafson - Painting and Decorating, Interior-Exterior – 822 SW 17^th Street

Watty & Son (jewelry) – 1225 E. Las Olas Boulevard

Wellens Furniture – 223 SW First Avenue

December 1960

Belk Lindsey – South Andrews Avenue

Bird Camera Shop – 617 E. Broward Boulevard

Browning King & Co. – “Attire that is tailored to suit millionaires” - 442 E. Las Olas Boulevard

Burdines – Sunrise Shopping Center

Carl’s Furniture – 808 W. Broward Boulevard

Castro Convertibles – N. Federal Highway

Dart Drugs – 114 S. Andrews Avenue

Goody Shoes – W. Broward Boulevard

Hale Piano – S. Andrews Avenue

Helmly’s – furniture and appliances – 419 S. Andrews Avenue

Ivy Shop – men’s fashion – 7 S. Andrews Avenue

Jefferson Department Stores– N. Federal Highway

Jordan Marsh – Sunrise Shopping Center

Mangurian’s - (furniture) – 3700 N. Federal Hwy

ModernAge (furniture) – Federal Highway

Pan-American Tire Co. – 3010 S. Federal Highway

Pullman’s Furniture - 738 N. Federal Highway

Saks Fifth Avenue – Sunrise Shopping Center

Sears at Searstown, Federal and Sunrise

Sterling’s (fashion for men and boys) – 27 Wall Street

Miller’s Jewelers – 201 SE First Avenue

Overbrook Music - 1001 E. Sunrise Boulevard

December 1970

Associated Carpets – 3991 N. Federal Highway

Bill Binko Chrysler Plymouth – 1750 N. Federal Highway

Burdines – Sunrise Shopping Center

Britts – Coral Ridge Shopping Center

Discount Land – furniture – 4000 N. Federal Highway

Dutch’s Appliances – 2930 N. Federal Highway

Jefferson Super Store - Federal Highway

Jordan Marsh – Sunrise Shopping Center

K-Mart – Oakland Park Boulevard

Levitz Furniture – Powerline and NW 12^th Street

Massy-Yardley Dodge – 1600 M. Federal Highway (today in Plantation)

Penny’s – Coral Ridge Shopping Center

Sears at Searstown – Federal and Sunrise

Zayre – Broward Boulevard

 

Saks Fifth Avenue 1955 - Fort Lauderdale
Florida State Archives/Florida Memory

For more retail history, see index for "Fort Lauderdale retail history"

 

Sources:

Fort Lauderdale News, Feb. 4, 1950

Fort Lauderdale News. March 3, 1950

Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 11, 1960

Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 12, 1970

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