Clark's Department Store

Many of the new wave of discount department stores were established in new buildings located in shopping plazas with abundant parking facing the store. This was not the case with Clark's Discount Department Store, which was located at 532 Main Street at the corner of Jackson.

The discount store was on the first floor of the three-story former Merrick Thread building and included 44,000 square feet of retail and storage space. Construction of the building started in 1893 but was not completed until 1899. Timothy Merrick's death in March 1894 and the economic depression resulted in construction delays. 

A 300-car parking lot was constructed by destroying the former Germania Mill's housing along Park Street, across the street, and south of the store.

The entry was a concrete staircase with iron railings. The wooden factory floors creaked, the walls were brick, and industrial elevators were evident. The Winfield Hat Company, Arrow Shirts, and Sherman Associates occupied the upper floors. Charles Belsky & Sons, Inc., the mill's owner, would relocate its wiping cloth manufacturing concern from the first floor to the second to accommodate the new store.

Clark's Discount House of New York City rented the first floor in August 1956. This chain store retailer has operated since 1912, when it opened its first store in Yonkers, New York. 

Holyoke's Clark's Discount Department Store opened on November 7, 1956. The store featured 31 self-service departments, including clothing, cosmetics, kitchenware, shoes, tools, and hardware. Holyoke's Herman Dietz operated the delicatessen and bakery.

The initial year showed the promise of success. In 1957, the entire first floor was altered to accommodate retail expansion, and the basement was renovated for warehousing and an employees' lounge area.

By 1959, Clark's northern region had 25 stores.

In 1965, labor strife resulted in picketing in front of the store.

The store closed permanently on December 31, 1966. Company officials cited reduced sales caused by heavy competition, which resulted in unacceptable profit margins.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.

Massachusetts Historical Commission, MACRIS: Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System.