Mika's Discount Dept. Store (1959-1975)

After the early 1959 sale of his ownership interest in the Mill Outlet, the subject of the preceding post in this blog series, Walter Majka moved forward with a new business venture, Mika's Discount Department Store.

Now 39 years old and with about 12 years of retail experience, Walter Majka opened his new store in August 1959 at the 5 Corners section of Granby, MA. The site selected was the former location of Camille's Gift Shop. The store planned to stock quality wear apparel for men and women at discounted prices.

In June 1960, Mr. Majka announced the opening of a second shop at 207-209 High Street. The previous tenant was the Big Sun Market. The new store would have 5,000 square feet of floor space and would carry dry goods and offer bakery items.

The store celebrated its Grand Opening on June 16, 1960, and, much like the Mill Outlet, carried an array of clothing, shoes, sneakers, household and recreation items, basic tools and hardware, and uniforms for nurses, waitresses, and beauticians.

In late January 1965, the company advertised a "Forced to Vacate" clearance sale. The store relocated to 299 Main Street. On April 8, 1965, the Main Street store opened as part of a new one-story complex built after a destructive fire the previous year. Some may recall that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles once had an office in this new building.

In February 1972, Mika's Discount Department Store doubled in size when it took over the space formerly occupied by Vic & Vin Furniture, TV and Appliances at 301 Main Street. The store was renovated, and inventory was expanded. The company had 6 employees and planned to hire 4 more. 

An expansion sale took place in early March 1972, and the store planned to sell 6,000 Eisenhower silver dollars at 99¢ each. The coins were expected to be valuable collector's items. He obtained the silver dollars from Park National Bank.

In November 1974, Mr. Majka advertised a going-out-of-business sale with all items reduced by 50%. The business closed soon thereafter, marking the end of Walter Majka's 27 years in retail.

Citations:

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