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I wanted to pass this to Mark at Menards, but no way to email (only website in profile) idea, so post here and hope Menards sees this.

Menard could re-purpose a 1940/50s era store with new signage for classic Sears catalog stores that proliferated in bygone years.  AFAIK there was no store "look" but signage was probably consistent.

Given the building variety that Menards has I would think it would be easy to adapt something.

If anyone knows how to contact mark directly, feel free to pass this along.

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Good luck with that as the hedge fund driving SEARS to the ground wants every penny they can get. Im sure using the name will be a challenge.



What worry about copyrights or trademarks.  Phffft, that's old school.  Don't ya know, everything on the internet is free so Menards can just copy signs and use freely on new building   (As poster is led away in handcuffs...)

I'd like a nostalgic Sears, Roebuck & Co. store, but I don't see Menards offering a model of a company that is a competitor (a very weak competitor but still a competitor that sells some similar products - hardware, housewares, outdoor/garden equipment).

IMHO the best option for a nostalgic retailer such as FW Woolworth, SS Kresge, GC Murphy & McCrorys would be Andre's River Leaf Models . You could also make this structure into a Montgomery Wards or any local retailer that fits your era and locale.

@Keystone posted:

I'd like a nostalgic Sears, Roebuck & Co. store, but I don't see Menards offering a model of a company that is a competitor (a very weak competitor but still a competitor that sells some similar products - hardware, housewares, outdoor/garden equipment).

IMHO the best option for a nostalgic retailer such as FW Woolworth, SS Kresge, GC Murphy & McCrorys would be Andre's River Leaf Models . You could also make this structure into a Montgomery Wards or any local retailer that fits your era and locale.

I don't think it would be an issue since Menards sells Craftsman power tools and lawn equipment.

At one time Sears was the 7th largest company in the US. So there are a lot of former employees out there who would appreciate the nostalgia of Sears items.

My Dad worked at Sears for 39 years. Starting at the Golf Mill store in Niles Illinois, then Homan Ave and finally moved into the Sears Tower.

My brothers first train was a Lionel 2056 and cars that ran in the Christmas display window of the Golf Mill store. It still runs today  

D9586097-8D4A-4CFA-8264-F10E99D8CC22

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@Bill T posted:

a neat idea, probably would be a good seller.

Stopped by the local Menards this morning, a very large selection of buildings on the shelves. Mysteriously a lifesavers tanker ended up in my shopping cart, must have fell in while I was checking out the buildings.

I’ve noticed, this year, that a couple of the Menards stores I’ve been in have the O an HO gauge buildings lit up and/or operating. Sure wish they’d do an operating display in the Christmas section or something around/under a Christmas tree.
Steve

A pity that Progress (???) has driven so many original traditional American retail institutions straight into the ground.

Too bad O Gauge Railroading doesn't give S&H Green Stamps with every Digital Subscription, Supporting Membership, or each time you make a purchase from their online store...LOL

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Seeing all these posts recalling Sears stores, did Sears at least larger ones have a trainland in their toylands, or was it up to store managers to decide ya or na???    Growing up in Pittsburgh I do not recall seeing trains in their toy section at Christmas season, but then I didn't visit every Sears in area.

@rrman posted:

Seeing all these posts recalling Sears stores, did Sears at least larger ones have a trainland in their toylands, or was it up to store managers to decide ya or na???    Growing up in Pittsburgh I do not recall seeing trains in their toy section at Christmas season, but then I didn't visit every Sears in area.

Both the Sears in downtown Chicago and the Homan Avenue store (and distribution warehouse) had large train departments during the Christmas holidays.

For several years, the Homan Avenue store had a huge Lionel mural of the front of a Hudson with a freight train behind coming off a curve.  One year, it was even animated where the locomotive front rocked slightly and a conveyor of track and ties rolled under it.  I vividly recall watching it in amazement.

Rusty

@Keystone posted:

I'd like a nostalgic Sears, Roebuck & Co. store, but I don't see Menards offering a model of a company that is a competitor (a very weak competitor but still a competitor that sells some similar products - hardware, housewares, outdoor/garden equipment).

IMHO the best option for a nostalgic retailer such as FW Woolworth, SS Kresge, GC Murphy & McCrorys would be Andre's River Leaf Models . You could also make this structure into a Montgomery Wards or any local retailer that fits your era and locale.

Another old dept. store company choice could also be Eaton's? Began as early as 1869, and disappeared in 1999 being absorbed into Sears, but I do believe the intellectual property of Eaton's has since transferred to the company that owns the Toronto Eaton Centre.  Might be easier to make an agreement for it than other older names.

mceclip0Looks like a Sears Department Store has been done before...but in litho tin...hope this link copied correctly...note...you’d think any brick and mortar retailer would like more exposure right now...

https://www.barbigirl.com/sears.htm

if it doesn’t...Google this ===> barbigirl the Sears department store

im trying to copy and paste from a new iPad and still learning my way around



howard

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