125
The Fairfield Store Records
Collection, MS B71
1921 – 1995
The Fairfield Department Store started as a small retail establishment on the Post Road, in the heart of Fairfield. It was founded in 1921 by brothers Samuel and Isadore Manasevit. The original store primarily carried men's wear and work-related apparel to meet the needs of the population, the majority of whom worked in factories. In the late 1920s, the owners added stores in East Haven, Stratford, Westport and South Norwalk and also operated a wholesale business in Bridgeport.
Isadore's son, Frank, and Samuel's son, Stanley, officially entered the business in 1947, just after the store's expansion in 1947. In the mid-fifties, they assumed control from their fathers. In 1956, the cousins expanded the store, making it the first two-story building in Fairfield. Success in Fairfield led to the eventual closing of the branch stores; Stanley and Frank concentrated on the main store.
In 1966, the owners changed the name of the store to simply "The Fairfield Store." Two years later, the store expanded into the former Woolworth's building and the owners renovated the exterior, for which they received a Chamber of Commerce citation. By 1979 the store included the old Center Drug building on the corner of Reef and Post Roads. As the population changed to include more white collar workers who commuted to New York City, Stanley and Frank reflected their customers' needs in the style of clothing available. The store carried shoes, cosmetics, clothing for the entire family, lingerie, shoes and giftware.
Stanley's son, Bruce, entered the business in 1983 while Frank's daughter, Deren, joined in 1988. Competition from discount stores forced the Fairfield Store to close July 1996.
Through its 75 years of operation, the store was known for its personal service and the longevity of its sales staff; many stayed for 20-30 years, helping generations of the same families.
Isadore's son, Frank, and Samuel's son, Stanley, officially entered the business in 1947, just after the store's expansion in 1947. In the mid-fifties, they assumed control from their fathers. In 1956, the cousins expanded the store, making it the first two-story building in Fairfield. Success in Fairfield led to the eventual closing of the branch stores; Stanley and Frank concentrated on the main store.
In 1966, the owners changed the name of the store to simply "The Fairfield Store." Two years later, the store expanded into the former Woolworth's building and the owners renovated the exterior, for which they received a Chamber of Commerce citation. By 1979 the store included the old Center Drug building on the corner of Reef and Post Roads. As the population changed to include more white collar workers who commuted to New York City, Stanley and Frank reflected their customers' needs in the style of clothing available. The store carried shoes, cosmetics, clothing for the entire family, lingerie, shoes and giftware.
Stanley's son, Bruce, entered the business in 1983 while Frank's daughter, Deren, joined in 1988. Competition from discount stores forced the Fairfield Store to close July 1996.
Through its 75 years of operation, the store was known for its personal service and the longevity of its sales staff; many stayed for 20-30 years, helping generations of the same families.
The collection primarily consists of advertising and promotional materials created and collected by the management of the Fairfield Store. Promotional materials are organized chronologically in Series A and include a scrapbook with memorabilia from the official reopening of the store in 1956, photographs, press releases, prize entries and winners' lists, speech texts, expense records, and correspondence. One of the store's most successful promotions was "Freddie the Frog" whose images and memorabilia are found in this series among the photographs. A number of the promotions were designed by Mary Felix Associates, such as the "Tree Promotion" of 1974, part of a community project in Fairfield. Also in this series are a sample of direct mail promotions sent to regular customers. Additional direct mail promotions are interfiled with newspaper advertisements after 1991.
Series B encompasses newspaper and magazine articles ranging in date from 1958-1983, about the store and its founders, Stanley and Frank Manasevit. The topics covered include historical sketches, reminiscences, community projects and promotions, awards, and renovations. The original articles were photocopied onto acid-free paper and then retained.
Series C consists of newspaper advertisements, including the oldest extant ad from 1932. Between 1958-1995 (only 1981 is missing), copies of advertisements were saved in three-ring binders in chronological order. The pages have been removed from the binders but remain in their original order. Interfiled among the advertisements after 1991 are direct mail promotional materials, most with notations about the date and the number mailed. At the end of the series is a folder with a transparency of the store front that was copied to make it look like a sketch, and original watercolors. Both images were used in advertisements.
Assorted marketing materials are organized in Series D. These encompass clothing and shoe labels, sample logos and signatures, advertising statistics, geographic distribution statistics of the store's charge card holders, a sample of a customer invoice, mailing labels and postcards, an advertising blotter, and marketing research information. Assorted administrative items in Series E include an employee newsletter, a blueline of a fixture plan for the store, blank invoices and a letter with the letterhead of Manasevit Brothers, newspaper advertisements from the South Norwalk Department Store and awards presented to the store by the United Way, the Advertising Club of Fairfield County, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Boy Scouts. The majority of the awards were framed. These were removed from their frames for easier storage, and the frames retained. Several publications produced or used by the Fairfield Economic Development Commission, on which Stanley Manasevit served for several years, are found at the end of this series.
Photographs, both professional and amateur, documenting the store's interior and exterior changes, special events, and holiday displays from 1942-1993, are arranged in chronological order in Series F. Many of these photographs were used in advertising and promotions and will be found in reprinted form in Series A, B and C. Of interest is a photograph album that Stanley Manasevit reportedly carried with him to show potential suppliers the quality of the store. Photographs of a purely historical interest document the facade and some of the staff at Hartman Hardware on the Post Road, and images taken by Stanley when Larry's Diner was moved from the Post Road to its present site.
Samples of boxes, bags, printing plates, and a costume for Freddie the Frog were also received with the collection and are now part of the museum, accession number 1996.31.1-16.
Series B encompasses newspaper and magazine articles ranging in date from 1958-1983, about the store and its founders, Stanley and Frank Manasevit. The topics covered include historical sketches, reminiscences, community projects and promotions, awards, and renovations. The original articles were photocopied onto acid-free paper and then retained.
Series C consists of newspaper advertisements, including the oldest extant ad from 1932. Between 1958-1995 (only 1981 is missing), copies of advertisements were saved in three-ring binders in chronological order. The pages have been removed from the binders but remain in their original order. Interfiled among the advertisements after 1991 are direct mail promotional materials, most with notations about the date and the number mailed. At the end of the series is a folder with a transparency of the store front that was copied to make it look like a sketch, and original watercolors. Both images were used in advertisements.
Assorted marketing materials are organized in Series D. These encompass clothing and shoe labels, sample logos and signatures, advertising statistics, geographic distribution statistics of the store's charge card holders, a sample of a customer invoice, mailing labels and postcards, an advertising blotter, and marketing research information. Assorted administrative items in Series E include an employee newsletter, a blueline of a fixture plan for the store, blank invoices and a letter with the letterhead of Manasevit Brothers, newspaper advertisements from the South Norwalk Department Store and awards presented to the store by the United Way, the Advertising Club of Fairfield County, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Boy Scouts. The majority of the awards were framed. These were removed from their frames for easier storage, and the frames retained. Several publications produced or used by the Fairfield Economic Development Commission, on which Stanley Manasevit served for several years, are found at the end of this series.
Photographs, both professional and amateur, documenting the store's interior and exterior changes, special events, and holiday displays from 1942-1993, are arranged in chronological order in Series F. Many of these photographs were used in advertising and promotions and will be found in reprinted form in Series A, B and C. Of interest is a photograph album that Stanley Manasevit reportedly carried with him to show potential suppliers the quality of the store. Photographs of a purely historical interest document the facade and some of the staff at Hartman Hardware on the Post Road, and images taken by Stanley when Larry's Diner was moved from the Post Road to its present site.
Samples of boxes, bags, printing plates, and a costume for Freddie the Frog were also received with the collection and are now part of the museum, accession number 1996.31.1-16.
Loading...