Main Street Memories

Last week I got a sneak peek at a new Westport Historical Society project: “Main Street Memories.”

A creative map, interactive web link, brochure and gallery exhibit will make the town’s mom-and-pop days come alive again.  Westporters who remember Welch’s Hardware, Greenberg’s Department Store, Gristede’s, Country Gal, the Townley Restaurant and the Melody House can ooh and aah over those long-lost spots; those who know only the Gap, Banana Republic and Talbots can laugh, cry, sigh or otherwise emote.

As part of the preview, I saw a map of Main Street in 1959.  Here’s a breakdown, from the Post Road (nee State Street) to Avery Place:

• Women’s clothing stores:  8
• Men’s clothing stores:  2
• Kids’ clothing stores:  2
• Grocery stores:  3
• Hardware stores:  3
• Liquor stores:  2
• 5-and-10 stores:  2
• Department stores:  2
• Restaurants:  2
• Jewelry stores:  2
• Pharmacies:  2
• Beauty salon:  1
• Fish market:  1
• Frame shop:  1
• Gift shop:  1
• Gas station:  1
• Fur shop:  1
• Travel agency:  1
• Record store:  1
• Bakery:  1
• Cleaners:  1
• Appliance store  1
• Photo shop:  1
• Linen store:  1
• Shoe store:  1
• Caterer:  1
• Smoke shop:  1
• Deli:  1

My own, very unscientific survey — some stores, frankly, mystify me, even after I’ve examined the goods — shows, 50 years later:

• Women’s clothing stores:  117
• Women’s shoe stores:  114
• Kids’ clothing stores:  99
• Home furnishings:  4
• Jewelry stores:  4
• Men’s clothing stores:  4
• Restaurants:  3
• Banks:  2
• Perfume store:  1
• Exotic soap store:  1
• Liquor store:  1
• Art gallery:  1
• Pharmacy:  1
• Deli:  1 (Oscar’s — the only place still on Main Street)

Ah, progress.

Not long ago, this map appeared on Crespaces.com. It's already out of date.