Liz Smith | 10/08/2009 12:00 am

Favorite Places and Brands That Liz Smith Adored (and Are Now Extinct)

In response to: Wannamaker's, Oldsmobile, Polaroid and PanAm … What defunct brands do you now miss?

Let’s see, there are so many of them I miss. But I miss the actual restaurants and nightclubs called Stouffer’s, Schrafft’s, Horn & Hardart, the Forum of the 12 Caesars, Romeo Salta, Quo Vadis, the Stork Club, El Morocco, Toots Shor’s and the Blue Angel and the Bon Soir. But I see you are thinking of "brands" one used to see in advertising. How about RCA: His Master’s Voice … Lucky Strike Green … Hostess Fruit Pies … the Edsel, Pontiacs, Thunderbirds, etc. On the other hand, if you tune in to TV’s "Mad Men" you’ll discover a number of defunct brands.

And while we’re in this vein of thinking, how about the ad campaign devised by the ad genius Mary Wells Lawrence (now of wOw fame). Who can ever forget her productions of "I Love New York," with its attendant music and its VIP stars?

Read more about: Down Memory Lane, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Memories

11 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I loved Wanamakers (one N, not two); everybody of a certain age from Philly knows "I’ll meet you at the eagle." Each Wanamaker store had a big eagle statue, but the grandest of all was at the magnificent nine-story center city store just by City Hall. That one was *the* eagle. That store had a vast pipe organ and frequent free concerts for shoppers, as well as a free Christmas light show that would look quaint and paltry to the kids brought up on computer graphics.

In the late 1970s or early 1980s, the company restored the original Victorian pillars and balconies of the four-story well hall. It was beautiful. (You can see it recreated—in ruins—in Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys, a fine film that is also a twisted tour of Philadelphia.)

The fifth floor was housewares: copper pans, polished maple salad bowls, stoneware and bone china, crystal stemware, sterling flatware and tea sets. The store must have sold some objects made of plastic, but what I remember is the heft and gleam of natural materials. When I was young and very poor in Philadelphia, I used to go there to dream of the kitchen I could someday afford.

On the ninth floor was the Crystal Room, an elegant restaurant in grey and maroon with coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and exquisitely courteous elderly waitresses in gray uniform dresses and white aprons. I have no idea how the food was; I didn’t have the money to eat there. But when I had worked my way through college and found a job, I finally went there for an afternoon cup of tea and a creme brulee. The check came to $1.40, and I left at least that much as a tip.

By Lynn Kendall on 10/08/2009 5:35 am

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Max Factor Hypnotique/Fabrege Tigress, Woodhue/ Revlon Intimate perfume; Teaberry, Blackjack, or Clove Gum (remember the Teaberry shuffle?) I’ll think of others……

By Shera Sutherland on 10/08/2009 5:42 am

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I think they still make Hostess Fruit Pies? Here in Jersey anyway, : ) but I will have to check!, (I like the cherry one the best.) I’m not sure because I have been buying the Entemanns version lately whenever I get a snack attack because my daughter is a vegan so she can eat those, too (no milk products).

By Eileen Alannah on 10/08/2009 5:54 am

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I miss the hostess apple fruit pie. That was the only flavor I liked.

By Beth Cornell on 10/08/2009 9:57 am

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We still have Hostess fruit pies in Michigan (including apple). A lot of people pop them into the microwave to warm them instead of eating them cold.

By Karen R on 10/08/2009 2:08 pm

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They also have them in Ohio. It’s a case of either relocate or e mail Hostess about your personal favorite! It’s my guess they’d be glad to know they have another market to approach.

By Mary Utrup on 10/08/2009 8:45 pm

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Well…I;m an old N.Y. gal currently living in Charlotte N.C.. But Shera I can tell you all of those fragrances and candy and gum items are available from the Vermont Country Store if your interested… I think I would love to revisit the Automat, The Mayflower Coffe e Shop..corner of57th and Lex, right across the street Prexy’s.. Hamburg Heaven near St. Pats… all those wonderful stores Best & Co.. B. Altman…Malachys Bar and a a whole array of wonderful little music spots…Oh what a time!

Barb Cronin

By Barbara Cronin on 10/08/2009 7:09 pm

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I miss Marshall Fields. Whatever happened to Team Flakes cereal? I’m going to miss Prescriptives and their custom blended foundation. Yes, Lauder is shutting down Prescriptives after the first of the year. I also miss Toyota Celicas. I miss real fountain vanilla cokes.

Jennifer Kemmer

By Jennifer Kemmer on 10/08/2009 7:25 pm

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Here in the midwest we had a wonderful family restaurant called Bill Knapps. They had a vegetable soup that they somehow found in my grandmother-in-law’s recipe box or vice versa. In any case, for reasons never completely understood they were "in business" one day and closed the next. It’s a real loss to all of us who truly enjoyed the meals to be had at Bill Knapps

By Mary Utrup on 10/08/2009 8:47 pm