Submitted by Al Shipley, City Historian and Rahway Library Research Consultant
The holiday season is upon us once again. Neighborhood homes are being decorated, joyous seasonal music is in the air, stores are promoting sales, and families are trying to figure out what to buy one another. It’s been going on like this for as long as one can remember and yet, as the decades have rolled on, this special time of year doesn’t quite measure up to the ones we remember from the past. Somehow, life seemed simpler back then. Things didn’t cost as much. Time moved more slowly. Everything was better. Ever wish we could go back to the Christmas seasons of the 1950s? Let’s reminisce …
The Rahway Businessmen’s Association kicked–off the holiday shopping season on the Monday following Thanksgiving by welcoming Santa at the Lewis Street parking lot where old St. Nick greeted children and handed out bags of candy. The Christmas lights, the kind that were hung across the streets, were turned on that same evening creating a festive glow on Main, Irving, and Cherry Streets. The stores would stay open until 9:00 p.m., Monday to Friday until Christmas Eve. For the next four weeks downtown Rahway was bustling. Remember some of the stores and their Christmas ads?
Marks Harris “Holiday Fashion Excitement,” Sadye Cooper “Surprise Her With a Beaded Sweater,” the Camera Center “Now Featuring New 8mm Movie Film Projectors,” Joe’s Pet Shop “Give a Pet for Christmas,” Goldblatt Jewelers “Silverware the Gift of Gifts,” Oxman’s Gift Shop “Luggage Packed with Christmas Cheer,” S and A Hardware “Put Christmas in Lights,” Jack Hunter “Hit Parade of Boys’ Gifts,” Rahway Fur Shop “Christmas Wishes Come True,” Miller’s Men’s Shop “Arrow and Wings Shirts for Christmas,” Cliff’s Hardware “Come to Cliff’s for Christmas Tools,” Vogel’s Record Center “Give Records for Holiday Listening Pleasure,” Bell’s Drugs “Christmas Specials for Every Member of the Family,” Rahway Book Shop “Give Books for Christmas,” Sidney’s Men’s Shop “Man Sized Christmas,” Em-bee Jewelers “Christmas Gift Specials,” Bauers “Sweeten Her Christmas with Candy,” Loft’s “For Christmas Candies and Gifts,” Meinzer’s Men’s Wear “He’d Like a Mallory Hat,” Amorelli’s Sport Shop “Give Sports Gifts this Christmas.”
The anchor stores, Grant’s, Robinson’s, Green’s, McCrory’s, and Woolworth’s, offered just about everything to fill a shopper’s gift list.
The Acme Super Market on Main Street was selling turkeys at 55¢ lb. and as an extra bonus shoppers were given S & H Green Stamps. J. and A. Market advertised holiday hams at 49¢ lb. and a dozen eggs for 39¢. The A & P on Irving Street had legs of lamb for 53¢ lb. and featured their Eight O’Clock Coffee at 95¢ for a one pound bag. For “Strictly Fresh Killed Turkeys” a shopper would go to the Milton Meat Market. Holiday wines and liquors could be bought at Basher’s Delicatessen, Sander’s Liquor Store, or the Grade A Dairy. The Rahway Public Market on Cherry Street was the place to go for holiday fruit baskets.
Just about every club and church group was holding Christmas parties. Quinn & Boden hosted a children’s party at their Cue–Bee Club, the Masons had a children’s party at their Irving Street temple, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rahway Yacht Club invited youngsters to their riverside clubhouse. The Italian–American Club, the Maoami Club, the women of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Women’s Association of the First Presbyterian Church held Christmas programs. The Koos Brothers furniture showplace converted a room into a winter wonderland for their Santa Claus. Thousands of youngsters would visit the jolly old elf while their mothers shopped in the many elegant showrooms. Even City Hall set up a nativity scene on its front lawn.
An editorial in the Rahway News Record wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with good health and happiness. It was their hope that the Christmas spirit would become part of our daily lives. The paper suggested all persons should take time from their busy days to attend at least one of the special services to be held in the Rahway churches. The editorial closed with its most important wish–a wish for peace on earth for all.
That’s still a good wish at any time in history.
Have a Peaceful Christmas!
(above) Festive holiday lights strung over Irving Street brighten the December evening.
(above) It was easy to get in to the holiday spirit when turning on to Cherry Street (looking east to Main street).
