The LFM (Leonard, Fitzpatrick, Mueller) purchased the stock of retailer Cracowaner at the northwest corner of Franklin and Polk Streets in 1925. Ten minutes after they opened their doors in June of that year, they were forced to close them due to overwhelming crowds. It happened several times that day. The store was sandwiched between O’Falk’s and Wolf Brothers department stores and across the street from the Kress Bldg. in the center of the downtown shopping universe. Business was so good that in 1926 they added two stories to the building. In 1929, as the Great Depression loomed, national retailer Bellas Hess Apparel bought the store.

Bellas went through a reorganization in 1932 and sold the building. In June of that year, the Stovall-Baugh department store opened but it only lasted six months. It closed its doors and moved in December. In 1933, J.C Penny opened. Surrounded by other popular stores it remained a prime spot for retail through the late 1950s but faltered with declining sales.

The Element condominium building broke ground here in 2007. When a recession hit in 2008 the owners sought a zoning change to convert the project to apartments. The Element continues to serve as a vital residence as the downtown area has seen a strong renaissance and has sprung to life with new stores, restaurants, and places to live.  

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved