Bradlees

[Caldor1999]

nice pics kida sad to see the lack of rentvation and time bradlees put into most of there stores

[powersbt]

Originally posted by powersbt

Originally posted by XISMZERO
A closer close-up of the Bradlees logo. Did they ever change their logo over the years? I seem to always remember it like this.

Yes, they had another logo in the early years. Looked similar to the one now, still red lettering. Letters were less fancy. I'm trying to think of where I saw it.

This should be enough proof that Bradlees did indeed have another logo. Found this photo on Ebay. I would say that this is early to mid '70s??



Direct Link to the Auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bradlees-8005-TO-Dual-Motion-Sander-115V-60-Hz_W0QQitemZ230080262580QQihZ013QQcategoryZ42285QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[XISMZERO]

Here's something I came across on eBay: a used matchbook from "Stop & Shop Companies". As we know, Bradlees was apart of the companies; Stop & Shop, Bradlees and Medi Mart from 1961-1992.

Auction Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/BRADLEES-STOP-SHOP-SUPERMARKETS-MATCHCOVER-UNSTRUCK_W0QQitemZ150084753673QQihZ005QQcategoryZ477QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[AmesNewington]

Forgive me if this was posted somewhere else on these boards, however I just found new updated information on the plaza that housed Bradlees in Manchester (The Manchester Parkade). It was on wfsb.com, under Town-By-Town News in the News section. It said a development company put in an application to tear down the empty buildings in that plaza to build a new revitalized shopping center. It was a very short headline, however, I have to assume this is the Bradlees/Stop and Shop building they are talking about.

If anyone knows more, please either correct me or explain more. I read through the paragraph fast. I am posting the link.

http://www.wfsb.com/townbytownnews/index.html

[Caldor1999]

hears a bradlees commrical from 1974 its in 4 parts and jugging the look fromt hsi store is ee they ahvent changed since tehre 2001 closure sad huh thatsh why i dident liek bradlees but anyway this commrcial is pretty intresting wander what store it was shot at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gchP2PLcRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSVcxMqyCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIbibcwdxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9AyuGSYRag

[powersbt]

Originally posted by Caldor1999
hears a bradlees commrical from 1974 its in 4 parts and jugging the look fromt hsi store is ee they ahvent changed since tehre 2001 closure sad huh thatsh why i dident liek bradlees but anyway this commrcial is pretty intresting wander what store it was shot at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gchP2PLcRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSVcxMqyCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIbibcwdxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9AyuGSYRag

Sure looked different than the Bradlees I knew. Unless you're talking about the red present in the store, but other than that, the stores I know were remodeled since then.

[Zayre88]

Originally posted by Caldor1999
hears a bradlees commrical from 1974 its in 4 parts and jugging the look fromt hsi store is ee they ahvent changed since tehre 2001 closure sad huh thatsh why i dident liek bradlees but anyway this commrcial is pretty intresting wander what store it was shot at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gchP2PLcRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSVcxMqyCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIbibcwdxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9AyuGSYRag

One thing i noticed is the Bradlees logo.  If this ad was in 1974, the logo we all know was used back then.  I wonder when it was introduced (to replace the one seen in the sander picture)...

[Caldor1999]

Originally posted by powersbt

Originally posted by Caldor1999
hears a bradlees commrical from 1974 its in 4 parts and jugging the look fromt hsi store is ee they ahvent changed since tehre 2001 closure sad huh thatsh why i dident liek bradlees but anyway this commrcial is pretty intresting wander what store it was shot at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gchP2PLcRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSVcxMqyCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIbibcwdxg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9AyuGSYRag

Sure looked different than the Bradlees I knew. Unless you're talking about the red present in the store, but other than that, the stores I know were remodeled since then.

alot of the new york stores wer eoutdated and so were some of the CT stores i know they rentvated some stores but they should have keepedup with it like caldor did

[scottw73]

The Marshalls in the picture was actually the Old Stop and Shop (which relocated up the street in the Nutmeg Sqaure Shopping Center)

[store215]

The store in the commercial looks possibly like it was in a mall.

[XISMZERO]

Originally posted by MBZ321
The store in the commercial looks possibly like it was in a mall.

Interesting commercial and a pretty good tie in there with the basketball. I find it neat how the Bradlees logo has been used for decades - not that I'm surprised. Bradlees was doing marvelously under Stop & Shop Companies (make note of that under the Bradlees logo) and kept that sign long after the divorce. Like JCPenney, they sought to keep their logo simple throughout the 1970s to 2000. Only thing was Bradlees logo was lookin' dated by the 90's when rival Caldor redesigned theirs.

[Loki]

Some former Bradlees in my area:

Stratford, CT
As some of the photos in this thread show the signage is still up and the building vacant, I was by there yesterday and nothing's changed. I've heard talk of a BJ's and a Lowes's going in but nothing concrete. The dock shopping center where this Bradlees is used to be a Stop & Shop company's big 3. The S&S used to be where Petco and Toyworks are before a Super S&S was built out back. Bradlees is still in it's original spot and a Medi-Mart used to be in Staples. Medimart changed to Walgreens and after Stop and Shop moved out back Staples moved into what is now a vacant spot next to Toy Works (I believe part of what is now Petco was added on around that time). When Walgreens moved to a freestanding store several miles away, Staples moved next door.

Bridgeport, CT
Bradlees in Bridgeport opened in 1975 in what was a former Shopper's Fair (I don't know much about the chain except they had another location in Bridgeport). It had a brown front roof with a white logo and really wasn't updated much over the years. It closed in 2001 and is now divided into 4 stores: AJ Wright, a mattress store, Models and a junky store called Teddies.

Derby, CT
The Derby stored closed around 1996, well before the whole chain went under. It was in a plaza just off Rt. 8 exit 16 northbound (there is no exit 16 southbound) which also had a Woolworths and Stop and Shop. In the '70s this store had an unusual sign instead of the traditional logo there were different colored blocks each containing a white letter that ran pretty much the length of the store which spelled out Bradlees. Today it is a Shoprite.

Shelton, CT
This store was built around 1982 in a plaza with a Super Stop & Shop. There is still a trash can there with the Bradlees, S&S and Medi-mart logos on it, although there was never a Medi-Mart there. Today the former Bradlees has been split in two with Bed, Bath and Beyond in one side and a local shoe chain called, Hawley Lane Shoes in the other.

[XISMZERO]

Originally posted by Loki
Some former Bradlees in my area:

Excellent brush up there. So Stratford is still vacant? I went there in August but I assumed it might be gone now. I heard of BJs coming in soon too - not too surprised it hasnt happened yet. You say there's a vintage S&S companies trash can in Shelton? I'll put that on my bulletlist when I head up there hopefully (weather pending) in the next week(s). There's a Medimart can at the Enfield S&S but I never have time to stop there on my usual travels via 91.

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Loki
Some former Bradlees in my area:

Stratford, CT
As some of the photos in this thread show the signage is still up and the building vacant, I was by there yesterday and nothing's changed. I've heard talk of a BJ's and a Lowes's going in but nothing concrete. The dock shopping center where this Bradlees is used to be a Stop & Shop company's big 3. The S&S used to be where Petco and Toyworks are before a Super S&S was built out back. Bradlees is still in it's original spot and a Medi-Mart used to be in Staples. Medimart changed to Walgreens and after Stop and Shop moved out back Staples moved into what is now a vacant spot next to Toy Works (I believe part of what is now Petco was added on around that time). When Walgreens moved to a freestanding store several miles away, Staples moved next door.

Bridgeport, CT
Bradlees in Bridgeport opened in 1975 in what was a former Shopper's Fair (I don't know much about the chain except they had another location in Bridgeport). It had a brown front roof with a white logo and really wasn't updated much over the years. It closed in 2001 and is now divided into 4 stores: AJ Wright, a mattress store, Models and a junky store called Teddies.

Derby, CT
The Derby stored closed around 1996, well before the whole chain went under. It was in a plaza just off Rt. 8 exit 16 northbound (there is no exit 16 southbound) which also had a Woolworths and Stop and Shop. In the '70s this store had an unusual sign instead of the traditional logo there were different colored blocks each containing a white letter that ran pretty much the length of the store which spelled out Bradlees. Today it is a Shoprite.

Shelton, CT
This store was built around 1982 in a plaza with a Super Stop & Shop. There is still a trash can there with the Bradlees, S&S and Medi-mart logos on it, although there was never a Medi-Mart there. Today the former Bradlees has been split in two with Bed, Bath and Beyond in one side and a local shoe chain called, Hawley Lane Shoes in the other.

DID The one in Bridgeport look like the one in hartford on Park st???? how big was the one in bridgeport?

[Zayre88]

from ebay, an old Bradlees toys ad:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-4/21470/100_3213.jpg

Even has a list of stores in MA, CT and NY

here's part of the image:

[XISMZERO]

Originally posted by Zayre88
from ebay, an old Bradlees toys ad:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-4/21470/100_3213.jpg

Even has a list of stores in MA, CT and NY

Wow what a find! And the store locators are wonderful. This must've been from the late 1960s or possibly 1970 (kept in immaculate condition). This is evident because of that logo they discontinued in the early 1970s for the one that became the standard until the very end. Also, Newington, CT isn't on the list (not too sure when it opened, guessing mid 1970s).

[d_fife]

Originally posted by XISMZERO

Originally posted by Zayre88
from ebay, an old Bradlees toys ad:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-4/21470/100_3213.jpg

Even has a list of stores in MA, CT and NY

Wow what a find! And the store locators are wonderful. This must've been from the late 1960s or possibly 1970 (kept in immaculate condition). This is evident because of that logo they discontinued in the early 1970s for the one that became the standard until the very end. Also, Newington, CT isn't on the list (not too sure when it opened, guessing mid 1970s).

WHAT YEAR WAS THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! and it even mentions one in south yarmouth (it must have relocated to hyannis). and there was one in torrington in torrington shopping center and bedford mass and the one in bedford mass is mentioned in an article on google news archieves. Hey Marc82 and XISMZERO, IT MENTIONS ONE IN NEW BRITAIN and west hartford. and wethersfield!!!!! and there was one on quarry st in fall river (The one in the mall opened in the early 1970s) and mentions one THE ONE IN FALL RIVER IN THE HARBOR MALL!!! and the groton sawmill rd one is mentioned and new london shopping center. and 913 cresent st one.
 
WHERE ARE THE NH ONES!!!!!

[Marc82]

The New Britain Bradlees was in Stanley Plaza on Slater Road. It was there in the late 60s. Even tho my parents grew up in New Britain they don't remember when it closed. The plaza was anchored by Bradlees and MOTT Shoprite. Eventually all of the plaza except for one building was demolished. It was mostly abandoend for years. For a short time it was a Price Club. And then it was a Nestle Choclate Distribution Center. Then it was Walmart 1997-2001 or 2002. Now it's Webster Bank Coporate Training Center. (I-84 Exit 36 and take a left).

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Marc82
The New Britain Bradlees was in Stanley Plaza on Slater Road. It was there in the late 60s. Even tho my parents grew up in New Britain they don't remember when it closed. The plaza was anchored by Bradlees and MOTT Shoprite. Eventually all of the plaza except for one building was demolished. It was mostly abandoend for years. For a short time it was a Price Club. And then it was a Nestle Choclate Distribution Center. Then it was Walmart 1997-2001 or 2002. Now it's Webster Bank Coporate Training Center. (I-84 Exit 36 and take a left).

how big was the bradlees? I bet it was run down. I found new britain to be (I almost got in an accident there).

I still wonder when that ad was made?

[Marc82]

The New Briain Bradlees was the size of an average Bradlees.

Yeah New Britain is a pretty run-down city. I'm all too familair with it. I went to high school there for 4 years. I graduated class of 2000 EC Goodwin Technical High School.

XISMZERO goes to college in New Britain. Central CT State Univeristy.

Back in the 70s Mayor Manafort eliminated alot of comemrcial/retail space and the city has been suffering ever since. And in my opinion the city still is doing poor planning. (Example being letting the big former Walmart beign converted to office Space). They also wanna ripdown the New Brite Shopping Center and replace it with a stadium for Central CT State Univeristy. As I said to XISMZERO the other day, "Sure elimainate what little retail and commercial space they have let in New Briain." Tho they're planning on ripping down some abandoned Low-Income Housing to build Commercial Space on Slater ROad, but I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard that for like 10 years.

[XISMZERO]

Originally posted by Marc82
The New Britain Bradlees was in Stanley Plaza on Slater Road. It was there in the late 60s. Even tho my parents grew up in New Britain they don't remember when it closed. The plaza was anchored by Bradlees and MOTT Shoprite. Eventually all of the plaza except for one building was demolished. It was mostly abandoend for years. For a short time it was a Price Club. And then it was a Nestle Choclate Distribution Center. Then it was Walmart 1997-2001 or 2002. Now it's Webster Bank Coporate Training Center. (I-84 Exit 36 and take a left).

I figured that Bradlees was there. That's the only spot of retail around Slater Road. I remember it as far back as Price Club, Wal-Mart (shortly) and then I drove by last year and saw it fenced off as a Webster Bank Center.

[XISMZERO]

Here's a list of former Bradlees stores I've compiled by the list from advertisment.

Former Bradlees of CONNECTICUT

Check the bottom for update

[Loki]

Finally remembered to bring my camera with me when I went to former Bradless in Shelton, CT. This is a picture of what was once Bradless. The store's entrance was roughly somewhere in where Bed, Bath and Beyond's entrance and windows are. This was built first with the other side left vacant until Hawley Lane Shoes moved in last year.

[Loki]

Here is Bradlees loading dock which is pretty much unchanged, the wood shingled roof seen here was also accross the front of the store. It may be hard to notice in this pic, but I've always have been a little creeped out by the graffitti on the right hand door, it reads "Chucky Cheese Gang" and has a crude mouse face. While I don't condone graffitti I am glad the shoe store didn't paint this over, it adds a little character to the place.

[Loki]

The infamous Medi-Mart logo trash can, there are two cans left here with readable logos, this is the better of the two, this one is outside a hair salon. Again there was never a Medi-Mart in this plaza.

[Loki]

Bradlees logo on the same trash can (the only remaining evidence  of Bradlees' presence). The other side was bare, maybe the Stop &Shop logo is against the wall.

[XISMZERO]

Great pictures, Loki! Where's that trash can located in the plaza?

[d_fife]

Originally posted by XISMZERO
Here's a list of former Bradlees stores I've compiled by the list from advertisment.

Former Bradlees of CONNECTICUT

ENFIELD (Hazard Ave.) -- subdivided into relocated Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Marshalls
STRATFORD (Ferry Blvd., The Dock) -- still vacant, soon to become a BJ's Wholesale Club (construction has not begun as of February 2007)
HARTFORD (Park St.) -- still vacant, soon to be demolished in urban renewal program
WEST HARTFORD (Bishop's Corner-N.Main St.) -- Wild Oats Supermarket (?)
WETHERSFIELD (Berlin Turnpike); became Wal-Mart*
*There was a Bradlees in Newington on the Berlin Turnpike. Possible territorial shift?
NEW BRITAIN (Slater Rd.) -- became Price Club, Wal-Mart, currently Webster Bank Coporate Training Center
BRISTOL (US-6, Bristol Plaza) -- became relocated Super Stop & Shop
TORRINGTON -- subdivided into Staples, TJ Maxx
MIDDLETOWN / South Main St. -- original location became Biosystems Inc.
WATERBURY / Chase Avenue -- became Target (2005)
WATERBURY / Scott Road (Reidville Dr.) -- subdivided into Sealy Sleep Center, Raymour & Flanigan
NEW LONDON -- relocated to New London Mall, became Burlington Coat Factory
GROTON (Longhill Rd.) -- subdivided into TJ Maxx
DANBURY (Newtown Rd.) --  demolished, became Wal-Mart
HAMDEN (Dixwell Ave., Hamden Mart) --  became Wal-Mart
EAST HAVEN (Frontage Rd.) --  became CarMax (2005)
ORANGE (Bull Hill Lane) --  became Kohl's (2006)
DERBY (Bridgeport Ave.) -- became Shop-Rite
NORWALK (US-1) -- became Wal-Mart

-Not Listed in Advertisment (built after 1973)-

MANCHESTER (Broad St., Manchester Parkade) -- still vacant, soon to be demolished for retailer
FAIRFIELD (Villa Avenue Shopping Center) -- became expanded Super Stop & Shop
BRIDGEPORT (Boston Ave.) -- subdivided into AJ Wright, Modell's
SHELTON -- subdivided into Bed, Bath & Beyond, Hawley Lane Shoes (formerly at Hawley Lane Mall; Trumbull)
NEWINGTON (Berlin Turnpike) -- former Two Guys, became Bradlees, currently Wal-Mart
NEW MILFORD (Rt. 7, Dodd Rd.) --  became Wal-Mart
GUILFORD (Boston Post Rd.) -- became Wal-Mart
MERIDEN -- became Burlington Coat Factory
MIDDLETOWN / East Main St. -- relocated from South Main St., became Marshalls

Subject to corrections, additions.

the one in East hartford in charter oak marketplace is not in the advertisement.

the one in north andover mall in north andover is not in the advertisement. neither is the one in quincy Mass. or framingham.

[Loki]

This can was outside a hair cutters called, Michael Richard's Salon, the can that was more worn was outside a travel agent, they move them around every so often but the Plaza is realy not that big. There's a third can that is unmarked. What's strange is the Super Stop & Shop there doesn't have any near it just those old fast food style pebble covered ones. I guess these belonged to Bradless not S&S.

[XISMZERO]

Originally posted by d_fife

the one in East hartford in charter oak marketplace is not in the advertisement.

Former Bradlees of CONNECTICUT

ENFIELD (Hazard Ave.) -- subdivided into relocated Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Marshalls
STRATFORD (Ferry Blvd., The Dock) -- still vacant, soon to become a BJ's Wholesale Club (construction has not begun as of February 2007)
HARTFORD (Park St.) -- still vacant, soon to be demolished in urban renewal program
WEST HARTFORD (Bishop's Corner-N.Main St.) -- Wild Oats Supermarket (?)
WETHERSFIELD (Berlin Turnpike); became Wal-Mart*
*There was a Bradlees in Newington on the Berlin Turnpike. Possible territorial shift?
NEW BRITAIN (Slater Rd.) -- became Price Club, Wal-Mart, currently Webster Bank Coporate Training Center
BRISTOL (US-6, Bristol Plaza) -- became relocated Super Stop & Shop
TORRINGTON -- subdivided into Staples, TJ Maxx
MIDDLETOWN / South Main St. -- original location became Biosystems Inc.
WATERBURY / Chase Avenue -- became Target (2005)
WATERBURY / Scott Road (Reidville Dr.) -- subdivided into Sealy Sleep Center, Raymour & Flanigan
NEW LONDON -- relocated to New London Mall, became Burlington Coat Factory (possibly subdivided)
GROTON (Longhill Rd.) -- subdivided into TJ Maxx
DANBURY (Newtown Rd.) --  demolished, became Wal-Mart
HAMDEN (Dixwell Ave., Hamden Mart) --  became Wal-Mart
EAST HAVEN (Frontage Rd.) --  became CarMax (2005)
ORANGE (Bull Hill Lane) --  became Kohl's (2006)
DERBY (Bridgeport Ave.) -- became Shop-Rite
NORWALK (US-1) -- became Wal-Mart

-Not Listed in Advertisment (built after 1973)-

MANCHESTER (Broad St., Manchester Parkade) -- still vacant, soon to be demolished for retailer
EAST HARTFORD (Charter Oak Mall/Marketplace) -- became Burlington Coat Factory
FAIRFIELD (Villa Avenue Shopping Center) -- became expanded Super Stop & Shop
BRIDGEPORT (Boston Ave.) -- subdivided into AJ Wright, Modell's, some other stores
SHELTON -- subdivided into Bed, Bath & Beyond, Hawley Lane Shoes (Hawley Lane Shoes formerly at Hawley Lane Mall; Trumbull)
NEWINGTON (Berlin Turnpike) -- former Two Guys, became Bradlees, currently Wal-Mart
NEW MILFORD (Rt. 7, Dodd Rd.) --  became Wal-Mart
GUILFORD (Boston Post Rd.) -- became Wal-Mart
MERIDEN -- became Burlington Coat Factory
MIDDLETOWN / East Main St. -- relocated from South Main St., became Marshalls

Not too sure about West Hartford. There's a report the Marshalls on North Main St was most currently home to Caldor (W.Hartford had two Caldor stores).

Revised 2-14-2007.