Bradlees

Mobil · January 19, 2009, 11:25:05 PM

About when was this truck made?

CTAmeshopper · January 20, 2009, 08:53:15 AM

My best guess 1980s or early 1990s.

I'm not quit sure.

Certainly NOT 1970's.

wwefan101 · January 20, 2009, 02:27:16 PM

the worcster mass ames was bult from ground up when they put the new shoping center in my aunt used to work at it from the day they opend

videogamer75 · January 20, 2009, 04:04:16 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by TRJ22487

These are the only two photos I've been able to find of the Keene location throughout this entire thread. Seeing the great shots that exist of so many locations I'm seeing in this thread, it kills me that these are the only two photos even in known existance of the Keene, NH one. Makes me want to slap myself for not taking dozens of photos back in the 90's. To the people that did take these photos though, any idea what year they are from?

Hey, at least there are some pictures of the store at all - I can't find a single pic of, or even related to the old Jamesway store in Williamstown, NJ which I have been desperately been seeking pics of forever.

But anyway does anyone know what happened to the first Bradlees in New London CT?

CTAmeshopper · February 22, 2009, 08:29:39 PM

BIG UPDATE!

Some of the basement level is still being used by TJ Maxx.

Recently I was with my mom at the Torrington TJ Maxx which you remember used to be a Bradlees up until 1994. Now my mom asked where the bathrooms are and she was told they were DOWNSTAIRS!!!! So out of curiosity and just in case I had to go to the bathroom I followed her. Now on the way down I noticed that the railings were red and the tips of the stairs had red stripes,plus it looked old and weathered. Now I was slightly disappointed because on the end of the stairs was a small hallway that had doors to the bathrooms and an opening to what looked like a break room which had a Coca Cola vending machine. I went inside the men's bathroom, I noticed the signage was a bit older probably from 1994. Now inside the bathroom was red stalls, I did my business and exited. There were recent additions like a paper towel dispenser and a soap dispenser. But the rest looked pretty old and used. Could have this been the original Bradlees bathroom? or was this the TJ Maxx bathroom made in 1994? I can't tell. But one things for sure TJ Maxx is still using part of the basement level from the old Bradlees, they probably built the hallway around the now unused large Bradlees basement level. Oh and I also discovered that TJ Maxx uses an elevator as well, I never decided to go in though. Also looking through the windows of the doors of a space that employees were only allowed in I noticed another stairway to the downstairs with a red railing, and to the left was a entrance blocked with wood and on one of the black doors which was opened read "Look" with an arrow pointing down underneath. Could this entrance lead to the rest of the old Bradlees top level? It must be because I remember the store used to be much much bigger.

All in all this was a surprising great discovery.

Now I wonder if Staples has some stairs leading down to the basement as well.:bigsmile:

XISMZERO · February 23, 2009, 12:49:49 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by videogamer75
But anyway does anyone know what happened to the first Bradlees in New London CT?

The first Bradlees in New London along Bridge Approach / South Frontage Road is now occupied mainly by Burlington Coat Factory. It closed in 1982 and moved across the street to the New London Mall after Two Guys closed up there.

kendra · February 23, 2009, 09:13:14 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by CTAmeshopper
BIG UPDATE!

Some of the basement level is still being used by TJ Maxx.

Recently I was with my mom at the Torrington TJ Maxx which you remember used to be a Bradlees up until 1994. Now my mom asked where the bathrooms are and she was told they were DOWNSTAIRS!!!! So out of curiosity and just in case I had to go to the bathroom I followed her. Now on the way down I noticed that the railings were red and the tips of the stairs had red stripes,plus it looked old and weathered. Now I was slightly disappointed because on the end of the stairs was a small hallway that had doors to the bathrooms and an opening to what looked like a break room which had a Coca Cola vending machine. I went inside the men's bathroom, I noticed the signage was a bit older probably from 1994. Now inside the bathroom was red stalls, I did my business and exited. There were recent additions like a paper towel dispenser and a soap dispenser. But the rest looked pretty old and used. Could have this been the original Bradlees bathroom? or was this the TJ Maxx bathroom made in 1994? I can't tell. But one things for sure TJ Maxx is still using part of the basement level from the old Bradlees, they probably built the hallway around the now unused large Bradlees basement level. Oh and I also discovered that TJ Maxx uses an elevator as well, I never decided to go in though. Also looking through the windows of the doors of a space that employees were only allowed in I noticed another stairway to the downstairs with a red railing, and to the left was a entrance blocked with wood and on one of the black doors which was opened read "Look" with an arrow pointing down underneath. Could this entrance lead to the rest of the old Bradlees top level? It must be because I remember the store used to be much much bigger.

All in all this was a surprising great discovery.

Very cool!! :yup:

I'll be passing through Connecticut via I-84 in a couple of weeks...Torrington appears to be about a half hour north of Waterbury. Maybe, if time allows, I'll go check it out.

XISMZERO · February 23, 2009, 09:35:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by CTAmeshopper
BIG UPDATE!

Some of the basement level is still being used by TJ Maxx.

Recently I was with my mom at the Torrington TJ Maxx which you remember used to be a Bradlees up until 1994. Now my mom asked where the bathrooms are and she was told they were DOWNSTAIRS!!!! So out of curiosity and just in case I had to go to the bathroom I followed her. Now on the way down I noticed that the railings were red and the tips of the stairs had red stripes,plus it looked old and weathered. Now I was slightly disappointed because on the end of the stairs was a small hallway that had doors to the bathrooms and an opening to what looked like a break room which had a Coca Cola vending machine. I went inside the men's bathroom, I noticed the signage was a bit older probably from 1994. Now inside the bathroom was red stalls, I did my business and exited. There were recent additions like a paper towel dispenser and a soap dispenser. But the rest looked pretty old and used. Could have this been the original Bradlees bathroom? or was this the TJ Maxx bathroom made in 1994? I can't tell. But one things for sure TJ Maxx is still using part of the basement level from the old Bradlees, they probably built the hallway around the now unused large Bradlees basement level. Oh and I also discovered that TJ Maxx uses an elevator as well, I never decided to go in though. Also looking through the windows of the doors of a space that employees were only allowed in I noticed another stairway to the downstairs with a red railing, and to the left was a entrance blocked with wood and on one of the black doors which was opened read "Look" with an arrow pointing down underneath. Could this entrance lead to the rest of the old Bradlees top level? It must be because I remember the store used to be much much bigger.

All in all this was a surprising great discovery.

Now I wonder if Staples has some stairs leading down to the basement as well.:bigsmile:

Interesting story. The next time I venture out that way I will be sure to ask to use the restrooms and do my own investigation, maybe peek through some doors!

greg8370 · February 23, 2009, 09:53:42 AM

I don't mind you using the pictures of the Bradlees trailers I took but at least give me photo credit

XISMZERO · February 23, 2009, 01:03:42 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by greg8370
I don't mind you using the pictures of the Bradlees trailers I took but at least give me photo credit

On that note, I will now delete pictures I see without proper credit doubly if they're reposts. Let's use links people. Keep the forums clean and informative (and on an extended note, type coherently, use puncuation or at least try for some of you -- we all have to struggle to read your dribble).

wwefan101 · February 23, 2009, 01:52:32 PM

i wont use links manly cause i dont want pepole seeing my other pics that arnt to do with the topic

Mervyns · February 27, 2009, 05:11:30 PM

Why did Bradlees stores mostly become quality stores that spent time and money on them as opposed to Ames? Lots of Ames are Big Lots/Job Lot type stores. most were subdivided too. Many are still vacant and pretty much neglected, such as the one in Painted Post, NY.

wwefan101 · February 27, 2009, 07:06:12 PM

bradless was ok my aunt worked for them i rember use to hanging out wateing for my aunt to get off work with my cousion at her regster it was fun

TRJ22487 · February 28, 2009, 10:17:24 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Mervyns
Why did Bradlees stores mostly become quality stores that spent time and money on them as opposed to Ames? Lots of Ames are Big Lots/Job Lot type stores. most were subdivided too. Many are still vacant and pretty much neglected, such as the one in Painted Post, NY.

Y'know that's a pretty good question that I never really thought about. All the Ames in NH either became OSJL or subdivided to things like Tractor Supply Co....The Ames in Springfield Vt became a Shaws, that might be the nicest thing I've seen an Ames become....The West Lebanon NH Rich's/Ames looks absolutely **** as Kohl's, that entire plaza has been entirely defaced since my childhood.

But my Bradlees turned into a Walmart, and it's been rumored for years that the Shaws next to it will someday become a Super Walmart (Keene, NH)

TRJ22487 · March 01, 2009, 02:11:18 PM

<Olympia opened around 95-96, this picture is quite old

Keene, NH Former Bradlees
Closed 2001
Reopened as Walmart 2003

Behind the building the top of the roof and this railing are still Bradlees red

I've trekked the woods behind this area, there is nothing to find

wwefan101 · March 01, 2009, 02:12:51 PM

wow a walmart with red lettering thats a frist

dmx10101 · March 01, 2009, 02:14:27 PM

that is one odd looking wal-mart.

TRJ22487 · March 01, 2009, 02:15:27 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by wwefan101
wow a walmart with red lettering thats a frist

I remember when they were building it the town would not allow them to use blue paint and blue lettering

Mervyns · March 01, 2009, 03:18:24 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by wwefan101
wow a walmart with red lettering thats a frist

no, they have been building them since 2002

wwefan101 · March 01, 2009, 03:31:55 PM

evey walmart here got white lettering

Mervyns · March 01, 2009, 10:23:59 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Mervyns
QuoteOriginally posted by wwefan101
wow a walmart with red lettering thats a frist

no, they have been building them since 2002

Like the Supercenter in Painted Post NY.

Mervyns · March 01, 2009, 10:27:43 PM

And a remodeled one. Most of them that were former Bradlees had the red. Coincidence?

Caldor1999 · March 02, 2009, 06:16:20 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Mervyns
And a remodeled one. Most of them that were former Bradlees had the red. Coincidence?

theres one in peekskill ny that also has the red lettering that opend in 1997 in a fromer Jamesway

wwefan101 · March 02, 2009, 10:50:46 AM

kool i cant waite to see how the walmart in oxford ma turns out after the 30tousand square feet is added on

GothicPrincess · March 02, 2009, 09:38:59 PM

I re-visited my old stomping grounds on January 3, 2009, and got this glorious photo of a still standing Bradlees in Hazlet, NJ
Enjoy

GothicPrincess · March 02, 2009, 09:42:42 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by TRJ22487
Would anybody be willing to make me a Bradlees t-shirt?

go to cafepress.com or zazzle.com they do custom t-shirts. All you do is upload whatever image you want on there and they print it on a t-shirt. I actually have stores on both of those for my friend's band. I might just make myself a bradlees t-shirt for myself lol good luck!!!

BillyGr · March 05, 2009, 04:36:34 PM

Here is a Bradlees Grand Reopening ad from the Latham (NY) location, from 10-13-87

I found this in some old papers used as packing in a box.

jmcnamara96 · March 20, 2009, 03:04:50 PM

jmcnamara96 · March 20, 2009, 05:14:56 PM

My bosses wife Lynn worked at the bulinghton bradlees heres a box cutters when they were owned by stop and shop

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view&current=JoesPictures105.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures105.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

jmcnamara96 · March 21, 2009, 10:37:47 AM

Bradlees

Mobil

CTAmeshopper

videogamer75

CTAmeshopper

kendra

Mervyns

Mervyns

Mervyns

Mervyns