Sage Department Stores

[EastEnd Susan]

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

[gnu]

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

Yep..its some sort of school now. ..but I think it was a little more up 45. Between Airport and Monroe.

Here is a link to another thread where Sage was discussed along with Globe and some other "dead" stores.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...?showtopic=2794

[EastEnd Susan]

Yep..its some sort of school now. ..but I think it was a little more up 45. Between Airport and Monroe.

Here is a link to another thread where Sage was discussed along with Globe and some other "dead" stores.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...?showtopic=2794

Thanks Gnu. I have to go downtown today and will check for the old sage.

[apollopride]

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

I still have one of their old ad campaigns seared in my brain...

"Earl Campbell saved at Sage - He's a runnin' back!"

Or

"Joe Sambito saved at Sage - What a relief!" (Joe Sambito was a relief pitcher for the Astros in the 70's)

[MidtownCoog]

I remember the food court on the second level.

Which was trashier? Sage or Globe?

[apollopride]

Which was trashier? Sage or Globe?

Definitely Globe.

[nativehou]

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

I grew up on the southeast side (Park Place and Reveille area) and my family shopped at Sage quite often in the 70s. I remember the pet shop within the store -- they sold fish and turtles and probably other things but that's what I remember. When they closed in the 80s I went to their final sale and bought one of the sets of lockers that were in the employee break room. I still have it in my garage -- it's moved with me several times!

[Trophy Property]

I am pretty sure there was Sage on Westhiemer and Stoney Brooke (just due West of Hillcroft). Today it is a Guitar Center. Since I grew up in the 70's in Briarmeadow I remember going there to get perscriptions with my mom. The toy aisle was pretty shoddy, but I always managed to find something to talk my mom into buying for me. We used to also shop at the Weingartens right next store.

[old_Sharpstown]

I am pretty sure there was Sage on Westhiemer and Stoney Brooke (just due West of Hillcroft). Today it is a Guitar Center. Since I grew up in the 70's in Briarmeadow I remember going there to get perscriptions with my mom. The toy aisle was pretty shoddy, but I always managed to find something to talk my mom into buying for me. We used to also shop at the Weingartens right next store.

That was actualy a "Sage Drugs" which was an off-shoot of the Sage stores. Sage was the orignal "big box" store/mass merchandiser. It was the precursor in Houston to K-Mart and Walmart. Sage Drugs were smaller stores and were more in-line like a Walgreens.

There was a "Globe" at Bellaire Blvd. and Hilcroft (it became a Fiesta store later). There was a Sage at 610 and Beechnut and a Builder's Square (now closed??) came to occupy that space later.

[Ashikaga]

I remember the food court on the second level.

Which was trashier? Sage or Globe?

Back then, those stores might have been classified at discount department stores, like Wal-Mart and Target are today. But if they weren't national chains, that might be the reason why, as you say, they were "trashy." National chains usually have housekeeping and cleanliness standards and policies.

I was called on the phone years ago to take a survey. I was asked silly question such as how many glasses of beer had I drank in the last seven days. Then they asked me the last time I visited an upscale department store. I said Wal-Mart, but was told that Wal-Mart didn't qualify as upscale. Stores like Dillard's and Neiman Marcus did.

[escapee]

I remember the food court on the second level.

Which was trashier? Sage or Globe?

[/quote

I remember them both TOO well. The most overpowering memory is that of BURNT POPCORN cooked in rancid oil. Gag me!

[musicman]

Don't forget Fedmart which was along the same lines as Sage and Globe.

[topcat57]

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

Sage was on the east side of the Gulf Freeway just south of Monroe. The building's still there and was remodeled as some sort of school a few years ago.

Every time I see (or smell) caramel popcorn I think of Sage. They had a popcorn stand just inside the exit doors, and we always stopped for a bag. It was usually still hot and gooey.

I remember shopping for school supplies there every year during the 1960s. I still have some bath towels we bought there in the early '70s. Needless to say, they're a bit worn now!

We never looked at the clothing there. We usually shopped for clothes at Sakowitz at Gulfgate or downtown Foley's.

[Trophy Property]

That was actualy a "Sage Drugs" which was an off-shoot of the Sage stores. Sage was the orignal "big box" store/mass merchandiser. It was the precursor in Houston to K-Mart and Walmart. Sage Drugs were smaller stores and were more in-line like a Walgreens.

You are correct. That is what I remember.

[BellaireGuy]

That was actualy a "Sage Drugs" which was an off-shoot of the Sage stores. Sage was the orignal "big box" store/mass merchandiser. It was the precursor in Houston to K-Mart and Walmart. Sage Drugs were smaller stores and were more in-line like a Walgreens.

There was a "Globe" at Bellaire Blvd. and Hilcroft (it became a Fiesta store later). There was a Sage at 610 and Beechnut and a Builder's Square (now closed??) came to occupy that space later.

That particular Builders' Square, which occupied the old Sage building, closed a few years ago and was torn down. Then a Lowe's was built there in its place (at Beechnut and Loop 610).

[Alpha]

There was a Sage store at the corner of the Katy Freeway and West Belt (now Beltway 8). Later it became some kind of weird flea market - very seedy. It was closed for years and I think it has finally been torn down.

There was a Globe on Gessner across from Memorial City. It was torn down and Oshmans was built in the spot. I'm not sure what's there now - it may be part of Memorial City Hospital - sorry, Memorial Hermann.

[NenaE]

I remember the food court on the second level.

Sage (Monroe & 45S) always fascinated me as a child. It had that large & small staircase leading to the restaurant, above entrance. Had a rocket shaped gumball machine.(Times we lived in, everything was space-age related). Also had a very wide wooden staircase leading to a large loft, roped off storage area in the toy section.

I remember shopping for school supplies there every year during the 1960s.

They had good school supplies.

Edited April 18, 2008 by NenaE

[Vertigo58]

Don't forget Fedmart which was along the same lines as Sage and Globe.

Oh God, I worked at the Fedmart (1980) where Mervyn's was and before was Globe on Woodridge-Gulfgate Mall.

Still have my name tag. Was red lettering with white background. Something like the sign...or opposite of.

Edited April 21, 2008 by Vertigo58

[plumber2]

Woolco had the best locations out of all those early discount stores in Houston.

[Native Montrosian]

True. The Woolco I grew up with was on the corner of Weslayan & Bissonnet, where Michael's & Bering's are now.

[Vertigo58]

Vaguely remeber White's?

I think it was an Appliance Store?

WHITE'S

[plumber2]

Vaguely remeber White's?

I think it was an Appliance Store?

WHITE'S

White's were similar to Western Auto's. These stores were independent and operated as "agencies". This business practice was an early version of a franchise. "Gibson's" was another one of these.

[Vertigo58]

White's were similar to Western Auto's. These stores were independent and operated as "agencies". This business practice was an early version of a franchise. "Gibson's" was another one of these.

They were pretty plain buildings says "Established in 1964" which coins it about right here in Houston. Apparently they are still around in some states! Whoa!

Gotta be certain on Google it sometimes give incorrect pics. I hope that is correct below. They did look sort of like this. One was definelty way over on Lyons's Avenue in Denver Harbor in the 60's.

[Todds_Mom]

WOW! Blast from the past!

I remember sitting in the little kids booth that you put quarters into to watch reel to reel cartoons while my mom and sisters shopped at Sage. That AND the fresh made carmel corn.

Good times, good times!

OH, and always stopping at Wink's BBQ for lunch afterwards! It also is long gone. They had THE best ham sandwiches ever!

I remember Globe, too, but it doesn't hold nearly the same fond memories.

And the store on the East Freeway that is now a Fiesta.....between Federal and John Ralston Road. Can't believe that I don't remember the name. Gemco? Something co!

[cowboybud]

WOW! Blast from the past!

I remember sitting in the little kids booth that you put quarters into to watch reel to reel cartoons while my mom and sisters shopped at Sage. That AND the fresh made carmel corn.

Good times, good times!

OH, and always stopping at Wink's BBQ for lunch afterwards! It also is long gone. They had THE best ham sandwiches ever!

I remember Globe, too, but it doesn't hold nearly the same fond memories.

And the store on the East Freeway that is now a Fiesta.....between Federal and John Ralston Road. Can't believe that I don't remember the name. Gemco? Something co!

It is Gemco. There was also one at North Freeway @ Airline across from Northline Mall, which is also now a Fiesta (or was the last time I was over there).

[e streeter]

i remember the grocery store at the sage on beechnut and 610 where you would put your groceries in a bin on a conveyor belt and then you would drive around and pick up your groceries instead of having to cart them all the way through the store. used to always get our school supplies at sage.

another one of their billboards

clark kent saved at sage - super man!

[Jermaine]

Yes, I remember the GEMCO near Northline Mall on Airline. It was really a forerunner to what would become the 'superstore' model...we'd grocery shop there, there was an auto department and everything in between. My mother did a lot of sewing, and there was a huge fabric department there. And the toy section...'sigh'. You know, I got chills when I think of the massive amount of Mego superheroes and Shogun Warriors that were at that Gemco. Later, Star Wars...tons of Star Wars toys. I got my Kiss dolls from there.And another overpowering memory...popcorn and cherry ICEE's. There was a Sambo's in the parking lot...which later became a Sizzler. And to seal the deal on pop-culture merchandise perfection, there was a Toys R Us across the freeway. Northline Mall, A General Cinema, a Shakey's Pizza...all to the south. The Super GoKart track and arcade was directly behind the GEMCO.

And then, there was Astroworld....

and the Houston Oilers.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Sage was on the east side of the Gulf Freeway just south of Monroe. The building's still there and was remodeled as some sort of school a few years ago.

I was young, but I remember the names Sage and Globe.

If Sage was at Monroe, then Globe must have been the one at Airport and the Gulf Fwy. I recall eating at the Sambo's in the parking lot on a few occasions (now a Denny's I think). My only memories of Globe are being entranced by a bunch of pachinko machines on the shelves.

I think that Globe became a Sam's for a while before turning into the Flea Market that it's been for the last decade or so.

[brerrabbit]

I was young, but I remember the names Sage and Globe.

If Sage was at Monroe, then Globe must have been the one at Airport and the Gulf Fwy. I recall eating at the Sambo's in the parking lot on a few occasions (now a Denny's I think). My only memories of Globe are being entranced by a bunch of pachinko machines on the shelves.

I think that Globe became a Sam's for a while before turning into the Flea Market that it's been for the last decade or so.

Actually the store at Airport was never a Globe. I think it was a Wilsons, or something like that. The only Globe I knew of along the Gulf Freeway was on Woodridge right across from Gulgate Mall. The Fed Mart I went to as a kid was at Mykawa and Griggs and the building it was in is where the Fiesta is. Fed Mart moved into the Globe at Gulfgate when Globe closed. After that Fed Mart closed and the building was torn down and a Mervyns was built there. The Airport store did become the original Sam's for the Southeat side on town and was in business there until they built the Sam's at Fuqua and 45 then it closed and moved to the new location.

I remember the Sage on the Gulf Freeway really well. I worked for almost four years during college at the Plank Company which was right across the street. It's now United Rentals. I bought my gas at the Sage, cashed my paychecks at Sage, and bought my beer at the Sage Liquor store. During the gas shortages of that period the guy who ran the Sage Gas Station would be closed all the time but since we bought all our gas for the company vehicles from him, he would let us sneek our cars over and fill up or if he was trying to be real sly we would walk over with gas cans and fill our cars five gallons at a time.

[mwest]

OH, and always stopping at Wink's BBQ for lunch afterwards! It also is long gone. They had THE best ham sandwiches ever!

OMG, you remember Wink's?!

I don't know if there were more than one, but we used to go to Wink's on Richey

in Pasadena for the best barbecue sandwiches ever! This building was pink, and

I recall walking past a pool table with my dad and brothers to pick up the sandwiches.

The place seemed fairly dark inside.

Sage was around at least til the mid70's cos I remember shopping there with Mom and

Dad in '74 at the one in South Houston. (There was also a nicely shaded putt-putt

golf place behind it, IIRC.) And I remember getting some cute summer tops at Fedmart

in 1979.

I bought lots of 45's at Globe in Pasadena in the early-mid 70's; some still have the sticker

on them (67 cents.) On the fourth of July 1968, we bought a swimming pool there.

And I remember the parking lot carnivals there every year.

Don't mind me, I'm just rambling!

[NenaE]

Actually the store at Airport was never a Globe. I think it was a Wilsons, or something like that. The only Globe I knew of along the Gulf Freeway was on Woodridge right across from Gulgate Mall. The Fed Mart I went to as a kid was at Mykawa and Griggs and the building it was in is where the Fiesta is. Fed Mart moved into the Globe at Gulfgate when Globe closed. After that Fed Mart closed and the building was torn down and a Mervyns was built there. The Airport store did become the original Sam's for the Southeat side on town and was in business there until they built the Sam's at Fuqua and 45 then it closed and moved to the new location.

I remember the Sage on the Gulf Freeway really well. I worked for almost four years during college at the Plank Company which was right across the street. It's now United Rentals. I bought my gas at the Sage, cashed my paychecks at Sage, and bought my beer at the Sage Liquor store. During the gas shortages of that period the guy who ran the Sage Gas Station would be closed all the time but since we bought all our gas for the company vehicles from him, he would let us sneek our cars over and fill up or if he was trying to be real sly we would walk over with gas cans and fill our cars five gallons at a time.

The store at Gulf Frwy & Airport was a "Gemco", before a Sams & a flea market.

Edited January 4, 2009 by NenaE

[kens]

My first part-time high school job was as a box boy in the drug department of the old Sage Discount store at Beechnut and 610. I worked there for three years. It was originally a membership type store like Sam's and Costco are today. As I recall they dropped the annual membership fee somewhere down the line. Each department in the store was basically a separate entity with different ownership and management. Space within the store was leased to the different owners. As I recall they had the Beechnut store, one on I-10 (Katy Frwy), one on I-45 (Gulf Frwy), and one somewhere in Austin. I remember my boss talking to me about fixing me up with a job if I went to UT. Sage was pretty much the forerunner to Sam's complete with annual membership fees and door gaurds to check reciepts. They did not use item counts at the door, they had different colors of tape to put on all the bags each day. Everything needed a piece of tape on it to get out the door smoothly. I enjoyed working there. The last vestige of Sage that I know of in Houston is Arnes Warehouse on Studemont. That used to be the ownership and management of the Housewares Departments of Sage.

[Fringe]

[Retama]

We had a Globe, a Woolco, a K-Mart and a Gibson's in Baytown. I do remember the Sage stores and those ads. There are still some Gibson's Discount Centers around, including one in Kerrville.

[NenaE]

The Sage store at 1-45 & Monroe was intriguing to me, as a kid. Stairs leading to restaurant above entrance, toy section with stairs to storage area/attic looking thing in the middle of it, and a pet store w/ lots of aquariums, side/ back entrance. The school/ art supplies section was great, too.

[IronTiger]

When I was new here, there was some talk of a Sage or Globe store (both?) across from Town & Country Mall. But I was talking to someone about the Pasadena area and she said a Globe was opened across from the Foley's at Pasadena, that later became Target. While I would still like to know if the Target is still there, I want to know about Sage and Globe. Apparently one was dumpier than the other, but...

...tell me.

[redraider]

When I was new here, there was some talk of a Sage or Globe store (both?) across from Town & Country Mall. But I was talking to someone about the Pasadena area and she said a Globe was opened across from the Foley's at Pasadena, that later became Target. While I would still like to know if the Target is still there, I want to know about Sage and Globe. Apparently one was dumpier than the other, but...

...tell me.

I grew up in the Meyerland area and there was a Sage at 610 and Bisonett accross from Meyerland where the Home Depot now sits. I always liked Sage and I bought my first 8 Track stero system there in the 70's. I never cared to much for Globe.

[NenaE]

When I was new here, there was some talk of a Sage or Globe store (both?) across from Town & Country Mall. But I was talking to someone about the Pasadena area and she said a Globe was opened across from the Foley's at Pasadena, that later became Target. While I would still like to know if the Target is still there, I want to know about Sage and Globe. Apparently one was dumpier than the other, but...

...tell me.

There was a Globe across (south) from Foley's at Pasadena, guessing mid to late 1960's. Can't recall what it first became, maybe a Fedmart, do know it was (in later years) a Mervyn's. I don't ever remember a Target located there.

Globe would have been equivalent to a Kmart. Sage had a different feel, to me (independent owner style), maybe because there were only a few of them around. Don't know anything about the T&C one.

[DrFood]

Both Globe and Sage started off as membership type stores. My dad's employer, Dresser Industries offered their employees memberships via the credit union. I don't have many details on exactly how the membership worked. But Globe eventually stopped requiring a membership card to enter the store. Sage never stopped requiring the card until the bankruptcy.

Sage had locations in Houston and Austin. It was locally owned. The departments inside the store were leased by different companies. An example was the housewares department. Arnie of Arnies on Hicks family owned the housewares department "franchise". At one point late in the life of the stores Lewis & Coker owned the franchise for the grocery department.

Globe had locations nationwide if I am not mistaken. Globe was owned by Walgreen's.

Sage went belly-up in the late 80's during the oil bust.

Globe went belly-up in the mid to late 70's. Walgreen's wanted to focus on their drug store chain.

Locations

Sage Department Stores

Beechnut & Loop 610. The building was used by Builders Square for their store when it was there. When Lowes purchased the land they demolished the store and built a new building. The current McDonald's and Ihop replaced the gas station/auto center for Sage.

Beltway 8 & I-10. Currently the site of a detention pond for the newly constructed I-10. The structure sat empty for years until someone tried to put in a flea market. Never worked. I do not recall a gas station at this location. They did install tires in the auto center that was built into the store.

I-45 & College. Building still exists and is a school if I am not mistaken. The auto center was out in the parking lot close to I-45. They did sell gas at this location.

I do not remember the Austin locations. Nor do I have information on their fate.

Sage Drug Stores

Bellaire & Ranchester. The store was converted to a Walgreen's with the bankruptcy and then was converted as part of the center with the now Asian grocery store (formerly a Lewis & Coker). When in High School I worked at this location in the Camera Department and was the manager of the department the summer after my freshman year in college.

Westheimer & Stony Brook. Currently Guitar Center.

Only 2 drug store locations opened. There are some that claim 1 was opened on the north side of town. I've dug into telephone books from the mid-70's and can only find 2 listing. If anyone can find evidence of other stores I would love to know where they were.

Globe Shopping City (official name)--Tag line "Everything Under the Sun for LESS" and they used a smiling sun as a "mascot"

Bellaire Blvd & Hillcroft. Currently is the Fiesta Mart. Previous to Fiesta was a Fed-Mart. Another membership type store that converted to a non-membership format. They had an automotive center that did most mechanical stuff and sold gas. If I recall they had 12 pumps. The building still stands and is where the pawn shop and restaurants are in the parkling lot.

I-10 & Gessner. Structure demolished. Currently is the location of the Memorial Herman robot tower. Previously was home to Oshman's Super Store and before that a Mervyn's. I do not recall an auto center or gas at this location.

Woodridge between I-45 and 610. The building was demolished to build the Lowe's currently at that location. The store was behind Frizzell Pontiac, home of a "Whale of a Deal". This particular Globe store caught fire during the late 1960's if I recall correctly. The news media reported that fire fighters could not advance on the fire because of ammunition and paint cans exploding inside the store. The store was rebuild and reopened very quickly. Mervyn's took over the location after the closing. Then the building sat empty for years. Until Ed Wolfe bought Gulfgate and rebuilt the area. I remember an auto center and gas station, but I do not recall the exact location.

Sage was kept up a bit better than Globe. But I would never characterize Globe as a dump. My family spent many many many MANY dollars at both stores.

Edited May 27, 2009 by DrFood

[cowboybud]

Sage Drug Stores

There are some that claim 1 was opened on the north side of town.

North Freeway between West Rd. and FM 525 in the Randalls Center. It opened in the mid-70s and was there until Sage went belly up. The space became a Walgreens and, as far as I know, has been vacant (along with most of the center) for several years.

[readam]

Globe, Sage, KMart, Fed Marts...What about dear old GEMCO...Where and when did they come in and leave??? Never realized that Sage was so compartmentalized !!

[4PROP]

Globe, Sage, KMart, Fed Marts...What about dear old GEMCO...Where and when did they come in and leave??? Never realized that Sage was so compartmentalized !!

Poor old forgotten Shoppers Fair! I think that must have been the first discount dept. store to come to the Houston area back around 1962. It was located somewhere off OST. My first purchase there was a 2 transistor AM radio for $4.95 and a 98 cent plastic model airplane that cost only 69 cents. Wow! First time ever I paid less than msrp for anything. (Ask me what shirt I had on yesterday, I won't remember, but how many pennies I saved almost fifty years ago...Now that's an easy one!)

[Fringe]

Wasn't that a GEMCO at Fondren and Beechnut back in the 80's? They didn't last very long.

[Specwriter]

DrFood forgot to mention that there was a Globe store on North Shepherd at the corner of Donovan directly across the street from St. Pius High School. This is the location today of the 911 Emergency Center. One would think from the fence around the place now that gold was kept there like Fort Knox. I made many trips to the Globe grocery department with our housekeeper/baby sitter in the early 60's. I thought the conveyer that the groceries were placed on and sent to the front of the store where one could then pull up in his car to have an employee load them directly into the trunk (or back of the station wagon) was cool.

There was also a Shoppers Fair on N. Shepherd at the corner of Westcross which is a short street that connects Crosstimbers with N. Shepherd where Crosstimbers veers south before intesecting N. Shepherd and becomes 43rd west of Shepherd. The lot is vacant now. Directly across Westcross is St. Matthew's Methodist Church. I attended vacation bible school at St. Matthew's during the 60's but I don't remember ever entering Shoppers Fair.

My mother practically wore out the doors at the Sears and J. C. Penny's in Garden Oaks though. I have many memories of visiting Santa Clause in the toy department at Sears and being dragged through rack upon rack of clothes at Penny's. We didn't buy shoes there though. For them we went to the Poll Parrot on 43rd at Ella. It's not a surprise that my mother was in the Sears on N. Shepherd when she learned that President Kennedy had been killed. She and my aunt had just stopped in after lunch to do a little shopping.

My father worked at the Gemco on Airline at I45. I believe that store was opened about 1972 or '73. He worked for about a year at the Gemco on I10 East (it seemed like it was all the way to Baytown) before the north side store opened. That was a boon to him since the store on Airline was only five miles from our house but the one on the East Freeway was almost 30 miles away. There were other Gemco stores in Houston but, at this time, I can not remember where they were. The building that housed the store on Airline is now a Fiesta market and has been for years.

Gemco department stores (which had a grocery department a la Globe) and Eagle grocery stores were part of the Lucky Stores chain out of California. The Houston stores closed in the mid-80's when Lucky was fending off a hostile takeover from investor Asher Edelman (remember him?). My father was transferred to Phoenix, Arizona when the Houston stores closed but was laid off about two years later (just short of full retirement vesting) as Lucky further fought the unsuccessful takeover. That hurt his ego somewhat but his stock in the corporation went way up in value after that which made things less painful.

I should add that Gemco paid its employees very well and had good benefits also. Apparently they were used to paying union wages in California and Illinois and paid cashiers, for example, a good 20-25% more than the going rate in Houston at the time.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Specwriter

[plumber2]

The Globe store in Galveston was on Broadway at 48th St. It is now a Community Social Services Center. Woolco was also in Galveston, as an anchor store at the former Galvez Mall. The mall was torn down and a Home Depot and Target occupy this site now. KMart had a very profitable store in Galveston on Stewart Rd. at 69th St. The building now houses a Ross and a Marshall's department store.

KMart had specialty licensee departments also. The shoe departments were operated by Melville, which owned Tom McCann shoe stores. Holly Stores operated the ready to wear departments and became KMart Apparel. Others like Shiller Millinery operated the ladies accessories departments, and an outfit out of Royal Oak Michigan operated the sporting goods departments. Automotive departments, (not all stores had them), were operated by Uniroyal. Everything else was operated by Kresge.

[mwest]

I'll always remember Globe for the swimming pool my parents bought us in '68, plus the parking lot carnivals in summer, plus all the 67 cent 45's I bought in the record department at the front.

Does anyone remember a miniature golf course behind the Sage on the Gulf Frwy and College?

I could be confused--I ain't no spring chicken.

[Heights2Bastrop]

DrFood forgot to mention that there was a Globe store on North Shepherd at the corner of Donovan directly across the street from St. Pius High School. This is the location today of the 911 Emergency Center. One would think from the fence around the place now that gold was kept there like Fort Knox. I made many trips to the Globe grocery department with our housekeeper/baby sitter in the early 60's. I thought the conveyer that the groceries were placed on and sent to the front of the store where one could then pull up in his car to have an employee load them directly into the trunk (or back of the station wagon) was cool.

There was also a Shoppers Fair on N. Shepherd at the corner of Westcross which is a short street that connects Crosstimbers with N. Shepherd where Crosstimbers veers south before intesecting N. Shepherd and becomes 43rd west of Shepherd.

Shopper's Fair was the first "discount store" that I can remember being in Houston. However, I think it was located on Donovan when it first opened, and then moved or reopened at the Westcross location later after Globe took over the Donovan location.

I worked at Globe on Bellaire and Bissonnet in '71. All I can say about the company is that it was a job. My grandmother worked for Danburg's on Yale, and later at Weiner's on 11th and Shepherd. Globe fit right in with those two stores as to how they treated their employees. I was most happy to leave the place.

[texsguy2015]

I remember both Gemco and Globe! Gemco was definitely Members Only when my mom shopped there,but I don't remember Globe being such. I remember the last things - ok,the only things - I'd bought there with some money mom gave me: two 45's out of (dating myself here!) the 5 for $1 barrel in the record department! They were The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" and The Sweet's "Little Willy". I got those while living over on Northline across from the nursing home in the apartments - the two story ones, not the current looking three or four story ones.

[Ekim Snevig]

Sage included a gas station near the front-right-hand side (facing the store). I worked at the gas station at 16 years old, as well as a stint inside the department store as a porter. The location was on the east side of what is now called I-45 (we knew it as 75) about 100 yards southeast of the intersection of 75 and Monroe. Sage was walking distance from my childhood home on Glenlea (Gulf Freeway Oaks), and I would do exactly that - walk to work. I remember the upstairs snack bar inside the department store, and while working as a porter, I would have my lunch-break there. The grocery store section was on the south end, with the toy section being on the north end. Later, pretty much directly across 75 from Sage (on the west side of 75) was a Honda motorcycle dealership. There was a test track on the south side of the Honda dealership. My friends, brother, and I would ride our motorcycles on that track either after the dealership closed for the day or on Sundays. The Honda Dealership was replaced by a U-Haul dealership later on, and I worked there too around 17 or 18 years old. It was a great time to grow up in southeast Houston. :-)

Edited October 15, 2015 by Ekim Snevig

[Lloyd-TX]

This topic brings back a LOT of memories.

 

I have a question which may relate to Globe, Woolco, Gemco, Sage, etc. Does anyone recall either a cheap product line sold by one of these stores, or a store named: "Bright Yellow Wrap"? Seems as though we used to see that name at one of the stores which used to occupy the space at Bellaire Blvd. and Hillcroft, where the Fiesta is currently.

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited October 21, 2015 by Lloyd-TX