Bask in Hudson's nostalgia at Detroit Historical Museum
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Hudson's display. Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Museum
The historic Hudson's department store was a holiday shopping destination until it closed in the 1980s — but many older Metro Detroiters still relish the memories.
The big picture: "Hudson's Holidays," a new Detroit Historical Museum pop-up exhibition, will delve into that history with re-created window displays, artifacts from Hudson's Thanksgiving Parade origins and store items including a brass drinking fountain.
If you go: The exhibition is open 10am-5pm Wednesdays-Saturdays and 1-5pm Sundays through Jan. 5.
- Museum tickets are $8-15.
Flashback: The J.L. Hudson Co. chain was founded in Detroit in 1881. The store grew to take up an entire block along Woodward Avenue and claimed itself as the second biggest store in the country, after the New York City Macy's, per the Detroit Historical Society.
- "The children's toy floor was a sight to behold for young kids, decked out in holiday decorations," the historical society writes.
- Amid economic downturns, the store declined and eventually closed in 1983. It sat vacant until it was demolished in 1998.
Plus: Bedrock, which developed office and residential towers on the site and named them after Hudson's, is hosting retro Hudson's-themed holiday revelry this season with decorations, snacks, drinks and gifts.