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Lowell, Massachusetts, circa 1908. "Merrimack Street looking east." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
I grew up in Lowell. The Bon Marche lasted until at least the late 80's when I was in High School. Their main competitor was Jordan Marsh right next door. One of the two was slightly snootier than the other but I don't remember which anymore.
We bought all of our school clothes, appliances, gifts, furniture etc at these two stores until the late 70's when a shopping mall with a Sears and a Caldor (and more importantly a giant parking lot) were built just outside town.
Somehow, these two stores managed to keep the lights on for years after the rest of downtown died.
Thanks to the Palmer Street sign, an easy find.
Google Map of this district shows that between then and now a faithfully reproduced extension was added to the building on the left side of the street after the Bon Marche building had been razed.
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