Why is Raymond Loewy listed as the store's client? Shouldn't it be the other way around, since he was providing the service?

[You'd think! - Dave]

I lived across the street from what was then the North Shore Shopping Center, from 1972-1976. I used to buy records at the Jordan Marsh store in the photo JamesVRoy posted.

Mid-Century Modern standards tended to make almost every store where they were applied look like Robert Hall's. RH's excuse was "low overhead," which allegedly made their prices go "down, down, down." Somehow, except for their main store's much-vaunted annual basement sale, I don't think Filene's was (or wanted to be) known as a cut-rate retailer.

Those uncomfortable looking chairs are going to be worn down by the posteriors of many, many bored and fidgety husbands.

"For cryin' out loud, honey! That's the seventeenth one you've tried on!"

I peered at the hang tags on the rack...size 16? Turns out in 1957 a size 16 is actually what we know as a size 8. These weren't plus-sized garments...

It looks like a set for the Twilight Zone episode "The After Hours" where the mannequins come to life and venture out into the real world.

If you say "Pea-body," folks will know you're from away.

This was the first mall I think I ever saw. I remember whenever we approached it high up on a hill off 114 the first thing I saw was the parking lot lights. They looked like something from War of the Worlds.

I'm amazed by all the open floor space. Filene's apparently did not judge their success by sales per square foot.