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SCRANTON — For more than a century, The Globe Store provided shoppers with practical items from clothing to furniture and unconsciously captured the hearts of a community that still pines for the livelihood it once provided the downtown scene.

More than 20 years since the store closed its doors in 1994, a nostalgic event is in the works to commemorate the appeal of the former business. A collection of items, ranging from The Globe Store gift boxes and shopping bags to holiday decorations that once graced the eye-catching display windows, will be showcased from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 at 123 Wyoming Ave. The event will accept donations for the Junior League of Scranton and have live music, a photo booth and a visit from Santa.

“The Globe Store had a reputation of doing decorations and decor that was very glamorous,” said Michael Gilmartin, president of the board of trustees for the Lackawanna Historical Society. “The way the windows were done, the way the store was decorated, from the bottom up, during the holidays, is what people remember. It was magical. It had nostalgia, great charm and interest to the local community.”

Steve Gavala, who worked in the store’s toy department from 1964 to 1966, has fond memories of The Globe Store around the holidays, during a time when life was simpler and special occasions harvested more excitement.

“The gifts were even simpler back then. They were special; they meant something. But the decorations were a big deal. Scranton was all lit up like Broadway in New York,” he said. “Today, Christmas stuff is out in the stores in September. There used to be an anticipation for Christmas decorations at The Globe Store. They’d be up every year, the day after Thanksgiving.”

Gavala donated a charge card that belonged to his aunt, Anna Gavala, believed to date back to the 1950s or 1960s, to serve in the presentation. His wife, Mary, said the card was saved for sentimental value.

“His aunt raised him. She was more like his mother,” Mary said. “And shopping at The Globe Store during Christmas, and seeing all the beautiful decorations, is something that reminds of us being together.”

Tony Patte also lent an artifact — a pair of gloves that belonged to his mother, Susan.

“My mom found these gloves she got for Christmas in the 1980s in a Globe Store gift box,” Patte said. “For me, growing up as a kid, I’d always go to The Globe Store.”

Patte said, even though there’s action in the downtown of the Electric City, the enthusiasm is “just not like it was in the past” when the store was thriving.

Stories of passion toward The Globe Store are what inspired Joshua Mast to kickstart the project.

“I moved to Scranton from New York City, five years ago, to open POSH and The Colonnade,” Mast said. “I always hear people lament about The Globe Store, and how they’d get all dressed up to go shopping there and eat in their restaurant, The Charlemont, and go to the candy counter, and that they had a big window display like a New York City department store. I thought I’d connect people who have all of these memories back with the space during Christmas time because that’s when people really have these memories.”

Mast, who also serves as a board member for Scranton Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that promotes the vitality of downtown Scranton, said he has a degree in Visual Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City that will aid the production of the display.

Mast said the timing is particularly relevant as the city of Scranton will celebrate its 150th birthday in April.

“As the anniversary is approaching, we want to get people excited about the history of the city,” Mast said.

Mast said the holiday display will run through Apri.

Relics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore01.jpg.optimal.jpgRelics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

Relics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore02.jpg.optimal.jpgRelics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

John Simpson, co-founder of The Globe Department Store in Scranton.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore06.jpg.optimal.jpgJohn Simpson, co-founder of The Globe Department Store in Scranton. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

Relics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore03.jpg.optimal.jpgRelics from the old Globe Store in Scranton collected for an upcoming exhibit. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

The Cleland Simpson Company building in Scranton. Formerly the Globe Department Store.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore04.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Cleland Simpson Company building in Scranton. Formerly the Globe Department Store. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

A mens’ dress shirt from the Globe Department Store in Scranton.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore05.jpg.optimal.jpgA mens’ dress shirt from the Globe Department Store in Scranton. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader

Collecting memorabilia from the old Globe Department Store in Scranton for an upcoming exhibit is Paul Blackledge from the Scranton Chamber Of Commerce, left, and Joshua Mast from Scranton Tomorrow.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_globestore07.jpg.optimal.jpgCollecting memorabilia from the old Globe Department Store in Scranton for an upcoming exhibit is Paul Blackledge from the Scranton Chamber Of Commerce, left, and Joshua Mast from Scranton Tomorrow. Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader
Memories of The Globe Store generates sentiment from different generations of Scranton shoppers

By Justin Adam Brown

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Reach the arts and entertainment department at 570-991-6111 or at [email protected].