Flashback: Nordstrom 1995

Clinton was president. Suits to work was a thing. And going out to eat at Maggiano's was an occasion. In 1995 Nordstrom served us well.

Opening in Fall of 1994 right before the holidays, Nordstrom Old Orchard arrived as the "new kid in town" to much fanfare. Replacing the local Sears in that mall's footprint, Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Illinois had a tie store, a movie theater, Marshall Field's (now Macy's), Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. There was a new Cheesecake Factory, food court, and even a piano player next to the staircase.

There was a concierge desk separate from the customer service counter, where you could check your jacket, buy discounted movie tickets, unload on packages while you shopped, ship packages anywhere in the country, in bulk, for $5.50, or ask for help getting good tickets to the theater. Everything in the store was decorated in wood paneling, brass/gold, beige, and "Nordstrom navy blue".

Commissioned salespeople (you might not know they were on commission!) attended to every need and answered questions as your personal stylist. The generous return policy was anything could be returned for cash. Everything was guaranteed for life and Nordstrom Rack did not yet exist.

Christmas decorations were only placed on the floor Thanksgiving evening by local school kids, for Black Friday shopping. Red poinsettias were placed around the store in every open corner. A menorah sat in the center of the store, along with decorations for Kwanzaa. Each night, a bunch of associates gathered together to sing carols. At major sales, we had to park off-site and take a shuttle. There were only two sales a year in men's---the day after Christmas and the day after Father's Day.

The entire store did celebrate one, combined, amazing, knock-you-off-your feet sale per year. Anniversary Sale. It was The Nordstrom Way. To announce the sale, all Nordstrom cardholders were mailed a special catalog featuring the hottest new clothes for Fall and winter, to buy at the end of summer in July/August. People lined up for hours before store opening to get new merchandise at 33% off before it gets MARKED UP for the rest of the season. The get us ready for the sale, we all marched up to the top of the parking garage for a fashion show in the hot summer heat. Models were there a long with cameras and a runway, just like Paris. There were food and drinks for all. Loud music. And the store manager flew in ON A HELICOPTER to the theme music of Mission Impossible. I kid you not---this really happened back then!

Some people who had gone to school near Seattle (store #1) had special credit cards that were smaller than normal. All they said was Nordstrom and a number, along with the customer's name. No magnetic strip. Those were the key customers who knew our store. Today, I envy Von Maur department stores and wish they had a west coast presence.

Associates at Nordstrom were part of the profit sharing program and if you worked seven years you were fully vested in the 401k. Many did just that, cashed out, and opened their own businesses somewhere else.

The shoe section at Nordstom was amazing. Thousands of pairs of shoes in every style, color, and price. They once featured the high-heeled black leather boots Gene Simmons wore in KISS. Similar ones for the ladies - (as in) 'Spice World' shoes for The Spice Girls.

The best part about Nordstom was the people. A Nordstrom salesperson was not working a retail job. Well, yes, they were, but you became their customer and they put you in "their personal book". A salesperson at Nordstrom could do very well financially. Nice car; good clothes; and really nice places to eat. Snacks after store closing at Houlihan's were a thing---especially if The Bulls were winning.

It often snowed in Chicago and Old Orchard is an outdoor mall. Never to worry---there is a shoe shine guy to clean your shoes and relax while you watch TV or read the newspaper. Hungry? There's a 5-star restaurant upstairs. Feeling thirsty? You could grab coffee for just $.25 on the honor system in the cafe. Tired? The employees have a lounge upstairs to relax and rest before going back on the floor to work.

In keeping with "The Nordstom Way" and how proud I was to work there, I wrote a paper in college about my experience. I called Seattle one day and asked if I could set up 5 minutes to ask 'a Nordstrom' a question for the paper. The secretary placed me on hold for a moment, and Blake Nordstrom (brother of Erik and Peter) came to the line. I was blown away.

Nordstrom was a magical place and truly one of my favorite places to work of all time!

What do you remember about shopping (or working!) at Nordstrom? My favorite tip is there is no apostrophe... it is Nordstrom.