BY STACY SOBOTKA
Once upon a time, Detroiters considered shopping downtown to be an adventure.
Shoppers would take the bus to a variety of different stores, but there was one particular red bricked store with glittering window displays that stood out from the rest, and that store was Hudson’s.
Author Bruce Allen Kopytek captures the store’s history in his latest book, “Hudson’s: Detroit’s World Famous Department Store.”
In conjunction with the Friends of the Ray Township Library and Historical Society, Kopytek will be giving a presentation of the store’s history and selling copies of his book at the Ray Township Senior Center at 6 p.m., Thursday April 18.
He said that the book is chock full of history, detailing everything from the life of Joseph L. Hudson prior to the store’s founding in 1881 to its closing in 1983 and eventual demolition in 1998.
It also includes archival photos, lost advertisements and diagrams.
He said the book and presentation takes us back to a time when ladies wore white gloves and their best hats when going out.
“It was a dress up affair. It was an experience that was pretty standard,” Kopytek said.
Other areas include riding escalators to the many different floors, the lunchrooms where Maurice salads were a crowd favorite, the smell of exotic perfumes wafted through the air, and at Christmas time, animated displays held kids of all ages spellbound.
The longest chapter in the book showcases the many events Hudson’s held, including the Thanksgiving Day Parades, and the giant American flag on display on Flag Day.
“That’s what made them a successful, profitable institution,” Kopytek said.
Kopytek’s said his love of department stores began as a child.
“My parents liked to travel. Every year at summertime when my dad had three weeks off, they’d pack us up in the car, and we’d go for a road trip,” he said. “My mother always liked to go shopping when we were somewhere else.”
One memory from 1964 stands out.
“I remember sitting at a lunch counter at Macy’s and eating lunch with my family. I was only five years old, but that’s a memory that stuck with me,” he said.
Kopytek’s love of department stores ended up starting a new career when he was laid off from an architectural firm during the recession in 2009.
He was contacted by a publishing firm to write a book about a Michigan department store.
“They suggested Jacobson’s,” he said.
With assistance and support from his wife, Kopytek published “Jacobson’s, I Miss It So! The Story of a Michigan Fashion Institution” in 2011.
He has also written books about Crowley’s, Eaton’s in Toronto, and three department stores in Toledo: Lamson’s, The Lion Store and Lasalle’s.
His next book will focus on 20th Century Great Lakes luxury steamships. The book is expected to be released later this year.
To top off the evening, attendees at the presentation will get to sample a classic Maurice salad, as well as other light refreshments.
Copies of “Hudson’s: Detroit’s World Famous Department Store” will be available for purchase as well.
Attendees may register by calling 586-749-7130 or online at raylibrary.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=72556.
Editors note: This post has been updated with the correct time.
