STONE & THOMAS
Charleston's Stone & Thomas actually
started out as "The People's Store", then "Stone &
Thomas The People's Store", then shortened to "Stone
& Thomas". This was due to the purchase of Charleston's
famous "People's Store", which had been in business for
over 60 years. Stone & Thomas had already been a familiar
name in other parts of the state. This photo taken not long after
opening. See that old building in back? More later....
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This was the People's Store on Capitol Street, precursor to Stone & Thomas next to McCrory's 5 & Dime
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original Peoples Store was founded by Joe Schwab, and had been in
business for over 60 years in a building at Clendenin and Kanawha Sts.
In 1915 the store moved to Summers & State Streets, and In 1927
opened at 214 Capitol St where it operated until the new structure was
built in 1930. It's not yet understood why they moved from their
new building (still known today as "The People's Building) to
Capitol Street, other than the fact that Capitol Street was the
epicenter of business in Charleston. |
Meanwhile, by 1947....
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Here we see the old building today, still
waiting for new tenants. Notice that an addition of floors was
added during Stone & Thomas's glory days. Also notice that
back in the old days, each corner only needed one stoplight,
while today, at least 10 lights are needed to do the very same job. |
HERE'S THE BUILDING BEHIND STONE &
THOMAS IN THE TOP PHOTO
| Here you see the old Knights Of Pythias
building on the corner of Washington & Dickinson Streets. The
Firestone Store is on the left and still there today. The Daniel
Boone Hotel can be see in the upper left. |
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