Ellman's was one of a couple catalog merchants in Georgia that once existed in competition to now-defunct Service Merchandise. The other was Segall & Sons, which was more common in central and southern Georgia. Segall & Sons, however, did open a location near Gwinnett Place Mall in the early 1980's. Prior to being bought out in 1985 by Service Merchandise, Ellman's was located in Atlanta and also Charlotte.
Most former Ellman's locations today are either closed or have been demolished. The former Ellman's location near Cumberland Mall was demolished and rebuilt as a Lexus dealership and the former Ellman's near Southlake Mall still sits abandoned with the Service Merchandise sign still on the outside. It should be noted that the logo shown in the ad was red on the exterior sign. The second two photos shown here are of the Southlake store, and fans of Service Merchandise should be pleased to see that the signs were never removed for it.
Oh! Please take a picture of the service merchandise sign that's still on the building. That would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteNot the most vintage I've seen (there is a 1980's version in Savannah...at least used to be), but I went back and redid the post with the pics. Also enjoy the new delayed Lenox Square post.
ReplyDeleteWe had Ellman's in Greensboro at Carolina Circle Mall. The store looked identical to the Southlake Ellman's.
ReplyDeleteI remember shopping at the Ellman's on Candler Road at I-20. There was a wedding ring set there that I always wanted. Would anyone happen to know where I could lay my hands on an Ellman's catalog? I'd love to have a picture of that particular wedding set.
ReplyDeleteI had tried e-mailing Service Merchandise several years ago about this but of course, they were NO help at all.
Thanks, Lisa
My two stores were, first, the Buford Hwy and later, the Southlake store. One could walk in there and drool over all the cool electronics in the day. My favorite thing to do in my spare time, was to peruse the catalog, and wish for the biggest, baddest stereo receiver they had. Well, I got one later, a big Pioneer SX-1250. It still works to this day, and sounds as good as it ever did. It's too bad we all threw away our old catalogs. None of us could have realized what they'd be worth, even if only in terms of nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteI may have sold that pioneer recover to you at the Southlake store
DeleteI didn't know about this message thread, but just Googled Ellman's and found it.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Ellman's at Southlake and Cumberland, and was very disappointed when the family sold to Service Merchandise. Somehow, we never saw that coming.
Most of our business was in fine jewelry and diamonds, and we watched for new merchandise and jewelry show samples. It was fun, and all of us from the Atlanta metro stores knew each other well. I miss it and miss the people.
I still wear the 14K gold watch that I bought in 1978.
I remember the Ellman's on Chesherbridge near I-85
DeleteMy mom worked in the diamond Dept. at both the Candler Road and Cumberland Mall locations.
DeleteI was glad to see the posted comment that FINALLY recognized the Greensboro, NC Ellman's. Any sites I've seen only mention the Charlotte store. I actually worked at the Greensboro store and it was a very nice part of their operation. ***Does anyone know where I could find a 1980-'82 catalog ? It shoes an unusual styled Men's 14 ct. gold 'Fashion Ring' on the front Cover and I would really like to get a clear image of that ring. Mine was stolen in the 1990 "Hallmark Gang" home invasion robberies and I'd like to have the clear image of it to have a duplicate made.
ReplyDeleteNick
funinncusa@yahoo.com
Does anyone remember where the Ellman's was in Charlotte, NC???
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of ads from Atlanta Magazine 1979-80 (one is jewelry). I still have a threadbare Warehouse Sale t-shirt (yellow shirt with red lettering). I worked at the Cheshire Bridge store only for the annual warehouse "tag" sale, and filling in for Jewish holidays. I wish I had kept a catalog, and thought to take pictures of the stores. You never know how nostalgic you'll be about previous jobs.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Ellman's only Atlanta was located downtown (either Spring Street or West Peachtree. My father was friends with the manager (Bob something), and went each year to pick out employee gifts for the hospital employees. Bet most of my Christmas bounty came from there as well.
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