By Steve Cichon
steve@buffalostories.com
@stevebuffalo
As Buffalonians opened up the pages of the Courier-Express and The Evening News, they saw plenty of choices for Christmas shopping around WNY back in 1954.
Included on these pages are a cross-section of the places Buffalonians would have shopped for clothing, toys, food, cars, and appliances in December, 1954.
I’ve also included this page detailing what folks would have been watching on TV (if they had one!) and listening to on radio during that month.
Okay, this is cool…. but WHY?!?!
A few years ago, I was junk shopping at the Salvation Army store on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.
My love for weird records always takes me to that part of the store,
and that’s where I found the mother-lode– boxes and boxes of old 78rpm records, sitting just as they were packed in in 1955.
But it wasn’t the records that caught my eye…– It was the NEWSPAPER the records were wrapped in!
Dozens of sheets of Buffalo Evening News and Courier-Express, all from December 1954. Well, I took the papers, left the records, and this is the result.
Adam, Meldrum & Anderson
Otherwise known as AM&A’s
Three locations for these beautiful gifts…Your Christmas Store since 1867!
Bergers
Mom… Petticoats are on sale at Bergers! Shop til 8 on Main Street.
Bergers
Try LL Bergers Downtown and Thruway Mall locations!
Flint & Kent
Since 1832. Mens’ Ware in Downtown Buffalo
Grants
Shop Grants at Main and Huron
Hengerers
Open Til 9 four nights this week… Look for the sweaters in “Luscious Orlon.” 
Hengerers
One of many things no longer in Downtown Buffalo.
Hens & Kelly
I like the guy with the pipe! 
JN Adam’s..
Not to be confused with Adam, Meldrum & Anderson.
J.N. Adam was Buffalo Mayor 1906-1909.
Kleinhans
Take until May, 1955 to pay at Kleinhans Mens Store!
Kleinhans
Kleinhans Thrift Basement is the place for ties!
Kobackers
Downtown, Broadway, Riverside
Kolipinski’s
A Fire sale at the East Side Store… Just in time for Christmas!
Kresges
Kresges is included here….not because it was a local Buffalo store, but because it was soon to become K-Mart!
Sattler’s
Buy a Crosley TV… only $1.07 a week!
Sattlers
Shop 998 Broadway for Men’s Suits!
Sattlers
Sattlers Toyland… Across the Street from 998! Check out the toy train for sale.
Sears
All Three Locations open late!
Sears… and Wurlitzer!
This Sears Appliance ad lists three Locations:
Main at Jefferson, Broadway at Fillmore, and Seneca at Cazenovia.
Wurlizter lists 674 Main as its store location.
The Sample Shop
Hertel Avenues Department store is now the site of an old folks home..
Victors
Look at the 20 inch doll with “vinyl face” and “magic skin.”
Victors
24 piece Lionel Train sets…$39.95.
