The long-gone Hills department store out in South Lorain turns up repeatedly on this blog.
Why? Because just thinking of the store conjures up a lot of pleasant memories: of the blinking lights chasing each other on the exterior signage of the store; of those low-slung white tables (low enough for a small kid to look into) with stuff piled in the various compartments; of freshly popped popcorn and frozen Cokes near the exit; of the Hills layaway plan that bought Mom and Dad a little time to save up to pay for the winter coats or toys or whatever.
It was also interesting for a kid living on the west side of Lorain to go to Hills. South Lorain was an exotic place, with the steel mill, Oakwood Park (with the train and the 'other' Easter Basket) and the Ohio National Guard armory.
Anyway, below is a selection of large 3/4 page Hills ads that ran in the Journal in August and September 1962. The ads feature custom photography and are definitely of their own time. (Note the father wearing a suit & tie and fedora.)
