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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> DOWNTOWN Miami, Bayfront Park and Port of Miami Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > Late 1950's - Jordan Marsh on NE 15th Street, Miami
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Late 1950's From a postcard

Late 1950's - Jordan Marsh on NE 15th Street, Miami

NE 15th Street and Biscayne Boulevard, Miami


The view is looking northwest at the south side (left side) and east side (right side) of Jordan Marsh from what is the bay side of the store. What a great department store this was and it is a shame that it is gone along with all the other Jordan Marsh stores! My aunt used to take me here to buy clothes and I loved the Gulfstream restaurant in the store for their great desserts.


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Dean S. DeSoto 12-Jun-2017 18:18
My mother was Adene Ellen Nims-DeSoto and later Adene Ellen Nims-Federkeil. She worked at this store form the early 1960's to about two years before her death in 1978. She made many wonderful friends over the years, although she also made a few enemies too. I am writing a book about her life. Would love to hear from anyone about her days there. I know she adored the holiday seasons the best at the store and I have so many wonderful memories of the Gulfstream Room and the Red Coach grill across the street. Please write me at catsnorth@yahoo.com. Many thanks to all. Dean S. DeSoto (eldest son).
Guest 22-May-2015 01:54
I worked there stating in 1973 to 1985 ladies shoes Harvey
Don Boyd08-Jan-2012 07:53
Bruce, thank you for confirming that vital fact for me.

I think you forgot about the Jordan Marsh at Dadeland Mall? There was also a Jordan Marsh at the Hollywood Fashion Center at the corner of US 441 (SR 7) and Hollywood Boulevard - it opened in the early 70's. Perhaps you meant when you were working in the late 60's? The North Miami one that you mentioned was at 163rd Street Shopping Center which was unincorporated Dade County surrounded by the City of North Miami Beach.

Don
Bruce Fender 07-Jan-2012 22:11
Yes Don, the women in see-thru blouses were indeed bra-less; definitely the 60's. Correction, "Bar Harbor" should have been "Bal Harbour". I worked for Mr. Bauer at Jordan Marsh; good man. Mr. Faucet was in personnel; another good man. There were 3 Jordan Marsh stores in FLA: Miami, North Miami, and West Palm Beach. The always had something going on each week for the customers.
Edward C 05-Jan-2012 08:45
My mother worked there in the 1960s and then got a job at the bank across the street on Biscayne blvd. Several years later we would visit the Omni Mall numerous times. Best times of my young life!
Don Boyd03-Jan-2012 06:20
Thanks for posting, Bruce. Since I was conscious during the 60's, I presume the ladies you mentioned were braless which was the trend back then?

Don
Bruce Fender 03-Jan-2012 02:33
The photo description is correct; Biscayne was two-way; over the right-shoulder of the photographer was the Venetian Causeway. Customers had Bar Harbor and the 5-floors of Jordan Marsh which offered every possible thing you can think of. Customers could choose from 5 different places to eat; employees ate in a cafeteria. I worked at Jordan Marsh (1966-68) while going to Hialeah HS. I was a stock-boy, spent a lot of time out on the floor doing delivery and pick-up. It was a great place to work, good people to work for; worth the drive. Remember the 1960's? Women in see-thru blouses were fairly common at Jordan Marsh, including a few mother-daughter combos.
Carol 14-Nov-2011 00:54
I loved the restaurant -- always had oil and vinegar with my salad. I loved their clothes too. Always shopped there. I miss it. I still have a purse I bought there in 1988.
Mike Medrano 21-Feb-2011 00:16
Worked at Jordan Marsh in 1969/70
for the Miami Credit Bureau rating customers' credit.
A high-class store.
Too bad it ended to become the horrendous "Omni Center".
Now we have "Ño, que barato".
What a difference.
marian sperber 03-May-2010 09:50
I got my 1st job at this Jordan Marsh in 1962...I took DCT at MHS & worked 1/2 days here wrapping Chrimas packages.....went to school 1/2 day.....
Nancy Foye-Cox 28-Apr-2010 20:05
I worked at the International Fine Arts College of Fashion at the Miami Woman's Club in the early 1970s. I ate lunch and shopped at Jordan Marsh often.
Lee Martines (MEHS '57) 12-Apr-2010 09:18
From age 1 to 3 in the early forties, I lived in an apartment building on Bayshore Drive, and my mother used to bring me to the pony ring that Barry mentioned on this site. Afterwards, we would go to Bayfront Park and feed the pigeons, then sometimes buy fresh-caught fish from Pier 5 for dinner.
S 29-Oct-2009 05:49
My mother worked at this store for many years in the 60's. In 67 or 68 there was a Miami Dolphins player selling shoes there in the off season. Back before they made millions.
Don Boyd09-Jul-2009 04:04
Barry, thank you for clearing up the confusion. What you say makes perfect sense. I've changed the description.

Don
Barry Diamond 09-Jul-2009 03:34
Sorry to mess you all up, but I believe you are looking at the rear of the building where the parking entrance was located, facing west-northwest. Biscayne Blvd. is on the opposite side of the building. The building was on the corner of 15th St and Biscayne Blvd, not 13th St. The present OMNI parking garage was built above the parking area shown when the OMNI structure was constructed with JM at one corner. The one-way street, 15th St, is leading from the Venetian Causeway. Traffic heading East on the Venetian entered from North Bayshore Drive in front of what is now the Miami Herald Bldg. Biscayne Blvd. was always two-way traffic. Ultimately, the Western Auto and Montgomery Ward were across Biscayne Blvd. from JM at 15th Street.

The Red Coach Grill (and Lobo Lounge) were already on Biscayne Blvd. along the southeast corner of 15th Street.

I used to ride ponies on this site when it was mostly vacant land in 1944. There were a few frame houses on the property as well. All were cleared to construct JM.
Rachelle S. F. 11-Feb-2009 07:47
Biscayne Blvd. was always two way up until I left in late '60 as far as I can recall. The Orange Bowl Parade always started down around the public library and headed that direction.
Don Boyd18-Jul-2008 04:53
Omni Mall and parking garage was built around the Jordan Marsh and entrances made into the store from the mall. I'm unsure as to what it is now.

I don't remember Biscayne being northbound only at all - it couldn't have lasted too long.

NE 2nd Avenue, along with Miami Avenue, NW 2nd and 7th Avenues, etc., were all major arterial roadways back then, long before I-95 was completed down to NW 29th Street and then finally skirting west of downtown to US 1.

Don
Ray17-Jul-2008 22:58
How did this store relate to the short lived Omni Mall? Did Omni grow up around it or replace it? If this is the space I think it is, it was going to be an Internet server place, then I think a college. This is just north of the Miami Herald building. I think this surface parking lot is now a major bus stop.

Notice Biscayne was all North bound back then. I guess NE 2nd Ave to the West was South bound. Today that road isn't as safe as Biscayne at night. But it would explain why NE 2 seems bigger than needed today.
jim winters 20-Jun-2008 06:47
how about the hot dog tent around back!