eureka1998
Well-known member
Vacuum cleaner aisles at the big box retailers looked like this and it wasn't just Sharks and Dysons or brands mimicking Sharks and Dysons? Good times.
Ahhh. remember when......
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evolutionclean1
Well-known member
Ohhh I hope I don't get banned for this
But this is as good as porn
I miss Sears and Kmart back in the day. I've been lucky enough to own some of the pictures machines and seeing these old photos makes me kick myself for selling them off. Maybe we'll come full circle one of these days and manufacturers will realize what they used to make was actually good
But this is as good as porn
I miss Sears and Kmart back in the day. I've been lucky enough to own some of the pictures machines and seeing these old photos makes me kick myself for selling them off. Maybe we'll come full circle one of these days and manufacturers will realize what they used to make was actually good
panasonicvac
Well-known member
Some vacuums back in the day I thought were worth buying like that Hoover Windtunnel Plus, some I wouldn't care as much like the rest of those vacs in the pictures. My favorite as a kid was going over to my old local vacuum store where they had a full line of Panasonics, Sanitaires, and MD central vacs that I used to play with or see demos of. I couldn't have done that at the department stores.
evolutionclean1
Well-known member
That reminds me
I remember when Costco employees would demo machines, I think I was maybe 3 or 4 years old, and I was curious about a Eureka of some sort. I think it may have been a Whirlwind or Victory or some variation of The Boss... She asked if I was ready for her to turn it on, I said no, and she said okay! Started it up and I SCREAMED
my mom was so mad at this poor lady and quickly scooped me up. Ah, memories. I still don't care for super noisy machines but definitely don't have the same reaction as I used to
I remember when Costco employees would demo machines, I think I was maybe 3 or 4 years old, and I was curious about a Eureka of some sort. I think it may have been a Whirlwind or Victory or some variation of The Boss... She asked if I was ready for her to turn it on, I said no, and she said okay! Started it up and I SCREAMED
my mom was so mad at this poor lady and quickly scooped me up. Ah, memories. I still don't care for super noisy machines but definitely don't have the same reaction as I used to
eureka1998
Well-known member
When I was little
we had a local store chain called "National Wholesale Liquidators" that unfortunately went bankrupt in like 2007-08. They would have stuff new in box that was discontinued a few years earlier, like the 7 amp version of the Hoover Widepath, before they switched to 12 amps. One night I remember going there and they had a lineup of like 4 green Hoovers in a row, the Fold Away, Twin Chamber, Widepath, and a nice translucent Windtunnel Plus. Kmart I have a fond memory of because a few years before that, I went with my dad to Kmart to pick out the then newly introduced Fold Away (that same teal/green color), the big advertised vacuum at the time. Target had great lineups too and I loved Sears allowing people to test them out before purchase. Hits different now, just not the same at all, no true diversity of choices anymore.
we had a local store chain called "National Wholesale Liquidators" that unfortunately went bankrupt in like 2007-08. They would have stuff new in box that was discontinued a few years earlier, like the 7 amp version of the Hoover Widepath, before they switched to 12 amps. One night I remember going there and they had a lineup of like 4 green Hoovers in a row, the Fold Away, Twin Chamber, Widepath, and a nice translucent Windtunnel Plus. Kmart I have a fond memory of because a few years before that, I went with my dad to Kmart to pick out the then newly introduced Fold Away (that same teal/green color), the big advertised vacuum at the time. Target had great lineups too and I loved Sears allowing people to test them out before purchase. Hits different now, just not the same at all, no true diversity of choices anymore.
And I remember the days when Canada had three large nation-wide department stores with full floor care departments: Eaton’s, The Bay and Sears. Once you arrived on the correct floor using the elevator, all you had to do was scan the layout and look for the tops of a group of uprights standing proud on a display shelf and make a bee-line for that area of the store! I remember a time when one of the stores had the vacuums right there at the top of the escalator!
correction: *using the escalator
Aaaaah memorie lane .....
reminds me of Sears store in my town , i used to go there alot just to look at there Kenmore line up and read the brochure i must of read em all and try a few vacs if i could .
Now the icing on the cake was the 2 second hand store i could vacuum to my hearths content and fix em or try em out good old day's ... now its all cordless sadly il keep my tristar for as long as i can .
reminds me of Sears store in my town , i used to go there alot just to look at there Kenmore line up and read the brochure i must of read em all and try a few vacs if i could .
Now the icing on the cake was the 2 second hand store i could vacuum to my hearths content and fix em or try em out good old day's ... now its all cordless sadly il keep my tristar for as long as i can .
justjunque
Well-known member
That's what I was going to say too.
Yes, it's nice to see those vacuums; especially the bagged models. But, there's still a lot of bagless plastic.
But, if I was going to time travel, I'd personally like to go in a store and see Hoover Convertibles, Eureka F&Gs, a nice variety of bagged canister vacuums, etc.
That's just me. It seems like we all have our time period, when "things were better/simpler/happier", and we connect with the products that we saw around us at that time. Depending on our age, that time varies greatly.
I think of the 1970s with fond memories, and see it with rose colored glasses. My siblings, who are almost a generation older than myself, saw the lousy economy, fuel crisis, etc.
To them, and older generations yet, the 1970s kind of sucked.
Yes, it's nice to see those vacuums; especially the bagged models. But, there's still a lot of bagless plastic.
But, if I was going to time travel, I'd personally like to go in a store and see Hoover Convertibles, Eureka F&Gs, a nice variety of bagged canister vacuums, etc.
That's just me. It seems like we all have our time period, when "things were better/simpler/happier", and we connect with the products that we saw around us at that time. Depending on our age, that time varies greatly.
I think of the 1970s with fond memories, and see it with rose colored glasses. My siblings, who are almost a generation older than myself, saw the lousy economy, fuel crisis, etc.
To them, and older generations yet, the 1970s kind of sucked.
eureka1998
Well-known member
JustJunque
And that's what makes this site so great. We share our passion for vacuums even when we come from different eras in vacuum cleaner history! It's awesome when you think about it. And I don't want to speak for others but I think some of us can agree, whether we reminisce over seeing Covertibles and Dial A Naps, or Elites and Bravos in stores, the magic with the new cyclones and sticks is just not there. It's bland now. Like a Modernized McDonalds or Burger King. Used to be so lively, now bland, blocky and all the same. Guess it's just the times
And that's what makes this site so great. We share our passion for vacuums even when we come from different eras in vacuum cleaner history! It's awesome when you think about it. And I don't want to speak for others but I think some of us can agree, whether we reminisce over seeing Covertibles and Dial A Naps, or Elites and Bravos in stores, the magic with the new cyclones and sticks is just not there. It's bland now. Like a Modernized McDonalds or Burger King. Used to be so lively, now bland, blocky and all the same. Guess it's just the times
It WAS wonderful
Going to The Boston Store, The Globe Store, Sears, Pomeroys, The Bon Ton, etc and seeing all of those shiny new vacuums lined up. The Pittston Electric Store featured Dial A Matics in the windows. There would be Connies, Slimlines, Convertibles, etc, in addition to other brands. We'd see the Eurekas, etc displayed there too.
Of course, In Wilkes-Barre, there was Gnall Jones, "Hoover Sales and Service", along with Betty Fritz and her Hoover store. It was a fun time.
Going to The Boston Store, The Globe Store, Sears, Pomeroys, The Bon Ton, etc and seeing all of those shiny new vacuums lined up. The Pittston Electric Store featured Dial A Matics in the windows. There would be Connies, Slimlines, Convertibles, etc, in addition to other brands. We'd see the Eurekas, etc displayed there too.
Of course, In Wilkes-Barre, there was Gnall Jones, "Hoover Sales and Service", along with Betty Fritz and her Hoover store. It was a fun time.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I miss seeing the vacuum display at Sears and actually being able to look at and try the machines.
Even when I bought a canister there in 2012, the salesperson was knowledgeable about the machine, the controls, showed me where each of the attachments were on the machine, and asked if I needed spare bags.
Can’t get that at Walmart. I saw a couple a year or two ago looking at vacuums at Walmart and the only help the associate could offer was “you always want a bagless vacuum, never a vacuum that uses bags.”
Talk about clueless and ignorant.
On a more pleasant note, here’s a shot from a Sears vacuum dept in 1979. This is before my time, but I can picture the salesperson demoing those canisters on that carpet as people walk by.
Even when I bought a canister there in 2012, the salesperson was knowledgeable about the machine, the controls, showed me where each of the attachments were on the machine, and asked if I needed spare bags.
Can’t get that at Walmart. I saw a couple a year or two ago looking at vacuums at Walmart and the only help the associate could offer was “you always want a bagless vacuum, never a vacuum that uses bags.”
Talk about clueless and ignorant.
On a more pleasant note, here’s a shot from a Sears vacuum dept in 1979. This is before my time, but I can picture the salesperson demoing those canisters on that carpet as people walk by.
justjunque
Well-known member
Love that picture, Cole!
Those Kenmore washers and dryers too!
And, I believe I spy with my little eye, some Electrkbrooms! Actually, probably labeled for Sears as Kenmore Kwik Sweep.
Those Kenmore washers and dryers too!
And, I believe I spy with my little eye, some Electrkbrooms! Actually, probably labeled for Sears as Kenmore Kwik Sweep.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Yes definitely Electrikbrooms branded Sears Kwik Sweep. I can also make out the vacuum bags displayed to the left of them with the green and blue package. And in the background, the sewing machine department. Although that was easier to see in the original picture.
I loved when department stores
were like this. All those displays......
were like this. All those displays......
huskyvacs
Well-known member
It's just the way the world is with everything is now. As society dumbs-down and can't do anything without a phone in their hand, megacorporations slowly take over and absorb everything until there's only one sole product left - theirs - and you either buy their product or own nothing. And this is solely an American problem. You go to other countries, there's tens of dozens of different brands and products of the same thing on offer. Here? Just two if you're lucky.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
Vacuums in Home Depot, July 2006
Vacuums in Sears, July 2007
Vacuums in Sears, July 2007
eureka1998
Well-known member
Huskyvacs
How true this is. You can't even go into a store now without mistaking everything else for Shark or Dyson. And even then, the Hoovers, Bissells, and ESPECIALLY Eurekas have sort of went down? There wasn't many Hoovers the last time I went to Target. Vacuum stores and thrift stores are sadly the only places that serve as a sort of time capsule of what once was. Don't get me wrong, Shark sometimes comes out with a cool vacuum that peaks my interest, but at the same time it feels like our choices in new products is being limited, and most don't care.
How true this is. You can't even go into a store now without mistaking everything else for Shark or Dyson. And even then, the Hoovers, Bissells, and ESPECIALLY Eurekas have sort of went down? There wasn't many Hoovers the last time I went to Target. Vacuum stores and thrift stores are sadly the only places that serve as a sort of time capsule of what once was. Don't get me wrong, Shark sometimes comes out with a cool vacuum that peaks my interest, but at the same time it feels like our choices in new products is being limited, and most don't care.
eureka1998
Well-known member
For instance....
The Maytag Hoover era was filled with quirks and flaws but the innovation was still there and genuine. No 2 products from the brand were the same. Windtunnels, Elites, Fold Aways, Twin Chambers, V2s. Bissell had Powerforce, PowerPartner, Healthy Home, Velocity etc. What does Shark have? Powered lift Rotator and Navigator, or non powered Rotator or Navigator. The literal only difference being an electric hose and the shape of the bin. It's sad.
The Maytag Hoover era was filled with quirks and flaws but the innovation was still there and genuine. No 2 products from the brand were the same. Windtunnels, Elites, Fold Aways, Twin Chambers, V2s. Bissell had Powerforce, PowerPartner, Healthy Home, Velocity etc. What does Shark have? Powered lift Rotator and Navigator, or non powered Rotator or Navigator. The literal only difference being an electric hose and the shape of the bin. It's sad.
"modern" vacs didn't catch my eye that much
When I was a kid. Even before, I knew that the kinds of vacuums sold in stores like Walmart or Target weren't as good as my all-time favorite, the Sanitaire commercial upright that the custodian used in my grade school and in most hotels at the time. I never heard of a Royal until I started collecting and Kirby, to me, was a Mercedes-Benz of vacuums—nice, quality, but expensive.
In fact, a lot of other appliances didn't really catch my eye. I had a good idea that they weren't as good as they were before I came along. My grandma had a Kenmore direct drive washer and dryer set from the late 80s, from what I was told, right up until she passed in 2011, with no problems or repairs. Meanwhile, my 2015 LG-built Kenmore front load, which I bought new, died a couple months ago and had to be replaced due to a leaking bearing seal which could not be repaired due to the outer tub being plastiwelded together.
In the summer retreat my family went to, the Hobart-built KitchenAid in the kitchen just felt better built, sounded better built than what Lowes or Home Depot offered ca. mid-late 2000s. Our much newer Maytag DW from a big-box store back home couldn't compare to the build quality of the KA.
When I was a kid. Even before, I knew that the kinds of vacuums sold in stores like Walmart or Target weren't as good as my all-time favorite, the Sanitaire commercial upright that the custodian used in my grade school and in most hotels at the time. I never heard of a Royal until I started collecting and Kirby, to me, was a Mercedes-Benz of vacuums—nice, quality, but expensive.
In fact, a lot of other appliances didn't really catch my eye. I had a good idea that they weren't as good as they were before I came along. My grandma had a Kenmore direct drive washer and dryer set from the late 80s, from what I was told, right up until she passed in 2011, with no problems or repairs. Meanwhile, my 2015 LG-built Kenmore front load, which I bought new, died a couple months ago and had to be replaced due to a leaking bearing seal which could not be repaired due to the outer tub being plastiwelded together.
In the summer retreat my family went to, the Hobart-built KitchenAid in the kitchen just felt better built, sounded better built than what Lowes or Home Depot offered ca. mid-late 2000s. Our much newer Maytag DW from a big-box store back home couldn't compare to the build quality of the KA.
Sears was such a great store in which you could always see a huge selection of cleaners - even from Kenmore’s competitors! I remember visiting a Sears in suburban Detroit in 1990 or 1991 and they had a great display of lots of Eurekas! They really allowed you to “test drive״ as much as you wanted, and I was ecstatic to finally play with an Express power nozzle connected to a beautiful Aero canister. It really DID “sweep you off your feet”!!!
dysonman1
Well-known member
When vacuum departments looked like this.
durango159
Well-known member
That wasn't the absolute best vacuum market but I'd gladly revert back to the era of the first 3 photos over what we have now!! I'd love to have Sears back too!
eureka1998
Well-known member
Durango159
Agreed that it wasn't the best, but there is no doubt all those in the 3 photos were built and probably worked somewhat better despite filter issues. Nothing at the time beat any of those Windtunnel platforms airflow wise.
Agreed that it wasn't the best, but there is no doubt all those in the 3 photos were built and probably worked somewhat better despite filter issues. Nothing at the time beat any of those Windtunnel platforms airflow wise.
mark40511
Well-known member
In my hometown in NC there were two dept stores called "Roses" and "Sky City" that I vaguely remember having good selections. There was a very small "Sears" store but if you wanted to go to a real Sears or K-Mart store you had to go to Asheville and Asheville Mall... which we did pretty frequently.. I remember one of the Asheville K-Marts had a huge Indian statue on the side of a hill you would drive up to get to the K-Mart parking lot that used to freak me and my brother out because of it's sheer size... it wasn't associated with K-Mart but with a nearby car dealership next to K-Mart (but we always associated it with K-Mart). I had to look it up and a not surprised me sees that it's been removed because of being "offensive" to some
"
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article212441919.html
"
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article212441919.html
human
Well-known member
I worked for Tuesday Morning (now out of business) from 2009-2015, and we used to sell overstock Bissell and Hoover plasticrap vacs like that. We'd unbox one for demos and to vacuum the entry rugs at the end of the day. Sometimes, we'd have one that came with a turbo brush, and I'd use it to vacuum myself off after working in the rugs section, to get rid of those irritating fibers. Others started following my lead on that. I'm sure it was an amusing sight for the customers, but nobody ever told us not to do it.
Rose's is still around in N.C., but it's a shadow of its former self. They overextended themselves in the early '90s, went bankrupt and closed up most of their stores in the middle of the decade. They were eventually purchased by the parent company of Maxway and G.C. Murphy, which brought the brand back in the early 2000s as a lower-tier discount retailer, more along the lines of Dollar General.
I love the photo in reply #23. Is it just me, or does the guy on the left, with the bow tie, look just like Pee-Wee Herman?
Rose's is still around in N.C., but it's a shadow of its former self. They overextended themselves in the early '90s, went bankrupt and closed up most of their stores in the middle of the decade. They were eventually purchased by the parent company of Maxway and G.C. Murphy, which brought the brand back in the early 2000s as a lower-tier discount retailer, more along the lines of Dollar General.
I love the photo in reply #23. Is it just me, or does the guy on the left, with the bow tie, look just like Pee-Wee Herman?
lokisdads
Active member
Ah remember when..
@mark40511
Hello fellow Asheville native. I enjoyed your post. The huge Indian statue you mentioned was Chief Pontiac at Harry's Caddillac-Pontiac (now a Buick dealership same family). It was actually up on the hill behind a Sky City store. I was the advertising coordinator for Sky City stores in the mid-80's, and was able to get to get a couple of new vacuums that were advertising samples. One was the orange Hoover floating celebrity style and the other was a Celebrity QS with power nozzle(sorry don't recall model numbers). I remember going to(and later buying) many vacuums from the Asheville Mall Sears. Another fond memory I have is sitting on my mom's Compact C-2 , and her pulling me around on it. That was the beginning of my fascination with vacuums.
@mark40511
Hello fellow Asheville native. I enjoyed your post. The huge Indian statue you mentioned was Chief Pontiac at Harry's Caddillac-Pontiac (now a Buick dealership same family). It was actually up on the hill behind a Sky City store. I was the advertising coordinator for Sky City stores in the mid-80's, and was able to get to get a couple of new vacuums that were advertising samples. One was the orange Hoover floating celebrity style and the other was a Celebrity QS with power nozzle(sorry don't recall model numbers). I remember going to(and later buying) many vacuums from the Asheville Mall Sears. Another fond memory I have is sitting on my mom's Compact C-2 , and her pulling me around on it. That was the beginning of my fascination with vacuums.
