2825-2831 Broadway

by Tom Miller

Frank Winfield Woolworth opened his first five-and-ten-cent store in 1879 at the age of 27.  By 1911 when he incorporated the F. W. Woolworth Company, there were 586 stores.  Woolworth’s success was such that in 1913 he erected the Woolworth Building downtown as the firm’s headquarters—at the time the tallest building in the world.

In 1936 the Woolworth chain abolished price limits, ending its “5 and 10” period.  That year the company’s in-house architect, Arthur F. Winter filed plans for two more stores—one on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, and another on the northwest corner of Broadway and 109th Street in Manhattan.

Winter’s Broadway building did not aspire to architectural greatness.  One story tall, it was faced in white terra cotta.  The architect’s somewhat utilitarian, Art Moderne design included essentially featureless walls crowned by a parapet.  The Broadway façade was mostly glass, enabling passersby to ogle affordable goods in the show windows.  The Woolworth store created an internal L around two separate shop spaces on the corner.

The corner store was home to Cushman’s bakery, while the store next door at 305 West 109th Street held a laundry and tailor shop.  Cushman’s had opened its first bakery in 1855.  Now sprinkled throughout the city, they were regarded locally as neighborhood shops where homemade cakes and breads could be purchased fresh from the oven.

After 109 years, Cushman’s bakeries went out of business in 1964.  Three decades later, F. W. Woolworth followed suit, closing its variety stores throughout the United States in 1997. 

By 1948 George & Don’s Radio Lab opened at 305 West 109th Street.  The shop repaired televisions and “FM electronics.”  An advertisement in the Columbia Spectator in January 1948 suggested that other repair shops took advantage of some owners of the new gadgets.

Fair, Square and Capable.  We pride ourselves on our reputation for fair, honest service—as ethical as that of a good physician.  If little is needed to improve your set, we will not make the trouble appear more serious than it is.

After 109 years, Cushman’s bakeries went out of business in 1964.  Three decades later, F. W. Woolworth followed suit, closing its variety stores throughout the United States in 1997.  A renovation initiated in 1998 divided the cavernous store into three stores.  Arthur Winter’s terra cotta façade was covered with metal sheets, and the storefronts were remodeled. 

In the early 2000s, a TD Bank engulfed the southern two stores, and an apparel store operated from 2831 Broadway.   In 2022 the bank downsized, taking the smaller northern store.

Tom Miller is a social historian and blogger at daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com

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