Friday, March 1, 2013
Here's a look at some of the headlines from February 2013.
Wow, Medfield! For a short month, we sure filled it with lots of headlines. Of the many notable events, we had the Blizzard of 2013, a man missing in Noon Hill Reservation (later found safe), a Celebration of Lord's, and finally -- on the final day of the month -- the closing of Lord's Department Store after 73 years in business. Here's a peek at February's headlines:
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The end of an era as captured in the words of one Beanie Baby set aside by Bill Kelly years ago.
When the Kelly Family sold the family business and was clearing out the basement of Lord's Department Store (which has anchored the Medfield business community for the last 73 years), they found a basket of Beanie Babies that patriarch Bill Kelly (1923-2012) must have set aside years ago. After Nancy Kelly-Lavin (who, until today, owned the store with brother Tom Kelly) put those Beanie Babies out for sale, a young man brought one particular bear to her attention. "I have to take this one home with me," she said of the bear that sat on her desk until she packed it up earlier this week. The tag says... The End. All good things come to an end. It's been fun for everyone. Peace and hope are never gone. Love you all and say "So long!" So …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Be sure to stop by for last-minute souvenir or just "one more trip around the block." The mugs are gone but there were a few t-shirts left at last check.
The merchandise is marked down to 90 percent off, the fixtures and bar stools are gone, and the floor is nearly bare. Now it's time to say goodbye to Lord's Department Store (1940-2013) and the Kelly Family who ran it for decades. Sing along if you know it (or click the YouTube link, if you need a little help). [Sung to the tune of the Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Alma Mater" theme song -- we've added an extra "L" in "Kelly" for good measure.] Come along and sing our song / for Lord's Department Store K E L ... / ... L L Y / Kelly Family Through the years / We'll all be friends / Wherever we may be K E L ... / ... L L Y / Kelly Family Lord's Five & Dime / Lord's Five & Dime / Forever let us hold our [Midnight Madness] …
Monday, February 25, 2013
The business is closing on Thursday.
There are just a few days left to purchase Lord's t-shirts and mugs (due to arrive shortly) before Lord's Department Store closes for good later this week. Though the store will close its doors one last time on Feb. 28, store owners Nancy Kelly-Lavin and Tom Kelly expect merchandise to be gone before that time. The doors will likely close to the public on Wednesday, if not before. Be sure to stop by soon, if you need a souvenir t-shirt or mug (or one final walk around the store). For more photos, check out Colleen Sullivan's blog, "Final Days at Lord's." Related Stories Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.
Friday, February 22, 2013
An official proclamation from the Board of Selectmen set aside Feb. 15, the day of the "Celebrate Lord's" party, as a special day in Medfield's history.
It's hard to believe it's been a week since the "Celebrate Lord's" party on Feb. 15 where hundreds of folks turned out to honor the Kelly family and the role Lord's Department Store has played in the community for the last 73 years. It's hard to believe it's been nearly two months since the Kelly family announced it has sold the historic Five and Dime to a local developer. And it's even harder to believe that, in a matter of hours, the store, with its iconic neon sign, will close its doors forever. Here is a proclamation signed by the Board of Selectmen, and delivered by Town Administrator Michael Sullivan at last week's celebration (after offering a toasted-bread "toast" to members of the Kelly family). It is an informative and touching…
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The Kellys will hand over the keys to the new owner on Feb. 28 but may be out of merchandise much sooner.
It's true. It's not a bad dream. There's no doubt about it. Lord's Department Store is closing. While there are still a few fixtures left for sale -- as well as the office furniture, file cabinets, and restaurant equipment left from the lunch counter -- what little merchandise is left on the shelves has been marked down by 75 percent in an effort to clear out the store as soon as possible. And there are still good deals to be had, but time is running out. "We're trying to have all the merchandise gone by this weekend so we can clear out the rest of the fixtures; we have to be broom-clean on Feb. 28," said Nancy Kelly-Lavin, who owns the store with brother Tom Kelly. New store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more Lord's stories, click …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Did you have your photo taken at the Lord's Lunch Counter? If so, find it here!
Friday, February 15, 2013
The very last "Midnight Madness" at Lord's Department Store will be held tonight, Friday, Feb. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Drop in for the social event of the season that will include food (half donuts, Lord's cake), ginger ale toast, and many more su
It's hard to believe it but it's here, the "Celebrate Lord's" party, the last "Midnight Madness" at Lord's, ever, will be held TONIGHT at Lord's Department Store. _______________________________________ What: "Celebrate Lord's," one last Midnight Madness before the store closes for good later this month When: Tonight, Friday, Feb. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Where: Lord's Department Store, 446 Main Street, Medfield Why: Why not! Everyone will be there! _______________________________________ The event will include food, cake, entertainment, tributes and speakers, photos at the Lunch Counter, "Lord's Through the Years" memorabilia and record audiovisual memories (with Medfield TV) for the Medfield Historical Society, a ginger ale …
Lord's store owners say the community response is a tribute to their father.
When Nancy Kelly-Lavin and Tom Kelly announced last month that they would be closing Lord's Department Store, they had no idea the community would respond as they have. Since then, the Kellys have been inundated by long-time customers, past employees -- including 97-year-old Fred McMasters who worked at the store for 62 years (and whom they hadn't seen in 10 years) -- and others with stories of thanks and of what the store means to them. They say they've also gotten calls from all over the country from people who heard the news the store is closing after 73 years in town. "I knew it was going to be rough but I had no idea that people would feel this way," she said. "But how grateful are we, and how great for Dad." The Kellys' father, …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Be sure to record your favorite stories in the memory book or in an audiovisual recording at Friday's party. They will be kept by the Kelly family and the Medfield Historical Society.
Okay, Medfield, there's not much time left so here's my favorite memory of Lord's Department Store. After you read mine, I'd love to read yours! Make sure you record your memory either in person at Friday's party, on Facebook at Medfield Remembers Lord's, or in the comment section of this story -- whichever way you choose, be sure to do it soon as the store will be closing two weeks from today. Here goes... This past Christmas, my 13-year-old son headed to Lord's to buy that one last gift on his shopping list -- mine. I sent him fully-prepared with a detailed list of various options as well as their exact location in the store. He had $20 to spend. After the holidays, he would relay the details of that day... Minutes after school let …
Theresa Knapp
6:10 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
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