Boston Store Tea Room September 26, 2009

Many Fort Smith ladies fondly remember the Boston Store, the fabulous department store on Garrison Avenue. Especially popular was the Boston Store Tea Room, where delectable sandwiches and desserts were served in an elegant atmosphere.

The Fort Smith Museum of History will present a recreation of the Tea Room including a fashion show of vintage clothing purchased from the Boston Store. The wonderful dresses, suits, coats, hats and accessories were donated by Mrs. Connie Narisi Bianchi and Mrs. Nadine Hardin Miller. Saturday, September 26, 2009, 2:00-4:00 p. m. remember charming days gone by at the Boston Store Tea Room. $10 includes small portions of Tea Room favorite sandwiches and baked fudge.

Originally doing business as Baer Brothers beginning in 1879, the fine store offered shoppers quality merchandise not previously associated with Western Arkansas. Purchased by Rudolph Ney in 1892, the tradition of offering fine goods continued with the Boston Store on Garrison Avenue. Mr. Ney quickly developed a reputation for “doing something extra” for customers. The store continued to provide fine goods from the Garrison Avenue location until 1971, when it moved to the newly opened Central Mall. In 1986 the Boston Store closed its doors for good, ending a long tradition in Fort Smith.

Join the Fort Smith Museum of History to celebrate and remember the tradition of the Boston Store in Fort Smith. Please call the museum at 479-783-7841 for reservations.

Official Website: http://www.fortsmithmuseum.com