`intersection' Doesn't 
Make Connection

Adele Fabrizio 
Jan. 20, 1994 
Adele Fabrizio, Of Stout Street, Yatesville, Died Thursday At Leader Nursing 
Center, Kingston.

Sunday, January 23, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: MONEY QUICK WORDS: THE END OF A
PARTNERSHIP 





The End of A Partnership: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &amp; Woolworth's &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1884. Fred Morgan Kirby opens his first five-and-dime store, at 172 E.
Market &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 St., Wilkes-Barre, using $500 in savings, $100 borrowed from his father and
a &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 $600 investment from partner C.S. Woolworth of Scranton. Kirby later buys
out his partner1899. The Kirby Building is constructed on Wilkes-Barre's
Public Square as the entrepreneur opens more five-and-dimes stores. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1908. After trying several locations, Kirby moves his flagship Wilkes-Barre
store to its present location on South Main Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1912. Kirby merges his 96 dime stores with the those of Frank Woolworth and
four other retailers, including Frank's brother, C.S. Woolworth. The national
chain of variety stores is known as the F.W. Woolworth Company. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1932. Woolworth's raises its top price to 20 cents. Stores dot the Wyoming
Valley. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1950. A wrecking crew from Philadelphia demolishes Wilkes-Barre's Woolworth
store, making way for the company's "modern" facility. In November, the
retailing giant opens a three-story building at 7-13 South Main St.,
attracting huge crowds to the first escalator in the city. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1972. In September, the store and its employees are still recovering from a
devastating flood. Merchandise is sold from the first floor weeks before the
basement level can be used. "Woolworth's was one of the first downtown stores
to reopen following the Tropical Storm Agnes flooding," according to news
reports. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 1982. Downtown Wilkes-Barre's dime-store rivalry ends as the S.S. Kresge
Company closes its store on Public Square. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Oct. 13, 1993. Woolworth Co. announces the closing of 720 general
merchandise stores. Another 250 stores will be converted to specialty shops.
Wilkes-Barre's store is on the closing list, as are Woolworth stores at the
West Side Mall in Edwardsville, Williamsport, Shenandoah and two Allentown
locations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After the cutbacks were announced, Woolworth stock jumped 37 cents, to
$26.25 a share. (It closed at 25-5/8 on Jan. 20). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Oct. 23, 1993. Wilkes-Barre's Woolworth store closes its lunch counter and
restaurant. Excess food is donated to the St. Vincent dePaul Soup Kitchen. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jan. 24, 1994. At the end of business hours Monday, Wilkes-Barre's
Woolworth store is scheduled to lock its doors for good.

The End Of A Partnership: 
Wilkes-barre & Woolworth's 
1884. Fred Morgan Kirby Opens His First Five-and-dime Store, At 172 E. Market 
St., Wilkes-barre, Using $500 In Savings, $100 Borrowed From His Father And A 
$600 Investment From Partner C.s. Woolworth Of Scranton. Kirby Later Buys Out 
His Partner.

The End Of A Partnership: Wilkes-barre & Woolworth's 1884. Fred Morgan Kirby Opens His First Five-and-dime Store, At 172 E. Market St., Wilkes-barre, Using $500 In Savings, $100 Borrowed From His Father And A $600 Investment From Partner C.s. Woolworth Of Scranton. Kirby Later Buys Out His Partner.