Looking for the F. W. Woolworth Building? Just look for a big, six-story, gray stone building on the corner of the street with loads of windows and storefronts along the ground floor-it stands out right at the edge of Public Square.
Imagine it’s 1873-horses and carriages are clattering by, and a young Frank Woolworth is busy stacking shelves in the old Smith and Moore Dry Goods Store, dreaming up a daring new idea: selling items for a fixed price. Back then, the very shop he worked in was alive with customers marveling at the "everything for a nickel" concept. Fast forward to 1916: with pockets lined by success, Frank buys the entire building, planning to replace it with something truly grand. But here's the twist-he passed away before his dream came true, leaving the whole project hanging in suspense, like a cliffhanger at the end of a movie!
Fortunately, the Woolworth Company picked up where Frank left off, and in 1921, this six-story marvel opened, standing as a symbol of retail triumph. The first floor buzzed with shoppers hunting for bargains, while the upper floors quietly filled with business offices-an epicenter of activity for decades. Yet, by the 2000s, the old building sighed under years of wear and silence, closing its doors and facing an uncertain fate.
But don’t worry-like every good hero, the Woolworth Building made a comeback! Restoration work started in 2013, and now, shops are alive downstairs, while people call the upper floors home. Every window here has seen a slice of Watertown’s vibrant story, and thanks to a bit of luck, determination, and a sprinkle of Woolworth’s daring spirit, this landmark still stands proud today.
