Everywhere I go, folks have Thalhimers stories to share! Here are a couple recent ones:
I started with Thalhimers in the early 1970s as a sales associate in the children’s accessory department on the 4th Floor of the downtown store. 20 years later when the downtown store closed, I was the Store Manager. It was quite a ride, and a wonderful one. I met such fine people, brilliant minds, hard working hands, and kind hearts. The Thalhimer legacy continues across the globe. The lessons learned, the values instilled in all of us that had the privilege of working for Thalhimers have made this city, this state, and truly parts of the entire world a better place to be. It was an honor to work there.
– Becky Lorraine, Downtown Store Manager
As a small kid, my mother took me to Thalhimers. Around 1947, we rode the escalators, which became narrower as we went up the floors. When we went from the 4th to the 5th, it was too narrow for my mother to stand beside me and hold my hand, so I could ride by myself, which I greatly enjoyed. Later, when I first came to work [at Thalhimers] on Nov. 18, 1963, at the end of my first week JFK was shot. I was so busy with my job and so glad to be working – all the world was just a blur. What really stood out were those first happy weeks at Thalhimers.
– Bill Gilfogle, Sales Promotion and Advertising from 1963-1992
Got a story you’d like to share? Please post it!
Finding Thalhimers 
Your book is amazing!!! I have a teensy-tinsy story — nothing like those rich memories from years of working at “The Store.” Here it is: I haven’t even told you! I was a teen model at M & R, and Santa’s Helper on the M&R Santa Train to pick up Santa and the Snow Queen, and later a College Board Member/Model from Mary Washington. BUT, after reading your book, I had a memory confirmed: I modelled ONCE at Thalhimers’. Was it for a sorority benefit (Theta Sigma Chi?)? Was it for the Boys & Girls Club? Was it for the organization that helped women in the Richmond City Jail? I honestly don’t know — but I clearly remember that “short” runway as well as the outfit I wore — I badly wanted to buy it! It’s a happy, happy moment — nothing more than a Thalhimers’ moment that I’m happy to retrieve. Read the book again, from cover to cover, and loved it even more. Thanks for the memories!Charlotte
Oh, what a difference Thalhimers made in my life! I went to work for them 8 days after marrying my husband in 1971. The date was August 29th, I remember it well. I was all of 18 years old, a new bride, with no family in Richmond. I was hired to sell fabric at the East Gate Mall store. I was sent to the downtown store for my training and I was so timid that when I got there I did not give them my new married name when I went to check-in. I worked for them until 1984, I was invited to the Oldtimers Party when I was just 28 years old. Today, I am a Vice President with one of the largest banks in America as a commercial banker. Everyday I still draw from the principals I learned from working there. The customer is always right. The custmer is first. Be on time. Smile. Be proud of your job. Try new things, change is good.All of the Thalhimer family were the nicest people. We may have been employed by them but they made the employee feel important. Mr. Billy would come into the store for a surprise visit but was always friendly and happy that you were there to take care of his customers.
I am so glad I worked for the family and proud to have been part of a wonderful institution that still is held in such high regard in the Richmond Market today.
Thalhimers touched the community and made it grow to be a better place. Be it with the products they sold, the service they provided, the support for area charities,or the young timid girl who sold fabric for them in 1971.
Please take your bow Thalhimers. Job well done!
Received Finding Thalhimers in the mail yesterday. Couldn’t put it down. Finished it early this morning.
For those of us who worked at The Store, your book brings it all back to life if only for a moment.
I worked at Thalhimers in the late 70’s and early 80’s, eventually becoming part of the team that opened the Memphis store. I have many fond memories of my few years at Thalhimers, but one of the best was being unexpectedly called to your father’s office.
You see, I worked for the Finance Division performing store audits throughout the chain, so I assumed that he had some major issue with something I had reported in one of my audits. Imagine my surprise when he offered me a job with the management team which would open the Memphis store! Needless to say, I was shocked and honored that your dad thought enough of me and my work to make such an offer.
Thank you for writing this book. For those who worked or shopped at The Store, it gives us a welcome glimpse into how it all happened, the courage, acumen and innovative spirit of the Thalhimers as business people, and their commitment to their community.
I don’t know that he would remember me, but please pass along my regards to your father.
Sincerely,
Scott L. Lippmann
Wake Forest Univ. ’76