YES another retailer left us quite a while ago.This was one of-quite a few retailers that once existed here in downtown BRIDGEPORT.Times changed and in came the large malls taking business away from the downtown areas.READS was a retail giant a leader in the industry.IN 1926 ALLIED STORES took READS to new heights.ORIGINALLY founded in 1856.This company went defunct in 1993.Their headquarters was right here in BRIDGEPORT.D.M.READ was the founder of READS.IN 1857 D.M.READ AND W.B. HALL opened READS.THE first store was on MAIN ST.IN 1877 D.M. READ went solo.IN 1885 Expansion took place to 2 buildings quite a move for that era.READS was NEW ENGLANDS' largest store.LATER moved to JOHN ST.AND BROAD ST.IN 1981 ALLIED closed the READS' stores.The empty building once a landmark joined other blighted buildings in the downtown area.Turned most recent years into lofts still a reminder of what use to be.NOW it joins golden memories of BRIDGEPORTS'HISTORY.
AUTHOR RICH SATTANNI/AUTHOR OF 15 NOVELS/GRASSROOTS WRITER/FORMER COLUMN WRITER FOR THE BRIDGEPORT NEWS AND FORMER COLUMN WRITER FOR THE FAIRFIELD INDEPENDENT.MOVIE CRITIC/POET/BOOK CRITIC/MUSIC CRITIC/CONTACT RICH AT rsauthor00@gmail.com
