Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Mount Prospect Plaza
Is building standing: No
What is at site: Mount Prospect Plaza
When was business founded: Company was founded in 1914 but opened in Mount Prospect Plaza in 1961
If no, when did it close: 1977
Who owned business: Maurice and Nathan Goldblatt
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Goldblatts was an important early department store in the Chicago area. Through large scale purchases, they were able to negotiate lower prices and increase the number of customers who came into their stores. They were even able to increase their customer base during the depression. They opened one of the first department stores in Mount Prospect, at the Mount Prospect Plaza, the first strip mall in Mount Prospect. By the early 1970s Goldblatt’s had over 40 store in the Chicago area.
Unfortunately, a major fire tore through Goldblatts in 1977. It took several hours and more than 100 firefighters from 9 suburbs to bring the fire under control, as ice and freezing temperatures delayed the extinguishing of the fire. After the fire, Goldblatt’s moved to Arlington Heights.
The vacant space was soon turned into a park with public art. One of those sculptures on display was “Hula Pole,” a giant kinetic sculpture by George Rhoads. By the late 1980s the park was replaced by another commercial building.
Top photo caption: Aerial view of Mount Prospect Plaza in the 1960s
Bottom photo caption: Goldblatts fire during the morning of February 6, 1977
