in this case refers to items sold through Associated Merchandising Corp., which was a buying group. Various manufacturers made things for them, in all catagories of merchandise. The largest customer was Federated Dept. Stores, and Shillito's in Cincinnati had AMC appliances on display along with other brands. Other independent department stores and retailers were AMC's remaining customers.

The auto manufacturer American Motors was formerly known as Nash-Kelvinator Corp., and became American Motors in 1954 when N-K merged with Hudson Motor Car Co. Kelvinator became part of WCI in 1968. Kelvinator also made Leonard brand, and certain items for Whirlpool, Sears Kenmore and other companies.

J.L. Hudson who owned the department store was also one of the founders of the Hudson Motor Car Co.

Jamie, when I worked at Shillito's in '79 & '80 they also had stores in Louisville & Lexington, KY.

Jamie, were you ever in the downtown Pogue's/Ayres store?

Definitely an interesting place. I got to explore every section of those buildings after the store closed and a content liquidation sale was held in Spring, 1988.

The most fascinating thing were the two chutes - one a fire escape, and the other for packages.  These were located in several places on each floor of the 1916 building. The fire escapes opened onto the first floor, and package chutes into the basement. People were going to the top floor, and sliding down the fire chutes. I got in one and slid all the way down to the first floor. Needless to say, my jeans were filthy when I got done.

Portions of the store had been abandoned for years. I went into an electrical maintenance shop that was still stocked, and the latest date on anything was 1964! I also went into an office on an upper floor that much of the ceiling had collapsed. Typewriters still on desks with paper still in them - dated 1962. In those areas it was like time had stopped years before.

While the parts of the store visible to the customer were elegant, the hidden areas were often a different story. Peeling paint, falling plaster, cracked windows, abandoned elevators, etc. were behind the false walls. The only hidden parts  that were in good condition were in the Carew Tower portion.

I bought a lot of neat things for very little money on my several visits that Spring, including two streamline modern chrome chairs designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Co. I paid $25 for them. I wanted some light fixtures, but would have had to brought a ladder. It was definitely the best and most fun liquidation sale I've been to.

Thanks for your reply! 

The cooking expert you mention is Marilyn Harris, who was on the radio every Saturday afternoon until earlier this year when she was dismissed.

Actually the housewares and gourmet foods department was called "Fourth Street Market", as it was located at the corner of 4th & Race. That was in the 1916 building. 

The 5th St. side was mainly clothing, and became Pogue's in the early 60's, as it had previously been Mabley & Carew. This building is part of the Carew Tower, and was constructed in 1930.

One of my favorite things about visiting that store was that the 1916 building still had the original elevator doors, with the arrow type floor indicators above. Unfortunately, most of the store was demolished in the late 80's. All that remains is what was in the Carew Tower and service building sections.