Here’s another General Sign Co. sign from Terry’s Hopkins‘ dad’s box of photos. This one is for Sides-Miller Men’s Store at 625 Broadway. It must have been around Christmas time because of the reindeer decoration behind it.
Random news stories
- December 6, 1948 – $4000 Loot in Men’s Store Theft – More than $4000 in cash and merchandise was taken from Sides-Miller Men’s Store, 625 Broadway, Saturday night or early Sunday morning by thieves who cut the three-eighths inch iron bars on a rear window and hauled away a 250-pound safe and armloads of men’s wearing apparel, police said today.
- July 21, 1949 – Dog Saved Burglary of Store – Sides-Miller men’s store, 625 Broadway, from which burglars stole $4000 in cash and clothing last December 5, was booked a second time by St. Louis thugs last week but a barking dog and heavy iron bars changed the plans, Cape Girardeau police learned Wednesday through written confessions by two St. Louis suspects.
- May 13, 1979 – New Sides-Miller – Bulletin-Journal: Sides-Miller Men’s Store, established on Broadway since 1947, has had a change of ownership effective May 1. Larry W. Barnes, a former Girardeau [resident], is the new owner. He and his wife Judi purchased the corporation from Eugene Sides. The name and location of the store will remain the same.
- June 10, 1984 – Sides-Miller to close Cape store – Sides-Miller Men’s Store, after 37 years in business is closing out its stock of merchandise, reports Larry Barnes, owner. He said the store, located at 3 West Park Village, will dispose at a special sale all it merchandise during the next 60 days and will not reopen. He stressed that no merchandise in addition to the current inventory will be brought in for the sale. Barnes said his plans for the future are as yet uncertain.
- August 17, 2004 – Eugene Sides – Eugene Sides, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. He was born Jan. 4, 1913, at Indian Creek, Mo., son of Pearl and Jeffie Abernathy Sides. He and Lucille M. Herbst were married July 8, 1940, in Cape Girardeau. She died Aug. 12, 1994. Mr. Sides owned and operated Sides-Miller Men’s Store on Broadway from 1947 to 1980. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. When he returned from Korea, he helped organize Little League baseball in 1952. He was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, and a member of Abe Stuber Boys. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, past president of Centenary Men’s Club, and was president of Downtown Rotary Club in 1960. Survivors include a son, Ronald E. Sides of Springfield, Ill.; two daughters, Linda S. Craig and Brenda Sides Emerson of St. Louis; a brother, J.O. Sides of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Hazel Schloss of Jackson; and two granddaughters, Alison Sides and Nina Emerson.
Mom and Dad were good friends with Gene and Lucile Sides. Dad bought his dress clothing at Sides-Miller. Mr. Sides and dad were golf buddies, SEMO football enthusiasts and SEMO basketball supporters. Dad and I walked from home to Houck Field House and sat with him at all the football games. Being the young tag-along, I used to laugh uncontrollably when Mr. Sides would shout $3.98 on the golf course. His big smile and wonderful sense of humor were infectious. One night at a football game Mr. Sides removed his raincoat, wadded it up, and placed it on the bleachers. Without missing a beat, I told him he folded his coat like he owned a hardware store instead of a clothing store! From that day forward, whenever I was in the store, Mr. Sides would humorously ask if my purchase was being folded properly.
Sally, it took me a couple of beats to figure out the $3.98 reference. Great story.
Mr. Sides and Mr. Miller were great guys, good business men and real gentlemen. I had my first winter job with at Sides Miller men’s store. I was playing cork ball in the park summer of 1965 with Bill Bishop and Keith Kelly when my mom walked us and said there was a job at Sides-Miller Men’s store and I should go home take shower and to straight there and apply. I valued my life then and now, and went straight home shower and straight down to the store. Mr. Miller talked to me and hired me on the spot for Saturday’s and if I have track meet or Cross Country meet then I missed work and that was okay with both of them too. What a great experience, I got great clothes at a discount and event for gifts, we sold Jade East so I wore that at times. I learned a lot about business and got paid the princely sum of $.75 an hour. I learned to wash the window at the store every Saturday. I learned a little Semaphore from Mr. Sides, Mr Shievlbine used to signal across the street to his navy buddy Mr. Sides at times. At least, until a Naval Commander wife came in and said I know semaphore and guys are not very nice to each other. More stories, but I have to get to work today! Ken thanks for showing this sign and reminding me and others of the businesses we all used and walked by everyday. It is nice example of simple small electrical sign that carries it message even today.
Terry, My name is Alison (Sides) Morton and my grandpas was Gene Sides. I would love a digital copy of the photo in a large format. Is there anyway that you could scan in a copy of the photo and email it to me?
Thank you for your stories and memories! My best, Alison Alison@themortonsonline.com
I’m in the process of heading south to FL to be with the family for the holidays. Once I get my computers set up at home, I’ll send you a higher res photo. If you don’t hear from me after two weeks, nudge me.
For what ever reason, I always thought that was a classy sign.
Thank you so much for adding these photos and stories. My name is Alison; my grandfather was Gene Sides and my father was Ron Sides. This site truly made me smile and I know they both would have loved the comments and stories shared.