The Edw. Malley Company, or as it was known to the natives "Malley's" was the Premier Department store in downtown New Haven for over 100 years. Established as a small dry goods store in 1852, it quickly grew into a major shopping destination for both New Haven residents and the outskirts as well. Malley's up until the 1960's was perched on the corner of Chapel & Temple Streets directly across from the Green. Although the main intersection was a block down the street, "Meet me at the clock" only meant one thing to the city folk, and that was the corner of Chapel & Temple Streets, directly in front of the main entrance. This was until the redevelopment of the city and the destruction of this glorious store as we knew it. This current location now houses the Chapel Square apartments, retail stores, an office tower and the Omni Hotel.
Malley's facade circa 1945
Malley's interior Main Floor, Chapel Street
1953 Christmas Catalog, notice the Christmas tree above the awning.
Malley's 1954 Christmas catalog, showing its updated logo.
Remember when you purchased a suit or dress and the sales person would put it in one of these zippered vinyl garment bags and NOT cover it with a plastic garbage bag instead like today?
The new Malley's! After the city decided to re-develop its downtown area, the old Malley's was demolished to make way for the new Chapel Square Mall, an office tower and hotel as well as a new to the area Macy's department store. This photo was taken in 1963 just after the Christmas shopping season. The building was located in the block surrounded by Church, George & Temple Streets as well as having a direct exit off of Frontage Road. The store, having 3 above ground and 2 below ground levels was more modern but still had a certain charm.
Notice on the 3rd level the row of windows and the beginning of a walkway, eventually connecting Malley's to the future Macy's which will have been finished a year later. Like most other stores Malley's was purchased by another company (The Outlet Company in Providence, RI) and was forced to close down completely in 1982 because of troublesome times. The only memories now of the store are when you mention "The Malley's Lot" soon to be redeveloped into the new Gateway Community College.
This was the floor directory when the Macy's closed in 1993 and a memory of the department store Santa, long before the malls took over. Originally this store also housed a liquor shop, pharmacy, furniture and major appliance departments. The lower level was also home to Santa for many years and after a clearance center. This Macy's store was the first in CT and held that spot until a new branch opened in Stamford years later around 1981. It wasn't until the late 1980's that the store declined in sales and eventually shuttered. Most of the employees that closed the store were there the day it opened. The building is set for demolition soon, after it is rid of its asbestos and will along with the Malley's lot be the site of the new Gateway College.
These pictures are of the women's shoe and men's shirt departments
of Macy's New Haven during its' "Going out of business sale!"
The only bag I recall from the former Chapel Square Mall.
