By gloria stravelli
Staff Writer
The small shopping carts shoppers used to wheel through the aisles of Prown’s were one of the most requested items on a wish list for mementos of the store.
They had dibs on the diminutive shopping carts and cash register, but the thing some shoppers wanted most was to share their memories of shopping at Prown’s Has Everything on Broad Street.
Red Bank’s beloved emporium closed Feb. 3 after 77 years of steadfastly catering to shoppers’ needs.
After he announced that Prown’s would close its retail operation, David Prown set out sheets of paper on the store counters so customers could share memories of shopping at the store, which was founded by his grandfather in 1925.
Some celebrated Prown’s old-fashioned virtues:
PHOTOS BY GLORIA STRAVELLI Kathy Dorn Severini paid a visit to David Prown during the final week his store was open. “I feel like part of the family’s going,” said Dorn Severini, whose family has operated a photography business in Red Bank since 1937. “Prown’s was a part of our growing up, so it’s like part of your childhood got erased.”
"Prown’s — the only business whose telephone is still answered by a living person. Thank you."
Donna, Long Branch.
"Memories of the ’30s and ’40s — Max Prown, a gentleman from tip to toe. The basement sales area in the store on the east side of Broad Street. The awful fire. A whole street full of firemen and fire trucks. Ed Strauss, another gentleman from top to bottom."
Alex Iler, Middletown.
Prown’s not only had everything, but with its loyal customers, it went everywhere from Paris to Tokyo and beyond.
There were love letters …
"Dave, how could you do this to us? Thirty years of loving you." Thea, Shrewsbury.
"My favorite Prown’s memory is Billy Clayton!" Lori, Rumson.
"I love shopping at Prown’s. It was one of the main reasons I fell in love with Red Bank in 1987 before it was cool." Alice, Red Bank.
… reminiscences:
"My first memory of your store was a snowy day in 1981. I lived on Peters Place — just down the street. I came in with my mother because your store was the only one open on Broad Street that day. As a child, I was so excited to walk through your door — the toys, the games and trains! I was 3 years old then, and your store has been a big part of my life and my town. You will be missed." Jon, Red Bank.
"I have shopped here since I was a child. This store was my mother’s favorite. My mom passed away some time ago, but anytime I was missing her, I would come here and remember all the wonderful excursions we had." Carol, Red Bank.
"We moved to Atlantic Highlands in 1977. You cut the original shades for our house when we moved in. They are still good today. In 1977, you could fire a cannon across the parking lot on White Street without hitting something. You kept Red Bank afloat in the lean years." Josh, Atlantic Highlands.
"I have been shopping at Prown’s for 72 years. First with my mother, when Prown’s was across the street. When I told my son about your closing, he couldn’t believe it. I’m still in shock! " Peggy, Fair Haven.
… and traditions:
"Every year Santa brings something from Prown’s. This has been a tradition at our house for over 20 years. You will be greatly missed!" Karen, Eatontown.
"I bought my first school lunchbox here in 1963. All of my children have gotten their first lunchboxes here, too. Thank you for all the happy shopping!"
Madonna.
"Three generations of my family have shopped at Prown’s. It’s a sad day, but good luck in your new endeavor."
Dotty, Red Bank.
And who didn’t love the staff?
"Thank you for helping to make Red Bank a nice place to live. Your staff was always friendly and helpful, and you can’t find that at many places these days." Elaine, Red Bank.
"I will really miss this store and all of the wonderful people that work here. I have been coming here for 27 years and I don’t know what Red Bank will be like without Prown’s." Debbie, Hazlet.
"The service here is unparalleled — ever seen such happy and pleasant employees elsewhere? " Lynn, Red Bank.
One customer managed to sum up the feelings of many:
"Thank you for 77 great years! Prown’s has been a huge part of my life ever since I was a little girl. No matter what I needed, Prown’s had it. How could one little store have the whole world in it? And, Prown’s has been like a warm home — comfortable and friendly. I always felt happy being in the store and amused by all its wonderful things. Even when I felt sad, a visit to Prown’s would make me feel better. I am terribly upset over Prown’s closing. It is the end of a most wonderful era in my hometown. I will miss Prown’s and all the friendly, helpful people who made it a great store and a great place … thank you for serving me so well." Joan, Red Bank.
"They (the letters he received) were remarkable. I’m so happy I did that," said David Prown, who will continue to operate Prown’s home improvement division.
"People come up all the time and tell me the stories, and I just wanted to capture it. People took the sheets home and mailed them to neighbors, and they mailed them back.
"To say that’s what we’ve been for people, that’s priceless."
One of the Prown’s traditions David Prown is most proud of was his ever-expanding collection of travel photos that hung above the aisles at Prown’s Has Everything.
The deal was that shoppers who included a Prown’s shopping bag in a picture of a far-off place received a certificate for a 10 percent discount. But Prown knew it wasn’t really the discount that mattered.
"Prown’s went around the world," he said. "That was one of the high points. I loved seeing where people went and that they took us on vacation. It didn’t matter where they went, just that they remembered to take us."