US-RP-VM019 Guide to the The Outlet Company Collection1900, 1962, before 1986 Finding aid prepared by Stacie M. Parillo, June 2016. Providence Public Library 2016 November 23
150 Empire StreetProvidence, RI 02903Tel: 401-455-8021Fax: 401-455-8065email: special_collections@provlib.org
Finding aid encoded by Stacie M. Parillo, 2016 November 23. English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) English Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire StreetProvidence, RI 02903Tel: 401-455-8021Fax: 401-455-8065email: ricoll@provlib.org
 Providence Public Library The Outlet Company Collection 1900, 1962, before 1986 Outlet Company Collection 1 folder (29 photographs, 2 oversized documents) This collection contains photographs and ephemera related to The Outlet Company, once located in Providence, Rhode Island. VM019 Historical note

The Outlet Company was located at 168-176 Weybosset Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Established in 1897 by two brothers, Joseph and Leon Samuels, The Outlet Company grew to become one of the largest department stores in southern New England, engulfing an entire city block in Providence’s downtown. The store sold furniture, clothing, cosmetics, housewares and held a restaurant with a soda fountain.

In 1922, the Outlet expanded into broadcasting by forming the first affiliated station of the NBC Red Network, WJAR. In 1980-1981, the Outlet closed its retail operations in favor of broadcasting and media pursuits. Eventually the company was sold in 1984. On October 16, 1986 the Outlet Company’s former building experienced a fire, and what remained was bought by Johnson and Wales University, who built dormitories on the land.

 Collection information

There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library Special Collections department.

Researchers are requested to cite the collection name and the Providence Public Library in all bibliographic references.

[item number], VM019, The Outlet Company Collection, Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library.

This collection contains photographs and ephemera related to The Outlet Company. The photographs show the interior of the store, featuring merchandising cases, soda fountain/lunch counter, and restaurant. Exterior photos of the building and store are included as well, including demolition and construction of replacement or nearby structures. Several photos focus on the creation and celebratory opening of a “435 car self-parking” garage, called the Big O Garage.

Two ephemera pieces are in the collection as well; The Outlet Bulletin from March 1900 advertising for the store’s Grand Spring Opening and a poster-sized undated sale advertisement featuring headshots of the store’s merchandise buyers, which appears to have been distributed via the Providence Sunday Journal.

Materials are arranged by type, and then chronologically when possible.

Administrative information

Unknown.

 Names

Subjects Department stores -- Rhode Island -- Providence -- History Outlet Company (Providence, RI) -- History Parking garages -- Rhode Island -- Providence Restaurants -- Rhode Island Retail trade -- Rhode Island -- Providence Westminster Street (Providence, R.I.) -- History

RIAMCO Browsing Terms Business Titles

Types of materials advertisements bulletins department stores photographs restaurants

Occupations

Functions

Additional information

1 1 Outlet Bulletin1900-1903 1 1 The Outlet All Star Buyers Saleundated 1 1 Demolished Building1962 May 1 1 Building Under Demolition with Falling Debrisprobably 1962 1 1 Building Being Demolished by Craneprobably 1962 1 1 Rubble of Demolished Building with Crane with Industrial Trust building in backgroundprobably 1962 1 1 Landscape of Building Being Demolished and Coca-Cola Mural Advertisement with Industrial Trust Building and Sheraton Hotel in backgroundprobably 1962 1 1 Cars Parked Outside of Building Under Demolitionprobably 1962 1 1 Man Speaking in Front of Group1962 August 30 1 1 Men Shaking Hands in Parking Garageprobably 1962 August 30 1 1 Procession of cars for the opening of The Big O Garageprobably 1962 August 30 1 1 Big O Parking Garage with Buntingprobably 1962 August 30 1 1 Cars outside the Outlet Companyprobably 1962 August 30 1 1 Interior of The Outlet showing Hosiery Case and Watch Repairundated 1 1 Men's Clothing in Basement Outletundated 1 1 Furniture display floorundated 1 1 Staircase to Downstairs Storeundated 1 1 Sewing machines in Basement Outletundated 1 1 Waitress and diners at U-Counter at The Fountainundated 1 1 Dining Room at The Outlet Companyundated 1 1 The Fountain at The Outlet Companyundated 1 1 Diners at the Soda Fountain at The Outlet Companyundated 1 1 Diners at the Soda Fountain at The Outlet Companyundated 1 1 Lot and Sign for the Big O’s Parking Garage undated

photo stamped with WJAR-TV, Photo by James Cute

1 1 Exterior of the Outlet Warehouseundated 1 1 The Outlet Company Bridge and Alley Between Buildingsundated 1 1 Group Portrait of Executivesundated 1 1 The Outlet Company's Exteriorundated 1 1 The Outlet Company's Exteriorundated 1 1 Construction site showing steel frame of building under construction with Industrial Trust building in the backgroundundated 1 1 Polaroid of Unknown Manundated