By Denise Fleischer, Des Plaines Journal & Topics, October 1, 2019
Allan Spiegler presents his non-fiction book “If a Store Could Talk…The Spiegler Family Remembers” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Des Plaines History Center. Spiegler will discuss his family, Des Plaines history and the store’s evolution during a book signing event.
Spiegler Department Store was located on Ellinwood Street before it moved to become an anchor store of the Des Plaines Mall. It’s doors opened at the first location on June 6, 1900. It closed at the mall March 31, 1992.
“This is the legacy of a family on the frontier. Not the fictional frontier of cowboy movies, but the real frontier of American immigration, commerce, and suburban life as it progressed through the 19th and 20th centuries,” said Des Plaines History Center Director Philip Mohr.
“The book portrays an era when local towns were the business center for the community,” Spiegler explained. “It really has a lot of interesting insights into the past as well as great anecdotes. In a sense, because I talk about the history of the family, I also tie it to national events. Not only a story of who we were, but who we are today. How the inventions of cars, internet and technology, in general, have changed the way we shop and live. People no longer shop chiefly in their local community.”
The public is invited to attend. The History Center is located at 781 Pearson St.
Allan Spiegler 