5250 EXCELSIOR BLVD.
Ruth's Toggery

Ruth's Toggery Shop was built in 1952. It was run by Ruth Commers and her husband Don. In 1944-48, her shop was at her house at 3259 Zarthan, but Roy Walbom, a competitor, complained to the Village Council that she was operating a business in a residential area. She may have moved in to Lilac Way for a time before she built her own building. Ads indicate that a second floor – a $30,000 addition - was added to the building in about 1954-5.

This picture comes from the 1954 phone book; the building is one story.
 

This 1956 picture shows the two-story building.

The building went through several tenants after Ruth and her husband retired to Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage, California:

In 1968 it was leased to the company that owned Radio Shack and the Wax Museum – it apparently was a Radio Shack first and in 1976 a Wax Museum.

From 1978 to 1981 it was leased to Pier I Imports.

In 1981 it housed Connco Shoes.

By 1988 it had been purchased by the City and was demolished for the redevelopment of Lilac Way into Park Village.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.