{friday finds: historic christmas letters}

For many people, the holidays are a time for reflection. For others, a time for tradition. At Hirshfield’s, we like to review the following exchange of Christmas-time letters as a symbol of both. We look back at these letters, written during WWII, and see the remarkable bond between our Hirshfield’s family and an employee serving overseas during the war.

The letters — one sent on Christmas Eve, 1943 — were written to a friend and colleague named Gilbert, who was serving in the army’s medical corp, eventually becoming a POW. When the war ended, Gilbert came home and came back to Hirshfield’s — where he continued to work into his 80s.

These letters give us a glimpse into Hirshfield’s history, and that of our country. When you see a reference to “Mrs. Hirshfield and the Doctor,” they are referring to Hans’ grandfather, who not only ran the business but was also a physician. Apparently this surprised some of his patients who, when they noticed the doctor’s paint-splattered shoes, questioned the validity of his credentials.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{friday finds: 1943 christmas letter}

Season’s Greetings from Hirshfield’s

In this season of hope and reflection, we look back at a letter written on Christmas Eve, 71 years ago. Gilbert, a longtime Hirshfield’s employee was off serving our country during World War II, and his friends wanted to share some Christmas cheer with him.

Gilbert served in the Army’s Medical Corps, eventually becoming a POW. After the war was over, Gilbert returned to Hirshfield’s, where he continued working into his 80’s.

The reference to “Mrs. Hirshfield and the Doctor” is about Hans’ grandfather, who ran the business, but was also a practicing physician. Apparently this surprised some of his patients who, when they noticed the doctor’s paint-splattered shoes, questioned the validity of his credentials.

Here are some other letters written to Gilbert while he was overseas.

A very Merry Christmas from your friends at Hirshfield’s.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{a look to christmas past}

Christmas Letters

Christmas is a natural time to look into the past. Whether it’s Ebenezer Scrooge visiting his younger years, families laughing at old videos or tree decorators reminiscing over homemade ornaments made years ago, Christmas can be a time of reflection, gratitude and nostalgia for many of us.

Hirshfield’s is looking back 70 years in the following letters, which were written in 1943 during WWII. The letters’ authors are writing to their friend and colleague Gilbert, who served overseas during the war in the army’s medical corp, eventually becoming a POW. After the war was over, he returned home and went back to Hirshfield’s, where he worked until he was in his 80s.

Note:  when you see a reference to “Mrs. Hirshfield and the Doctor,” they are referring to Hans’ grandfather who not only ran the business but was also a physician. Apparently this surprised some of his patients who, when they noticed the doctor’s paint-splattered shoes, questioned the validity of his credentials.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.