Kline’s Department Store Marks Ten Years in Downtown Norwood-July 11, 1983

Kline’s Department Store Celebrates a Decade in Norwood

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When the 25-store retail chain first moved into the building formerly occupied by the Park Snow store, local observers were initially skeptical. At the time, the downtown business section was struggling, and many local businessmen assumed that the new occupant was merely marking time before inevitably closing its doors. Contrary to those early doubts, Kline’s quickly established itself as a vital anchor for the downtown area, significantly bolstering the local economy.

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Store manager Norm Treckman attributes much of the store’s enduring success to its ability to fill a specific market void, noting that the area lacked a large-scale department store similar to Filene’s or Jordan Marsh. Since its arrival in 1973, Kline’s has undergone major transformations, including doubling its selling floor space to 20,000 square feet and tripling its total sales volume. These growth phases involved substantial remodeling, updated fixtures, and a shift in merchandise strategy. Treckman remains optimistic about the future, noting that the store continues to strengthen its position even as the surrounding downtown area experiences revitalization through new sidewalks and improved public amenities. With executive offices based in New York and a growing chain that extends into the Midwest and includes a sister store in Wakefield, the Norwood branch stands as a testament to the viability of downtown retail when a store successfully identifies and meets community needs.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger