Self-Service Department Store Qpens Here On Providence Pike

Fifth Sparks Store

An ultra-modern Sparks Discount Department Store is scheduled to open this spring in the former site of the Nortronics Division of Northrop Corporation on the Providence Turnpike in Norwood.

Boston Realtors, F. P. Morgan Company, this week announced the completion of lease negotiations for the one-story, modern, brick building covering some 44,000 square feet on four acres of land.

Following extensive alterations, the store will open as the fifth in the growing chain of Sparks Department stores, others are in Raynham, Wilmington, Dover and Malden.

The store will contain 30 complete self-service departments. Smaller specialty stores will be built nearby to complement this vast discount operation.

There will be parking for almost 1,000 cars.

For over 30 years Sparks has been well known and highly regarded as a large chain operation of fine women’s wear specialty shops throughout Massachusetts. Twelve months ago Sparks opened its doors to their first full-line discount department store… a multi-floor, 25,000 square foot unit in the heart of downtown Malden.

The secret of Albert and George Sparks’ success rests in many years of experience, and a belief that a well-integrated, strong organization is the backbone of any successful operation.

George and Albert Sparks still spend over 60 percent of their time in the buying market and personally account for 90 percent of their efforts to offer their customers the latest in fashion-wearing apparel.

They believe their future and continued success lies in offering quality merchandise. Trading-up is now a constant practice at Sparks and this is reflected throughout the entire stores and units. Whereas a $6.75-cost dress once was the highest-priced fashion in stock, today shoppers find $19.75-cost dresses a common occurrence. Their motto now is “style first”.

Complete customer satisfaction has always played a dominant role in Sparks’ policy. They feature no restrictions on returns, easy layaways, and make available a charge plan to all of their customers. A positive approach to merchandising and promotion has added immeasurably to the success of their units.

Though their belief that discounters offering quality goods will find it easier to survive, Albert and George Sparks still find a great deal of demand for all types of merchandise and their. departments are always fully filled and complete, ready and waiting to fill the desires of their customers.

They believe that quality merchandise keeps the people coming back and that quality, selection, cleanliness, and appearance are as essential as savings . . . apparently their many customers concur.