Guide to the The Outlet Company Collection, 1900, 1962, before 1986


Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: ricoll@provlib.org

Published in 2016

Collection Overview

Title: The Outlet Company Collection
Date range: 1900, 1962, before 1986
Creator: Providence Public Library
Extent: 1 folder (29 photographs, 2 oversized documents)
Abstract: This collection contains photographs and ephemera related to The Outlet Company, once located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
Collection number: VM019

Scope & content

This collection contains photographs and ephemera related to The Outlet Company. The photographs show the interior of the store, featuring merchandising cases, soda fountain/lunch counter, and restaurant. Exterior photos of the building and store are included as well, including demolition and construction of replacement or nearby structures. Several photos focus on the creation and celebratory opening of a “435 car self-parking” garage, called the Big O Garage.

Two ephemera pieces are in the collection as well; The Outlet Bulletin from March 1900 advertising for the store’s Grand Spring Opening and a poster-sized undated sale advertisement featuring headshots of the store’s merchandise buyers, which appears to have been distributed via the Providence Sunday Journal.

Access Points

Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

Materials are arranged by type, and then chronologically when possible.

Historical note

The Outlet Company was located at 168-176 Weybosset Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Established in 1897 by two brothers, Joseph and Leon Samuels, The Outlet Company grew to become one of the largest department stores in southern New England, engulfing an entire city block in Providence’s downtown. The store sold furniture, clothing, cosmetics, housewares and held a restaurant with a soda fountain.

In 1922, the Outlet expanded into broadcasting by forming the first affiliated station of the NBC Red Network, WJAR. In 1980-1981, the Outlet closed its retail operations in favor of broadcasting and media pursuits. Eventually the company was sold in 1984. On October 16, 1986 the Outlet Company’s former building experienced a fire, and what remained was bought by Johnson and Wales University, who built dormitories on the land.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library Special Collections department.
Use of the materials: Researchers are requested to cite the collection name and the Providence Public Library in all bibliographic references.
Preferred citation: [item number], VM019, The Outlet Company Collection, Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library.
Contact information: Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: ricoll@provlib.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Unknown.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Stacie M. Parillo, June 2016.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Stacie M. Parillo, 2016 November 23.
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Box 1, Folder 1 Outlet Bulletin
 1900-1903
Box 1, Folder 1 The Outlet All Star Buyers Sale
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Demolished Building
 1962 May
Box 1, Folder 1 Building Under Demolition with Falling Debris
 probably 1962
Box 1, Folder 1 Building Being Demolished by Crane
 probably 1962
Box 1, Folder 1 Rubble of Demolished Building with Crane with Industrial Trust building in background
 probably 1962
Box 1, Folder 1 Landscape of Building Being Demolished and Coca-Cola Mural Advertisement with Industrial Trust Building and Sheraton Hotel in background
 probably 1962
Box 1, Folder 1 Cars Parked Outside of Building Under Demolition
 probably 1962
Box 1, Folder 1 Man Speaking in Front of Group
 1962 August 30
Box 1, Folder 1 Men Shaking Hands in Parking Garage
 probably 1962 August 30
Box 1, Folder 1 Procession of cars for the opening of The Big O Garage
 probably 1962 August 30
Box 1, Folder 1 Big O Parking Garage with Bunting
 probably 1962 August 30
Box 1, Folder 1 Cars outside the Outlet Company
 probably 1962 August 30
Box 1, Folder 1 Interior of The Outlet showing Hosiery Case and Watch Repair
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Men's Clothing in Basement Outlet
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Furniture display floor
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Staircase to Downstairs Store
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Sewing machines in Basement Outlet
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Waitress and diners at U-Counter at The Fountain
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Dining Room at The Outlet Company
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 The Fountain at The Outlet Company
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Diners at the Soda Fountain at The Outlet Company
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Diners at the Soda Fountain at The Outlet Company
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Lot and Sign for the Big O’s Parking Garage
Contents Note: photo stamped with WJAR-TV, Photo by James Cute

undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Exterior of the Outlet Warehouse
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 The Outlet Company Bridge and Alley Between Buildings
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Group Portrait of Executives
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 The Outlet Company's Exterior
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 The Outlet Company's Exterior
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Construction site showing steel frame of building under construction with Industrial Trust building in the background
 undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Polaroid of Unknown Man
 undated