The recent demolition of Leonard’s Department Store on the south side of the historic courthouse square has brought forth many memories of the more than 100-year-old building.
Plans were underway for the building to house the Mississippi Native American Museum when the structure collapsed, necessitating its removal.
Once the property is cleared, the City of Kosciusko still plans on constructing the museum, but with new construction rather than renovation of the old buildings.
The Star-Herald has asked readers to share their memories of the store. Here are a few:
Darrell Breazeale
Darrell Breazeale, a Norcross, Ga. businessman and native of Attala County, said he remembers going to Leonard’s to enjoy air conditioning as it was the first business in town to afford the luxury.
In getting ready for the school year, he said he went to Leonard’s to buy Tuff-Nut jeans and with the purchase customers received a Tuff-Nut knife with two blades. “I have one on my desk now and it serves as a reminder of how times have changed,” he said.
Sally Wasson of Kosciusko
My grandmother, Mrs. Sam Meek, worked in Leonard’s Ready-to-Wear with Corrinne Crawford and Linnie Reynolds for 30 years. When I first remember it in the late 1930s, Miss Ethel Crittenden and Miss Mallie Ricketts altered clothes on a raised platform on the east wall of the Ready-to-Wear. That part of the store was behind the Strickland’s Wellworth store, later Ben Franklin.
The highlight of “Meekie’s” life was the annual trip on the train to market in St. Louis with Mr. and Mrs. Leonard.
Before air conditioning, everything in the store was covered at night to keep out dust. I often helped Meekie cover racks of dresses so that I could walk home with her to spend the night.
My mother, Frances Lacey Sloss, worked up front with Mrs. Doude, Mrs. Smith and Bitsy Buck while my daddy went to school in the late 1930s.
The pay was $1.00 a day. The store stayed open on Saturday night until the last customer left at 10 or 11 o’clock.
Frances said the only person Mr. Leonard would let sit down was his aunt, Mrs. Georgia Comfort West, who had a stool up front.
In the men’s department at that time were Johnny Shearer, John Brand Turner, James Draper and G.D. Carnathan.
In later years, the children’s department sold hand-knit baby bootees and sweaters, beautiful things made by Maureen Carnathan, G.D.’s wife.
Oh, how I miss shopping at Leonard’s.
Glynda Chaney Fulce via facebook
My father, being a tall man, always bought his suits at Leonard's. He could not buy "off the rack," but would go there, pick the suit he liked. A man would take his measurements and order for him. We lived in Ackerman. This was in 60s, 70s and 80s.
Charles Crittenden via facebook
I was raised in early 1970s to dress nice for school with dress pants and shirts always bought at Leonard's. I can see the ladies now. Around 1975, my mom tried to get me into wearing blue jeans. I was not having it, right there in Leonard’s. I am wearing dress pants...not jeans. Then many years later my mom said, “I hate the fact you ever put on jeans ’cause that is all you wear now.”
Deborah Reynolds Riley via facebook
My family was a large part of this store --Uncle James and Aunt Mavis Draper and my grandmother Myrtie Reynolds. Sad to see this happen.
