J. Weisman & Co. Brings New Life to Downtown Marshall

A BRIEF HISTORY

Source: Reprinted from the Oct. 23, 1977 issue of the Marshall News Messenger; By Ferrell Foster, staff writer

"Open, with a rush, crush and a jam and unbounded satisfaction to the people of Marshall, is the model store of J. Weisman and Co."

This is how the grand opening of the still thriving local store waas described in an advertisement in the Marshall Messenger on Sept. 13, 1878, days after its doors were opened.

Recent Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

"Joe Weisman & Co. is now beginning its 100th year of service to Marshall and will be holding sales throughout the perios as part of its celebration, in addition to an open house and formal reception held Oct. 15.

The J.Weisman & Co. had its grand opening once more, Sept. 27, 2002 as a newly rennovated retail cooperative outlet. This new center represents a marked revitalization of downtown Marshall Texas.

The Marshall Messenger announced its grand new reopening: (source:

"It was before and it is again," said Bo Ellis, the city's business development coordinator. "People from everywhere came here to shop." This time, however, it took about $1.5 million in state and federal grants to renovate the downtown building that will be used primarily for retail businesses.

The Weisman Center used to be a department store, which some say was the first in East Texas or maybe even in the state. It had been open for about 100 years, but closed in 1989. Shortly thereafter, the building's owners gave it to the city, which had used it leased to several retailers. But now the outside metal facade has been removed, wooden floors have been exposed, and the original ceiling has been revealed.

The store's first tenants include pottery from Marshall Pottery and Grubb Pottery, paintings from the Artist Circle, as well as, dishes, clothing, and furniture from various retailers. ÝSpace is still available for merchants, Ellis said. A couple of merchants can lease space while the others will pay membership fees and a percentage of sales to a joint cooperative. The cooperative will be responsible for funding the management and operating costs of the building. It will be operated like a department store in which customers will pay one clerk for the goods, instead of individual vendors as it had been previously.

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