Wilson’s Department Store

My wife and I went into Wilson’s today for the first time, as we are planning on moving to the area in the near future. What a blast! It’s a real, honest to goodness, local department store. And we believe in supporting local business.
First, having read some the negative reviews here, from our experience today, I would say they were off base. Greenfield isn’t Boston or LA, so if you’re looking for the latest in cutting edge fashion, go there.
The men’s department has a nice selection of casual clothes from Pendleton, North Face, Woolrich, Levi, and other quality brands. They were a little light on dress clothes, but again, I don’t think we’re talking about needing clothes for your job in Back Bay.
My wife wasn’t thrilled with the women’s clothing… but she attributed that to her personal style preferences, not quality of merchandise.
The kitchen wares department was great! Le Cruset, Calphalon, Cuisinart, Kitchen Aid. Pretty much everything we might want to buy.
They even have a candy counter like I remember from when I was a kid.
Prices? I think overall they were in the ball park. A little higher maybe because they aren’t a big box store, but not so high that we would be unwilling to pay them to support a local business.
So, why 5 stars if everything wasn’t perfect? For exactly that reason. It is a family owned business that’s been around for 133 years. Maybe it’s a piece of nostalgia, but I would come here over Walmart or impersonal big box stores anyway of the week. It was a blast and worth your time.

I like Wilson’s. It’s convenient to have them right in Greenfield. I would say they need to expand their Junior/​Young Women’s dept. But they have the makeup counters, great clothes for guys. They always have an AMAZING coat selection during the winter. All name brands. I have also got shoes there for an outdoor event and they had exactly what I needed. Comparing Wilson’s to a modern Macy’s is crazy. It’s a small department store with necessities and some really great finds. It’s a family owned dept. store and a staple to Greenfield.

Every time I think of this place bile chugs up my throat because it is so wrong.
This part of Massachusetts is so beautiful but Wilson’s does not fit in at all. It’s a wannabe Filene’s but fell out of the competition back in the 1960s. Instead of being kitschy with one of a kind old objects, it is literally full of crap that no one has bought over the last forty years. If you think I am wrong — check out the photos posted here.
The staff are so rude, it’s a miracle the place is still in business. The clothing has not been restocked since the mid 1990s (grunge era) and there is a smell of mildew throughout the place.
I had to get a pair of shoes for an outdoor event and the staff acted as though I was asking for the original ruby slippers (I needed a pair that did not have high heels). Not only that, I am pretty sure the shoes they did have were from a thrift store — they looked used and looked like Hobbits wore them but not the cool hobbits from the films; hobbits that wore polyester and sniffed glue too much.
It’s a sad day in Greenfield when you have to go to Wilson’s. I think if the people in Greenfield had more to choose from in other stores, Wilson’s would have to improve. As it is now, the people don’t have much of an alternative apart from catalog shopping.
Save your money and go without if you have to go to Wilson’s to get it. They don’t deserve your business and give Greenfield a bad name.

A real department store with a good kitchen department
Quick visit this so you will have the experience. There are few department stores left. Their stock varies, and is sometimes meager, but they do have a good kitchen department (on the bottom floor).

Wilson’s is not only one of the few remaining downtown family owned department stores but is quite large. In fact, in my opinion Wilson with its numerous floors offers as many departments with many similar products as the national department store chain smaller branch stores. On my first visit I noticed a shoe, cosmetic, domestic (including mattresses) men’s, boys, women’s, gift, stationary, candy, kitchen, and toy departments! Here are some other reasons to visit.
First, each department has a good selection. I’ve only visited twice but I have looked closely at some departments. For example, in the men’s department Wilson’s offers some variety at different price points. Woolrich sportswear seems to be one of their top of the line offerings. Private or little known brands, along with Chaps, rather than Ralph Lauren Polo, are offered as lower price alternatives. On my last visit they were accepting store coupons for discounts. Wilson does have some dated merchandise especially on the sale racks but that’s to be expected for a small town department store which cannot easily dispose of merchandise without a lost of profit. Likewise, the cosmetic counter carried many of the popular name brand fragrances. On quick glance the shoe department, ladies, and domestics had a large selection. The latter department had larger rugs and mattresses which was a surprise. Finally, like its larger competitors the store offers small appliances from coffee makers to vacuums.
Second, shopping and browsing is a pleasure. Backdoor parking is ample and free but a little hard to access with all the one way streets Front door on street meter parking costs). In addition, on both visits the clerks in each department greeted me, offered assistance but were not intrusive. On my first visit the gift department clerk was especially pleasant and shared with me some of the store’s history.
Finally, you should visit soon since according to various sources Wilson may be down sizing. If sources are correct the upper floors will be turned into a a hotel while the store occupies lower floors. Currently, to me the gift department on the top floor seems sparse. Glassware and frames seems to have replace more expensive collectibles A Jim Shore collection is still there. Yet, only a few odd sets of single serving china place settings remain on a sale table. A nearby bare wall might have displayed a fine china and crystal department (though I can’t be sure). The gift wrap department was unattended too. Possibly. like many national departments chains Wilson is eliminating the fine gift products due to changing taste or perhaps to consolidated into a smaller selling space. In any event, visit now so you can appreciate the largeness of the store!

Love Wilsons Department Store. I have been going there since I was a kid with my grammy. It is so nostalgic, just walking in and the scents and smells take me back to my childhood. They are on the expensive side, but have very nice brands, Northface, Columbia etc. And they have a very nice kitchen section. On complaint I have is that they have a section for the very young teen and a section that seems to cater to the older female crowd, but not really for the

I’m not 100% sure why, but for some reason I can’t get enough of Wilson’s Department Store. This shop located in the heart of Greenfield is an amazing family owned department store. The store itself had a little bit of everything ranging from clothing to wedding gifts. This store also has unique departments such as a Boy and Girl Scouts section.
The staff here is also extremely polite and helpful which is different from other larger chains. The prices here at times can be a little high, but they often have great sales. Overall, this store isn’t for everyone especially if you are looking for particular clothing styles. This store doses have great selection but it typically is geared towards an older crowd.
This store will continue to be one of my stops when looking for button up shirts or basic home goods.

I will start off by saying I have the utmost respect for a department store that has survived as long as this one. That may be the last nice thing I say.
The prices are atrocious. Whereas I understand a small mark up from what is pay in a bigger store, they take it too far. In kitchenware items are consistently 25−50% more expensive. This practice continues into men’s clothing as well. The selection is very limited and the prices are not competitive.
The staff is hit or miss. Some are extremely helpful and courteous, others make you feel uncomfortable as they follow you around like a hawk while making you feel like a criminal.

Wilson’s is awesome. I go there for men’s clothing and small appliances mostly. Like the building and the layout, the products and the service is old school quality. You can’t get that at Target.

Like other reviewers, I agree that Wilson’s is a throwback to the 50s and 60s. Their selection is good, they’re right in the middle of downtown, they have decent parking, and the ambiance is very «Pleasantville.» Staff loyalty must be tremendous, because they’ve a great many little old ladies working the floor whom I have the sneaking suspicion have been there since high school.
But egads, the prices are high. They do have frequent sales of certain items with heavy discounts, which if you follow the Recorder you’ll know about, but for those of us on a limited income, it’s tough to pay half again what you’d pay at WalMart just to Have An Old Fashioned Indy Department Store Downtown. A large part of the charm of having a downtown department store, to me, is one I can patronize without flattening my pocket.

I cannot believe this place exists! I was *ecstatic* to find an old-​school, main street department store in the area! My husband have driven through Greenfield on Route 5 many, many times. Tonight, we saw the twinkle of Christmas lights down the main street and decided to have a walk through town.
I was in a state of awe when I walked into Wilson’s. Definitely a blast from the past, and frankly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, the exterior is a little dated, but the whole store is like a time capsule.
Four floors of shopping! No pressure from the friendly sales people on the floor. A wide variety of inventory when you compare it to Macy’s or Sears. The presentation is even better, if you ask me.
The toys, found on the lower level, are a little old-​school, but I’d be more likely to buy from Wilson’s than Toy ‘R Us, judging from the crap I’ve seen in the box stores.
The kitchenware department (also on the lower level) is phenomenal, and I saw a lot of very nice, high quality products. The prices are definitely comparable to the ones you’d see at the mall or other large stores.
There was plenty of room between the shelves, display racks, and merchandise, especially in the women’s department.
We weren’t actually shopping for anything, just exploring. We weren’t pressured, there were no advertisements in the shop (like other places you’d find the malls), and the old Christmas music was great to hear while shopping. (THANK YOU)
The stairwell between the third and fourth floor was a lot of fun to find while browsing. Definitely a throw-​back!
I don’t know much about the history of Greenfield, or the history of Wilson’s, but I can say that I’d be HEARTBROKEN to hear this relic was lost to history if it were to close. An amazing store for certain, especially considering it has survived all these years successfully.
I hear good things about the revitalization of downtown Greenfield, and I hope Wilson’s thrives in the environment. (There’s even a co-​op a few doors down!)
Even if you don’t buy anything, just walking around is a relaxing experience, unlike shopping in the malls. It’s something I’ve missed for many, many years in my shopping experience.
I would pick a place like Wilson’s over the mall *any day of the week.* You can find almost everything you should want or need in one place.
Bravo!

My god. Put a giant glass dome over this place and have the President declare it a national treasure. A real, independently-​owned Main Street department Store. Top quality merchandise. Wilson’s is a cogent reminder of what America has lost over the years. Shop here. Support Wilson’s. It’s the last of its kind.

They have pretty cool stuff in this store, I must say. Allot of things you don’t see often other places. The clothes are classy but casual as well. Toys in the lower floor are a little pricey but the rest of the store is pretty well priced, and good sales.

Don’t judge this book by it’s cover! In spite of the ugly façade Wilson’s is great inside. Lots of high quality well priced clothing, an incredible supply of kitchen equipment, a great toy dept and even a small selection of nice pet supplies. (Leashes, bowls, etc).
Tip to the owner of the store though, signage would be really nice, those of us that didn’t grow up in Greenfield are intimidated by things like the stairway with no sign other then «Second Floor». We know that it must go up to another floor but what we need to know is what merchandise is on that floor.
Other than that the employees are exceptionally friendly without being in your face. They have a great balance between offering to help and letting you browse without watching your every move.
Great store!

I love this place! Where else can you find girl/​boy scout tchotchkes And phenomenal kitchen stuff while scoring amazing deals on cute shoes? Nowhere. Not to mention the local senior beauty pageant going on all the time. sheesh.

I only looked at the kitchen department, so can only speak to that part of the store. The rest of it looked great though and I hope to go back to check it out soon.
I was very impressed by their selection, and the fact that almost everything was on sale. They have a big gadget wall, which is filled with all sorts of obscure gadgets. I love that sort of thing! They have good brands like Le Creuset, Calphalon, and others. They also have small appliances.
It’s fun, too, to be able to support a local business!

This is a cute, small town store. There is not a whole lot of variety here, in clothes or kitchen supplies, and their wares AND people don’t seem up-​to-​date.
An example of this is that I went in looking for a Pur water filter (to remove not only the tap-​water taste like the Britta filter does, but also pharmaceuticals from the water). The saleslady was nice and friendly. She offered the Britta filter, (they had 2 on the shelf), and when I explained what I was looking for, she looked at me perplexed, and offered me a pretty glass pitcher! Hellooo 1950’s!
They also don’t streamline their products — it’s hard to see — in the kitchen section — what they have, since it’s on portable shelves.
Now, I’m glad Wilson’s still exists because it speaks to the history of Greenfield, and I’m a firm believer in shopping from local rather than chain stores. I also lovethe feeling of an old town department store (my grandmother’s family owned one in East Palestine, Ohio, and she lived above it, and their name, her maiden name, Skerball, is still scrawled on the sidewalk outside!), but there has to be some updating to go with the times.

Still in love with Wilson’s kitchen department in specific and WIlson’s in general

Living in a small town can be challenging when there aren’t any «big box» stores, but I seem to do 85 to 90% of my shopping local, which means Wilson’s. The fact that it is still privately owned in this big box world is incredible. They have a great selection of a lot of stuff from shoes to great kids clothes to kitchen to a small toy department that most times has what the big stores run out of.
There are employees who have worked there for a long time, which adds charm to the store.
For me, Wilson’s is my go-​to store when I need anything, I try there first!
Thanks for being small and local and there for this wonderful community!

Wilson’s is awesome.
I was hesitant to stop in for a while, figuring that they were a relic on their last legs, and that there was no way I would find anything I wanted, and that prices would have to be worse than the many other options.
Boy was I wrong. First off, they have a great selection of quality items — you won’t find much junk here. They’ve got brands like Woolrich, Levi’s, and North Face in clothing, Le Creuset in kitchen, etc. The sort of quality good you get from a local place that knows better than to try to sell junk to it’s community.
Secondly, prices are just fine, and sometimes awesome. Most recenty, I got a pair of $ 100+ work boots for around $ 25 at an end of winter sale — a much better price than I could have found for this quality even if I were bargain hunting online. Other prices have been at least fair if not better — more or less the same as I would pay online or at a big box store. Sure, I guess if you hunt you could find a few things more expensive than they should be, but — big secret — you can do that in just about any store if you look.
Service was friendly, attentive, and patient. Best of all, none of it felt fake. It really seemed like most of the employees were more or less happy working there, and weren’t just putting on an act to please the boss.
And of course, there is the blast from the past factor, Wilson’s is the sort of old– school family department store that you might see in movies from the 50’s, yes, and it’s a kick seeing the old ladies come in to get their hair done. To me, thought, that’s icing on the cake — first and foremost, Wilson’s is a store I actually like to shop at.