Cut-Rate Toys at 2424 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, (1958-1991). My Story.

Marvin Hecht (1927-2019) opened Cut-Rate Toys at 2424 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, in 1958. He was an angry man who apparently didn't like children (his angry actions spoke volumes). He sat in his raised watch tower by the cashiers. 

I'm sure shoppers threw stuff at Hecht, which is why he wrapped his cage in chicken wire. Try yelling at adults to their faces and see what happens. Now I understand why he secured his little perch. Adults put up with Hecht's antics because the prices were low.

Hecht's philosophy regarding toys was "low price, high volume." He'd buy up odd lots at toy shows and pick up closeouts from Mattel, Milton Bradley, Hasbro and other toy makers. 

Marvin and Renee Hecht

“He would get on the microphones and say, ‘Get your children’s hands off the toys or get them out of the store, NOW!" his Daughter, Linda Karmin, said. “I mean, people were terrified of him.” Dad was a passionate musician who played classical piano concerts for charity.

Hecht habitually posted hand-written signs on the front door, naming and shaming children who had been caught stealing. The signs were quite blunt and always included the kid's name, address and telephone number of the shoplifter's parents.

You can see a note on the front door in this photo. Example: "Bobby Smith at 6512 North Washtenaw was caught stealing from this store. Call his parents at HO 5-0000 and ask them why they raised a child who steals." 

When I was there with my mom, I heard the owner yell at adults and kids over the loudspeaker. 

I went into Cut-Rate Toys by myself with the money I was gifted for my 10th birthday.  

I was looking to buy a Hot Wheels track set. I picked up a box to see all the sides and what was included. Suddenly, I heard the owner yell over the loudspeaker, "YOU... IN ISLE NUMBER FIVE, PUT THAT BOX DOWN NOW!!! DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!" I was startled and embarrassed, and the box slipped out of my hands, hitting the floor and denting a corner of the box.

The owner came running out of his office, screaming, "NOW YOU'RE GOING TO BUY THAT!" I was furious. "If I'm not good enough to look at what I want to buy first," I said, "I just won't buy anything!" He grabbed me, but I was too quick and ran out of the store.

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At eight years old, I was taking the 155 Devon Bus to the Loyola 'L' station to take the subway downtown, by myself. I'd shop at Marshall Field & Company and usually went to Baer's Treasure Chest to play pinball and Skee-Ball and check out the Pro Magic Center on their second floor before heading home. In later years, I was lucky enought to meet Magician Marshall Brodien who worked part time at the Treasure Chest demonstrating complicated magic tricks for professionals. Brodien later opened the Magic Shop in Old Chicago shopping mall and amusement park in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

That was the last time I went to Cut-Rate Toys. I was so disgusted by the owner's behavior that I vowed never to give him my business again.

This behavior from a business owner would not be allowed today, as it would be considered harassment or defamation of a minor and perhaps result in a lawsuit.

In 1992, the store moved to 5409 West Devon Avenue in the Edgebrook neighborhood of the Forest Glen community in Chicago. The store closed in 2015. Marvin Hecht worked for 60 years in the toy business.

Copyright © 2023, Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Harlem Irving Plaza, 4104 North Harlem Avenue, Norridge, Illinois, opened in 1956─

Harlem Irving Plaza (The HIP) is a shopping mall located at 4104 North Harlem Avenue, Norridge, Illinois. It was built on the site of a former stockyard and opened in 1956 as a 337,000-square-foot strip mall featuring approximately 45 tenants. 

The new Wieboldt's store in the Harlem Irving Plaza shopping center in Norridge circa 1957. The store was air-conditioned.

Original anchor stores included Kroger, Walgreens, Wieboldt's, W.T. Grant, and Woolworth.

In the 1970s, the mall was enclosed, and a parking garage was added.

BJ (Bill Jackson) and Dirty Dragon at Harlem Irving Plaza, May 16, 1970.

These were some famous events at Harlem Irving Plaza:

• BJ (Bill Jackson) and Dirty Dragon at Harlem Irving Plaza, May 16, 1970.
• Bozo at Harlem Irving Plaza, September 9, 1970.
• Free Circus at Harlem Irving Plaza in the 1970s.
• BJ (Bill Jackson) and Dirty Dragon at Harlem Irving Plaza, October 1973.

In 1979, Madigan's was added to the roster of department stores. In 1989, Kohl's acquired and converted all of the stores in the MainStreet chain; Carson Pirie Scott opened in the former Wieboldt's the same year. A food court was added in 1996, and Best Buy opened in the former Madigan's. Best Buy relocated to the mall's parking lot in 2001; its original location was replaced with a second parking garage.

The mall underwent a thorough renovation in 2004, gaining a 175,000-square-foot Target in August of that year. In honor of the mall's 50th anniversary in 2006, Harlem Irving Plaza hosted a meet and greet with the original Mouseketeers (Mickey Mouse Club).

In recent years, the mall has faced some challenges, as many traditional department stores have closed their doors. However, the mall has been working to attract new tenants, including a number of popular restaurants. In 2020, the mall was purchased by a new owner, who has plans to invest in further renovations and attract even more new tenants.

Harlem Irving Plaza, 2022

Amusement Parks at the corner of North-West corner of Harlem Avenue and Irving Park Road, Norridge, Illinois:

Kiddie Park, 4200 North Harlem Avenue, Chicago-Norridge. (1938-1952)

KiddyTown Amusement Park, 4200 North Harlem Avenue, Norridge. (1953-1964)

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.