LOOKING BACK AT LAZARUS

Readers share fond holiday memories of the Downtown store

Although the Lazarus flagship store in Downtown Columbus closed in 2004, memories of its holiday glories remain strong. ● When Dispatch readers were asked to contribute remembrances about December visits, dozens shared vivid stories about Santa, the decorated windows, Mr. Tree, holiday jobs and, of course, the storied celery dressing and clown sundaes at the elegant Chintz Room. ● “So do we remember?!!” rhetorically asked Nancy Cecutti, 91, of Upper Arlington.

COURTESY THE CECUTTI FAMILY The Cecutti brothers in 1955.

FILE PHOTO This November 1963 photo shows the tree and Lazarus Department Store Downtown