Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 13, 1950.
Event For Male Shoppers
Wives Urged To Let ‘Old Man’ Out Friday
Porter county men will have no excuse for late shopping this year!
Valparaiso merchants will welcome male shoppers in a big way Friday when the Christmas evening shopping season will open officially with a special “stag night” shopping event planned for 7 to 9 p.m.
“Be sure to let the ‘old man’ out Friday night so he can buy a present for you,” was the timely advice offered to wives today by Max Dickey, president of the Merchants’ bureau.
The event will not be confined to married men only, but sons, suitors, uncles, brothers and grandfathers will be catered to as well. One department store is planning an “open house” for the men with hostesses, gifts for all masculine shoppers and free refreshments. There will be special displays in some departments and experienced clerks will be ready to make suggestions for suitable gifts.
Cigars will be given to the men at one ladies’ dress shop, according to an announcement from the management. The store is also offering a free pair of women’s stockings with the purchase of each six pairs. If customers wish, garments will be modeled for their selection, the manager stated.
The idea of a stag shopping night has been in vogue in a number of Indiana communities for several years and has proved very successful, James Patrick, secretary-manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, said today. This year will be the first time the event has been city-wide here, he said.
Patrick urged men to shop Friday so they “won’t be pushed around by a flock of women.” He added that, while women shoppers would not be turned away from any stores, stag night has been planned primarily to “offer male shoppers a chance to buy the lady-of-the-house a gift without having to sneak out to get it and to give them a chance to do their own thinking.”
Stores will close at their regular closing hours Friday and open again at 7 p.m. Starting Monday and running through Saturday, Dec. 23, stores will stay open all day until 9 p.m.
All merchants, including groceries and meat markets, will be open for the stag night, according to the Merchants’ bureau. Advertising featuring stag night bargains, individual store plans and merchandise, appears in today’s 16-page Vidette-Messenger.
