B. Lodge on Pearl Street
Est. 1867
B. Lodge is old school. Really old school. Albany's oldest store (established in 1867, according to the sign out front) has been on my "to visit" list for years, and last week I finally made it.
What's it like?
In a word -- eclectic.
B. Lodge is a mix of clothing, including underwear and hosiery, for men, women, and kids. It's also assorted bathroom and kitchen linens like shower curtains, sink skirts, and hand towels.
The clothes are pretty inexpensive. A men's shirt and tie set is $14.99, men's pants are $14.99 to $16.99. Oh, and the pants here -- they're still called slacks. Yeah. Women's cable-knit cardigans are $14.99 and swimsuits are $16.99-$29.99. Men's boxers are two for $5 and women's Sabra brand pantyhose are two for $3.
The strength of this place is economy more than style, but there are great deals on some cool stuff if you're willing to browse. It's a mix of brands I've never heard of, some Target and Walmart brands (I even found a $7 women's skirt with New York & Company tags), and some that I haven't seen in ages (Underoos or United Colors of Bennetton, anyone?).
The men's clothes range from business to business casual, like shirt and tie sets and pants. There are also women's business casual clothes, plus jeans and t-shirts for both.
But I think the kids and infants' section is the best. You can get everything from crib sheets to Incredible Hulk Underoos (not as cool as you remember, now it's just a t-shirt with a picture and plain boxers) to Communion dresses to Bennetton tank tops ($2.99) to swimsuits and school uniforms. If you're looking for kids clothes it's well worth the trip. They'll outgrow the stuff soon anyway, so why not get it at a discount?
There's a certain, um, shall we say, "classic" side to Lodge's. If you've ever wanted a housecoat (your pick of housecoats, actually) or those blue slides just like grandma used to wear, this is definitely the place. Need suspenders? Cotton handkerchiefs? A straw handbag? English Leather cologne? This is also the place.
Also kind of bizare -- the hours. B. Lodge is open M-Sat. 8:50 a.m to 5: 25 p.m. No, that's not a misprint. Apparently it's so people can run in before starting work at 9 and employees can catch the 5:30 bus home.
If you're heading there on a weekday and your driving, bring quarters. All the nearby parking is metered.
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Comments
thanks for visiting! A branch of my father's family founded the store- family legend has it that the son who was going to inherit the business died & they sold out and moved back to Asbestos Canada (I am not kidding). Anyhow, it has been out of our family for a longer time than it was in it.
... said Eric on May 11, 2009 at 1:17 PM | link
Love Lodge's :D I've been going basically my whole life--when I was a kid through high school it's where I got all my uniform knee socks! It's still where I go mostly for hosiery. Also, the sign is cool.
... said Kater on May 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM | link
I think calling Lodge's "eclectic" is an understatement. It's like the Christmas Tree Shop of downtown Albany but with a longer hstory. You just never know what you willl find there.
... said Karen on May 11, 2009 at 1:51 PM | link
Lodge's rocks- especially in the summer when they drag the racks outside.
... said Elizabeth on May 11, 2009 at 2:14 PM | link
My wife and I wish we could shop on line at your store. Let me know if you have another site to shop at or if you ever will.
I'm originally from Troy, but live in New Port Richey, FL now. Been in this area since 1986. Only miss upsate NY in the Summer. :)
... said Bruce Osterhout on Aug 18, 2010 at 10:13 PM | link
This is the best place to go to purchase school uniforms. They have a great selection and the prices are very reasonable. I am going to be heading down there this weekend because my friend's Girl Scout troop is collecting new pajamas and socks for a low income day care center and I will be able to stretch my dollar much further and donate to help more children by shopping at Lodge's.
... said cml on Mar 7, 2012 at 6:25 AM | link
What a fantastic store. Too bad it is the only place left of Albany's charming old downtown, and parking is metered.
The last thing i got there was a pair of cotton panties. The reverend Isabel Johnson was a hardworking, lovely lady who used to work there until God took her.
... said mg on Mar 7, 2012 at 8:14 AM | link
Lodge's has been there since before I started kindergarten. I've always loved browsing, and was always happy to see that it withstood the rush to leave "downtown". Metered parking, yes, is a downer but it's still one of our "historical sites" - Check it out!
Balva
... said Balva on Mar 15, 2012 at 1:48 PM | link