For some, it was just a store. A clothing store in Donelson. If you lived in Nashville growing up, there was a chance you shopped there but if you lived out east of the city, you definitely did.
It has been gone for years now and a military store occupies the space now but the building is there and it hasn’t changed much.
Moskovitz. Yes, Moskovitz was the name of the store that was our Macy’s, Dillards, Nordstrom, etc., all rolled into one.
Moskovitz was not fancy but my goodness, it was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Were there prices more than those other stores? No clue and really didn’t care. Everyone that was in school with me shopped there. It was not a social meeting with parents standing in the aisles chatting but more of, let’s get in and get out.
I remember one time my mother bought me a pair of brand new Converse and a lady when we were leaving stepped on my foot, ruining the shoe. I was obviously upset and the sweet lady working there took pity upon me, walked me to the back and said, “pick out another pair.” Could you imagine that happening today? No way.
The best part though were the hundreds of jeans that they had there. I think every pair of jeans for about ten years in Nashville was bought at Moskovitz. I remember Levi’s and the hot item were Lee jeans. Do you remember Lee jeans? Man, they looked terrible on me but either you got Levi’s or Lee’s and my mom always made me get Lee jeans. She was paying for it so I couldn’t complain.
What makes me smile when I think about that place was it was simple for all of us. You had the shoes, some shirts, 50,000 pairs of jeans but they were all in the neighborhood of simplicity. No $400 Air Jordans. No $175 pair of cut up jeans that look as if Edward Scissorhand created them and other high priced items that we all must have.
And then, it brings back wonderful memories of my mom and shopping there and the amazing amount of patience she had. Whenever I needed any type of clothing, that is where we headed. Every single time. There is no telling, no telling, how much money we spent there growing up. It was a given that we went there and no other place.
How many Moskovitz are left in the world? I have no clue but I hope we would be surprised if we found out. I so wish everyone had a similar story or experience when they look back.
I drive by the building every single day and immediately, I see myself in there with my mom shopping. I pray I never lose that memory.
