You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!” Higbee's- a.k.a The Place Ralphie Got Denied a BB Gun By Santa

This one's for you, Mom. Last year, I talked about the A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio, but I left out one of the other filming locations. Aside from the movie's notoriety, my mother has a history with one of Higgbee’s store locations, as she worked at one of them in Beachwood, Ohio, growing up. So, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about an old, defunct business that was highlighted in a cult classic movie. 

How the Higbees Empire was Born

In 1860, Edwin Higbee and John G. Hower founded Higbee & Hower Dry Goods. When Higbee died, the store relocated to the downtown location right by Playhouse Square and across the street from their competitor in 1905. Then, in 1929, it moved to the famous Terminal Tower location in Public Square.

How Higbee’s Became a Beacon for Christmas

The move to the Terminal Tower location would be fruitful, as bustling crowds are drawn there, making it a perfect place for business. Around Christmas, Higbees would draw children into the store with decorated window displays to evoke awe. Higbee's decorated store windows would eventually take notice, making Hollywood a perfect scene for an up-and-coming Christmas movie.  

On the 10th floor, a beautiful restaurant called The Silver Grille occupies this space. It was extremely popular around the holidays. According to accounts based on former employees, it was typically crazy busy from Thanksgiving to Christmas. 

A Christmas Story Filming

A Christmas Story was filmed during the summer in Cleveland, so it was surreal to have Christmas decorations while it was 80 degrees out. However, maybe it’s not too unusual now, as it feels like stores are having holiday decorations for sale earlier and earlier every year.  

Right at the movie's beginning, the parade scene is filmed at a public square outside of Higbees.  The store was the only one willing to leave Christmas decorations up many days after the holiday to help film the classic Christmas scene. Inside Higbee’s is where the scene was filmed of Ralphie asking Santa for a BB gun and being pushed down the slide by Santa after being rejected as to quote, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” 

The Decline of Higbees and Post-Years

Higbees saw a dip after World War 2 when suburban shopping malls became more popular. This made it more convenient for people to get to and then travel downtown. During the 1960s and 1970s, more Higbee’s locations sprouted around the suburban areas near Cleveland. 

In 1987, Dillard’s bought and gained ownership of Higbees, turning it into a Dillard’s location. Many of Higbee’s suburban locations were also converted into Dillards. 

In 2007, the Silver Grille was restored to be used as a venue for special events. It originally closed in 2002. Around this time, the main, second, and third floors were converted into office spaces. 

The building opened as the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland in 2012. Currently, it is home to the Jack Cleveland Casino. The casino pays tribute to the once-beloved department store by placing Christmas decorations in the display window annually. 

Some Christmas decorations, such as trees, dolls, and animatronics, have been displayed in special Western Reserve Historical Society exhibits. 

Oh, and “Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!”