I remember shopping for fabric at our old Penney's downtown in 1977. I'm sure of the year because it was my senior year and I was going to my friend's lake house and wanted to make some cute summer clothes. A lot of us sewed our own clothes in those days, I started when I was eleven.
I worked at Sears in the catalog department from 1978-80. They closed down the fabric department when I was working there. Great sale! I still use some of the silk thread I bought for 5 cents a spool.
The thing I remember the most is the popcorn in long skinny bags they sold at Penney's and the snack and candy bar at Sears. They even had a coffee shop in our Sears store! I miss those days...