On this day in 1983, J.L. Hudson’s closed its fabled flagship store in downtown Detroit. In its heyday the 25-floor retail destination had more than 200 departments across an incredible 49 acres of floor space. There were 51 passenger elevators with gloved operators guiding patrons to each floor as well as 8 banks of escalators. It also had 17 freight elevators, the largest of which accommodated a semi-tractor trailer. At one time the store employed 11,000 people and served 10-13,000 meals daily to its guests.