Advertising
Last updated January 06, 2012

Degrassi Junior High - "What a Night"
Two episodes of the Canadian TV series Degrassi Junior High were shot at a Towers store in Toronto. The "What a Night" episode was first aired March 15, 1987. In this episode note: the Towers red background/while lettering ceiling signs, the Towers red dresses, and the IBM cash register.Some references put the Towers store in Gerrard Square, at the corner of Gerrard and Pape, in Toronto. Actually the store (Riverdale Towers) was located close by on Carlaw Avenue, just north of Dundas Street. [Photo].
Degrassi Junior High - "The Great Race"
The "The Great Race" episode was first aired February 15, 1987. In this episode note: the "employee" in full Towers regalia complete with name badge.

TV Commercial
To this day, there are still people who remember these Towers TV commercials, and the slogan that with them: At Towers everything connects - the last day of one sale is the first of the next. From what I can gather, the "lead" in the commercials was an American actor out of Los Angeles. All of them where shot in the Towers Rexdale store. The commercials featured a strong musical background and were high energy -- with the Towers "guy" prancing around the store. [Ed note: I would love to get a copy of even one of these commercials to feature on this site. Saffer Advertising was used by Towers for a great deal of its advertising. If there's someone reading who knows someone who knows someone, please get them in touch with me at towersdepartmentstores@gmail.com. Thanks.]


Radio

Commercial - circa 1960 [Ed note: Thanks to Dave LeBlanc of Astral Media Radio GP for providing this clip.]
Linda Hey look at me. Announcer: Hey, hey. What's going on here? Linda, what are you doing wearing that barrel? Linda: Because mommy says we can’t buy one more thing til the Towers store opens. So, I gotta wear a barrel! Announcer: Well, mommy’s got something there Linda. The new Towers Discount Department Store is opening November 17th on Lawrence East at Midland. Forty-eight departments. One-stop shopping with acres of free parking. No salesman to brow beat you. No high pressure. Just take all the time you want to select your own purchases. Fantastically low prices. All first quality merchandise. Free layaways. Ten day money-back guarantee and Towers famous “CBV” -- Certified Best Value. Every advertised price guaranteed the lowest anywhere in the area for comparable items. Open 9:30 am to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday. Towers Discount Department Store, opening November 17th.

Commercial - circa 1980 [Ed note: Thanks to Syd Kessler of Brand Voice Inc. for providing this clip.]
You made us part of your family - Towers Here's to you We've been helping each other you know We've been growing together Let's go (Towers) It's for you and your family Glad to serve you Proud of who we are You made us part of your family - Towers

Print

October 1961

Claude Leduc writes: "The ad for the Montreal first store openings in October 1961. Sorry the ad in French, but I will try to get one from the Montreal Star in English. These days, only the "Metropolitan" one building is there, Greenfield Park one is demolished..."

Sparky


October 16, 1962 - Ottawa Citizen








February 13, 1972



August 13, 1974



August 13, 1974



October 1976


October 1975

December 8, 1972

Vintage Toronto Ads:
Satanic Slacks?
Source: The Toronto Star, October 2, 1972

Vintage Toronto Ads: Satanic Slacks?
Source: The Toronto Star, October 2, 1972
CONTINUED

With Halloween almost upon us, the mind turns to the dark side. Though today's ad seems innocent enough on the surface, its evil intentions are evident from its most prominently displayed sale price. While humans usually sell their soul to demons for wealth, power or self-sacrifice, all your eternal fate will earn you at Towers is a pair of cheap polyester pants.

Halloween items were likely among the products on sale when Towers opened their Galleria location in the fall of 1972. The mall site was previously home to the Dominion Radiator Company. An essay on the industrial life of Dupont Street referred to the heating manufacturer's replacement as "soulless," so perhaps devilish dealings were afoot beyond these pants.

Towers was one of Canada's earliest discount department store chains. After being purchased by Oshawa Group in 1967, several locations included or were built next to their grocery (Food City) and drug (Kent) stores. The chain had 51 stores across Ontario, the Maritimes and Quebec (as Bonimart) by the time it was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1990. Within a few months most locations, including the Galleria, were converted to Zellers stores.

Other than the price, the main eye-catching element is the artwork. The legs are so spindly that the "B" model snapped in two after attempting to stand straight.

December 15, 1971

Ottawa Citizen - February 21, 1984

(Towers) Our Value Policy
(circa 1984)

"Saving money is important. But what you save on is as important as how much. We pledge that you will save on the best quality merchandise you can buy for that money. And that's value!"

Slogans and Ad Campaigns

	At Towers everything connects. The last day of one sale is the first of the next. Extra Special For Your Family You made us part of your family We never stop... saving you money Trust Towers We've got the right idea! Scratch 'n Save
The Advertising Slogan Creator
Plugged in to the Advertising Slogan Creator website the words "Towers Department Store" and got back these results. Lot's of fun!
	Marvin the Mountie Always Gets His Towers Department Store Have Towers Department Store Your Way A Towers Department Store Works Wonders A Different Kind of Company. A Different Kind of Towers Department Store. Behold the Power of Towers Department Store The Loudest Noise Comes From The Electric Towers Department Store Towers Department Stores Born and Bred Don't Just Book It, Towers Department Store It
Other retail store slogans
	Right Here. Right Now (Kmart) The stuff of life (Kmart) Wal-Mart. Always low price. Always. (Wal-Mart) It's all inside (JCPenney) Where else? (Sears) The Good Life at a Great Price. Guaranteed. (Sears) Come See the Softer Side of Sears (Sears) Expect More. Pay Less (Target) Don't stop living in the red (Target) See what the future has in store (Future Shop)
The Top 10 Famous Advertising Slogans of the Century
	1. Diamonds are forever (DeBeers) 2. Just do it (Nike) 3. The pause that refreshes (Coca-Cola) 4. Tastes great, less filling (Miller Lite) 5. We try harder (Avis) 6. Good to the last drop (Maxwell House) 7. Breakfast of champions (Wheaties) 8. Does she ... or doesn't she? (Clairol) 9. When it rains it pours (Morton Salt) 10. Where's the beef? (Wendy's)

Advertising slogans from all over (Click here to see slogans with company name listed)
	[It's] so easy to use, no wonder it's number one 1001 Cleans a Big, Big Carpet for Less than Half a Crown 57 Varieties A diamond is forever A Mars a day helps you work rest and play A minty bit stronger A totally organic experience ABC: America's Broadcasting Company Absolute cleanliness is Godliness! Acquire, manage and listen After Dark All because the lady loves Milk Tray All the news that's fit to print All the taste, 1/3 of the calories Always Coca Cola America's Best Record An army of one Another shrimp on the barbie Ask For More Ask the Man who Owns One Barq's has bite Be all you can be Be the best Beanz Meanz Heinz Because life's complicated enough Because you’re worth it. Because you're worth it Before you make up your mind, open it. Betcha can't eat just one Between love and madness lies Obsession. Bigger in Texas, Better in a Dodge Breakfast of Champions Camels Soothe Your T-Zone Can't Get Enough of That Golden Crisp Central heating for kids Children's shoes have far to go. Coffee at its best Coke is it Comparison With the Living Artist Reveals No Difference Connecting people. Consider IT Done Covers The Earth CTV. Canadian Television Do you eat the red ones last? Do you have the bunny inside? Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo Do you... Yahoo!? Doctors Recommend Phillip Morris Does She or Doesn't She? ...Only her Hairdresser Knows for Sure Don't just book it. Thomas Cook it. Don't leave home without it Drink Barq's. It's Good. Drivers wanted. Each Record a Masterpiece Easy as Dell e-business solutions Echo Around the World Esto si es volar!! (This really IS flying!) Everyone loves my Cocoa Krispies Everything is easier on a Mac Fair and balanced Finger lickin' good. First with the Hits Fly the friendly skies Fosters - Australian for Beer Full of Eastern Promise Get back your 'oo' with Typhoo Get more Get N or get out. Get out there Getting There Is Half The Fun Give a hoot, don't pollute Give me a break! Give me a break - break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar! GNU is Not Unix Go further with Shell Go well. Go Shell Good Morning! Have You Used Pear's Soap? Good to the last drop. Gotta have my pops! Have a break, have a Kit Kat - Kit Kat candy Have it your way. Have you had your break today? He keeps going and going and going. Hear What You Like - When You Like Hello Moto - Motorola Hello Tosh, gotta Toshiba? High Performance, Delivered How do you spell relief? Hungry? Grab a Snickers I Am Canadian I liked it so much I bought the company. I love New York. I never knew you had dandruff I want YOU for the US Army I'd rather have a bowl of Coco Pops I'd Walk a Mile for A Camel If it doesn't get all over the place, it doesn't belong in your face If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a King If it's on, it's in. If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen If you don't get it, you don't get it. I'm lovin' it Inspired Living Intel inside Is it live, or is it Memorex? It Beats - as it Sweeps - as it Cleans It can only be Heineken It Floats! It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken. It won't let you down It's a lot less bovver than a hover It's a Skoda. Honest. It's better with the butterfly It's everywhere you want to be It's good to talk It's not just for breakfast anymore. It's not TV, it's HBO. It's so bracing It's the Internet that logs onto you It's the real thing It's Time for U Jack's back Just do it Just like a chocolate milkshake, only crunchy Just What the Doctor Ordered Keeps going and going and going. Kid tested. Mother approved. Kills Bugs Dead Kills Germs Dead - Domestos Let your fingers do the walking. Let your fingers do the walking. Let's Make Things Better Life's Good Lifts and separates Like a rock Like tea used to be Lipsmackin' thirstquenchin' acetastin' motivatin' goodbuzzin' cooltalkin' highwalkin' fastlivin' evergivin' coolfizzin' Pepsi Live in your world, play in ours. Live unböring Made in Scotland from girders Made to make your mouth water Makes Red Blood! Making Tomorrow Better Maybe she's born with it - maybe it's Maybelline Merrill-Lynch is Bullish on America More Doctors Smoke Camels than any other Cigarette More human interest Never Scratches Nick is for kids Nicorette, Nicorette, you can beat the cigarette No battery is stronger longer. No Nonsense Nobody can say no to the honey nut Os in Honey Nut Cheerios Not a Cough in a Carload Nothin' says lovin' like something from the oven. Nothing Runs Like A Deere Nowt taken out Once driven, forever smitten Once you pop, you can't stop. One that Last One two many and you might turn Bertie Only Smarties have the answer Only the best for the Captain's table Only you can prevent forest fires Pepsi - for those who think young Pizza! Pizza! Please don't squeeze the Charmin Plop, plop; fizz, fizz; oh, what a relief it is. Preparing to be a beautiful lady Probably the best lager in the world Pump your money back into Canada Pure Life - Push Button Publishing - Put a smile on, put a smile on. Everybody come on, put a smile on Put a smile on. Put a tiger in your tank Put the freshness back Quick, Henry, the FLIT! Race for the taste, the honey sweet taste! Raise your hand if you're sure. Reach for a Lucky instead of a Sweet Reach out and touch someone. Refreshes the Parts Other Beers Cannot Reach Refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach Right service. Right price. Rip. Mix. Burn R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells Relief Same time tomorrow? Sch... You know who? See What Brown Can Do For You See what the future has in store. Seeing small business differently Serving All our Community. Sharp Minds, Sharp Products Sheer driving pleasure Shot from Guns! Shouldn't your baby be a Gerber baby? Silly Rabbit, Trix are for Kids Smile. Snap, Crackle, and Pop Snap, Crackle, Pop Sooner or later, you'll own Generals Still the One Take a bite out of crime! Taste Me! Taste Me! Come on and Taste Me! Tell them about the honey, mummy The appliance of science The Army National Guard, You Can. The bank that likes to say Yes The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous The burgers are better at Hungry Jack's The car in front is a Toyota The Champagne of Bottled Beer The Eye in the Eyes The first network for men The Freshmaker! The future takes VISA The happiest place on Earth The Joy of Cola The lighter way to enjoy chocolate The lion leaps from strength to strength The Listening Bank The Lynx effect The most trusted name in news The pause that refreshes The Real Thing The sweet you can eat between meals without losing your appetite The toughest job you'll ever love The ultimate driving machine The Uncola The world's favourite airline The world's local bank The World's Online Market Place There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's MasterCard. There's always room for J-E-L-L-O There's No Life Like it There's no taste like Stones They're grrreat! Things Can Only Get Better Think Think different Think outside the box Think outside the bun. Think Small Thousands of possibilities. Time to Re-Tire Too good to hurry mints Turn It Up Twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonionsonasesameseedbun Uh-Huh! VISA - It's everywhere you want to be Vorsprung durch Technik Wanna get away? We are professional grade We bring good things to life. We drink all we can. The rest we sell. We love having you here We love to fly and it shows We love to see you smile We make money the old-fashioned way....We earn it We never stop working for you We Really Move Our Tail For You Welcome to the World Wide Wow We're getting there We're number two; we try harder. What a refreshing change What would you do for a Klondike Bar? When E. F. Hutton Talks, People Listen When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight. Where do you want to go today? Where wonders never cease Where's the beef? Wherever you go, our network follows Which twin has the Toni? Who's your soda? Why ask why? Wikipedia WotalotIgot! Yo quiero Taco Bell You can be sure of Shell You Can Trust Your Car to the Man Who Wears The Star You can with a Nissan You can't top the copper top You deserve a break today You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world Angeles You know when you've been Tango'd You'll never put a better bit of butter on your knife You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent Foote Your best bet for a fuller flavour Your friend in the digital age You're never alone with a Strand You've always got time for Tim Hortons. You've Come a Long Way, Baby

Towers Flyers
Towers flyers	The Big Event Crazy 8s Scratch 'N Save
K-Tel
Web site editor comment: I worked in the camera and record department the Jane & Finch and Warden stores. And boy do I remember selling tons of K-Tel!