The escalator from 1986 at HOM Furniture are being replaced with a sleek and modern staircase. The escalator had been in constant use since the downtown space at 415 4th St. was occupied by Younkers.Â
SIOUX CITY --Â What's the natural life expectancy of an escalator?
If you ask HOM Furniture manager Kyle Chance, it would be around 35 years or so.
At least, that is how long the escalator at 415 4th St. has been transporting customers up to the second floor and back down to the first floor.
"The escalator was original when the downtown Younkers came to the Town Square in 1986," Chance said. "When HOM took over the building in 2008, we've continued to utilize the escalator."
After removing a 35-year-old escalator, the HOM Furniture store gained more retail space, said store manager Kyle Chance at the 415 4th St. store.
That was until late last summer, when it was decided to replace the escalator for a more modern staircase.
Chance said the decision was mainly a financial one.
"It would have cost more than $1 million to have a new escalator installed," he said. "Adding in the cost of electricity and maintenance, it wasn't feasible."
The change may be a sign of the times. HOM Furniture's escalator is thought to be the last one in operation in a retail store in Sioux City.
After Younkers closed its Southern Hills Mall store in August 2018, the department store's former escalator was turned off for good.
At 35 years old, the HOM Furniture escalator has carried its last customers. Store manager Kyle Chance said the expense and upkeep of a new escalator was prohibitive. This is why a sleek staircase is being constructed instead.
HOM's escalator also is the last in downtown Sioux City that was accessible to the general public.
In recent years, two-level escalators at the Ho-Chunk Centre atrium and MercyOne's Central Medical Building were replaced with staircases. Even earlier, the city removed the escalator that was located in the skywalk space next to the Sioux City Hotel & Conference Center.Â
MidAmerican Energy continues to run the escalator in its multi-story office building at 401 Douglas St. But that escalator is primarily used by the utility company's staff.
Chase said a staircase would give HOM Furniture's showroom an upscale aesthetic.
"I think it will certainly freshen things up," Chance said as workmen continued to construct the staircase with steel and glass railing. "Every space needs a nice update."
Manager Kyle Chance, left, and Keith Radig stand by the new staircase at HOM Furniture in Sioux City. The modern-style staircase replaced an escalator from 1986 which was the last retail escalator in Sioux City.
He admitted this makeover had been planned for more than a year.
"Things got delayed due to the pandemic," Chance said. "We had to wait until back ordered material became available."
However, he said customers will be pleased by the sleek staircase, which is slated to be completed in the next few months.
He admitted that the days of a motor-driven moving staircase is quietly coming to an end.
"What was once thought to be more modern now looks old fashioned," Chance said. "It may the end of an era for an escalator."
PHOTOS: Lower Fourth Street through the 20th century
Lower Fourth Street
The Lee Block, constructed in 1911 as a multi-use commercial building, was home to billiard halls, saloons, drug stores, furniture dealers, clothing shops and hardware stores. Notable occupants included the O.P. Skaggs grocery store (1931-1951), the Scandinavian Bakery (1933-1973) and Cooper’s Market (1955-1992).
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
People's Department Store on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City Barber College and Del-Mar Grill on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Pink Pussy Cat was located at 901 Fourth St. in Sioux City. It closed in 1982 and this area of town was torn down in the mid-1980s to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
People’s Department Store operated on the northwest corner of Court and Fourth streets from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included Albert's Shoe Repair and Oby's.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included A. Anderson & Sons Upholstering and K's Club.
Lower Fourth Street
Aalfs Manufacturing has occupied the Boston Block on Historic Fourth Street since 1929.
Harbor Inn
A photograph of the Harbor Inn on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Lexington Block building was originally occupied by the Dow Clothing Company (1891-95). Notable future occupants included a print shop (1895-97), the Henry A. Baker Company clothes manufacturing firm (1897-1916) and Max R. Mushkin’s clothing store (1917-28). Later, Zimmerman Furniture Company (1933-51) occupied the western half of the building while the Monarch Billiard Parlor (1934-56) operated the eastern half. The Sioux City Gospel Mission then owned the building until it was razed in 1987 to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
Dailey Antiques was located on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Palm Tap and 4th St. Furniture on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Econ Optical and Hardware Hank stores are shown in this photo of the Call Terminal Building, which was renamed in 1930 after it was purchased by local financier and real estate developer George C. Call.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City businessman Fred T. Evans constructed the building that bears his name in 1890. In 1919 the building became a hotel and it functioned in that capacity until 1954. The building housed Robe’s Furniture and a motorcycle club until 2006 when it was renovated for the Heidman Law Firm.
Lower Fourth Street
The Major Block was built in 1889 and has been occupied by tenants including a hardware store and a hotel. During the early 1890s it served as the University of the Northwest’s (later Morningside College) College of Commerce. Currently the 21st Amendment and Francis Canteen are businesses in these buildings at the south side of Fourth Street near the intersection of Virginia Street.
Lower Fourth Street
This Romanesque building was constructed around 1895, but it is unclear who was its architect or builder. The building’s most notable occupant was People’s Department Store, which operated here from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included The Harbor Inn, Chicago House and The Gospel Mission.
Earl Horlyk
Food and Lifestyles reporter
