Sparks is Closing After 94 Years of Doing Business in Malden

After doing business in Malden for 94 years, Sparks Department Store will be shuttering their Pleasant Street store soon, according to a city press statement.

Sparks, located at 90 Pleasant St., is one of Malden’s oldest family-owned retailers, according to the statement. Albert Sparks and his daughter Amy Moran currently own and operate the business which has been privately run for three generations by the Sparks family, the statement adds.

The store opened in 1919 by Russian born immigrants and Malden residents David and Rose Sparks, according to the statement. In the 1950s sons Albert and George took over, working together for over 50 years, until George passed away, reads the statement.

In the statement, Albert Sparks, CEO, said that the time has come to close its doors after almost a century of being in business.

"I love Malden. I was born on Bainbridge Street 86 years ago. It has always been my home town," he said in the statement. "I am very grateful for all our loyal customers over the years."

Moran said in the statement that it has been such a wonderful opportunity serving the citizens of Malden and surrounding communities. "We will miss a lot of the good friends we have made over the years," she said, adding that the store's farewell sale launches this week. "Hopefully all our friends and neighbors will stop in, so we can say good-bye and thank you!"

The store outlasted many of its Malden competitors like Boston Leader, Stuarts and Jordan Marsh, according to the statement. The store survived for decades by always remaining true to its mission: specializing in fashion at low prices, reads the statement. 

Albert Sparks, who for decades worked six days a week, always said the best advertising is word of mouth. 

"Our customers weren’t looking for a fancy store, they were looking for a good deal," he said in the statement.

Several employees have worked at the store over three decades, adding to the feeling of a family-run operation, reads the statement. Netta Rocco, who retired earlier this year, and Rita Tecce both worked more than 35 years at the Malden shopping institution, adds the statement.

In 2012, the Malden Chamber of Commerce awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Albert Sparks for his decades of service to the City of Malden, according to the statement.

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