murphy memories

Bob Donaldson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jason Togyer (above) is writing a book about the history of G.C. Murphy Co., the McKeesport, PA-based five-and-dime store chain that enjoyed 79 years in business before closing in 1985. He's pictured in January outside the now-vacant Murphy's storefront on Forbes Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. That Murphy's site consists of five buildings between Fifth and Forbes avenues and Market Square.

Togyer hopes the book, which he is working on with help from the G.C. Murphy Foundation, will be published by 2006, which would have been the company's centennial. He has interviewed about 50 former employees and patrons of the stores, and he is gathering more contacts and information through a Web site: http://www.murphymemories.com/.