Pill & Puff stores, founded by Al and Lou Stein, originated in Milwaukee on Wisconsin Avenue. The stores, remembered on the Pill & Puff Vintage Hoodie, grew in number and became a familiar site throughout Milwaukee in the 70s.
We remember them for their distinct and attractive orange signage and visiting them with our mothers for whatever our mothers bought when we were kids. The stores were a niche retail concept and started the trend in the Midwest.
We love the subversive and counterculture context of the Pill & Puff name today compared to its original intention of appealing to mainstream customers.
Check out “Retail Schmetail: One Hundred Years, Two Immigrants, Three Generations, Four Hundred Projects” by Sanford Stein for more details on Pill & Puff stores.
