Ruggles China & Glass Shop

 Source: Matterhorn 1959

March 1964 – present

LOCATION

Main Street USA – Ruggles China & Glass Shop had the good fortune of being very close to the central hub, right in a spot where guests often stop to admire the castle. The shop’s location still houses a glassware store: the China Closet.

EXPERIENCE

Details:

• Merchandise – glassware, fine china, and smaller glass souvenirs
• Unique Features – street-facing window with magnificent glass and china displays

From the beginning, Disneyland was no ordinary theme park. The shops on Main Street weren’t supposed to resemble typical fair souvenirs; instead, the watchmaker, shoe shop, and other stores all made Main Street feel like a real town for real residents. Ruggles China & Glass Shop fit right into this trend. Here, Disneyland visitors shopped for delicate home wares, not really compatible with the bumping and spinning of many of the park’s attractions!

CLOSURE

This shop didn’t really close so much as it just swapped names & leadership. In the 60s, Disney slowly assumed control of every store on the street, rather than external companies managing the retail operations. In 1964, Disney ended the lease, swapping over to a Disney-owned and generic “China Closet”.

TRIVIA

The shop’s name comes from actor Charlie Ruggles, star of the 1932 film If I Had A Million. You may also recognize his name from Disney’s 1961 classic The Parent Trap.

If you look at the photo above, you’ll notice Ruggles actually had two marquees: Ruggles Glass & China Shop, and a second sign indicating “China Closet”. China Closet eventually became the official name of the store in 1964.

For more information about Ruggles’ run at Disneyland, check out this wonderful online book.