Comments on: The Origins of 7 Department Store Chains

By: Judith Lederman

Judith Lederman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:56:10 +0000

A new book, We Were Merchants, describes the founding and operating of the largest family-owned chain of department stores in the nation (Goudchaux’s and Maison Blanche). http://www.weweremerchants.com

By: Mrs. Coffee

Mrs. Coffee — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:23:36 +0000

I have to say that I despise Macy’s, mainly because it bought out Chicago’s best department store: Marshall Fields.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:18:12 +0000

ac, Bullocks!! I haven’t heard that name in YEARS. The fashion show was the highlight of my summers at Grandma’s. sigh.

By: Tanner

Tanner — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:51 +0000

JC Penney actually got into the dry goods business because his original trade failed. His first store was a butchery in Longmont, Colorado. He couldn’t afford the kickbacks to the local hotel owner so he went bankrupt and went to work for the Golden Rule stores.

I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but legend has it that during World War II, all of his execs went off to war. When the war was over, he offered everyone one their job back. All took him up on his offer, but one: Sam Walton, who went on to found the Ben Franklin stores with his brother before starting Wal-Mart.

By: D.Christian

D.Christian — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:18:22 +0000

That JC Penny DOES look like the Ptown Northwoods.

By: ac

ac — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:04:40 +0000

yes our mall has two macy’s (one womens, one houseware and mens). It used to be Bullocks. Remember Bullocks?!

By: Tom in GA

Tom in GA — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:51:01 +0000

FYI: According to measuringworth.com, $20,000 in 1895 was equal to $529,000 in 2008. While not nearly what Sears ended up being worth, Roebuck didn’t do as badly as some people do when they prematurely cash out of successful ventures.

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:07:37 +0000

I think most of the malls in Northern California have 2 Macy’s – usually one for women and the other for men, housewares, and children.

I think most used to be Emporium-Capwells.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:39:42 +0000

Our mall has 2 Macy’s also, after they bought out 2 other department stores–Filene’s and Lechmere, I believe. One is a standard Macy’s and the other holds only housewares and, strangely, the men’s department.

By: Hyacinth

Hyacinth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:17:17 +0000

I’d like to see the engagement ring he got $500 for at a pawn shop in 1923. Seems like it would have been quite the ring for that value in that era.