Store Profiles: Hecht's

As I post this, less than 17 hours remain until Filene's, Marshall Field's, and other former May stores across the country convert to the Macy's nameplate. So with such little time left, how about a profile of each of the 11 stores that America is about to lose.

Hecht's was founded in 1857 by Samuel Hecht, an immigrant from Germany. Originally a peddler along the Baltimore waterfront, Hecht eventually settled down in a small shop selling used furniture, and by 1870, moved to a more attractive location in Baltimore, where he would add clothing in 1879. In 1885, the enterprise grew to a second store, in 1897, a third store, and growth continued from that point.

In 1896, Hecht's made an entrance to the Washington market with the opening of a store, which would move to a new location at the corner of 7th Street and F Street NW. The new store boasted state-of-the-art amenities such as attractive styling, national brands, an elevator, and a parking garage. In 1985, the store was moved once again to it's current location at the corner of 12th Street and G Street NW.

The Hecht family sold the chain to May in 1959. Over the past 20 years, Richmond-based Miller & Rhodes, Richmond-based Thalhimer's, Allentown-based Hess's, Philadelphia-based Wanamaker's, Washington-based Woodward & Lothrop, and Nashville-based Castner Knott were merged into the Hecht's chain. Additionally, Hecht's acquired Philadelphia-based Strawbridge and Clothier in 1996; in 1997, management would be consolidated with Hecht's although the Strawbridge's nameplate would be extended to all May stores in the Philadelphia region.

Hecht's: 1857 to September 9, 2006 at 9:30am EST.