Store Profiles: Strawbridge's

Strawbridge's (formally: Strawbridge and Clothier) was founded by Justus Strawbridge and Isaac Clothier in 1862 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1868, the duo purchased a building that was previously Thomas Jefferson's office and opened the company's first store selling dry goods. However, this was soon replaced by a new 5-story building, and in 1928, it was replaced by yet another store that would eventually become the company's flagship as it expanded throughout the region. As the city of Philadelphia grew, the Strawbridge and Clothier flagship became part of an urban mall known as "The Gallery".

In 1995, Wanamaker was acquired by May Department Stores, and Wanamaker became part of Hecht's, in both name and operations. In 1996, Strawbridge and Clothier was acquired by May following the near liquidation of the chain. But rather than change the name of Strawbridge and Clothier to Hecht's as well, May chose to keep the Strawbridge and Clothier name, albeit shortened to "Strawbridge's". The Strawbridge's name was also expanded to all Philadelphia area May stores, including the Wanamaker stores that had become Hecht's just one year earlier.

In a surprise move, rather than converting the Strawbridge's flagship store to the Macy's nameplate, the downtown Philadelphia store was shuttered on May 23, 2006.

Strawbridge and Clothier/Strawbridge's: 1862 to September 9, 2006 at 9:30am EST.