The golden age of department stores in the early-to-mid 20th century was a sight the lucky got to behold. Over-the-top window displays, elegant marble floors, glittering glass cases filled with jewels and perfumes, and tea rooms for the who’s who to meet every Saturday—the department store wasn’t merely a place you stopped in for a blouse. It was a seamlessly performed show with impeccable service, perfectly curated closets, and masterful upscale elegance. Inside the custom millinery shops and the colorful cosmetics menagerie, a connection between the store and its loyal shoppers was born.
Now, decades after the fading of the department store era, many Southerners still remember these great Southern department stores. Although many have left us, the memories can live on well after the doors have closed. Here are some of our favorite department stores from our Southern childhood.
Rich’s
Rich’s, opened in 1867 by Morris Rich, was Atlanta’s premiere department store for all things fashionable and classic. At Christmas, shoppers anticipated the extravagant holiday decorations and gigantic Christmas tree that was displayed on top of a multi-level glass bridge, which was the first of its kind in the city. Eventually, Rich’s fashion show in Atlanta got so big it had to be moved to the Fox Theatre, as its customers were so anxious for a glimpse of next season’s clothes. After 138 years, Rich’s (known then as Rich’s-Macy’s due to its earlier acquisition) ended its era in 2005 and was converted to just “Macy’s.”
Loveman’s
Many Southerners can recall sitting on Santa’s knee at Loveman’s amidst its wondrous holiday décor or meeting friends under the iconic Loveman’s clock on the corner of 19th Street and 3rd Avenue. Opening its doors in 1887, Loveman’s was a downtown fixture in Birmingham for almost a century. Shoppers basked in the intoxicating aromas of the high-end perfumes and colognes the department store was known for. A brand-new store was completed in 1935 and debuted a bold, clean art-deco style; and it was one of the first in the United States to be fully air conditioned and the first in Alabama to have an escalator.
Foley’s
Foley’s holds a dear place in many Houston locals’ hearts due to its vast history in the city as it survived hard times together as a community. Founded in 1900 by two young men, the Foley brothers, the store was initially focused on home and men’s products, but added more space in 1905 with ready-to-wear women’s clothing and millinery. It solidified its place as a community player that valued its customers throughout World War II with its collaborative efforts. And in 1951, after a huge renovation made it a beautiful and modern marvel in many Texans’ eyes, the first official Foley’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held. It was rebranded as Macy’s in 2006.
Maison Blanche
Located at the corner of Canal and Dauphine streets, the flagship Maison Blanche building was as pretty and glamorous as a palace and officially opened its doors in 1897. A new building was constructed in place of the demolished flagship building in the early 1900s, and the shopping hub became home to even non-retail pastimes. (New Orleanians could pay a visit to the doctor’s or dentist’s office in the Maison Blanche building and then scoop up a new handbag afterwards!) Although the company was acquired and later shut down, the beautiful building is still in use as the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Davison’s
Davison’s was started by British-born Beaumont Davison and two other native Georgians in 1890 and became the most competitive rival of Rich’s in Atlanta. Going after a slightly younger, successful clientele, Davison’s carried upscale collections and home products that included trendy styles at the time. The downtown Davison’s store gave a classic downtown shopping experience. The main entrance on Peachtree featured stately marble floors that added glamor to the cosmetics and jewelry area, much in tune with the layout of the Macy’s flagship store in New York. In 2003, the historic downtown Davison’s (now also acquired by Macy’s) store on Peachtree Street was closed, ending the department store experience in downtown Atlanta.
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus began as a family business venture in 1907 and quickly transformed into a high-end retail icon. The flagship store was lavishly furnished and stocked with clothing of a quality not commonly found in Texas. Within a few weeks, the store’s initial inventory was completely sold out. Stanley Marcus, who headed the family company from 1950 to 2002, became known for sticking to a retail selection that stressed the importance of impeccable, yet understated taste, while also playing to Texas’ “bigger and better” mindset with extravagant Christmas gifts, like His & Hers Beechcraft Planes. (The first and only sale of those—in 1960—went to a West Texas rancher who said his wife had been “hankering for a plane of her own.”)
Joske’s
About a block away from the Alamo, Joske’s was a 10-acre shopping emporium—known as “the biggest store in the biggest state”—and a place of wonder where a shopper could buy a custom-made saddle, view Oriental rugs, and check out books from the lending library. The store was also treasured by locals for its 30-foot-tall Santa Claus that instantly brought holiday cheer to the city.
Krauss
New Orleans, Louisiana …