Carson Pirie Scott and Company
Better Brands Bigger Savings
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
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Number of locations
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50 (June 2014) |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, housewares |
| Parent |
Bergner's (1991–1998) Saks, Inc. (1998–2006) The Bon-Ton (2006–present) |
| Website | www |
Carson's (formerly Carson Pirie Scott and Co.) is an American chain of upscale department stores located primarily in the Midwestern United States, with over 50 stores under the nameplate.
The Carson Pirie Scott name is strongly associated with the historic Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building designed by Louis Sullivan, built in 1899 for the retail firm Schlesinger & Mayer, and expanded and sold to Carson Pirie Scott in 1904.
The chain began in 1854 when Scotsmen Samuel Carson and John Pirie first clerked in the Murray's dry goods store in Peru, Illinois - then opened their own store in LaSalle followed by one in Amboy. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed 60% of the store's stock. In 1961, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. greatly expanded in Illinois by purchasing the 20 unit Block & Kuhl chain headquartered in Peoria.
In 1980, to diversify its business, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. borrowed $108 million to buy Dobbs Houses, Inc., an airline caterer and owner of the Toddle House and Steak 'n Egg Kitchen restaurant chains. These were sold in 1988, as was the County Seat clothing chain.
In 1989, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. was acquired by P.A. Bergner & Co. (founded in Peoria), who operated the Bergner's, Charles V. Weise, Myers Brothers and Boston Store chains.
In 1991, P.A. Bergner & Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; upon emerging from bankruptcy in 1993, it became a NASDAQ publicly traded company, changing its operating name to Carson Pirie Scott & Co. One year later, the company commenced trading on the NYSE under the CRP symbol.
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Wikipedia