Jordan Marsh
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| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Fate | Bankruptcy, acquired by Macy's |
| Successor | Macy's |
| Founded | 1841 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts, Miami, Florida |
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Key people
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Eben Dyer Jordan, founder |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, housewares |
| Parent | Federated Department Stores, Inc. |
Jordan Marsh & Company (or Jordan Marsh) was a department store in Boston, Massachusetts, which grew to be a major regional chain in the New England area of the United States. In 1996, the last of the Jordan Marsh stores were converted to Macy's. The store was formerly part of Allied Stores and then Federated Department Stores. Allied also operated a separate group of stores in Florida called Jordan Marsh Florida, which were disbanded in 1991.
In 1841, Eben Dyer Jordan left his job at a Boston dry goods store and went into business for himself laying the foundation for the first Jordan Marsh. Ten years later, Jordan partnered with Boston merchant Benjamin L. Marsh.
They began by selling linen, silk, and other dry goods from Europe to wholesale customers in and around the city. As the business grew, it moved from one location to another and in 1861 Jordan and Marsh decided to begin selling directly to the public. They acquired a brownstone building at 450 Washington Street, in the heart of what is still Boston's downtown shopping district. After the American Civil War, Jordan and Marsh expanded into nearby buildings, offering an increasing quantity and variety of goods. Eventually the partners had established the nation’s first "departmentalized" store and called it Jordan Marsh and Company.
During the second half of the 19th century, Eben Jordan's son, Jordan Jr., and a new partner named George Mitton took over the company, turning it into a modern department store.
Jordan Marsh and Company, in addition to establishing the first department store, introduced the concept of “department shopping.” Jordan Marsh combined an elegant atmosphere with excellent personal service and a wide range of merchandise. With many different departments displaying wares from around the world, the store drew shoppers from the city as well from the growing "streetcar suburbs." Once at the store, consumers could do more than just shop. Jordan Marsh offered fashion shows, a bakery famous for its blueberry muffins, art exhibitions, and even afternoon concerts.
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Wikipedia