Strawbridge and Clothier Store, department store
Strawbridge and Clothier Store is a department store built in Art Deco style in Pennsylvania and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was constructed in the early 1930s and features a steel and stone structure with clean geometric lines and two prominent towers that rise above the main facade, creating a distinctive architectural profile.
The company was founded in 1868 by Justus Strawbridge and Isaac Clothier and grew from a small shop into a major retail chain. After 128 years of family ownership, the company was sold in 1996 and most locations were later converted to other store brands, marking the end of a significant chapter in American retail history.
The name combines the surnames of the two founders, establishing a personal connection to the store's identity. The building's visible spaces today reflect how shopping was once a social gathering where families came to browse and spend time together.
The building is centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors notice the large front entrance and tall display windows, with interior aisles and floors that guide movement throughout the multi-story structure.
The company trained employees using unusual methods such as photographs depicting shoplifting scenarios, reflecting security awareness of the time. It also pioneered radio advertising in 1922 by establishing its own station, an innovative marketing approach that reached customers beyond store walls.
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