Famous-Barr: St. Louis Shopping at Its Finest

by Edna Campos Gravenhorst

Overview

For ninety-five years, St. Louis residents counted on Famous-Barr to buy the things they used every day and to celebrate the moments that happened only once a year. Customers might bump into Sophia Loren while shoe shopping or confide in Santa Claus during a visit to Toyland. May Company purchased the Famous Clothing Company in 1892 and acquired the William Barr Dry Goods Company nineteen years later. In 1914, Famous-Barr opened the doors of its iconic downtown location, treating folks across Missouri and Illinois to almost a century of spectacular window displays and legendary luncheons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626196926
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	11/11/2014
Series:	Landmarks
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Edna Campos Gravenhorst is an author and historical researcher; this is her second career after spending twenty-five years in sales and merchandising. Her books include Southwest Garden, Benton Park West and Historical Home Research in the City of St. Louis.

Table of Contents

Dedication 7

Foreword Richard H. Weiss 9

Acknowledgements 13

Introduction. Ninety-five Years of Shopping, Celebrations and Creating Memories 15

1 From Immigrant to Merchant Prince William Barr 17

2 Famous and May Companies Jesse W. Motte Joseph Specht David May 27

3 Let's Do Lunch: Famous-Barr Restaurants, Chefs and Cooking Demonstrations 35

4 Christmas at Famous-Barr: Toyland, Santaland, Bearland 47

5 Famous People at Famous: Celebrity Events and Promotions 59

6 Community Service: St. Louis Events Sponsored by Famous-Barr 73

7 Major Sales Events: From Parades to Art Shows 83

8 Customer Appreciation: Eagle Stamps and Customer Contest Prizes 95

9 Expansion From Downtown: Stores Open in the County, Across the River and the Rest of the State 103

10 A Landmark Disappears: Famous-Barr Is Now Macy's 125

Epilogue: Closure of the Downtown Store in St. Louis 139

Appendix: Famous-Barr Recipes 141

Bibliography 151

Index 155

About the Author 159