It was recently announced that with the settlement of a lawsuit Strategic Marks, a company with plans for its future, at least online, has acquired the rights to the Jordan Marsh name. This had me thinking about the past and the importance of Jordan Marsh here in Boston.
This postcard circa 1907-1915 from the Boston Public Library Collection shows the expanded main store on the corner of Summer and Washington Streets.
By 1938 the company had acquired more property and added the home furnishings annex across Avon Street. In the years to follow, they would acquire all the property on those blocks. I seem to recall that they also owned or rented space in some additional buildings in the area that were used for sales support departments. (Disclosure: I worked for Jordan Marsh for a number of years.)
History from Around the Internet
Locally we have the site: Shopping Days in Retro Boston with some great coverage of Jordan Marsh. I found the story of the sky bridge from the main store to the annex, interesting.
There are national sites like the Department Store Museum that specialize in retail history state by state. From the homepage you can look up the major stores in most states.
And the store has been featured on Mass Moments.
What are your Jordan Marsh memories? Did you ever work in a department store? If so, what do you think of service today?
Watch for our upcoming post on Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: as noted and linked under each image.