The William Hengerer Company, known informally as Hengerer's, was a Buffalo, New York-based department store chain, with stores exclusively located in the Western New York region.
 | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1867 |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Fate | Merger and closure |
| Successor | Sibley's |
| Headquarters | Buffalo, New York |
| Products | apparel, shoes, household furnishings, accessories |
| Parent | Associated Dry Goods (1916) |
History
editThe company was founded in 1867 as J. C. Barnes & Co., followed by Barnes & Bancroft in 1869, at 259 Main Street, with James K. Bancroft.[1] In 1873, William Hengerer was admitted as a partner and the company became known as Barnes, Bancroft & Co.[2]
Along with other department stores located in Buffalo including AM&A's, Flint and Kent, and the Sweeney Company, Hengerer was very successful in the 1880s and 1890s. The department stores offered cooking classes, beauty parlors, and restaurants and introduced washing and sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, and iceboxes to the public.[3]
In 1889, Hengerer's new department store was built at 268 Main Street and was designed by Cyrus K. Porter and built of brick with Medina sandstone trim. In 1903, a new store was constructed and by 1907, Hengerer's boasted of being the largest department store between New York City and Chicago.[2]
Wm Hengerer Co. was a founding member of the Associated Dry Goods Corporation in 1916.[2]
Closure
editThe Hengerer chain was merged into ADG's Sibley's name in 1981, with its flagship store at 465 Main Street in downtown Buffalo closing by 1987.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- Notes
- ^ Rizzo, Michael F. (2007). Nine nine eight : the glory days of Buffalo shopping. Morrisville, NC: Lulu, Inc. ISBN 978-1430313861.
- ^ a b c LaChiusa, Chuck. "Barnes & Hengerer Department Store". buffaloah.com. Buffalo Architecture and History. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ Eberle, Scott; Smith, Joseph A. Grande ; design by Patrick S. (1987). Second looks : a pictorial history of Buffalo and Erie County. Norfolk: Donning Co. ISBN 0898656095. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Wm. Hengerer Co., Buffalo, New York". www.thedepartmentstoremuseum.org. The Department Store Museum. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- Sources
- Rizzo, Michael F. (2007) Nine Nine Eight: The Glory Days of Buffalo Shopping Lulu Enterprises, Inc.; Morrisville, North Carolina. ISBN 978-1-4303-1386-1.
- Elvins, Sarah (2004). Sales & Celebrations: Retailing and Regional Identity in Western New York State, 1920-1940. ISBN 0-8214-1549-2.
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