Downtown D.C.'s long-gone department stores
Posted: 13 Feb 2007 14:05
The following were thriving department stores based in Washington, D.C. Each of them went bankrupt and closed: Lansburgh’s (1973), Kann’s (1975), Garfinckel’s (1990), and Woodward & Lothrop (1995). All four stores were located in downtown D.C.’s shopping district – Lansburgh’s and Kann’s along the 7th Street corridor and Woodies and Garfinckel’s along the F Street corridor.
The Lansburgh Department Store opened in the early 1860’s on 7th Street; however, in the early 1880’s, it moved to the 400 block of 7th Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C.’s shopping district. Lansburgh’s went bankrupt and closed in 1973. I found a link (http://www.thelansburgh.com/history.php), which gives you some history of Lansburgh’s. The building was converted into what is currently “The Lansburgh” luxury apartment building, which opened in 1990; a theater and restaurant opening within that building in 1991. That 7th Street shopping corridor is now a mix of restaurants, retail, and residences.
Kann’s Department Store opened at 7th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in 1893. It closed in 1975, and that location remained vacant until a fire in 1979 destroyed the structure, making demolition necessary. I am not sure what is currently located on that site.
Garfinckel’s was founded in 1905 but moved to its flagship location at 1401 F Street, N.W. in 1930. It remained at that location until going bankrupt and closing in 1990. The property was redeveloped in the late 90’s into a modern office building, and the original façade was restored. That building is now called Hamilton Square and still occupies the corner of 14th & F Streets, N.W.
Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies) opened on F Street 1887, and after years of building acquisition, construction and renovation -- about 40 years worth, its flagship store at 1025 F Street was complete. Except for Rich's Shoe Store at the corner of 10th & F Streets, Woodies occupied the rest of the city block from 10th & 11th Streets and F & G Streets. After years as a premier retailer in the area, Woodies went bankrupt and closed it doors in 1995.
The Lansburgh Department Store opened in the early 1860’s on 7th Street; however, in the early 1880’s, it moved to the 400 block of 7th Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C.’s shopping district. Lansburgh’s went bankrupt and closed in 1973. I found a link (http://www.thelansburgh.com/history.php), which gives you some history of Lansburgh’s. The building was converted into what is currently “The Lansburgh” luxury apartment building, which opened in 1990; a theater and restaurant opening within that building in 1991. That 7th Street shopping corridor is now a mix of restaurants, retail, and residences.
Kann’s Department Store opened at 7th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in 1893. It closed in 1975, and that location remained vacant until a fire in 1979 destroyed the structure, making demolition necessary. I am not sure what is currently located on that site.
Garfinckel’s was founded in 1905 but moved to its flagship location at 1401 F Street, N.W. in 1930. It remained at that location until going bankrupt and closing in 1990. The property was redeveloped in the late 90’s into a modern office building, and the original façade was restored. That building is now called Hamilton Square and still occupies the corner of 14th & F Streets, N.W.
Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies) opened on F Street 1887, and after years of building acquisition, construction and renovation -- about 40 years worth, its flagship store at 1025 F Street was complete. Except for Rich's Shoe Store at the corner of 10th & F Streets, Woodies occupied the rest of the city block from 10th & 11th Streets and F & G Streets. After years as a premier retailer in the area, Woodies went bankrupt and closed it doors in 1995.