Difference between revisions of "Freedlander's"

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[[File:Freedlanders-1948-Storefront.jpg|thumb|right|Freedlander's storefront in the Jacob Frick Memorial Block building.]]
 
[[File:Freedlanders-1948-Storefront.jpg|thumb|right|Freedlander's storefront in the Jacob Frick Memorial Block building.]]
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Freedlander's Department Store has been a historical icon in downtown [[Wooster, Ohio]] since 1884.  It was founded by [[David Louis Freedlander]], a East Prussian immigrant to Wooster.  He borrowed enough money to start a store selling work clothes.  The store was originally called The Buffalo One-Price Clothing Store and was located in [[Germania Hall]] on [[S. Market St., Wooster, Ohio|South Market St.]]  David {{Surname|Freedlander}} died in 1898 and his son, [[Herman Freedlander]], took over.  Herman was 17 at the time.  Over time, the store evolved into a department store, expanding from 1,800 square feet to 41,000 square feet on four floors.  People from all over came to Freedlanders for [[Dollar Days in Wooster, Ohio|Dollar Days]]. In addition, Toyland was loved by children throughout the county.
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Freedlander's Department Store has been a historical icon in downtown [[Wooster, Ohio]] since 1884.  It was founded by [[David Louis Freedlander]], a East Prussian immigrant to Wooster.  He borrowed enough money to start a store selling work clothes.  The store was originally called The Buffalo One-Price Clothing Store and was located in [[Germania Hall]] on [[S. Market St., Wooster, Ohio|South Market St.]]  David {{Surname|Freedlander}} died in 1898, and his son, [[Herman Freedlander]], took over at the age of 17.  Over time, the store evolved into a department store, expanding from 1,800 square feet to 41,000 square feet on four floors.  People from all over came to Freedlanders for [[Dollar Days in Wooster, Ohio|Dollar Days]]. In addition, Toyland was loved by children throughout the county.
  
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Herman Freedlander passed away in 1974. [[Harold Freedlander]], son of Herman Freedlander and grandson of the founder David Freedlander, continued operating the business until 1989. In 1983, it was reported to be one of the last one-family stores in the United States (''The Daily Record'' April 28, 1983 p. 10). In February 2009, the business closed its doors for good. The building was razed eight months later.
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Herman Freedlander passed away in 1974. His son, [[Harold Freedlander]], continued operating the business until 1989. In 1983, it was reported to be one of the last one-family stores in the United States<ref>The Daily Record, April 28, 1983, p. 10</ref>. In February 2009, the business closed its doors for good. The building was razed eight months later.
  
 
==Link to All Things Freedlander's==
 
==Link to All Things Freedlander's==
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* Central operator could be called for the following departments: Dry Goods Department, Economy Department, Dr. Motto Chirpodist & Beauty Shop, Credit Office, Rest Room, Men's Furnishings, Men's Clothing, Boys' Own Store, Women's Ready-to-wear, Gift Shop and Advertising Department.
 
* Central operator could be called for the following departments: Dry Goods Department, Economy Department, Dr. Motto Chirpodist & Beauty Shop, Credit Office, Rest Room, Men's Furnishings, Men's Clothing, Boys' Own Store, Women's Ready-to-wear, Gift Shop and Advertising Department.
  
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==Pnemeutic tubes==
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==Pneumatic tubes==
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*  Before pnemeutic tubesm they used wire baskets and cups. Money was placed in a leather cup with a lid, which was put in a wire basket. The basket would travel from the department to the office and back to the proper department.  
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*  Before pneumatic tubes, they used wire baskets and cups. Money was placed in a leather cup with a lid, which was put in a wire basket. The basket would travel from the department to the office and back to the proper department.  
  
 
===Lamson maker===
 
===Lamson maker===

Revision as of 10:51, 5 December 2020

Freedlander's
Formerly called
Former type Department Stores; Clothing Stores; Luggage & Leather Goods Stores; Jewelry Stores; Shoe Stores; Housewares Stores; Toy Stores
Industry Retail
Fate Dissolved
Predecessor(s)
Founded Wooster, Ohio, United States (1884 (1884))
Defunct February 28, 2009 (2009-02-28)
Headquarters 125 W. Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio, United States
Number of locations 1
Area served
Key people
Owner(s) Wooster Growth Corporation
(Leased by L.H.B., Inc.:1989-2009)
Freedlander's storefront in the Jacob Frick Memorial Block building.

Freedlander's Department Store has been a historical icon in downtown Wooster, Ohio since 1884. It was founded by David Louis Freedlander, a East Prussian immigrant to Wooster. He borrowed enough money to start a store selling work clothes. The store was originally called The Buffalo One-Price Clothing Store and was located in Germania Hall on South Market St. David Freedlander died in 1898, and his son, Herman Freedlander, took over at the age of 17. Over time, the store evolved into a department store, expanding from 1,800 square feet to 41,000 square feet on four floors. People from all over came to Freedlanders for Dollar Days. In addition, Toyland was loved by children throughout the county.

Herman Freedlander passed away in 1974. His son, Harold Freedlander, continued operating the business until 1989. In 1983, it was reported to be one of the last one-family stores in the United States[1]. In February 2009, the business closed its doors for good. The building was razed eight months later.

Link to All Things Freedlander's

Locations

City Directories

  • 1894-1895 - 8 [9] W. Liberty St.
  • 1900 - 9 W. Liberty St.
  • 1904 - 9 W. Liberty St.
  • 1908-1908 - 9 & 11 W. Liberty St.
  • 1909-1910 - __ W. Liberty St.
  • 1912-1913 - 125 W. Liberty St.
  • 1915 - 125-127 W. Liberty St.
  • 1919 - 125-127 W. Liberty St.
  • 1923 - 125-127 W. Liberty St.
  • 1925 - 125-127 W. Liberty St.
  • 1928 - 125-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1930 - 125-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1932 - 125-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1935 - 125-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1937 - 125-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1939 - 119-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1940 - 119-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1946 - 119-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1947 - W. Liberty St.
  • 1948 - 119-133 W. Liberty St.
  • 1949 - 119-133 W. Liberty St.
  • 1952 - 119-131 W. Liberty St.
  • 1954 - 119-125 W. Liberty St.
  • 1957 - 119-125 W. Liberty St.
  • 1960 - 119-125 W. Liberty St.
  • 1962 - 119-139 W. Liberty St.
  • 1964-1965 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1967 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1970 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1973 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1975 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1977 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1979 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1981 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1983 - 125 W. Liberty St.
  • 1985 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1988 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1990 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1993 - 119-141 W. Liberty St.
  • 1997 - 125 W. Liberty St.

Administration

Freedlander's was an independent department store that belong to the Arkwright Buying Group in Midtown Manhattan. This buying office was the largest group serving independent department stores in the world. [2]

Secretary

Conference room

Switchboard

  • Central operator could be called for the following departments: Dry Goods Department, Economy Department, Dr. Motto Chirpodist & Beauty Shop, Credit Office, Rest Room, Men's Furnishings, Men's Clothing, Boys' Own Store, Women's Ready-to-wear, Gift Shop and Advertising Department.

Pneumatic tubes

  • Before pneumatic tubes, they used wire baskets and cups. Money was placed in a leather cup with a lid, which was put in a wire basket. The basket would travel from the department to the office and back to the proper department.

Lamson maker

William Stickney Lamson, patented by David Brown. Lamson created the Lamson Cash Carrier Company

Coin carrier
  • No. 1 -
  • No. 2 -
  • No. 3 -
  • No. 4 -
  • No. 5 -
  • No. 6 -
  • No. 7 -
  • No. 8 -
  • No. 9 - traveled from Office to Layaway which was with the gift wrapping area
  • No. 10 -
  • No. 11 -
  • No. 12 -
  • No. 13 -
  • No. 14 -
  • No. 15 -
  • No. 16 -
  • No. 17 -
  • No. 18 -
  • No. 19 -
  • No. 20 -
  • No. 21 -
  • No. 22 -
  • No. 23 -
  • No. 24 -
  • No. 25 -
  • No. 26 -
  • No. 27 -
  • No. 28 -

Slogans

  • 1901 - "The People's Clothier" [3]
  • 1901 - "One Price to All" [4]
  • 1918 - "Quality First" - Freedlander's first slogan
  • "Satisfaction since 1885", and are pleased that we can tell the world" Wooster has good Stores" [5]
  • "It Pays to Buy Quality"

Sales

Anniversary Celebration / Cake Days

Prior to the 1930s, the store celebrated its October anniversary by handing out individually wrapped pieces of cake. In the later years, entire cakes were given to lucky winners. The winners were not chosen based upon.

Christmas Catalog

The annual Christmas Catalog was a big draw. It was up to Weldon Lehman to make certain that ads were posted and mailed to every customer with a charge account so they'd receive them in plenty of time.

Dollar Days

Dollar Day Tags

The first Dollar Days in Wooster, Ohio began in September of 1917.

  • L = Ladies' Ready-to-Wear [6]
  • S = Ladies' Sportswear
  • K = Lingerie
  • F = Children's

Green Tag Sale

A popular men's sale held twice a year throughout the history of being owned by Freedlander's.

White Sale

A sale in the Domestics Department.

Wooster Days

A two-day gala celebration, was held in October of 1925 to honor General David Wooster for whom Wooster, Ohio was named. [7]

  • Band concerts
  • Street dancing
  • Athletic events
  • 2 large parades
  • carnival ball

Historical documents

  • 1901 - Wooster High School annual [8]
  • 1905 - Wooster High School annual [9]
  • 1958 - June 14-21, [10]
  • Herman Freedlander [photography]
  • 1989 - Note 2 - Other Agreements and Significant Events - [11]

Freedlander Property In 1989, the H. Freedlander Company, donated its downtown Wooster retail department store building to the City of Wooster. Shortly thereafter, the City passed Ordinance No. 1989-43 granting title of the property to Wooster Growth Corporation. The property’s fair market value at the date of gift was approximated at $ 1,251,450 based upon valuations provided by the Wayne County Auditor’s Office. On September 7, 1989, Wooster Growth Corporation entered into a lease agreement with L.H.B., Inc. by which L.H.B., Inc. pays a nominal annual rental for use of the property (L.H.B., Inc. operates the Freedlander’s Department Store). The intent of the nominal rental is to insure the continuance of the retail establishment’s contribution to the vitality of downtown Wooster. Based on historical performance, it is unlikely that the Freedlander property will produce material cash inflows for the Wooster Growth Corporation. Accordingly, the property is considered impaired and an allowance equal to the market value at date of gift has been recorded. The agreement extends for five years with the options to renew by L.H.B., Inc. for up to six, five-year lease periods. The first five-year renewal was entered into September, 1994. L.H.B. continues to occupy the premises as of December 31, 2000. However, a second five-year renewal contract, due to be executed during September 1999, remains un-signed and is under negotiation. Renewals are subject to change regarding the calculation base for annual rentals, which have historically been based on the federal taxable income of L.H.B., Inc. Taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, and utilities are the responsibility of L.H.B., Inc. Costs associated with major structural alterations or improvements to the property will be born by L.H.B., Inc., and only undertaken after obtaining the consent of Wooster Growth Corporation

Further reading

  • Gone But Not Forgotten: a Freedlander Legacy by Ann Freedlander Hunt. Minneaspolis, MN: Two Harbors Press, 2010. LOCAL AUTHOR B HUNT, ANN FREEDLANDER

References

  1. ↑ The Daily Record, April 28, 1983, p. 10
  2. ↑ Ann Freedlander Hunt. "Gone But Not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy", Two Harbors, 2012, p. 82.
  3. ↑ Wooster High School annual. 1901. Wooster, Ohio
  4. ↑ Wooster High School annual. 1901. Wooster, Ohio
  5. ↑ Ann Freedlander Hunt. "Gone But Not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy", Two Harbors, 2012, p. 90.
  6. ↑ Gone but not forgotten by Ann Freedlander Hunt
  7. ↑ Ann Freedlander Hunt. "Gone But Not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy", Two Harbors, 2012, p. 38.
  8. ↑ Wooster High School annual. 1901. Wooster, Ohio
  9. ↑ Wooster High School annual. 1905. Wooster, Ohio
  10. ↑ Wooster, Ohio Sesquicentennial Celebration, June 14-21, 1958, p. 6
  11. ↑ [https://ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Reports/2001/wooster_growth_corporation_00-wayne.pdf Wooster Growth Corporation Financial Statement to the State of Ohio Office of Auditor

External sites

What Links Here

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