Wanamaker's; photo c/o Smithsonian Magazine
The second installment of our “What Was….?” series is the former Philadelphia retail giant Wanamaker’s.
Wanamaker’s was opened in April 1876 by Philadelphia businessman John Wanamaker as an American response to European markets like France’s Les Halles and England’s Royal Exchange. The building chosen was a former Pennsylvania Railroad depot located at the intersection of 13th Street and Market Street in the heart of the city. The merchandise, which Wanamaker planned to market to upscale clients, consisted of a combination of clothing and other specialty items . . .
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