Hess's History and Legacy in American Retail

Hess's has a rich history in American retail that spans over 100 years. Founded in 1889 by William and Andrew Hess, the company started as a small dry goods store in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The brothers' vision was to provide high-quality products at affordable prices, which quickly gained them a loyal customer base. Their commitment to customer satisfaction helped Hess's grow into a beloved regional department store chain.

Hess's was known for its unique approach to retail, offering a wide range of products under one roof, including furniture, clothing, and home goods. This "one-stop shopping" concept allowed customers to find everything they needed in one convenient location.

Throughout its history, Hess's has remained committed to its core values of quality, value, and customer satisfaction.

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Hess's has a rich history that spans several decades. The company began renovations of the outside of the store in 1939.

In 1947, the store's façade was updated in Art Deco style, which was an emerging architectural style in the New York metropolitan area. This style added a touch of elegance to the store's exterior.

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The store eventually expanded to five floors and over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m) of retail space. This expansion made it one of the largest stores of its time.

It was the first store in the world to have automatic talking elevators, notifying its passengers what items were available on each floor. I can only imagine how convenient this must have been for shoppers.

Here's a list of other stores that were converted to Dillard's, including Hess's, which was converted in 1992:

In 1968, Max Hess, Jr. sold the company to a local trucking businessman named Philip Berman for $16 million.

Hess's Stores were sold to a local trucking businessman named Philip Berman in 1968 for $16 million. Max Hess, Jr. died just a few months later.

The original Allentown location, which was the flagship store, was closed by The Bon-Ton after just one year. It was later acquired by the city of Allentown and demolished in 2000.

The other 20 stores, including most of the early Hess's locations, were sold to The Bon-Ton and rebranded.

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Hess's Stores expanded to 20 locations by the 1950s.

Their growth was fueled by a strong focus on customer service and a wide selection of products, including furniture, appliances, and clothing.

The company's commitment to quality and value helped it establish a loyal customer base in the northeastern United States.

Hess's Stores continued to grow and expand throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually reaching 27 locations.

Their ability to adapt to changing consumer needs and preferences was key to their success during this period.

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Hess's was a beloved department store chain that originated in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1897. It started out in a small hotel building.

The store's exterior was a striking Art-Moderne facade from the 1930s, but behind it lay multiple buildings and the original hotel where it all began. Hess's was well-suited to the Lehigh Valley city of Allentown, but its owners aimed to make customers feel like they were shopping in a more sophisticated, big-city store.

Hess's was famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, including the iconic character Pip the Mouse. It also showcased haute-couture fashion and impressive flower shows that drew people from afar.

Here are some key facts about the Hess's store locations:

In 1968, Max Hess, Jr. sold the company to Philip Berman for $16 million, but sadly, Max Hess, Jr. passed away just a few months later.

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Hess's was a showman's dream come true, with owner Max Hess Jr. investing heavily in the store to create an entertaining experience for customers.

The flagship store was designed to wow visitors, with affordable goods displayed alongside a $20,000 gown that was unlikely to sell.

Wayne Holben, former public relations director, started as a stock boy and worked his way up to become a 24-year veteran of the company.

He remembers the store's restaurant, The Patio, as a beloved institution that never made a dime.

Hess's was a workplace that rewarded hard workers, with Bob Hutchings rising from a furniture buyer to a respected role in the company.

The store was a hub of activity, attracting families and workers from nearby businesses like PPL, who would gather at the Hess's Oasis snack bar during their lunch hour.

Phyllis Hutchings, a chief accountant, and her husband Bob, a furniture buyer, retired from Hess's in 1985 after 20 years of service.

Grace Gallagher, who worked part-time at Hess's for 30 years, has seen the city change dramatically since her childhood.

Hess's was a piece of retailing history, but Allentown still has a lot to offer, and new venues and businesses are working to make it a destination once again.

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