Wanamaker’s department store, a pioneer in American retail, has a rich history deeply rooted in Philadelphia. Founded in 1861 by John Wanamaker, it wasn’t just another store – it was a revolutionary concept.
Here in Philadelphia, Wanamaker’s story begins with a men’s clothing store called Oak Hall. It quickly grew, and by 1876, Wanamaker transformed a grand railroad depot into a retail marvel. This Philadelphia location, on bustling 13th and Market Streets, became a true department store – the first to offer a vast array of goods under one roof, all the way from clothing to furniture.
Wanamaker’s innovations thrived in Philadelphia. They were the first to use price tags, making shopping transparent and fair for customers. They embraced new technologies, becoming the first department store with electric lights, telephones, and even a network of pneumatic tubes to zip cash and sales slips around the massive store. Wanamaker was a leader in employee relations too, offering benefits like profit sharing and pensions, a rarity at the time.
While Wanamaker’s did expand to New York City for a time, Philadelphia remained its heart and soul. The iconic 12-story granite building on Market Street, completed in 1910, stands as a testament to Wanamaker’s legacy in the City of Brotherly Love. It was a destination, a “palace of consumption” that transformed shopping into an experience for Philadelphians.
