Lansburgh's
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
 Former Downtown Washington, D.C. flagship store addition (built 1916–24) | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1860 |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Fate | Liquidation |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Products | General Merchandise |
| Parent | City Stores, Inc. |
Lansburgh's was a chain of department stores located in the Washington, D.C. area. The clientele were middle-income consumers.
The first store, at 7th and E Streets, NW, in Washington, D.C.'s downtown shopping district, opened on October 30, 1860. The founders were James and Gustav Lansburgh. The company was known initially for supplying the black crepe used for the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.[1] Lansburgh's installed the first elevator (wooden) in a commercial building in the District of Columbia. The company remained family owned until its acquisition by City Stores, Inc. in 1951. At the time of its final liquidation in June 1973, the chain ranked eighth in the Washington D.C. retail market, with sales of $28.5 million.[1]
Flagship store
The initial Seventh Street flagship downtown store was located on and constructed in 1882, and was a work of architect Adolf Cluss.[2] The store was greatly expanded in 1916, 1924 and 1941 out to Eighth Street. During the 1970s and 1980s, the store building was used for offices and warehouse space. The former flagship store on 7th Street was at the forefront of the revitalized Penn Quarter section of downtown Washington, D.C.[3]
