The Fair Store
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fair Store, Chicago, Illinois - Discount Department Store, evolved over a number of years into a what may be the first discount department store, founded in the late 1800's. It states from it's founding the idea of selling for low prices, purchasing with cash. And starting the concept of odd prices, not ending in 5-cents. Founder Ernst J. Lehmann offered odd prices to save customers a few pennies on every purchase. I am not sure what year it could first be claimed a department store - in this case Discount Department Store. Link to 1891 completed Fair Store, Chicago. [1]
The Fair Store - was promoting itself as a Discount Department Store in the early 1900's in 1905. It states in 1915 in a booklet published by the store stated "The Fair Store is still, as it always has been and undoubtedly always will be, the store of the people, the down-town shopping center for the Savers, the market place for the Thrifty." In 1925 the stores were sold to Kmart founding chain S.S. Kresge. Then again to Montgomery Ward in 1957. [2]
