Elder-Beerman

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Elder-Beerman
Type	Department stores
Founded	1883 Dayton, Ohio
Headquarters	Dayton, Ohio
Industry	Retail
Products	Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, and housewares.
Parent	The Bon-Ton
Website	www.elder-beerman.com

Elder-Beerman is a U.S. chain of department stores founded in 1883 and owned by The Bon-Ton. The chain is based primarily in the United States' Midwest region.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Beginnings 1.2 Elder-Beerman 1.3 1999 and 2003 Prototypes 1.4 Today 2 Current Locations 2.1 Illinois 2.2 Indiana 2.3 Iowa 2.4 Kentucky 2.5 Michigan 2.6 Ohio 2.7 West Virginia 2.8 Wisconsin 3 Former locations 3.1 Illinois 3.2 Indiana 3.3 Ohio 3.4 Pennsylvania 3.5 West Virginia 3.6 Wisconsin 4 References

[edit] History

[edit] Beginnings

In 1883, Elder-Beerman history began when Boston Dry Goods Store opened in Dayton, Ohio and was later incorporated under the name Elder & Johnston Company. In 1930, After a short career with Elder & Johnston, Arthur Beerman, founder of Elder-Beerman Stores Corp., branched out on his own and by 1945 Beerman Stores was incorporated. In 1953, Beerman formed a partnership with Max Gutmann and together they established the Bee Gee Shoe Corporation, which operated the El-Bee Shoe Outlets and Shoebilee! stores for many years before its recent sale. Beerman and Gutmann spent ten years opening Beerman Stores in suburban areas and expanding their product lines.

[edit] Elder-Beerman

In 1962, Beerman Stores merged with Elder & Johnston Company to form the Elder-Beerman. For the next 20 years, the Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. grew to include furniture and home lines, and the company expanded with new stores throughout western Ohio and several surrounding states, competing with its Dayton rival, Rike Kumler. After Arthur Beerman's death in 1970, Max Gutmann was promoted to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In 1985, Herb Glaser was named president and CEO of the department store division. With Herb Glaser as president, Gutmann and Glaser developed the Elder-Beerman franchise through the 1980s and early 1990s. When the company was forced to file for Chapter 11 reorganization in 1995, Max Gutmann and Herb Glaser returned from retirement to turn the company around. During the bankruptcy, Frederick J. Mershad asked to replace Gutmann as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Elder-Beerman has acquired two chains throughout its history: Terre Haute, IN-based Meis in 1989^[1], and Wheeling, WV-based Stone & Thomas in 1998 ^[2].

[edit] 1999 and 2003 Prototypes

In Fall 1999, Elder-Beerman saw introduction of their new concept in retailing, with the opening of two prototype stores in Warsaw, Indiana and Frankfort, Kentucky. The prototype included centralized Service Centers that are always staffed; trained Sales Specialists who are committed to serving customers in the store; open-stock cosmetic and shoe departments that allow customers to select items without searching for assistance; courtesy telephones for free local calls; and pager buttons in the women's fitting rooms so customers may page for assistance.

In 2003, Elder-Beerman opened smaller-scale prototypes in Dekalb, Illinois and Muscatine, Iowa, the latter being the chain's first Iowa location. These stores represented a new marketing strategy of operating smaller-format stores in mid-sized markets.

[edit] Today

Elder-Beerman was acquired by The Bon-Ton in 2003 after Elder-Beerman filed for bankruptcy. Today Elder-Beerman operates 63 department stores in 8 states.

[edit] Current Locations

[edit] Illinois

• Danville - Village Mall (77,300 sq. ft., opened 1986 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)
• DeKalb - Northland Plaza (52,252 sq. ft., prototype store; opened 2003)
• Mattoon - Cross County Mall (54,266 sq. ft., opened 1978 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)

[edit] Indiana

• Anderson
  • Mounds Mall (66,703 sq. ft., opened 1981)
  • Mounds Mall furniture store (15,000 sq. ft., formerly J.C. Penney)
• Columbus - Fair Oaks Mall (53,446 sq. ft., opened 1990)
• Elkhart - Concord Mall (104,000 sq. ft., opened as Robertson's, later Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)
• Jasper - Germantown Shopping Center (55,000 sq. ft.)
• Kokomo - Kokomo Mall (77,680 sq. ft., opened 1987 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)
• Marion - Northpark Mall (55,525 sq. ft., opened 1978 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)
• Muncie
  • Muncie Mall (80,000 sq. ft., opened 1997)
  • Muncie Mall home store (22,912 sq. ft., home store)
• Richmond - Downtown (100,000 sq. ft., opened 1974; first location outside of Ohio)
• Terre Haute - Honey Creek Mall (69,780 sq. ft., opened 1973 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)
• Warsaw - Market Place Center (56,120 sq. ft., prototype store; opened 1999)

[edit] Iowa

• Muscatine - Muscatine Mall (43,906 sq. ft., prototype store; opened 2003)

[edit] Kentucky

• Ashland - Kyova Mall (70,000 sq. ft., opened 1991 as Stone & Thomas; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Frankfort - 202 Limestone Dr. (53,954 sq. ft., prototype store; opened 1999)
• Paducah - Kentucky Oaks Mall (60,092 sq. ft., opened 1982 as Meis; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1989)

[edit] Michigan

• Adrian - Adrian Mall (54,197 sq. ft., opened 1987)
• Benton Harbor - The Orchards Mall (70,977 sq. ft., opened 1992)
• Coldwater - Willowbrook Village Shopping Center (55,000 sq. ft.; former Wal-Mart)
• Howell - Grand River Plaza (74,873 sq. ft.; former Wal-Mart)
• Jackson - Westwood Mall (72,500 sq. ft., opened 1993)
• Midland - Midland Mall (64,141 sq. ft., opened 1991)
• Monroe - Frenchtown Square Mall (57,077 sq. ft., opened 1988)
• Monroe - Frenchtown Square Mall (41,810 sq. ft., furniture store; opened mid 1990s in former Phar-Mor)
• Muskegon - Lakeshore Marketplace (87,185 sq. ft., opened 1995)

[edit] Ohio

• Alliance - Carnation Mall (55,552 sq. ft.)
• Athens - University Mall (42,253 sq. ft., opened 1988)
• Beavercreek
  • The Mall at Fairfield Commons men's store (150,000 sq. ft., opened 1993. Originally featured all lines, now men's only store)
  • The Mall at Fairfield Commons women's store (Opened 2007 in former Parisian)
• Bowling Green - Woodland Towne Centre (40,000 sq. ft., opened 1987)
• Centerville - Centerville Place (195,000 sq. ft., opened 1966)
• Chillicothe
  • Chillicothe Mall (55,940 sq. ft.)
  • Chillicothe Mall home store (17,609 sq. ft.)
• Dayton
  • Dayton Mall (203,548 sq. ft., opened 1998)
  • Northwest Plaza (217,007 sq. ft.)
  • Salem Furniture (124,987 sq. ft.)
  • Southtowne Furniture (121,000 sq. ft.)
• Defiance
  • Northtowne Mall (49,484 sq. ft., opened 1987)
  • Northtowne Mall mattress store (1849 sq. ft.)
• Findlay - Findlay Village Mall (72,356 sq. ft., opened 1990)
• Franklin - Towne Mall (117,888 sq. ft., opened 1977)
• Hamilton - 2nd @ High St. (167,925 sq. ft., opened 1974)
• Heath - Indian Mound Mall (73,185 sq. ft., opened 1986)
• Huber Heights - Northpark Center (101,840 sq. ft., opened 1999)
• Kettering - Van Buren Shopping Center (101,500 sq. ft., former Rike's/Shillito Rike's, later Lazarus; converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Lancaster - River Valley Mall (52,000 sq. ft., opened 1987)
• Lima - Lima Mall (130,031 sq. ft., opened 1965 as The Leader, converted to Elder-Beerman in 70's)
• Marion - Southland Mall (75,673 sq. ft., opened 1984)
• New Philadelphia - New Towne Mall (52,000 sq. ft.)
• Northwood - Woodville Mall (106,128 sq. ft., opened 1985)
• Piqua - Miami Valley Centre Mall (60,000 sq. ft., opened 1988)
• Sandusky - Sandusky Mall (80,398 sq. ft., opened 1983)
• St. Clairsville
  • Ohio Valley Mall Women's & Children's (former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
  • Ohio Valley Mall Men's & Home
• Springfield - Upper Valley Mall (72,456 sq. ft., opened 1992)
• Toledo - Westgate Village Shopping Center (154,000 sq. ft.)
• Wooster - Wayne Towne Plaza (53,446 sq. ft., opened 1985)
• Zanesville - Colony Square Mall (70,874 sq. ft., opened 1985)

[edit] West Virginia

• Barboursville - Huntington Mall (75,640 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Beckley - Raleigh Mall (45,055 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Bridgeport
  • Meadowbrook Mall (70,789 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
  • Meadowbrook Mall home store (74,723 sq. ft., former Murphy Mart)
• Charleston - Kanawha Mall (80,000 sq. ft., opened in former Ames in 2003)
• Morgantown
  • Morgantown Mall (71,032 sq. ft., opened 1990)
  • Mountaineer Mall (70,470 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Parkersburg - Grand Central Mall (105,823 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)
• Teays - Liberty Square Shopping Center (70,000 sq. ft., former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)

[edit] Wisconsin

• Beloit - Beloit Mall (62,732 sq. ft., opened 1993 on site of Bergner's)
• Kohler - Deer Trace Shopping Center (54,541 sq. ft.)
• Plover - Plover Plaza (55,000 sq. ft.)
• West Bend - 1291 W. Paradise Rd. (55,000 sq. ft.)

[edit] Former locations

[edit] Illinois

• Carbondale - University Mall (acquired from Meis in 1989; closed 1997. Now occupied by South Illinois Health Care) ^[3]

[edit] Indiana

• Evansville - Washington Square Mall (opened as Stewart's Dry Goods, later became L.S. Ayres. Converted to Elder-Beerman in 1993, closed 1998, now Values Unlimited)

[edit] Ohio

• Cincinnati
  • 5th and Vine (originally Rollman Department Store, later Mabley & Carew; closed 1986)
  • Beechmont Mall (opened 1981, closed 1992; later operated as Parisian until 2000. Mall torn down)
  • Forest Fair Mall (now Steve & Barry's)
  • Swifton Commons (former Mabley & Carew, later Elder-Beerman, then Elder-Beerman outlet store; closed 1996. Now a church^[4])
  • Western Hills Plaza (closed 1994)
• Dayton - Courthouse Plaza (closed 2002) ^[5]
• Kettering (relocated to current location)
• Toledo - North Towne Square (opened in 1979 as LaSalle's, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1983; closed 1997)

[edit] Pennsylvania

• DuBois - The Commons Shopping Center (now Bon-Ton)
• Erie - Millcreek Mall (opened 1998 in former American Dry Goods-owned Boston Store; became Horne's, then Lazarus, then Elder-Beerman; now Bon-Ton)

[edit] West Virginia

• Charleston - Charleston Town Center (former Stone & Thomas; name was retained after 1998 acquisition. Now Steve & Barry's)
• Charleston - Kanawha Mall (vacant; moved to former Ames in mall in 2003)
• Wheeling (former Stone & Thomas, converted to Elder-Beerman in 1998)

[edit] Wisconsin

• Green Bay - Bay Park Square (91,750 sq. ft., opened 1995, closed February 2007)

(Opening dates courtesy of Elder- Beerman Stores Corp. Annual Report, 1999)

[edit] References

1. ^ http://business.enotes.com/company-histories/elder-beerman-stores-corp/further-reading
2. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4298/is_199806/ai_n15000305
3. ^ http://www.dailyegyptian.com/spring96/020696/elder.html
4. ^ http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/04/06/loc_allen_temple_to.html
5. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_May_2/ai_85411250