H. C. Prange Co.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Image of an average Prange's store, taken from a 1991 GMC dealers ad.
Image of an average Prange's store, taken from a 1991 GMC dealers ad.
Original site of flagship store in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin, taken in 2006
Original site of flagship store in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin, taken in 2006

H.C. Prange Co. was a regional department store chain begun by Henry Carl (H.C.)Prange. It had at its peak 25 stores in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. Prange's department store unit had 1991 sales of about $229 million. The division had 18 stores in Wisconsin, five in Michigan and two in Illinois, with a total of about 2,100,000 square feet (195,000 m²) of selling space.

H.C. Prange's flagship store was in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and still operates as a Younkers today (the building was reconstructed in 1984 after a water main break in 1982 forced demolition of the old flagship store). Their largest store was in Green Bay's Port Plaza Mall. The H.C. Prange Co. also operated a chain of discount stores known as Prange Way, and a chain of boutiques known as id Boutique.

It was purchased by Younkers department store chain in 1992. Younkers, Inc. purchased H.C. Prange Co.'s 25-unit department store division for $67 million and it also assumed about $9 million in liabilities of the division.

Contents

[edit] Former Locations

[edit] Illinois

[edit] Michigan

  • Bay City - Bay City Mall (opened 1991, now Younkers)
  • Holland - Westshore Mall (opened 1988, now Younkers)
  • Marquette - Westwood Mall (opened 1974, now Younkers)
  • Port Huron - Birchwood Mall (opened 1990, now Younkers)
  • Traverse City - Cherryland Mall (opened 1976, now Younkers)

[edit] Wisconsin

[edit] External links