Heironimus

Heironimus
Former type Private (1890-1993)
Brand of Dunlaps (1993-2005)
Industry Department store
Fate Dissolved
Predecessor Heironimus & Brugh
Founded Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. (1890 (1890))
Founder(s) S.H. Heironimus & L.K. Brugh
Defunct January 2005 (2005-01)
Headquarters Roanoke, Virginia (1890-1993)
Fort Worth, Texas (1993-2005)
Area served Southwest Virginia
References: [1]

S.H. Heironimus Co. (also known as Heironimus) was an American department store chain based in Roanoke, Virginia. S.H. Heironimus opened his first store in downtown Roanoke in 1890.[1] At its peak, Heironimus had several locations around Roanoke and Lynchburg. In 1993, Heironimus was acquired by Texas-based retailer Dunlaps which initially invested in improving the stores' inventory and appearance.[2] In January 1996, the chain's flagship store in Downtown Roanoke was closed but locations in area malls remained open.[3]

However, the chain occupied the increasingly untenable niche between discount stores like Wal-Mart and the variety and more upscale merchandise available at regional malls.[3] In 2004, Dunlaps announced that the remaining Heironimus stores would close as their inventory was liquidated. The Spartan Square location in Salem was the last to remain open before shutting its doors in January 2005.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Staff Reporters (January 14, 1996). "Heironimus history". The Roanoke Times: p. G2. 
  2. ^ Brown, Sandra (November 6, 1994). "Heironimus' additions, subtractions". The Roanoke Times: p. F1. 
  3. ^ a b Struzzi, Diane (January 28, 1996). "Shopping eras end, begin". The Roanoke Times: p. B1. 
  4. ^ Kincaid, Jenny (February 8, 2005). "Discount retailer to open in April". The Roanoke Times: p. C6.