Miller & Paine
 | |
| Industry | Retail Department Store |
|---|---|
| Fate | Acquired in 1988 by Dillard's |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Founders | J.E. Miller and Dr. Bartlett Paine |
| Headquarters | Lincoln, Nebraska, US |
Miller & Paine was a department store in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1880, Miller & Paine was acquired by Dillard's in 1988. Prior to the acquisition by Dillard's, Miller & Paine had three stores: two in Lincoln, the downtown flagship store and Gateway Mall with one in the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island, Nebraska. Miller & Paine was one of the first department stores in Lincoln.[1]
History
J.E. Miller arrived in Lincoln from Pennsylvania in 1879 and in 1880 formed a partnership with Dr. Bartlett Paine to build a department store at 13th and O streets in downtown Lincoln. The building was built in 1898.[2] The store was named Miller & Paine. In 1916, a new building was constructed on the site at 13th and O streets.[3] The new building was designed by Berlinghof & Davis.[4] In 1935, Miller & Paine became the first air-conditioned department store in Nebraska.
Miller & Paine had a lunch counter in the basement and the Tea Room on the fifth floor in the flagship downtown store. Besides having the tearoom and lunch counter, they also had a bakery that was famous for its cinnamon rolls and crumb cookies and made their own candy to sell in their candy department. Miller & Paine imported cinnamon for its trademark cinnamon rolls, and sharp English cheddar cheese for its macaroni & cheese which was served crusted in its own individual serving bowl. The company also owned a farm near Emerald, Nebraska for its own supply of poultry, vegetables and eggs.[1]
In 1960, Miller & Paine opened a store in the newly developed Gateway Mall in Lincoln as an anchor store and in 1974, Miller & Paine opened a store in the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island.
Miller & Paine sold their department stores in 1988 to Dillard's. The department stores ceased to use the name Miller & Paine re-branding the stores Dillard's. Shortly after the purchase, Dillard's closed the downtown store.
The company Miller & Paine continues to operate today as Miller & Paine LLC which operates properties in Lincoln, Nebraska.[5] The Berlinghof & Davis designed 13th and O street building is still extant and in use as offices. The trademarked Miller & Paine's cinnamon rolls which were once served in the department store's tearooms continue to be produced and sold by the Lincoln, Nebraska-based fast food restaurant Runza.
References
- 1 2 McKee, Jim. "The rise and demise of Lincoln-owned department stores". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Miller & Paine Building". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "13th and O Streets looking West Lincoln Nebraska". Official Nebraska Government Website Nebraska Memories. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "UNL Historic Buildings". An Architectural Tour of Historic UNL. University of Nebraska. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Robert E. Campbell". Equilar Atlas. Retrieved 29 April 2015.