Historic San Francisco luxury store closing after 157 years
Posted December 20, 2018 3:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
San Francisco’s oldest department store, Gump’s, is closing its doors after 157 years in business.
Shoppers rummaged through the iconic store’s remains Thursday, with all items marked down 70 per cent to 90 per cent off.
Gump’s was founded in 1861 as a frame and mirror shop.
It transformed itself into an exclusive store, located in the city’s Union Square neighbourhood, catering to a clientele that craved engraved note cards, crystal vases, fancy dinner ware and an array of luxury items.
The San Francisco Chronicle once reported that the store’s customers included French actress Sarah Bernhardt and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who bought ship models and smoking jackets.
As San Francisco changed, Gump’s mostly stayed the same.
Earlier this year Gump’s filed for bankruptcy. Its final day of business is Sunday.
The Associated Press
