Shillito's of Cincinnati : Weekend Shopping E1S1

     This post may be the first of a series about little-known department stores and their deep histories. First up will be the department store of Shillito's (pronounced shil-uh-toes). Shillito's is an example of a classic 20th century department store, being more local and eventually being purchased by a larger company. That larger company (spoiler alert) Macy's, would be the buyer and turn it into their company. But, the history is much more than that.
     The John Shillito Company had pretty humble roots. "The Pioneer Merchant" came to Cincinnati in 1817 from his hometown in Pennsylvania. Though very young, being nine years at the time, he would quickly join the team at local shop Blatchley and Simpson. In 1830, he would leave his job at Blatchley's and meet with another merchant in James McLaughlin. The John Shillito - James McLaughlin partnership would only survive a year though. Despite the departure, a new Shillito, Burnett, and Pullen match was found. Land was secured for the company on the other side of Main Street, but was superseded when Shillito bought out his partners in 1837. Instead, he moved to a large store on Fourth Street.
     Only 20 years after the Fourth Street move, the company would move yet again, this time across the street into a new 5-story building. But Shillito's was still in need of more space, and in 1878 they would move again into their historic 6-story, 800,000 square feet hub designed by James McLaughlin's son. A famous landmark of the new building was its stunning octagonal light with its gothic details.
     Shortly after the opening of the new store, John Shillito would die at age 71. The business was taken over by Shillito's sons. Stewart Shillito took complete control in 1899, and discontinued the wholesale operation in 1913.
     The 1920's were no friends to the company. A fabrics price crash had the store filled with overpriced goods. The store fell in the Cincinnati department store hierarchy from first to fourth. It wasn't a concrete fact that Shillito's would see its centennial birthday.
     The Lazarus family operated a family-named department store in Columbus, OH. Many Cincinnatians believed Shillito's was a building of overpriced goods. However, that was soon to change. Lazarus took over Shillito's in 1928, introducing them to Cincinnati - based Federated Department Stores. The leader of Shillito's at the time quickly retired following the purchase. The new store opened up shop on November 11, 1928. Loaded with new merchandise and a new tea room, the new Shillito's was an instant hit.
     Interestingly, the store did great through the Depression Era. Shillito's yet again found themselves tight for space. The store would expand in 1937. Part of the expansion became a parking garage, an innovation at the time.
     Business would keep booming, and a new building was purchased kitty-corner across Elm Street. The former garage became more retail space. The old garage was expanded in 1956, and the top floor would hold offices for Shillito's parent company, Federated Department Stores. 
     For competition, other Cincy stores expanded into the suburbs as Shillito's stayed at one store. But Shillito's eventually jumped on board at the Tri-County Mall in 1960. Shillito's would continue anchor malls, including some in Kentucky.
     With the 80's came the dark ages of anchor consolidation. In 1982, Shillito's purchased Dayton - based rival Rike's, forming Shillito - Rike's. Only four years later, savior Lazarus purchased Shillito's dropping the latter's nameplate. It was instead called Lazarus - Macy's until 2005, when Macy's took over the nameplate. 

SHILLITO'S LIVES ON

     Despite the sad death and decline of Cincinnati's hometown store, you can see the remnants if you know where to look. The former downtown store has become loft apartments called "The Lofts at Shillito Place." The octagonal light still remains at the building. Behind Fayette Mall in Lexington, KY, where a former Shillito's location existed, is Shillito Park Road. John Shillito and his family were known as model Cincinnati citizens, and they showed so by embracing the African - American community by offering credit and jobs. 

FORMER BRANCH STORES

- Florence Mall, Florence, Kentucky, 1977

- Jefferson Mall, Louisville, Kentucky, 1979

- Tri-County Mall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1960

- Fayette Mall, Lexington, Kentucky, 1971

- Oxmoor Mall, Louisville, Kentucky, 1970

- Beechmont Mall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1969

- Kenwood Mall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1966

- Western Woods, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1963

Early logo. The Department Store Museum

60's era logo. The Department Store Museum

Final and personal favorite logo. Sleek. The Department Store Museum