Bloomingdale’s History and Ownership (1861-2024)

Founding and Early Years 1861: Bloomingdale’s was founded by brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale in New York City’s Lower East Side. Initially named Bloomingdale’s Hoopskirts, the store specialized in selling hoop skirts and European fashions.

1872: The brothers opened a second location in Midtown Manhattan, Bloomingdale’s Great East Side Bazaar. This second store would become the nucleus of their flagship operations. 20th Century Milestones 1930: Federated Department Stores acquired Bloomingdale’s. This significant move set the stage for future growth and stability.

1945-1960: Post-World War II, Bloomingdale’s significantly influenced American fashion, promoting European trends and homegrown designers. 1960s-1970s: The store shifted its merchandise to include haute couture from Paris and Italian home furnishings.

It opened its first single designer-specific department for Halston in 1969, followed by a dedicated Polo Ralph Lauren boutique in the same year. 1975: Bloomingdale’s largest branch opened in White Plains, New York, boasting 260,000 square feet of retail space…