Gimbels

Known as Gimbels, the first store was founded in 1842 by Adam Gimbel in Indiana. In time, the family opened stores in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York City. Interestingly, they sponsored the 1920 Gimbels Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia to spur holiday shopping. (Macy’s copied the idea in 1924!). The store even played a role in the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street. Sadly, the company was eventually purchased (by the company that also owned Kohl’s), and the doors closed for good in 1986.