Lansburgh's
Encyclopedia
Lansburgh's was a chain of department stores located in the Washington, D.C. area. The clientele were lower- to middle-income consumers.
The initial Seventh Street flagship downtown store was located on and constructed in 1882, and was a work of architect Adolf Cluss
. The store was greatly expanded in 1916, 1924 and 1941 out to Eight Street. During the 1970s and 1980s, the store building was used for offices and warehouse space. The former flagship store on 7th Street was at the forefront of the revitalized Penn Quarter section of downtown Washington, D.C.
followed in 1959, with a $2.5 million, 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) branch at Shirlington Shopping Center in Arlington, Virginia. The chain was slow to open other suburban branches. The 160000 square feet (14,864.5 m²) store at Tysons Corner International Shopping Center
opened on October 19, 1969, after protracted battles regarding leases dating back to 1962. Because of that fight, the chain was slow to expand to other malls opening the Washington, D.C. suburbs. This was followed by the store at Rockville Mall
on February 14, 1972, and a 160000 square feet (14,864.5 m²) store at Springfield Mall
in March 1973.
History
The first store, at 7th and E Streets, NW, in Washington, D.C. opened on October 30, 1860. The founders were James and Gustav Lansburgh. The company was known initially for supplying the black crepe used for the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln. Lansburgh's installed the first elevator (wooden) in a commercial building in the District of Columbia. The company remained family owned until its acquisition by City Stores, Inc. in 1951. At the time of its final liquidation in June 1973, the chain ranked eighth in the Washington D.C. retail market, with sales of $28.5 million.Flagship store
Adolf Cluss
Adolf Cluss was a German-born American immigrant who became one of the most important architects in Washington, D.C., in the late 19th century, responsible for the design of numerous schools and other notable public buildings in the capital.He was born in 1825 in Heilbronn in the Kingdom of...
. The store was greatly expanded in 1916, 1924 and 1941 out to Eight Street. During the 1970s and 1980s, the store building was used for offices and warehouse space. The former flagship store on 7th Street was at the forefront of the revitalized Penn Quarter section of downtown Washington, D.C.
Branch stores
In 1955, Lansburgh's opened its first suburban branch at Langley Park, MarylandLangley Park, Maryland
Langley Park is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It is located inside the Capital Beltway, on the northwest edge of Prince George's County, Maryland, bordering Montgomery County, Maryland....
followed in 1959, with a $2.5 million, 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) branch at Shirlington Shopping Center in Arlington, Virginia. The chain was slow to open other suburban branches. The 160000 square feet (14,864.5 m²) store at Tysons Corner International Shopping Center
Tysons Corner Center
Tysons Corner Center, located in the Tysons Corner unincorporated area in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States , opened to the public in 1968, becoming one of the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping centers in the Washington Metropolitan Area...
opened on October 19, 1969, after protracted battles regarding leases dating back to 1962. Because of that fight, the chain was slow to expand to other malls opening the Washington, D.C. suburbs. This was followed by the store at Rockville Mall
Rockville Mall
Rockville Mall was an indoor shopping mall in Rockville, Maryland. Opened in 1972, the mall originated as part of an urban renewal project. Much of it was demolished in 1995, and later replaced with Rockville Town Center.-History:...
on February 14, 1972, and a 160000 square feet (14,864.5 m²) store at Springfield Mall
Springfield Mall (Virginia)
Springfield Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Springfield, Virginia, located at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Franconia Road which is part of the Springfield Interchange. The mall is also located 1/4 mile north of Franconia-Springfield Parkway and the Franconia-Springfield metro station...
in March 1973.