Gimbels: Gone But Not Forgotten (Mostly Forgotten, Actually?)
Okay, history buffs and lovers of retail nostalgia, gather 'round! Today, we're diving deep (like, really deep, past the sale bins and the perfume counters) into the story of Gimbels, the department store that was once a New York City icon. And the burning question on everyone's lips (or at least, the question I'm pretending is on everyone's lips): When did this retail giant finally close its doors?
When Did Gimbels Close In New York City |
The Rise and Fall (Mostly Fall, Let's Be Honest)
Gimbels wasn't just a store; it was the store. Okay, maybe not the store, but it was definitely a store. Think Macy's, but...less Macy's. They were rivals, you know, like Coke and Pepsi, but with more clothes and less sugary beverages. Gimbels was known for its, shall we say, competitive pricing. They weren't afraid to slash prices lower than their competitors, which, in retrospect, might have been a bit of a "race to the bottom" strategy. But hey, who doesn't love a good bargain? (Besides, like, every high-end fashion designer ever.)
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A Brief Interlude About Shopping in the Olden Days
Imagine, if you will, a time before Amazon Prime, before online shopping, before even mall shopping. People actually had to leave their houses to buy things! (I know, shocking, right?) And Gimbels was there, ready to outfit them in everything from hats to, well, probably more hats. I'm picturing a lot of hats.
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The Great Gimbel Exodus (aka Closing Time)
So, the million-dollar question (or maybe the slightly-less-than-a-million-dollar question, given their pricing strategy): When did Gimbels finally call it quits in NYC? Drumroll, please… [insert dramatic pause here] …1986! Yes, the year of big hair, leg warmers, and the tragic demise of Gimbels.
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Why Did They Go? (Besides the Obvious Hat Overload)
There are a few theories. Some say it was the rise of discount stores (ironic, considering they were a discount store). Others blame poor management. And then there's the theory that people just got tired of wearing so many hats. Whatever the reason, Gimbels closed its doors, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts (and closets) of New Yorkers.
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Gimbels: A Legacy of… Well, Something
Gimbels might be gone, but it's not entirely forgotten. You can still find remnants of the store in old photos and, if you're really lucky, maybe even a vintage Gimbel's shopping bag at a flea market. (Frame it! It'll be worth… something someday.) And who knows, maybe one day, Gimbels will make a comeback. Stranger things have happened. (Like, remember when parachute pants were a thing?)
Frequently Asked (and Probably Already Answered) Questions
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How to find old photos of Gimbels? A quick internet search for "Gimbels New York City photos" should do the trick. Prepare for a wave of nostalgia (or mild confusion, depending on your age).
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How to tell the difference between Gimbels and Macy's? Besides the obvious "Gimbels is closed" thing, Macy's is still around. Also, Macy's has a giant star. Gimbels… didn't. (As far as I know.)
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How to dress like it's the Gimbels era? Think big hair, shoulder pads, and maybe a hat. (Just kidding about the hats. Mostly.) A trip to a thrift store is your best bet.
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How to explain Gimbels to someone who's never heard of it? Tell them it was like Macy's, but less… Macy's. Or just show them this post.
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How to start a petition to bring back Gimbels? I admire your enthusiasm! However, I'm not sure a petition would work. Maybe try writing a strongly worded letter? To… someone. I'm not sure who. But hey, shoot for the stars! (Or, you know, the slightly less shiny star that Gimbels probably had.)
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