Information AboutLipmans |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LIPMANS | |
| companies established in 1880 | |
| 1980 disestablishments | |
| defunct department stores of the united states | |
| defunct companies of oregon | |
| businesses in portland, oregon | |
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Lipmans was a Department Store chain based in Portland, Oregon . The company was originally known as '''Lipman-Wolfe & Company''', named after the two founding partners; Adolphe Wolfe and his uncle, Soloman Lipman. It is now defunct. HISTORY In 1850, Lipman and Wolfe formed a partnership in Sacramento, California during the California Gold Rush . They became prosperous merchants, expanding into Nevada during the great silver rushes. The later decline of the Comstock Lode impacted the business, prompting Wolfe to move to Portland in 1880. Wolfe opened a new store in Portland, re-establishing his business. Floods and space limitations forced the store to move three times, the last of which was in 1912 when the flagship store was opened at Fifth and Washington Streets. The new store was just across the street from Meier & Frank 's flagship store, sparking an intense rivalry. Lipmans was well-known locally for establishing several "firsts" in Portland retail history:
By the end of its identidy, the Lipmans brand had grown into a chain of six stores. Adolphe Wolfe died in 1938, passing the company on to his nephew. In the 1950's, the Wolfe family sold Lipmans to the Dayton Hudson Company, which kept the Lipmans brand as a division. Marshall Field's bought all six stores and re-branded them as Frederick & Nelson in 1980. CINNAMON BEAR Lipmans is probably best remembered for the Cinnamon Bear, a popular Portland Christmas time tradition since 1939. The Cinnamon Bear was introduced as a Lipmans-sponsored radio story character, meant to count down the days until Christmas. Along with Santa Claus , His costumed likeness appeared every Christmas at Lipmans stores handing out cookies to children. Frederick & Nelson continued the practice after absorbing the brand. The Cinnamon Bear survives today as a souvineer at the Fifth Avenue Suites. PORTLAND FLAGSHIP STORE REUSE Frederick & Nelson closed the former Lipmans flagship store during a reorganization of the chain in 1986. Ten years and a massive renovation later, the ten-story, half-block building reopened as the Fifth Avenue Suites, a 222 room hotel. EXTERNAL LINKS
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