Bloomingdale's 
is America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department 
store; and a division of Macy's, Inc. It was 
founded in 1872 and in 2008 operates 40 stores in New York, 
New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, 
Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and California. 
For more information, or to shop any time, visit
https://www.bloomingdales.com/. 
  
| 
1860-1879 | 
A Store Is 
Born 
To think it all started with a 19th 
century fad - the hoop skirt. That was the first item 
that Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale carried in their 
Ladies' Notions Shop in New York's Lower East Side. 
In the late 1800's, most fashion retailers specialized 
in just one type of garment. Not the brothers Bloomingdale 
- their East Side Bazaar, opened in 1872, sold a wide 
variety of European fashions. It was the beginning of 
what would become a "Department Store".
 | 
 
| 
1880-1929 | 
Moving Up 
In The World 
In 1886 came the visionary move uptown 
to 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. The store expanded 
steadily and by the 1920's, Bloomingdale's converted 
an entire city block.  | 
 
| 
1900-1910 | 
Read All 
About It 
Flexing his marketing muscle, Lyman 
created splashy ad campaigns to bring people in the 
door. People started seeing the "All Cars Transfer 
to Bloomingdale's" slogan everywhere - on billboards, 
delivery wagons, and even ladies' beach umbrellas.
 | 
 
| 
1940's | 
Lights - 
Camera - Action! 
Print ads couldn't say it all. The store 
had to be experienced. So Bloomingdale's became the 
stage for gala events and fashion shows, including "Woman 
Of The Year, 1947." With music, lighting and sophistication, 
it was retailing as theater.  | 
 
| 
1960's | 
It's In The 
Bag 
It's not just what you buy - it's what 
you take it home in, too. We've always looked for new 
ways to be creative. In 1961, the Bloomingdale's team 
came up with the first designer shopping bags. Since 
then, many have become collector's items.  | 
 
| 
1970's | 
Not A Store, 
But A Destination 
By the 70's, everyone was stopping by 
59th Street and Lexington Avenue for a look - including 
Queen Elizabeth. People came to see and to be seen. 
Once there, they were dazzled by the cutting-edge fashion 
of designers like Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and Norma 
Kamali, who got their first truly big opportunities 
at Bloomingdale's.  | 
 
| 
2000+ | 
Looking Forward 
Bloomingdale's is committed to once 
again lead the way with exclusive merchandise, customized 
services, and alternative shopping venues. Carrying 
on the Bloomingdale's brothers' dream, we're always 
finding ways to set our stores apart. That's both the 
legacy and the promise of Bloomingdale's.  | 
 
 
 
 
 
Bloomingdale's Will Open a Store In Dubai (UAE) in 2010  
Fashion Article Posted September 22, 2008 
Read more
Bloomingdale's 
News. 
  
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