In the 1840s, Adam Gimbel opened a humble dry goods store in Vincennes, Indiana, that began a retail dynasty spanning 144 years. At its peak, the store offered warm service and affordable goods at over thirty locations in four "Gimbels cities." Former customers still wistfully recall the wonders of Toyland and Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, the New York City store's famous rivalry with Macy's, the decadent Annaclairs of the Pittsburgh candy department and Gertie the duck, whose brood captured the imagination of Milwaukee. With fond memories from family members and Gimbelites, a few classic recipes and celebrity interviews from the likes of Gene London and Dick Clark, retail historian Michael J. Lisicky celebrates the remarkable history of this beloved department store.
