Loeb's (department store)
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothier |
| Genre | Department Store |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Headquarters | 2209 Front Street, Meridian, Mississippi, United States |
| Key people | Alexander M. Loeb, (Founder) Robert Loeb, (President) |
| Products | Quality/Lifestyle |
| Parent | LOEB'S Inc. |
| Website | www.LOEBSclothing.com |
Loeb's Department Store is a historic specialty boutique department store in Meridian, Mississippi that has remained in the same family for four generations, beginning with Alexander M. Loeb, a merchant from the city.[1] After marrying Mollie Threefoot and moving to Meridian from Columbus, Mississippi in 1887,[2] Loeb opened the store on Johnson Street, and later moved to a new location on 5th Street. Beginning as a mens' apparel store, Loeb's later added ladies' and children's clothing. Today, Loeb's is located on Front Street in Downtown Meridian, MS.
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[edit] History
Alexander M. Loeb, was a leading merchant in Meridian in the late 19th century, and a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3] Loeb, an Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant from Germany, married Mollie Threefoot and moved to Meridian from Columbus, Mississippi in 1887, when he opened the store to sell fine men's clothing.[4]
During Meridian's "golden age" in the early 20th century, it was said that respectable railroad workers would only wear clothes from the Alex Loeb store. The well-dressed Loeb was a colorful character known for his white moustache, ever-present cigar, and hospitable personality; he would personally welcome each customer as he or she entered the store.[2]
During the early 20th century, Loeb's was operated by Alexander M. Loeb's son, A. Marshall Loeb, who graduated from Harvard with an A.B. degree in 1911.[5] The business was eventually passed to A. Marshall Loeb's son, Robert S. Loeb Sr., and his brother Alex Loeb after their graduation from Washington and Lee University in 1939. They also acquired the Marks-Rothenberg Co. department store on 6th Street, and throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s maintained Loeb's as the premier clothier in Mississippi. During the 1980s economic boom, Marks-Rothenberg store was sold to Zales.[6]
The current Loeb's Inc. is now run by Robert S. Loeb Jr., and continues business today in Downtown Meridian, MS.
[edit] Products and services
Loeb's carries lines such as Seven for all Mankind, TOMS Shoes , Hugo Boss, Orvis, Costa Del Mar, Tommy Bahama, Ralph Lauren, Patagonia, J.W.L.A., Kensie, Putter Winbrook, The North Face, Teva Sport Sandals, Bostonian, H.S. Trask, Kavu, Jack Victor, Lacoste, Clarks, Sperry, Calvin Klein, and many more.
Loeb's also provides tuxedo rental services for weddings, formals, and black tie events.[7]
After hosting several blockbuster book signing events, Loeb's was recognized by MR Magazine in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the intriguing development of its latest product trademark, offering a speciality selection of books such as Gridiron Gold by Frascogna, an inspiring book of stories from legendary Mississippi high school football coaches.[8]
The North Face Concept Store at Loeb's features the latest products by The North Face in an interactive shop dedicated entirely to the outdoor clothing brand. The new store is modeled after free-standing North Face stores, right down to the light fixtures and paint.[9]
Since the store first opened its doors in 1887, Loeb's also continues to maintain a buying office in New York City, New York.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.meridianms.org/Downtown.html Retail in Downtown Meridian, Mississippi
- ^ a b http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/ms/meridian.htm ISJL : Digital Archive: Meridian, MS
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA115&dq=AM+Loeb+The+Massachusetts+Institute+of+Technology&lr=&id=Zew7AAAAMAAJ&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES&output=html Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni Association
- ^ http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=majorsassy2&id=I3473 Threefoot family
- ^ http://google.com/search?q=cache:ovriiOXF_OYJ:freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~majorsassy/books.htm+Loeb+Meridian,+MS+Alex&cd=20&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Turitz & Turitz, 1995
- ^ Mitchell, Dennis J. (2006). A Rich Past A Vibrant Future: The History & Renovation of the Marks Rothenberg and Grand Opera House Buildings. Mississippi State University; Commercial Printing Company.
- ^ http://www.meridianstar.com/archivesearch/local_story_125000948.html Elite Retailer of the Year
- ^ http://www.mrketplace.com/content/features/issue-overview/issue-story/?no_cache=1&tx_magissue_pi1%5Bpointer%5D=9&tx_magissue_pi1%5Bmode%5D=1&tx_magissue_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=434 MR Magazine
- ^ "A new addition » Local News". Meridian Star. 2009-11-07. http://www.meridianstar.com/archivesearch/local_story_312000531.html. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
