Posted on 12/23/2018 5:05:04 AM PST by Cecily
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco’s oldest department store, Gump’s, is closing its doors after 157 years in business.
Shoppers rummaged through what remained at the iconic store Thursday, with all items marked down 70 percent to 90 percent off.
Gump’s was founded in 1861 as a frame and mirror shop.
It transformed itself into an exclusive store, located in the city’s Union Square neighborhood, catering to a clientele that craved engraved note cards, crystal vases, fancy dinnerware and an array of luxury items.
(Excerpt) Read more at japantimes.co.jp ...
Lost out to Pottery Barn, no doubt....
Poor Forrest.
I was thinking more of this Gump.
Let me guess. Business is down because tourism is down because the government would rather cater to homeless drug addicts who use the sidewalks as their bathroom.
Here’s one take. Not sure I buy it, ha ha...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenshoulberg/2018/08/06/gumps-rip-rest-in-the-past/
No, another article said that most of their sales were online, but that they didn’t expand their customer base to younger customers and stock what younger customers would by. “Lost out to Pottery Barn” (and other competitors) as another FReeper said is more likely the reason.
Do young people today even register for fine china, silver and crystal when they get married? Their wedding registries seem to be at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel now.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Amazing times we live in for sure.
Black can be white, male can be female, up is down
So many lies are told, as matter of fact, everyday by influential people.
Also Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Was Nancy there at the Grand Opening?
Great...
My Mom dies and a store she would drag me around in, as a child, and I have many great memories of is gone as well.
Merry Christmas...
Damnit
After 21 years of marriage the fine China has been used about a dozen times, the silverware needs polishing and has been used even less. The crystal sits in the display cabinet unnoticed collecting dust. My advice, spend money on more useful items.
While they’re at it, why not close Playland and The Emporium’s as well...
My sympathy for the loss of your mother. The store may close but nothing can take your great memories away.
My wife and daughters like to buy from Pottery Barn.
Every time I have to put something from PB together or hang it on a wall, I am amazed at what total garbage it is.
There’s nothing at all good about it.
S allright.
Was gonna happen eventually but, no more Christmas with Mom.
Just memories
Watched a kewel movie with a friend last night.
She lost her son two months ago
Movie is “Our Town” 1940.
Human beings are eternal...
That’s a shame. It is great to order online but I hate to see stores go out of business that have rare and one-of-a-kind items. They might have something interesting to look at if way out of your price range. Meanwhile you might find something nice but affordable. Why does shopping have to be just like Wal-Mart anymore?
Perhaps you should think about entertaining more?
Hmmm.
I wonder if Paladin got his business cards there?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.