Famous-Barr Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet
White / 2" x 2" / Square
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Keep a small reminder of St. Louis retail history close at hand with this Famous-Barr square porcelain fridge magnet. The brand grew from Motte’s, a local shop founded in 1874, and became Famous-Barr in 1911 through David May’s merger with William Barr Dry Goods Co. Its downtown department store and regional branches made the name familiar to generations of shoppers. This keepsake celebrates a distinct Midwestern identity and the department-store memories that remain part of local history.
Famous-Barr grew from Motte's, a St. Louis boot and shoe store founded by Jesse W. Motte in 1874 at 714 Franklin Street. In 1876, supervisor Joseph Specht became Motte's partner; the business added clothing and moved to 703–705 Franklin Street, appearing in the city directory as Famous, Motte & Specht and becoming popularly known as the Famous Clothing Company. Retailer David May acquired the Famous Clothing Store in 1892 and later acquired William Barr Dry Goods Co. In 1911, he merged the businesses to form Famous-Barr. The company opened a downtown St. Louis department store in 1914, described as the country's first air-conditioned department store. Its first branch opened in Clayton, Missouri, in 1948, followed by a Northland Shopping Center branch in Jennings in 1955. Famous-Barr assumed operational control of L.S. Ayres in Indiana in 1991 and added The Jones Store in Kansas City in 1998; both retained their names. Parent May Department Stores was acquired by Federated on August 30, 2005. Famous-Barr joined Macy's Midwest on February 1, 2006, and its name was retired that September as most regional stores adopted the Macy's name. The downtown store and headquarters closed in summer 2013.
Famous-Barr Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
Keep a small reminder of St. Louis retail history close at hand with this Famous-Barr square porcelain fridge magnet. The brand grew from Motte’s, a local shop founded in 1874, and became Famous-Barr in 1911 through David May’s merger with William Barr Dry Goods Co. Its downtown department store and regional branches made the name familiar to generations of shoppers. This keepsake celebrates a distinct Midwestern identity and the department-store memories that remain part of local history.
Famous-Barr grew from Motte's, a St. Louis boot and shoe store founded by Jesse W. Motte in 1874 at 714 Franklin Street. In 1876, supervisor Joseph Specht became Motte's partner; the business added clothing and moved to 703–705 Franklin Street, appearing in the city directory as Famous, Motte & Specht and becoming popularly known as the Famous Clothing Company. Retailer David May acquired the Famous Clothing Store in 1892 and later acquired William Barr Dry Goods Co. In 1911, he merged the businesses to form Famous-Barr. The company opened a downtown St. Louis department store in 1914, described as the country's first air-conditioned department store. Its first branch opened in Clayton, Missouri, in 1948, followed by a Northland Shopping Center branch in Jennings in 1955. Famous-Barr assumed operational control of L.S. Ayres in Indiana in 1991 and added The Jones Store in Kansas City in 1998; both retained their names. Parent May Department Stores was acquired by Federated on August 30, 2005. Famous-Barr joined Macy's Midwest on February 1, 2006, and its name was retired that September as most regional stores adopted the Macy's name. The downtown store and headquarters closed in summer 2013.
| 2" x 2" | |
| Width, in | 2.00 |
| Height, in | 2.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.25 |
Product features
- 2" square porcelain tile with glossy finish
- Superior coating for bright, true-to-design color reproduction
- Vibrant, crisp printing using modern techniques
- Strong magnet mounted on the backside for secure hold
- Durable glossy surface that highlights fine details and contrasts
Care instructions
- Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth