Filene's Basement Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
Skip to product information
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Mark a place in Boston retail history with an ornament honoring Filene's Basement. Its story began in 1909 beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing, where surplus goods and scheduled automatic markdowns made bargain shopping distinctive. The chain expanded beyond its original home, its last stores closed in 2011, and the name returned online in 2015. For department-store collectors and former shoppers, this keepsake recalls a memorable New England institution and the excitement of discovering a deal.
Filene's Basement began in 1909 beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in Boston. Edward A. Filene had proposed selling surplus, overstock, and closeout merchandise there; the store was first called Filene's Automatic Bargain Basement. Its low-technology automatic markdown system became a distinctive feature: merchandise was reduced at set intervals if it remained unsold. The Basement and Filene's Department Store were initially owned by Federated Department Stores. After Federated's acquisition by Campeau, the Basement was spun off as a privately held company headquartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Filene's was acquired by May Department Stores in 1988, while the Basement pursued expansion and filed for Chapter 11 protection in 1999, later resuming growth. Value City Department Stores acquired it in 2000; the company subsequently operated under Retail Ventures. The Boston flagship closed in 2007 for redevelopment. Amid the 2009 economic crisis, Retail Ventures sold the chain; after bankruptcy proceedings, Syms and Vornado won the asset auction. Syms later filed for bankruptcy, and the last stores closed on December 29, 2011. Trinity Place Holdings acquired rights to the name in 2012, and the brand returned as an online retailer in fall 2015.
Filene's Basement Ceramic Ornament
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
Mark a place in Boston retail history with an ornament honoring Filene's Basement. Its story began in 1909 beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing, where surplus goods and scheduled automatic markdowns made bargain shopping distinctive. The chain expanded beyond its original home, its last stores closed in 2011, and the name returned online in 2015. For department-store collectors and former shoppers, this keepsake recalls a memorable New England institution and the excitement of discovering a deal.
Filene's Basement began in 1909 beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in Boston. Edward A. Filene had proposed selling surplus, overstock, and closeout merchandise there; the store was first called Filene's Automatic Bargain Basement. Its low-technology automatic markdown system became a distinctive feature: merchandise was reduced at set intervals if it remained unsold. The Basement and Filene's Department Store were initially owned by Federated Department Stores. After Federated's acquisition by Campeau, the Basement was spun off as a privately held company headquartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Filene's was acquired by May Department Stores in 1988, while the Basement pursued expansion and filed for Chapter 11 protection in 1999, later resuming growth. Value City Department Stores acquired it in 2000; the company subsequently operated under Retail Ventures. The Boston flagship closed in 2007 for redevelopment. Amid the 2009 economic crisis, Retail Ventures sold the chain; after bankruptcy proceedings, Syms and Vornado won the asset auction. Syms later filed for bankruptcy, and the last stores closed on December 29, 2011. Trinity Place Holdings acquired rights to the name in 2012, and the brand returned as an online retailer in fall 2015.
| Heart | Round | |
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Product features
- 100% white ceramic construction — strong and durable
- Double-sided print with matte finish option
- Golden hanging string included
- UV-decorated for lasting color
- Available in white or gold gift packaging (single ornament per pack)
Care instructions
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing