Filene's Basement Passport Cover
3.9" x 5.8" / Black
$28.99
Sale price
$28.99
Regular price
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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Carry a story of Boston retail history on your travels. Filene's Basement opened beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in 1909, offering surplus and closeout merchandise to bargain-minded shoppers. Its automatic markdown system became a signature feature, and the company expanded from its Boston beginnings before its last stores closed in 2011. The name later returned online in 2015. This passport cover makes a thoughtful keepsake for travelers, New Englanders, and collectors of department-store history.
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 Passport Cover
$28.99
Sale price
$28.99
Regular price
Carry a story of Boston retail history on your travels. Filene's Basement opened beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in 1909, offering surplus and closeout merchandise to bargain-minded shoppers. Its automatic markdown system became a signature feature, and the company expanded from its Boston beginnings before its last stores closed in 2011. The name later returned online in 2015. This passport cover makes a thoughtful keepsake for travelers, New Englanders, and collectors of department-store history.
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.
| 3.9" x 5.8" | |
| Height, in | 5.79 |
| Width (Closed), in | 3.94 |
| Width (Open), in | 8.03 |
| Depth, in | 0.39 |
Product features
- Two card slots plus pockets for boarding passes or IDs
- Cruelty-free black PU faux leather exterior
- RFID-blocking lining to protect against skimming
- One-size fits most passports (3.9″ × 5.8″)
- Vibrant front-cover print with potential edge fading on darker solids
Care instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth, air dry or use a soft, non-abrasive cloth