Filene's Basement 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 piece of Boston shopping history in view. Filene's Basement opened beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in 1909 and became known for bargain merchandise and automatic markdowns that reduced prices at set intervals. The store grew into an off-price chain, while its Boston roots remained central to its identity. After the last stores closed in 2011, the name returned online in 2015. This magnet is a keepsake for former shoppers and regional retail-history collectors.
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 Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
Keep a small piece of Boston shopping history in view. Filene's Basement opened beneath the Filene's department store at Downtown Crossing in 1909 and became known for bargain merchandise and automatic markdowns that reduced prices at set intervals. The store grew into an off-price chain, while its Boston roots remained central to its identity. After the last stores closed in 2011, the name returned online in 2015. This magnet is a keepsake for former shoppers and regional retail-history collectors.
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.
| 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