Kroch's and Brentano's Luggage Tag
2.4'' × 4''
$16.99
Sale price
$16.99
Regular price
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Carry a piece of Chicago bookselling history on your travels with this Kroch's and Brentano's luggage tag. The story began with Adolph Kroch's Monroe Street bookstore in 1907 and grew into a landmark downtown flagship after the 1954 merger with Brentano's Chicago branch. At its height, the chain served readers through 22 stores across the Chicago area. This design celebrates a memorable name in the city's literary and retail past, and makes a thoughtful choice for book lovers and Chicago history enthusiasts.
Kroch's and Brentano's was formed in Chicago in 1954 by combining Adolph Kroch's bookstore with the Chicago branch of Brentano's. Kroch, an Austrian immigrant, opened a German-language bookstore on Monroe Street in 1907, later switching to English-language books during World War I. His business moved to 22 N. Michigan and, in 1927, to 206 N. Michigan Avenue, where it became Chicago's largest bookstore before closing there in 1953. Brentano's Chicago branch dated to 1884, when Arthur Brentano opened it at 101 State Street. After Brentano's filed for bankruptcy in 1933, Kroch and financier Stanton Griffis acquired the firm; Kroch received the Chicago branch and rights to the Brentano's name in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Kroch operated the two bookstores separately until the 1954 merger, which created a 40,000-square-foot flagship at 29 S. Wabash Avenue. At its peak, the chain had 22 stores in the Chicago metropolitan area. Carl Kroch sold it to its 700 employees in 1986; after financial difficulties, it was resold to Businesship International. The company filed for bankruptcy in June 1995 and was liquidated. Its remaining stores closed on July 31, 1995.
Kroch's and Brentano's Luggage Tag
$16.99
Sale price
$16.99
Regular price
Carry a piece of Chicago bookselling history on your travels with this Kroch's and Brentano's luggage tag. The story began with Adolph Kroch's Monroe Street bookstore in 1907 and grew into a landmark downtown flagship after the 1954 merger with Brentano's Chicago branch. At its height, the chain served readers through 22 stores across the Chicago area. This design celebrates a memorable name in the city's literary and retail past, and makes a thoughtful choice for book lovers and Chicago history enthusiasts.
Kroch's and Brentano's was formed in Chicago in 1954 by combining Adolph Kroch's bookstore with the Chicago branch of Brentano's. Kroch, an Austrian immigrant, opened a German-language bookstore on Monroe Street in 1907, later switching to English-language books during World War I. His business moved to 22 N. Michigan and, in 1927, to 206 N. Michigan Avenue, where it became Chicago's largest bookstore before closing there in 1953. Brentano's Chicago branch dated to 1884, when Arthur Brentano opened it at 101 State Street. After Brentano's filed for bankruptcy in 1933, Kroch and financier Stanton Griffis acquired the firm; Kroch received the Chicago branch and rights to the Brentano's name in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Kroch operated the two bookstores separately until the 1954 merger, which created a 40,000-square-foot flagship at 29 S. Wabash Avenue. At its peak, the chain had 22 stores in the Chicago metropolitan area. Carl Kroch sold it to its 700 employees in 1986; after financial difficulties, it was resold to Businesship International. The company filed for bankruptcy in June 1995 and was liquidated. Its remaining stores closed on July 31, 1995.
| 2.4'' × 4'' | |
| Width, in | 2.40 |
| Height, in | 4.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.20 |
Product features
- Durable 100% acrylic body with glossy printed front
- Adjustable black leather strap with buckle
- One-side high-definition print in vibrant colors
- Rear opening pocket for business card or contact info
- Compact size 2.4” × 4” (6 × 10 cm)
Care instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth, air dry or use a soft, non-abrasive cloth
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Generic brand, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Care instructions: Wipe with a damp cloth, air dry or use a soft, non-abrasive cloth