America’s Oldest Department Store Closes Its Doors Following Almost 200 Years
2020 will always be remembered as a year of great upheaval characterized by the coronavirus epidemic, the sad loss of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, and civic disturbance following the murder of George Floyd. Among these social issues, the pandemic’s economic effects did terrible damage to numerous sectors, including retail. Longstanding department businesses, already under strain against the emergence of internet behemoths like Amazon, faced impossible challenges. Among the most notable fatalities was America’s oldest department store chain, Lord & Taylor, which announced closing of all 38 surviving locations following over two centuries in operation.