Raleigh Haberdasher, more commonly called Raleigh's, was a high end, local men's and women's furnishings store based in Washington, D.C.

History

The first store opened on February 16, 1911, at 1109 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in the Raleigh Hotel. Mr. Clarence Grosner was the first store operator.

Men who give thought to care and taste in their dress will be interested to hear of the opening today of The Raleigh Haberdasher at 1109 Pennsylvania avenue. Mr. Clarence W. Grosner, who for many years has been well known in Washington as a popular caterer to the sartorial wants of man, will be in charge of this new emporium, which is an assurance that everything will be strictly up-to-date and first class. The place has been thoroughly remodeled and the fixtures are of the latest and most attractive design. The aim of the Raleigh Haberdasher will be to sell the very newest and best in exclusive furnishings and hats for men at the lowest prices.

In 1952, Sidney Lansburgh and his family purchased the company from the estate of Clarence Grosner. He would remain President and Chief Executive Officer of the Raleigh Stores Corp. until his death in 1983. Raleigh's remained an independent,family owned corporation until 1984, when it was acquired by an investor group headed by New York retail entrepreneur Neal J. Fox. In 1987, Fox purchased the

Garfinckel's Garfinckel's was a prominent department store Chain store, chain based in Washington, D.C. that catered to a customer, clientele of wealthy consumers. Its flagship store at 14th and F in the city's F Street shopping district is listed on the Nati ...

department store chain for $95 million in a leveraged buyout. The following year, Fox was ousted by investors and Raleigh's was acquired by

Hartmarx Hart Schaffner Marx is an American manufacturer of tailored menswear owned by New York-based Authentic Brands Group. Founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1911 as "Hart Schaffner & Marx", the company is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. History T ...

. In September 1992, after Hartmarx sold Raleigh's along with other retail stores to the investors group HSSA Group Ltd., they announced the decision to close the chain six days after purchasing it. The chain closed in December 1992.

Flagship store

In 1923 the downtown store moved to 1310 F Street, NW. That store would remain the flagship store and headquarters until 1971, and remain open until January 1980. It was demolished and replaced by

The Shops at National Place The Shops at National Place was a three-level, indoor shopping mall located in downtown Washington, D.C. in the 16-story National Place Building. It is located on the block bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, F Street, between 13th and 14th Streets ...

. In 1971, the company moved its flagship store to 1133 Connecticut Ave., NW, in a location formerly occupied by Erlebacher's. In 1986, that store was sold for $7.5 million and the store moved to a "temporary location" across the street 1130 Connecticut Ave., NW."Raleighs Sells Flagship Store for $7.5 Million," by Paul Thiel, ''The Washington Post'', p. D1. It would return to its former flagship for its liquidation sale in late 1992.

References

{{reflist

External links

View of Raleigh Haberdasher shop window, 1910 F Street, NW, ca. 1925, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Call Number: LOT 12353-9
Defunct department stores based in Washington, D.C. Defunct companies based in Washington, D.C. Clothing retailers of the United States Retail companies established in 1911 Retail companies disestablished in 1992 1911 establishments in Washington, D.C. 1992 disestablishments in Washington, D.C.