Gertz (department store)

Gertz was a New York-based department store, headquartered in Jamaica, Queens. Founded in 1918 by Benjamin Gertz, along with his five sons, the company was acquired by Allied Stores in 1941.[1][2][3]

Gertz

The shopping plaza in Jamaica, Queens which originally served as the Gertz flagship store.
Former type	Department store
Fate	Folded into Stern's
Successor	Stern's (1982–2001) Macy's (2001–present)
Founded	1918
Founder	Benjamin Gertz
Defunct	1982
Area served	New York metropolitan area
Parent	Allied Stores

Gertz department store in Mid-Island Plaza in Hicksville, Long Island in 1957

Gertz had branch stores in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Flushing, Douglaston, Great Neck, Hicksville, Massapequa, and Lake Grove.[4] The 300,000 square foot Hicksville location was opened in 1956 in the Mid-Island Plaza, known today as Broadway Commons; that store would eventually close in the spring of 2020.[5] In 1981, changing demographics caused the company's first store closure, its flagship Jamaica location. Later, the Bay Shore location was converted to a Stern's and then a Macy's. After Macy's closed the location, the building was demolished and a Lowe's was built on the site.[6]

References

1. Shipp, E. r (9 September 1980). "Some See Gertz Closing As an Ill Wind in Jamaica; Founded in 1918 Concern for the Future 'A Very Traumatic Experience'". Retrieved 6 February 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
2. "Paid Notice: Deaths GERTZ, DIANA RADIN". The New York Times. 16 May 1997. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
3. "Allied Stores Corp". 20 April 1965. Retrieved 6 February 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
4. "Stern's Buildings Demoed - The East Hampton Star". Retrieved 6 February 2017.
5. Times, Special To The New York (17 March 1955). "GERTZ SIGNS FIRST IN BIG L. I. CENTER; Queens Department Store to Occupy Six-Story Building in New Hicksville Project". Retrieved 6 February 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
6. "The on-line museum of North America's independent department stores.". Retrieved August 21, 2013.