The History of Department Store Carson Pirie Scott: From Chicago to Milwaukee
Carson Pirie Scott and Company has quite an interesting story. Founded in 1854 by Samuel Carson and John T Pirie as a dry-goods store in Amboy, Illinois, it quickly grew to four other stores in the surrounding area making it one of the first chain stores in America. They set up a wholesale operation in Chicago in 1864 which burned down in a fire in 1871.
After the flames the company brought in Robert Scott and they changed their name to incorporate their new partner. They continued to prosper and moved into a 12-story building in Chicago. Because of the constant competition from neighbouring department store, Marshall Field and Company, Carson Pirie and Scott branched out into insurance policies as well. They then got into the hotel business at O’Hare Airport and soon into cheese, carpeting and flooring.
Carson Pirie Scott and the Store Purchasing Frenzy During the 20th century the company went on a buying spree, purchasing and borrowing funds from all types of businesses. They borrowed 8 million to buy Dobbs House, an airline caterer and restaurant chain to 234 restaurants.
They struggled with managing their debts but still purchased County Seat, a casual-wear store with 269 units in 33 states. They went on to also purchase MacDonald Companies and Ridgewell’s Inc. Baytree, a department store heavyweight attempted to buy out Carson out on several occasions but to no success. The company was getting bigger and bigger, debt and all.
Bankruptcy for Bergner During the 1980’s the buying and selling game continued until the Carson Company itself was bought by heavyweight PA Bergner and Company. Bergner paid 3 million for Carson Pirie Scott and also took on 0 million of Carson’s debt. The debt turned out to be too much and Bergner went bankrupt.
Carson Pirie Scott: Recent Success in Chicago and the World Bergner’s Swiss parents bailed the company out and, in 1993 the company was back running, changing the name from PA Bergner and Co to Carson Pirie Scott and Co. In 1994 Carson Pirie Scott and Company had 12,000 employees and estimated .16 billion in sales. Their department stores sell anything and everything and include gift registry, bridal registry, a gallery and furniture.
Since then the company is back on its feet. However, in 1998 the company fell under the ownership of Proffit’s Inc which was later renamed Saks. In 2005 The Bon-Ton Stores Inc bought the company which still operates to this day. The famous Chicago landmark store, however, was put to rest, closing its door in 2007.