N. Snellenburg & Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail, garment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Founder | Joseph Snellenburg |
| Fate | Store ceased business in 1962; suburban outlets sold to Lit Brothers |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
Area served | Philadelphia, Wilmington (Delaware), Willow Grove (Pennsylvania), Broomall (Pennsylvania), Atlantic City (New Jersey) |
Key people | Nathan Snellenburg, Samuel Snellenburg, Simon L. Bloch, Joseph J. Snellenburg, David Snellenburg |
| Products | Clothing, department store goods |
Number of employees | 3000 |
| Parent | Bankers Securities Corporation (from c. 1952) |
N. Snellenburg & Company, frequently referred to as Snellenburg's, was a department store and wholesale garment manufacturer based in Philadelphia, catering primarily to the middle-class market and established in 1869. It expanded to become the largest clothing manufacturer worldwide, employing a workforce of approximately 3,000 individuals. By selling products directly from its production facilities to customers, the company was able to offer competitive pricing under the motto "The Thrifty Store for Thrifty People." Around 1952, ownership transferred to Bankers Securities Corporation, controlled by Albert M. Greenfield, although the family continued managing operations until the store ceased business in 1962. Subsequently, its suburban outlets were purchased by Lit Brothers.
Flagship store and factory
The enterprise was started by Joseph Snellenburg on South Street before moving in 1889 to the notable intersection of 12th and Market Streets within Philadelphia’s "Girard Estate" district. At that period, key figures included Nathan Snellenburg, Samuel Snellenburg, Simon L. Bloch, and Joseph J. Snellenburg. The Snellenburg's Clothing Factory located at 642 N. Broad St., constructed in 1905, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Similarly, their Department Store Warehouse at 1825–1851 N. 10th St., built in 1914, received historic designation in 2003. The men's annex at 34 South 11th Street initially housed the Community College of Philadelphia starting in 1965 and later functioned as Family Court until 2015. The main building at 12th and Market underwent reduction to two stories during redevelopment associated with the Reading Terminal project before being fully demolished in 2015.
Wilmington store
In 1895, a branch was established at Seventh and Market Streets in Wilmington, Delaware, overseen by David Snellenburg. This Market Street location closed its doors in 1932 owing to economic hardships from the Great Depression and rivalry with James T Mullen’s nearby business. From 1932 through 1938, a distribution facility operated at 207 Vandever Ave.
Into the suburbs
Snellenburg's ventured into suburban retail with the opening of a store in October 1953 at the Snellenburg Shopping Center located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Other branches were situated at 24th and Oregon Ave. in Philadelphia; Lawrence Park & Sproul in Broomall, Pennsylvania; as well as downtown Atlantic City, New Jersey at Atlantic & Carolina avenues. On October 29, 1960, presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy delivered speeches at both the Philadelphia and Broomall stores. Following the closure of its central Philadelphia location in 1962, Snellenburg's sold its suburban outlets to Lit Brothers.