Ormond Shops
| Formerly | Ormond Hosiery Shops |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Defunct | 1994 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | North Bergen, NJ, |
Number of locations | 40 (1968) 62 (1975) 121 (1982) 190 (1990) 204 (1993) 148 (1994, pre-bankruptcy) 85 (1994, post-bankruptcy) |
Area served | Eastern US |
| Products | Women's apparel, dance wear, and hosiery |
Ormond Shops, initially known as Ormond Hosiery Shops, was a U.S.-based retail chain specializing in women's clothing, predominantly operating within shopping malls from the 1930s until its closure in 1994.
History
The origins of Ormond Shops trace back to the early 1930s when it was established as Ormond Hosiery Shops, retailing hosiery produced by Triumph Hosiery Mills.[1] By 1934, the business had expanded into a modest chain with locations in cities such as Frederick, Maryland, Hagerstown, Maryland, and York, Pennsylvania, among others.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The brand's name was inspired by Ormond Beach, Florida—a place favored by founder Herbert N. Goodman.[1]
By 1968, the company had increased its footprint to 40 stores across eight states.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This period marked a strategic shift as the chain ventured into new malls and shopping centers while diversifying its merchandise beyond hosiery to include a broader range of women's apparel such as dresses, blouses, dancewear, sweaters, skirts, and lingerie.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In 1982, Ormond Shops operated 121 mall-based stores, with all outlets connected electronically to the corporate headquarters located in North Bergen, New Jersey.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The chain reached its zenith in 1993 with a total of 204 stores in operation.[2] That same year saw the launch of "Ormond Woman," a subsidiary chain targeting women’s casual sportswear and career apparel in sizes ranging from 14 to 24. This expansion involved opening 28 new stores and was described by Chairman and President Lawrence B. Goodman as a pivotal milestone for the company.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On April 5, 1994, Ormond Shops filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Initially, this restructuring involved closing 63 locations with plans for recovery.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name However, by December of that year, the decision was made to shut down all remaining 85 stores. Of these, 33 were acquired by rival Canadians Corp.[2]