S. H. Kress & Co. was a prominent American chain of five-and-dime department stores founded by Samuel Henry Kress. Operating from 1896 until 2001, the company became well-known for its elaborately designed storefronts that appeared in numerous cities and towns across the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
The initial venture by Samuel Henry Kress was a stationery and notions shop opened in 1887 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. The formal establishment of the S. H. Kress & Co. 5-10-25 Cent Stores occurred in 1896, with the first store launching in Memphis, Tennessee. During the 1920s and 1930s, Kress marketed its own brand of phonograph records under the Romeo label.
Samuel Henry Kress passed away in 1955.
A significant historical moment connected to the chain took place at the Kress store located at 256 West 125th Street, opposite the Apollo Theater, which was linked to the origins of the Harlem riot of 1935.
Kress stores became focal points during the civil rights movement due to their policy of excluding African Americans from lunch counters. This stance led to protests and sit-ins during the 1960 civil rights demonstrations, alongside other national retailers such as Woolworth's and Rexall. In Nashville, Tennessee, persistent refusal to serve protestors eventually gave way to integration of the downtown Kress location following a consumer boycott. The Kress establishment in Greensboro, North Carolina was part of the earliest civil rights sit-ins in the southern United States. In the landmark case Adickes v. S.H. Kress Co., the U.S. Supreme Court overturned vagrancy convictions stemming from a Mississippi sit-in at a Kress lunch counter. Additionally, Baton Rouge’s first civil rights sit-in took place at its local Kress store, an event credited with helping preserve the building from demolition decades later.
In 1964, ownership transferred to Genesco, Inc., which shifted focus away from downtown locations toward shopping mall outlets. Genesco initiated a gradual shutdown of Kress stores beginning in 1980. On January 1, 1981, remaining stores were sold to McCrory Stores, many of which retained the Kress name until McCrory ceased operations in 2001.
The Puerto Rican subsidiary, Tiendas Kress, outlasted the parent company but ultimately closed its final locations in 2022.
The philanthropic entity known as the Kress Foundation, founded by Samuel Henry Kress in 1929 to support art initiatives, continues to operate independently following the company's dissolution.
The Kress retail chain gained distinction for the distinctive architectural design of its stores.[1] Samuel H. Kress envisioned his outlets as artistic contributions to urban landscapes, aiming to enhance city aesthetics.[2] Numerous former Kress locations are now recognized as significant architectural landmarks and many have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Examples include the 1913 structure on Canal Street in New Orleans, currently housing the New Orleans Ritz-Carlton, and the 1929 neoclassical store in Asheville, North Carolina.[3]
Among the prominent architects for Kress were Seymour Burrell, who received training in New York alongside architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray, and Edward Sibbert,[3] responsible for designing over fifty Art Deco S. H. Kress & Co. stores from 1929 through 1944.
Sibbert's designs refined the Kress brand with a polished modern aesthetic characterized by extensive terracotta detailing and pronounced vertical elements supporting the iconic golden "Kress" signage. Curved glass display windows guided shoppers through substantial bronze doors into interiors adorned with luxurious marbles, exquisite woods, and expansive custom counters arranged longitudinally across the sales floor. Strategically placed hanging lamps illuminated an inviting space showcasing a vast selection of affordable goods (offering 4,275 different products in 1934). The environment—from continuously replenished stock to elegant restrooms and a popular basement soda fountain—was crafted to encourage customers to spend time browsing. Much like the grand cinemas of that era, dime stores such as 'Kress's' served as favored destinations during economically challenging periods.[4][5]
Sibbert’s Mayan Revival style Kress store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, constructed in 1935, was ultimately demolished in 1980.
This seven-story marble edifice was designed with shopper comfort in mind and showcased Art Deco sophistication enhanced by Mayan deities suspended above the sales area and Mayan-inspired hieroglyphic motifs representing gloves, padlocks, and textiles for sale. Recognized with a gold medal for architectural excellence, this store epitomized the pinnacle of luxury, innovation, and retail scale within the Kress enterprise.[4]
The downtown Greensboro location in Greensboro, North Carolina exemplifies the chain’s characteristic use of intricate exterior ornamentation such as coats-of-arms, metalwork accents, and artistic keystone and corner embellishments.
The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. maintains a permanent archive comprising thousands of drawings and photographs documenting the design, construction, and operation of over 200 Kress stores spanning from New York to Hawaii.[2]
Reuse of Kress buildings
Numerous Kress structures across the United States have been repurposed for new uses.
Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Kress building has been acquired by a new proprietor who plans to transform it into a multidisciplinary arts venue.
Asheville, North Carolina: Located on Patton Avenue, the Kress building underwent restoration during the 1990s and currently operates as The Kress Emporium, showcasing local artists. It also houses K2 Studio, a home and furniture retailer, with residential condominiums occupying the upper stories.
Bakersfield, California: Situated at 1401 19th Street in downtown Bakersfield, this Kress building has been adapted into office spaces while retaining its original exterior design and Kress signage.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Originally slated for demolition, this Kress building was preserved in 2005 and subsequently renovated to serve as residential housing.
Berkeley, California: The former Kress location was converted into a discount bookstore; however, the exact date of this change is unclear.
Biloxi, Mississippi: In 2014, the downtown Kress store was transformed into a live music venue known as Kress Live.
Brunswick, Georgia: Converted into a boutique hotel in 2023, the Kress building now features amenities including a climbing gym, piano lounge, and rooftop dining area.
Columbia, South Carolina: This Kress building has been refurbished to include apartments alongside restaurant and office spaces on the ground floor.
Daytona Beach, Florida: Located on Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach, this restored Kress Building features distinct retro-themed floors and accommodates various small businesses as well as Work Webb, a shared office and business center.
Durham, North Carolina: Erected in 1933 at Main and Mangum streets downtown, this Kress building contains fourteen condominium units created in 2007 along with two commercial levels. It preserves numerous Art Deco elements such as metal elevator doors, crown moldings, high ceilings, and original light fixtures. The façade retains the Kress signage and ornamental details.
Fort Worth, Texas: The downtown Fort Worth Kress building from 1936 offers leased residential and office spaces.
Florence, South Carolina: Incorporated into the Downtown Florence Revitalization Project, this former Kress structure will host Town Hall restaurant with a rooftop bar, retail outlets, small condos, and office areas. Much of the construction material was salvaged from the original building to maintain historical authenticity.
Greensboro, North Carolina: This former Kress building accommodates TAVO Restaurant & Tavern along with office space; it also includes a basement nightclub and rooftop entertainment area.
Gastonia, North Carolina: Now home to Sleepy Poet Antique Mall’s second branch, this downtown Gastonia Kress building underwent restoration that preserved many of its original features.
Greeley, Colorado: Since 2008, the intersection of 8th Avenue and 9th Street houses an independent movie theater within the former Kress store.
Hilo, Hawaii: Renovated into the downtown movie theater known as Kress Cinema.
Huntsville, Alabama: After closure and a period of vacancy, this downtown Huntsville Kress store reopened in 2012 with Fubar Nightclub on the main floor. Subsequent additions included Miller’s Tavern karaoke bar in 2013 and Whiskey Bottom Saloon in the basement in 2015. The exterior largely remains original.
Key West, Florida: Located at 500 Duval Street, this building housed Fast Buck Freddie’s department store from 1977 until 2013 and now operates as a 24-hour CVS pharmacy.
Knoxville, Tennessee: Situated at 417 Gay Street, this former Kress Building hosted J’s Mega Mart until 2019. It has since been subdivided into two retail units featuring Frothy Monkey café and specialty coffee roaster (established 2022) alongside Fat Tuesday, a New Orleans-style daiquiri bar.
Lakeland, Florida: The downtown Lakeland Kress Building at 109 Kentucky Avenue is currently occupied by Explorations V Children’s Museum.
Los Angeles: In July 2008, the Los Angeles Kress Building on Hollywood Boulevard briefly operated as The Kress Hollywood nightclub and restaurant. Built in 1935, it also served as Frederick’s of Hollywood flagship boutique for nearly six decades. Additionally, another former location in south Los Angeles has been repurposed.
Memphis, Tennessee: The fourth Main Street Kress store now functions as guest accommodations and conference facilities linked to the adjacent SpringHill Suites hotel.
Meridian, Mississippi: Undergoing renovation with plans (as of early 2016) to become home to Mississippi State University’s Meridian campus kinesiology program.
Mobile, Alabama: This Royal Street Kress building contains offices for Alabama Media Group (Al.com) on its first two floors; the third floor serves as offices for Hargrove Engineers and Constructors—the property owner.
Nashville, Tennessee: The downtown Nashville Kress store on 5th Avenue has been converted into two loft-style residential complexes named Art Avenue Lofts and Kress Lofts.
Orlando, Florida: Downtown Orlando’s former Kress building houses the restaurant known as Kres Chophouse.
Parsons, Kansas: The Main Street site was transformed into an office supply retailer.
Pomona, California: Located on Second Street in downtown Pomona's Antique Row district; this former Kress building functions as an antique market.
Savannah, Georgia: After ceasing operations in 1997 and remaining vacant through 1998, this landmark was renovated and expanded. It now includes a Gap clothing store alongside a basement restaurant and residential apartments while remaining a prominent local landmark.
Seattle: In June 2008 an IGA supermarket named Kress IGA opened in the basement level of Seattle’s former downtown Kress store.
Selma, Alabama: The Broad Street location was later adapted for Butler Truax Jewelers.
Wichita, Kansas: Now referred to as the Kress Energy Center; this building is recognized as Wichita’s finest example of neo-gothic commercial architecture and is listed on municipal, state, and national historic registers.
Yuma, Arizona: In March 2010 the downtown Yuma Main Street location became home to the Kress Ultra Lounge nightclub along with Da Boyz Italian Cuisine.
Among these repurposed sites—the Seattle-based Kress IGA supermarket; Hollywood’s Los Angeles venue; and Hilo’s Hawaii cinema—stand out due to their prominent incorporation of the original Kress name and branding elements within their business identities.
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