Stewart's Department Store

Stewart's Department Store

Industry	Retail
Founded	1901
Founder	Louis Stewart
Defunct	1983
Fate	Rebranded under Caldor discount chain
Headquarters	Baltimore , United States
Products	Department store goods

Stewart's Department Store, also referred to as the Posner Building, is a notable historic retail structure situated on Howard Street in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, it serves as the main office for Catholic Relief Services.

Architecture

The building, created in 1899 by architect Charles E. Cassell, is a six-story edifice constructed with brick and terra cotta supported by a steel framework. It exemplifies an ornate Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style. Decorative elements include intricately fluted Ionic and Corinthian columns, sculpted lion heads, caryatids, wreaths, garlands, cartouches, and a cornice supported by brackets.

In 1999, this landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The original downtown flagship location ceased operations in 1978.

History

Stewart's Department Store originated in 1901 when Louis Stewart purchased the former Posner's Department Store at the intersection of Howard and Lexington Streets. The chain was among the founding participants of Associated Dry Goods (ADG). Unlike many Baltimore department stores established by German-Jewish entrepreneurs, Stewart's was owned by non-Jewish proprietors, although the original Posner founders were Jewish.

The first branch outside the city opened in 1953 along York Road near the boundary between Baltimore city and county. This two-floor store spanned 110,000 square feet and featured expansive glass walls, murals illustrating local landmarks, and a Chesapeake Bay-themed dining area aimed at attracting shoppers from northern neighborhoods.

During the 1960s and 1970s, four more suburban outlets were launched: Reisterstown Road Plaza (1962), Timonium Mall (1969), Westview Shopping Center (1969), and Golden Ring Mall located in Rosedale (1974).

By 1983, all Stewart's suburban locations were rebranded under ADG’s Caldor discount chain.

External links

• , including a 1998 photograph from the Maryland Historical Trust
• Stewart's – Explore Baltimore Heritage
• "Downtown Department Stores and Retail History" Baltimore
• Interior view of Reisterstown Road location
• Exterior view of Reisterstown Road location
• "Camellia Room" at Stewart & Co., Reisterstown Road
• "Chesapeake Room" restaurant at Stewart & Co., Reisterstown Road Plaza
• Article detailing Baltimore department stores