Strouss
| File:Strouss-Kaufmann's transition logo.png | |
| Company type | Department store chain |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founder | Isaac Strouss, Bernard Hirshberg |
| Fate | Merged into Kaufmann's in 1986 |
| Headquarters | Youngstown , United States |
Area served | Ohio, Pennsylvania |
Key people | C.J. Strouss (president) |
| Products | Department store goods |
| Parent | May Company (acquired 1947) |
Strouss operated as a department store chain primarily serving regions in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
History
Originally established as Strouss-Hirshberg Co. by Isaac Strouss and Bernard Hirshberg, two young American entrepreneurs of Jewish heritage, the business began modestly but grew substantially over time. It became the dominant department store in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. After its acquisition by the May Company in 1947, the brand name was shortened to Strouss. Under the leadership of C.J. Strouss, who served as president, the company expanded its presence throughout northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. In 1986, May Company decided to merge the Strouss division into Kaufmann's, leading to the closure of numerous former Strouss locations by 1987. This consolidation was influenced by economic challenges in the Youngstown metropolitan area and May Company's strategic focus on mall-based retail outlets within the Kaufmann's division.