Watt & Shand
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1879 |
| Founder | Peter T. Watt, James Shand, Gilbert Thompson |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Acquired by The Bon-Ton |
| Headquarters | Lancaster , United States |
| Products | Department store goods (dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear, jewelry) |
| Parent | The Bon-Ton (from 1992) |
Watt & Shand was a department store based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that operated from 1879 until 1992.
History
In Hartford, Connecticut, three mercantile apprentices—Peter T. Watt (28), Gilbert Thompson (32), and James Shand (29)—launched the New York Store on March 9, 1878, which served as the forerunner to Watt & Shand. This establishment offered a selection of both foreign and domestic dry goods alongside premium merchandise. The initial sale recorded was a 100% wool plaid shawl priced at $5. Renowned for exceptional customer care, the New York Store reportedly adhered to an informal practice of staying open until its last shopper completed their purchases. Tragically, partner Gilbert Thompson passed away within the first year of operation.
Following Thompson’s death, Peter Watt and James Shand renamed the business Watt, Shand and Company. By 1880, the store relocated to 8-10 East King Street in Lancaster. The name was abbreviated to Watt & Shand in 1885, coinciding with an expansion into adjacent space at 6 East King Street. Four years later, in 1889, the store introduced a ladies' ready-to-wear section featuring coats, suits, dresses, and undergarments.
In 1905, Watt & Shand expanded by acquiring three neighboring properties at 23 Penn Square, incorporating Rohrer's Liquor Store, Shenck's Hotel, and Marshall and Rengier's Hardware Store into its footprint. The company further grew through acquisitions including Appel & Weber jewelry in January 1959 and Hager's Department Store in June 1968. A significant renovation project was completed in August 1984 at the downtown location—a $1 million investment spread over three years. By 1991, the flagship store encompassed approximately 220,000 square feet (20,000 m2), formed by merging seven separate buildings.
The launch of a second Watt & Shand outlet occurred in 1970 at Park City Center, where it served as an anchor tenant. This strategic move helped the company withstand the decline of major department stores in downtown Lancaster. By 1991, this suburban location accounted for 65% of total sales and nearly all company profits.
In 1992, The Bon-Ton acquired Watt & Shand for approximately $10 million. The original downtown Lancaster store ceased operations in March 1995.
The Watt & Shand Building
Situated at the southeast corner of Penn Square in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Watt & Shand building showcased the Beaux Arts design. This four-story edifice featured buff brick complemented by intricate terra cotta and marble detailing. The earliest portion of the structure, which faced East King Street, was constructed in 1898 and crafted by architect C. Emlen Urban. Significant expansions occurred in 1916 and again in 1925, extending the building toward South Queen Street. In 1999, this landmark earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building was ultimately demolished in 2006. However, its distinctive Beaux Arts facade was retained and integrated into the Lancaster Marriott Hotel and Lancaster County Convention Center complex, which now occupies the site formerly held by the department store.
References
External links
- Companies based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Defunct department stores based in Pennsylvania
- Buildings and structures in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Department stores on the National Register of Historic Places
- Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places in Lancaster, Pennsylvania