Weber & Heilbroner
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Men's apparel retail |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Fate | Closed following Botany Industries' bankruptcy in 1973 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City |
Weber & Heilbroner was a prominent men's apparel retailer based in Lower Manhattan during the 20th century. In August 1909, the company secured office space within the Seymour Building at 503 Fifth Avenue. This enterprise held significant influence among New York City shoppers over several decades. By 1937, Weber & Heilbroner had become a fully owned subsidiary of the Allendale Corporation.
By the year 1978, the business operated under the name Weber & Heilbroner and Finchley. The firm faced increasing pressure from competitors due to its premium pricing and shifts within the men's fashion sector. Following Botany Industries’ bankruptcy in 1973, it shuttered the Broadstreet's and Weber & Heilbroner outlets under its ownership.
History of haberdashery
On February 25, 1910, coinciding with Washington's Birthday, the Weber & Heilbroner branch situated at 1185 Broadway, at the northwest corner of 28th Street, suffered a theft involving $3,000 to $4,000 worth of high-end shirts, neckwear, gloves, hosiery, and other garments. The burglars remained inside the premises for approximately an hour. The store’s subdued interior lighting combined with two sizable arc lamps on Broadway illuminating inwardly created conditions that aided the criminals. At that time, this location was one of nine stores that Weber & Heilbroner operated across Manhattan. Positioned adjacent to Keith & Proctor's Theatre, this neighborhood was regarded as one of New York City's most heavily patrolled areas, lying roughly three blocks from the Tenderloin Police Station. It was believed that the perpetrators accessed the store through its basement on the 28th Street side. Additional Weber & Heilbroner outlets in 1910 included addresses on 42nd Street, 146 Broadway, 369 Broadway, and 20 Cortlandt Street. In May 1939, a new store opened at 160 Broadway near Maiden Lane.
In May 1916, Weber & Heilbroner leased space in the Johnson Building at 30 Broad Street for fifteen years. This property featured a frontage of 40 feet along Broad Street and extended 150 feet along Exchange Place. The annual rent was set at $25,000. Additionally, it included another frontage of 40 feet on New Street. The company enhanced this location by installing contemporary display windows and creating a new entrance on Broad Street. Subsequently, in February 1935, their retail operation on New Street and Exchange Place was relocated to the southwest corner of Broad Street and Exchange Place under a ten-year lease agreement.
For the six-month period ending August 31, 1920, Weber & Heilbroner reported a net profit of $185,296 after accounting for selling and administrative expenses. By August 1922, the firm managed thirteen stores throughout the New York City area. Annual gross revenue reached $6 million, with net income amounting to $243,489 for the fiscal year concluding on February 28, 1922. The company's working capital remained strong despite deflationary pressures without incurring significant losses. At that time, total assets were valued at $1,379,017 against liabilities of $467,197, resulting in working capital of $911,820.