The on-line museum of North America's independent department stores. The museum holds all sorts of information about classic department stores which either no longer exist, or are changed beyond recognition. A few of them are still with us, and provide an interesting connection to North America's retail past. The others are presented so that they may be properly remembered as a tangible part of the lives of their customers, shopping destinations where memories were often made.

Explore the history of classic American & Canadian retail stores, and discover why shopping once was much more than just buying. Along the way, you'll discover once-famous department stores, and the merchants that worked diligently to attract, entertain, and satisfy customers. Every city and town had their own favorites and you can find them right here, along the way gaining an insight into why they were so loved and appreciated