Gertz (department store) explained

Gertz
Type:Department store
Founder:Benjamin Gertz
Area Served:New York metropolitan area
Fate:Folded into Stern's
Successor:Stern's (1982–2001)
Macy's (2001–present)
Parent:Allied Stores

Gertz was a New York-based department store, headquartered in Jamaica, Queens. Founded in 1918 by Benjamin Gertz, along with his five sons,[1] the company was acquired by Allied Stores in 1941.[2] [3] Gertz had branch stores in Douglaston, Flushing, Great Neck, Hicksville, Massapequa, Bay Shore, Lake Grove, and East Hampton.[4] The 300,000 square foot Hicksville location was opened in 1956 in the Mid-Island Plaza, known today as Broadway Commons;[5] that store would eventually become Sterns in 1983, followed by Macy's in 2001. Currently the building is vacant as of Macy's closing in the spring of 2020.[6] In 1981, Gertz opened at two former Korvette's locations in Douglaston and Lake Grove, but that year, changing demographics caused the company's first store closure, its flagship Jamaica location. Later, the Bay Shore location was converted to a Stern's and then a Macy's. After Macy's closed the location, the building was demolished and a Lowe's was built on the site.

Notes and References

  1. News: Paid Notice: Deaths GERTZ, DIANA RADIN . February 6, 2017 . The New York Times . May 16, 1997 . Section D . 17.
  2. News: Shipp . E.R. . Some See Gertz Closing As an Ill Wind in Jamaica; Founded in 1918 Concern for the Future 'A Very Traumatic Experience' . February 6, 2017 . . September 9, 1980 . Section M . 3.
  3. News: Allied Stores Corp. . February 6, 2017 . The New York Times . April 20, 1965 . Business . 61.
  4. News: Leroy . Bridget . Stern's Buildings Demoed . February 6, 2017 . . September 29, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160110200350/http://easthamptonstar.com/Business/2011929/Stern%E2%80%99s-Buildings-Demoed . January 10, 2016.
  5. News: GERTZ SIGNS FIRST IN BIG L. I. CENTER; Queens Department Store to Occupy Six-Story Building in New Hicksville Project . February 6, 2017 . The New York Times . March 17, 1955 . Business Financial . 40.
  6. News: Parrish . Troy N. . Macy's says it will close Hicksville store; Commack store to close this summer . December 13, 2021 . . January 8, 2020.