Lazarus Department Store

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The Lazarus store at the Huntington Mall was still in the early stages of
constriction when this photo was taken in June of 1980.

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HUNTINGTON — When the Huntington Mall opened in 1981, one of the mall's anchor
stores was a branch of the Lazarus department store chain.

In 1851, Simon Lazarus and his wife, Amelia, newly emigrated from Germany,
 used $3,000 in savings to open a 20-by-50 foot men's clothing
store on S. High Street in downtown Columbus.

Simon Lazarus was a pioneer in the trend of selling goods at set prices, ending the
practice of haggling. After his death in 1877, his sons Fred and Ralph, under
 the watchful eye of widow Amelia, took over the business. In 1909,
Fred's children, Simon and Fred Jr., persuaded him to open
 an ornate, six-story Columbus store that sold not only
 men's clothing but women's and children's as well.

The Lazarus store prospered and expanded. As it grew, more and more departments
were added, ranging from fine jewelry to automobile tires.

In 1929, Lazarus was one of four department store chains that joined to form Federated
Department Stores. Over the years, Lazarus continued to expand, opening branch
locations not only in major cities but also in smaller communities such
 as Huntington. In 2003, when Federated acquired the Macy's chain,
 the Lazarus stores were cobranded as Lazarus-Macy's.

When Macy's decided to close the popular tea room at the Huntington Lazarus
store, it disappointed many customers who long had enjoyed the bread
 pudding, cheesecake and other tasty fare the room served.

Hyphenated names in business generally have a short shelf life.
Thus in 2005 the Lazarus-Macy's name was retired, and
 the former Lazarus stores became simply Macy's.

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Note:  This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on July 30, 2018.

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