Sanger–Harris (or, Sanger Harris as it later appeared) was a department store chain from 1961 to 1987. It was formed by Federated Department Stores in 1961 from two Dallas chains, Sanger Brothers and A. Harris and Co., that dated from the 19th century. The firm merged with the chain Foley's in 1987.

History

Sanger–Harris of Dallas, Texas, was the result of the 1961 merger of then four-unit Sanger Brothers Dry Goods Company of Dallas, founded in 1868 by the five Sanger brothers and acquired by Federated Department Stores in 1951; and the two-unit A. Harris and Company of Dallas, founded in 1887 and acquired by Federated in 1961. In 1965 the company built a new downtown Dallas store to replace the flagship stores of the two companies and, so the business legend goes, turned down the opportunity to move into a new shopping center called NorthPark Center. During the late 1970s, the chain dropped the hyphen between 'Sanger' and 'Harris' (rumored as a way to differentiate from hometown rival Neiman-Marcus), and continued as an upper-moderate shopping destination. In January 1987 it was merged into the Foley's division; the combined division was sold to The May Department Store Company the next year. Most locations are now Macy's since 2006 when Federated Stores bought out The May Department Stores Company in 2005.

Architecture

Sanger–Harris stores are known for their column and mosaic architecture. The first building to feature the white columns and mosaic is the Downtown Dallas store. The Sanger–Harris branch stores that were built after 1965 all feature this design. The mosaic is now hidden on the Sanger–Harris Building in Downtown Dallas but the white columns are still visible and the building is still a Downtown Dallas landmark. Most of the former Sanger–Harris branch stores still feature this design today.

Locations

Early stores in operation by 1961

Stores operating by 1987

In popular culture

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