GIMBELS Meaning and
Definition
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Gimbels refers to a department store that originated in the United States. The name specifically refers to Gimbels in the context of retail establishments and shopping centers. Established by Adam Gimbel in 1887, Gimbels was one of the pioneering department store chains in America. It became a notable fixture in various cities across the country throughout the 20th century.
Gimbels offered a wide assortment of consumer goods, ranging from clothing, accessories, and cosmetics to household items, furniture, and electronics. The chain store gained prominence for its competitive pricing, extensive product selection, and quality customer service. Gimbels often competed for business with other major department store brands like Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Despite a considerable presence, Gimbels experienced a decline in the mid-20th century due to changing consumer shopping habits, increasing competition, and economic factors. The rise of suburban malls and the shift towards online shopping contributed to the company's eventual closure. The last Gimbels store closed its doors in 1987, marking the end of an era for the once-thriving department store chain.
Today, the term Gimbels is typically associated with a bygone era of retail history, evoking nostalgic memories for those who remember shopping at their locations. The name is often referenced in popular culture, literature, and media as a symbol of traditional retail shopping experiences of the past.
Etymology of GIMBELS
The word "gimbels" originally comes from the surname Gimbel, which was a fairly common Jewish surname in Germany. Gimbel was the family name of a prominent American retail family, specifically the Gimbel brothers. They established a successful department store chain called Gimbel Brothers in the late 19th century.
Over time, "Gimbels" became synonymous with the department store itself, and people started referring to the stores as "Gimbels". The word eventually became widely used to denote any large department store, similar to how "Xerox" is often used to refer to any photocopying machine or "Kleenex" to refer to any brand of facial tissue.
