- Erlebacher's
Erlebacher's was a high-fashion ladies specialty store that operated in
Washington, D.C. The location at 1222 F. Street, NW, opened on October 14, 1907, as G. Erlebacher. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Erlbacher were buyers for theHecht Company in Baltimore before opening the store in Washington. It was described as follows: [Display Ad., "The Washington Post", Oct 13, 1907, p. E7.]Opening - Tomorrow G. Erlebacher throws open the door of his handsome new store. We enter our bid for your favor, giving every assurance that it will be fully earned and eminently appreciated. Our stock consists of exclusive models in women's suits and gowns for afternoon and evening, dainty waists, smart tailor-made skirts, and fine furs. While the styles and goods are exclusive and of the highest class, we have made our prices well within reason, and offer you garments of distinct merit at figures that will be thoroughly appreciated.
In 1914, the store moved to 1210 F. Street, NW. Gustav Erlbacher died in 1924 and Mrs. Erlbacher remarried in 1934 to David Frank. In 1938, the Franks sold the store to Jules Winkelman. [Obituary of Mrs. David Frank, "The Washington Post, Times Herald", Feb 23, 1962,pg. B3.] In 1949, Erlebacher's opened its store at 1133 Connecticut Avenue, NW, at the corner of Desales Street. ["Decorative New Shops Open Today," "The Washington Post" Sep 7, 1949, pg. B5.] The F Street location closed in 1953. [Display Ad., "The Washington Post", Jan 25, 1953, pg. S7.] The store changed hands in 1970, when Jacob Epstein Katz purchased it from Jules Winkelman. In 1971, Erlebacher's moved to a new location at 5512 Wisconsin Avenue in
Friendship Heights, Maryland . Its former location was occupied byRaleigh's . The Friendship Heights location was innovative in that its 10,000 square feet were occupied by a number of boutique specialty stores including Jandel Furs, Pampillonia Jewelers, and I. Miller shoes. The location was also known as the Holiday Inn Plaza shopping mall.In 1972, Erlebacher's was purchased by New York-based Sara Fredericks, Inc. ["Erlebacher's Keeps Old Name in Purchase," by William H. Jones, "The Washington Post, Times Herald", Sep 23, 1972, pg. D8.] The store closed in 1974. ["Erlebacher's Closing May Be Short-Lived," by Claudia Levy, "The Washington Post", Jun 6, 1974, pg. E1.]
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
