Halls (department store)

Infobox Company
company_name = Halls
company_
company_type = Subsidiary
genre = Department Store
foundation = 1913
locations = 2
location_city = Kansas City, Missouri
location_country = United States
key_people = Joyce C. Hall (Founder)
industry = Retail
products = apparel, cosmetics, jewelry, shoes, china, crystal, silver, housewares, greeting cards
parent = Hallmark Cards
company_slogan =
homepage = http://www.halls.com/

Halls is the department store division of Kansas City, Missouri-based Hallmark Cards, consisting of two specialty department store locations — one adjoining Hallmark corporate headquarters and downtown Kansas City in the city's Crown Center commercial complex, the other in the city's high-end Country Club Plaza shopping district. Each store carries a variety of premium-branded items in apparel, cosmetics, jewelry, shoes, and other product categories, in addition to greeting cards and gift items carrying the Hallmark brand. The two Halls stores are positioned at a price level comparable to larger luxury-oriented chains including Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus.

History

Hallmark founder Joyce C. Hall founded Halls in 1913, as a companion to his greeting card company which had begun three years earlier. The store evolved from a showcase in the lobby of downtown Kansas City's Gordon and Koppel Building. By 1916, Halls had moved its store to 11th Street along the city's fashionable "Petticoat Lane" with expanded offerings covering an array of high-quality gift items. Halls' move in 1950 to downtown's Grand Avenue further developed its local reputation as a premium specialty store, with more merchandise added.

Halls became part of the collection of stores at the city's high-profile Country Club Plaza in 1965 [http://www.halls.com/about/index.asp] , comprising a full city block in the shopping district. In addition to the store's merchandise selection, the structure was outfitted with elaborate building materials and accessories such as inlaid lapis lazuli floors and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, with details complementary to the district's overall Spanish and Moorish architectural styles.

The department store's location in Crown Center was conceived in 1973. It was part of the continued revitalization of downtown envisioned by J. C. Hall, associated with development surrounding Hallmark's corporate headquarters that had begun in earnest in 1967. Halls Crown Center replaced the original downtown Halls with a three-level, 100,000 square-foot store designed by Paul László.

The division in the present day notes J. C. Hall's mission for the store as a "unique shopping experience dedicated to the expression of personal style and the art of living well." [http://www.halls.com/index.asp]

Products and services

Halls offers a variety of premium brands in ladies' and men's apparel, cosmetics, jewelry, and housewares, with select items available exclusively at one of the two stores. Halls Plaza houses The Jewel Room, featuring creations by jewelry designers such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati. Halls Crown Center includes the Halls Station model train shop — with an extensive line of brands including Lionel and Märklin — and adjoins The American Restaurant — an award-winning fine dining restaurant with the only Mobil Four-Star ranking in Kansas City, also developed by J.C. Hall with his son Donald.

Bridal registry, corporate gift services, and custom tailoring are offered at both stores, along with in-store Hallmark Gold Crown shops. The stores are also long-time sponsors of several area humanitarian organizations, serving health care, fine arts, public broadcasting and other interests around greater Kansas City.

External links

* [http://www.halls.com Halls Kansas City website]

References