Best & Co.

"For the Richmond, Virginia based catalog store see Best Products, and the clothing store with the same name see Best & Co."

Best & Co. is a children's clothing retailer based in Greenwich, Connecticut. It reestablished the name of the New York City-based Best & Co. clothing chain that operated from 1879 to 1971.

Best & Co. I

Infobox Defunct Company
company_name = Best & Co.
company_
fate = Liquidation
foundation = 1879
defunct = 1971
location = New York, New York
industry = Retail
key_people = Albert Best, founder
products = Womens and children's fashion apparel
num_employees =
parent = McCrory's
subsid =

History

The first incarnation of Best & Co., was founded in 1879, in New York City by Albert Best, as the Liliputian Bazaar. It initially focused on babies and children outfitting, but later expanded to womens clothing and accessories. It was known for its "tastefully styled and proper women's clothes and its sturdy children's wear." ["Bumper-to-Bumper for Bargains at Best's," by William H. Jones, "The Washington Post, Times Herald," Oct 7, 1970, p. B1.] Philip Le Boutillier served as president during the late-1930's. In 1966, the company was acquired by McCrory's, who also operated Lerner Shops and S. Klein. In late-1970, McCrory's liquidated the company. At the time of its closing, it employed 1,200.

Flagship Store

The flagship was located originally in the "Ladies' Mile" near Sixth Avenue and 23rd Street. In 1908, Best & Co. purchased for $500,000 the former Engineer's Club at 372 Fifth Avenue at 35th Street for a new store, joining an elite group of merchants to locate in that section of Fifth Avenue in the early 1900's, including B. Altman, Gorham, and Tiffany's. ["BEST & CO. IN FIFTH AVENUE.; Concern Will Retain Its 23d Street Store and Open Another," "New York Times", Sep 16, 1908, p. 9.] This limestone building later became the Bond Clothing Stores flagship when Best moved farther up the avenue, and was later converted to apartments. [ [http://www.paratis.com/372fifth/history.html Paratis Group, 372 Fifth Avenue: SoHo in Midtown, History webpage (accessed Sep 16, 2008)] .] Its final 12-story flagship store was located at Fifth Avenue and 51st Street, next to St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was acquired by the company in 1944, from the Union Club. ["BEST & CO. BUILD NEW 5TH AVE. STORE; Plans 12-Story Building for Post-War Home on Site of Old Union Club Quarters," "New York Times", Dec 22, 1944, p. 21.] After it closed in late-1970, the beautiful white marble building was torn down and the Olympic Tower was built in its place.

Branches

Best and Co., was also in the forefront of opening stores in upscale suburban areas long before its competitors. It opened its first branch locations in the late 1920's - early 1930's, in Garden City, Long Island (1928); Mamaroneck, New York (1930); East Orange, New Jersey (1930); and Jenkintown, Pennsylvania (1936, closed 1937). [cite news
author= |title=Fifth Avenue to Greenwich|date=1932-04-04|work=Time Magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,743481,00.html|accessdate=2008-08-09] By 1938, when it opened its initial Washington, D.C. store at 4433 Connecticut Ave., NW, it had branches operating in suburban New York, Cleveland, Detroit, Boston, and Philadelphia ["Best's Opens Branch Stores on Conn. Ave.", "The Washington Post", Sep 16, 1938, p. X16.] During the late 1940's-early 1950's a branch location opened at Arlington Blvd. and So. Glebe Road, in Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. In 1955, the main Washington D.C. store moved to new quarters; a 15,000 square foot store at 4020 Wisconsin Ave., NW. ["Best & Co. to Locate at New Site", "The Washington Post and Times Herald", Jun 19, 1955, p. X16.] In 1966, when Ira Guilden was elected chairman, 20 branch locations were in operation. ["Ira Guilden Elected to Chairmanship of Best & Co.; BEST & CO. ELECTS A NEW CHAIRMAN," "New York Times", Apr 13, 1966, p. 55.] When the chain closed in late-1970, there were 12 branch stores in operation. ["Best & Co. to Close Two Area Outlets", "The Washington Post, Times Herald", Oct 4, 1970, p. 29.]

Former locations

Manhattan

* 23rd St near Sixth Avenue, original store "(demolished)"
* Fifth Avenue at 35th Street, 1st Flagship "(1908 - 1944; now a residential coop)" [ [http://372fifthavenue.net Fifth Ave and 35th St store (retrieved Sep 3, 2008)] .]
* Fifth Avenue at 51st Street, 2nd Flagship "(1944 - 1970; demolished)"

Washington, D.C.

* 4433 Connecticut Ave., NW, "(1938 to 1955)"
* 4020 Wisconsin Ave., NW, "(1955 to 1970)"

Illinois

* Skokie - Old Orchard Mall. "(Old Orchard was one of the nation's first large regional malls.)"

Maryland

* Baltimore - Pulaski Highway "(long gone . . .)"

Massachusetts

* Boston - Boylston Street

New Jersey

* Asbury Park - "(Summer-Only location inside Berkely-Carteret Hotel)"
* East Orange - "(demolished?)"
* Paramus - Route 4 "(now the Pearle Vision Center at 341 E State Rt 4, barely changed)"
* Paramus - Fashion Center "(never opened as Best & Co., later Britts, now, Toys R Us)"
* Watchung - "(demolished?)"

New York

* Garden City - Franklin Avenue "(now CVS/Pharmacy)"
* Mamaroneck - "(opened 1930)"
* Manhasset - "(demolished?)"
* White Plains - "(demolished?)"

Pennsylvania

* Abington
* Jenkintown - "(opened 1936, closed 1937)"
* Langhorne - Middletown Blvd.
* Philadelphia - Roosevelt Blvd.

Virginia

* Arlington - Arlington Blvd. and S. Glebe Rd.

Best & Co. I in popular culture

*The Best & Co. store was featured in the movie "The Godfather" when Michael Corleone and Kay Adams are Christmas shopping, just before Michael finds out his father has been shot.

*In the closing credits of the first season of "That Girl", the Best & Co. is clearly visible as Anne stands on Fifth Avenue waiting for a bus. The first season Christmas episode is told as a flashback while Anne is working as a "Santa's Helper" at Best & Co.

*"Life" magazine dedicated the bulk of an issue to Pope Paul VI's visit to New York City in 1965, the centerfold pictures show St. Patrick's Cathedral, with full views of the then Best and Co. flagship on Fifth Avenue.

Best & Co. II

History

In 1997, Susie Hilfiger purchased an existing children’s boutique in Greenwich, Connecticut. She renamed it Best & Co. and has since expanded the Greenwich location to create the elegant flagship store with its rich interior and wonderful collection of children’s clothing and accessories. In 2001, Best & Co. returned to New York City, with a boutique located on the 7th floor of the esteemed Bergdorf Goodman. In addition to its two retail stores and website, Best & Co. hosts trunk shows throughout the United States. In late 2007, FAO Schwarz purchased the company.

Trunk Shows

The company is known for its trunk shows that navigated the East Coast. Along with Abercrombie & Fitch, it was one of the dead brands listed in Lisa Birnbach's cheeky "The Official Preppy Handbook" that has since been revived.

References

External Links

* [http://www.bestandcompany.com/ Best & Co. Website]
* [http://groups.msn.com/MiniMadMod60s/joyceingalls.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3287 1960s Best Fashions]