Shopko: The Hecht Co., Baltimore, Maryland

Click in the picture to

read about The Hecht Co.

in Michael Lisicky's latest

book about Baltimore

Department Stores.

Originally known as Hecht Bros., the Hecht business in
Baltimore consisted of various names and locations.
The Baltimore and Pine Street Store was first
opened in 1885.

A six-story addition was added to
the store in 1928.

The Hecht Co. - Baltimore and Pine lasted until the merger
with the May Co. in 1959.

Another Hecht Bros. business, dating from 1926, was the
home furnishings store at the corner of Howard and
Lexington Streets.

The Hecht Bros.' Hub store opened in 1897, and was
located at Baltimore and Charles Streets.

The often-expanded store had an out-of-the-way location
in Baltimore's financial district; as a result, it was a
particularly strong seller of mens' wear.

It was intended to keep The Hub, by that time known as
THe hecht Co. - Baltimore and Charles, open after the
May Co. merger in 1959, but by 1960, the store (shown
in its final form, was closed.

The May Co. established itself in Baltimore in 1927
by purchasing the Bernheimer-Leader store which
occupied a large, palace-style building on the south-
west corner of Howard and Lexington Streets. In
1941, the store expanded westward as shown in
this illustration.

In 1946, the store expanded again, this time up to
Eutaw Street.

The store was briefly known as the Hecht-May store
after the 1959 merger of The Hecht Co. into the
May Department Stores chain. The Hecht Co. got
one large downtown plant (the biggest in Balti-
more, in fact) and the May Co. got suburban branches,
which it lacked previously.

The Hecht Co. became a fixture at the "100%
corner" of Baltimore, Howard and Lexington
Streets.

The Hecht Co.
118 N. Howard Street
Baltimore, Maryland

MUlberry 5-8040

Main Floor
Fine Jewelry • Watches and Clocks • Costume Jewelry • Real Thing Jewelry • Scarves • Umbrellas • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Belts • Gloves • Hosiery • Sunglasses • Fashion Accessories • Cosmetics • Wig Boutique • Main Floor Sportswear • Blouses • Sweaters • Calculator Boutique • Cameras • Stationery • Notions • Candy • Gourmet Foods • Bakery • Telephones • Calculator Boutique • Cameras • Optical Dept. • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Sportswear • Men’s AccessoriesFayette Street
Men’s Clothing • Men’s Outerwear • Men’s Hats • Men’s Shoes • Trend Shop
Mezzanine
Boulevard Shoes

Second Floor
Forecast Dresses • Forecast Sportswear • Forecast Coats & Suits • The Scene • Charles Room • Sports Apparel • Beach Shop • Casual Shop • Better Dresses • Better Sportswear • Young Sophisticate Shop • Junior Dresses • Junior Sportswear • Junior Coats • Junior Shoes • The Knack • Rainwear • Better Coats • Fur Salon • Bridal Shop • Bridal Bureau • Forecast Millinery • Forecast Shoe Salon • Casual Shoes • Shoetique • Forecast Lingerie • Bras and Body Fashions • Misses’ Loungewear • Misses’ Sleepwear

Third Floor
Youth World Tots’ & Toddlers’ Wear • Infantswear • Infants’ Furniture • Girls’ Wear • Girls’ Sleepwear • Sub-Teen Wear • Boys’ Wear • Hi-Shoppe • Children’s Shoes • Maternity • Official Scout Headquarters • Books • Photographic Studio • Toys

Fourth Floor
Nanette Dresses • Nanette Coats • Nanette Dresses • Pocket Money Dresses • Women’s World • Nanette Shoes • Art Needlework • Creative Hand Shop • Fabrics • Singer Sewing Center

Fifth Floor
Housewares • Electrical Appliances • Dinettes • The Loft • Hardware • Garden Shop • Vacuums • Cleaning Supplies • Stereo Salon • Televisions • Radios • Appliances • Domestics • Blankets • Pillows • Linens • Bath Shop • Sporting Goods • Piano & Organ Salon • Luggage

Sixth Floor
China • Glassware • Gifts • Silver Shop • Lamps and Shades • Bedspreads • Curtains • Draperies • Slipcovers • Decorative Pillows • Pictures and Mirrors • Rugs and Broadloom • Slipcovers

Seventh Floor
Furniture • Bedding and Sleep Furniture • Pavone Gallery • Concord House • Interior Design Studio

Eighth Floor
Courtyard Restaurant • Hecht Co. Art Gallery • Toyland • Beauty Salon
(555,000 s.f.)