Trivia Cafe
18

Founded by two brothers in 1867, and named after them, this famous landmark located at 59th and Lexington Avenue in New York City takes up a full city block and is visited by locals and tourists alike. What is it?

Learn More

BLOOMINGDALE'S - other illustration
BLOOMINGDALE'S — other

This famous New York City landmark is the iconic Bloomingdale's department store. The foundation of the store was laid in the 19th century by brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale. While the question states the founding year as 1867, the brothers actually began their retail journey in 1861 with a "Ladies' Notions Shop" on the Lower East Side, which initially specialized in the then-fashionable hoop skirt. A few years later, in 1872, they opened the "East Side Bazaar," a revolutionary concept at the time as it offered a wide variety of European fashions under one roof, foreshadowing the modern department store.

The store's celebrated location at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue was the result of a visionary move uptown in 1886. This relocation to what was then a quieter part of the city proved to be a brilliant strategic decision. Over the following decades, the store underwent significant expansion, eventually growing to occupy the entire city block it's known for today. The building itself is a landmark, featuring an Art Deco facade added during its 1930 expansion.

Now a division of Macy's, Inc., the flagship store remains a must-see destination for New Yorkers and visitors from around the globe. It is not just a retail space but a piece of New York's cultural history, known for its elaborate window displays, designer collaborations, and its famous "Big Brown Bag." For over a century, Bloomingdale's has been a trendsetter in fashion and retail, solidifying its status as a true city icon.