Shopping Saturday - Downtown Baltimore

Courtesy Printers' Ink, Volume 104-published 1918

As stated previously our mother was born and raised in Baltimore City, Maryland. Over the years we have heard stories of shopping excursions to downtown. Those were the days before sprawling malls, and big-box stores. The main three department stores in Baltimore were Hochschild, Kohn & Company, Hutzler Brothers Company, and Stewart & Company.

Hochschild, Kohn & Company was one of Baltimore's first local downtown department stores. The company was started by partners Max Hochschild and Benno Kohn along with his brother Louis B. Kohn. The doors opened in 1897 on the corner of Howard and Lexington streets. A very interesting article to read about Hochshild, Kohn & Company is "Where the common folk shopped".

Hutzler Brothers Company was founded in 1858 by Abram Hutzler. In 1888 a new building was erected on the original site called the "Palace Building". In the article "Food for Thought : Holidays and Hutzler's" Mary K. Zajac shares wonderful memories and treats from the Hutzler's Bakery. She also includes several outstanding recipes.

Stewart's Department Store opened in 1901 after Louis Stewart purchased the building that was previously Posner's Department Store. Mary K. Zajac shares the history of the establishment in the article "A Signature Store".

Further reading about Baltimore department stores :

Baltimore Ghosts : Unsung Monuments in the "Monumental City" - Buildings

Department Store Museum (blog)

Hutzler Collection - 1860-1980 (bulk ca. 1930-1960) - Maryland Historical Society

Hope you enjoy your visit to Baltimore downtown shopping.