The story
Gus Mayer opened its new store at 800 Canal Street on September 19, 1949. The company had moved from its original location at 823 Canal Street, which opened in 1900. Favrot and Reed designed and built the new building, which cost over $1 million.
The exterior used Indiana limestone with granite trim from Cold Spring, Minnesota, and the Canal Street facade had a three-story window in a French baroque design. Inside were pastel-themed salons with blond mahogany panels, including a fountain with live goldfish in the Patio Room and a Crystal Room for hats.
The store left the building in 1986 or 1987, citing building upkeep costs and general expense increases. The building later housed other businesses, and a CVS drugstore moved in around 2009.
What's There Now
A CVS drugstore occupies the building.
Everything that was here
- 1949–1987
Gus MayerDepartment Store
Gus Mayer's new $1 million Canal Street store opened September 19, 1949, with a fountain of live goldfish in the Patio Room.
See the map in 1950 →
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Connected places
D.H. Holmes Department Store
Macy's
The Walnut Room
Krauss Department Store
Diamonds Restaurant
Normal Theater
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Nearby history
D.H. Holmes Department Store
Maison Blanche
S.H. Kress
Saenger Theatre
Southern Railway Terminal
Werlein's for Music
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