kids encyclopedia robot

Stix Baer & Fuller facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Stix, Baer, and Fuller
Company and then division
Industry Retail
Fate Was sold to Dillard's after struggling to compete with The May Company's Famous-Barr
Successor Dillard's
Founded 1892
Defunct 1984
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Owner Associated Dry Goods
Sketch by Marguerite Martyn of opening of Grand-Leader store in St. Louis on September 8, 1906
A sketch by St. Louis Post-Dispatch journalist Marguerite Martyn showing the opening of the Grand-Leader department store in 1906.

Stix, Baer and Fuller (often called "Stix" or SBF or the Grand-Leader) was a popular department store chain. It operated in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1892 to 1984.

About Stix, Baer and Fuller

Stix, Baer and Fuller was a well-known department store. It was a place where people could buy many different things, from clothes to home goods. For many years, it was known as a top store for fashion in the St. Louis area.

Founding and Early Days

The store was started in 1892 by Charles Stix, brothers Julius Baer and Sigmond Baer, and Aaron Fuller. It was first called the Grand-Leader. The main store in downtown St. Louis was on Washington Avenue. By 1920, it had grown to take up a whole city block.

The company was a public company. This means its shares could be bought and sold by anyone on the New York Stock Exchange. Stix, Baer and Fuller was also part of a group called the American Merchandising Companies (AMC). This group included important local department stores across the United States.

Leadership Changes and Growth

In 1937, Arthur B. Baer, the son of Julius Baer, became the President of the company. Other family members, like Sidney Baer and Leo C. Fuller, were also big owners and leaders. They often hired experienced retail experts to help run the business.

In 1966, a larger company called Associated Dry Goods (ADG) bought Stix, Baer and Fuller. After this, the store chain grew and even opened locations in Kansas City.

The End of an Era

By 1984, Stix, Baer and Fuller found it hard to compete with other large stores like Famous-Barr. Because of this, ADG sold the 13 Stix stores to Dillard's. Dillard's then changed the names of these stores to Dillard's.

The very first store in downtown St. Louis, which was built between 1906 and 1991, closed for a short time. It reopened in 1985 as part of the St. Louis Centre Mall. However, it closed permanently in September 2001 when the mall itself struggled. Other Stix stores, like the one at River Roads and Crestwood Plaza, were later torn down.

Grand–Leader (Stix, Baer & Fuller Dry Goods Co.) Building
StixBaerFuller.JPG
Stix Baer & Fuller is located in St. Louis
Stix Baer & Fuller
Location in St. Louis
Stix Baer & Fuller is located in Missouri
Stix Baer & Fuller
Location in Missouri
Stix Baer & Fuller is located in the United States
Stix Baer & Fuller
Location in the United States
Location 601 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Missouri
Architect Mauran, Russell & Crowell
Architectural style Early Commercial
NRHP reference No. 03000650
Added to NRHP July 17, 2003

Community Involvement

Stix, Baer and Fuller was also involved in the community.

Sports Sponsorship

In the early 1930s, the company supported a local St. Louis Soccer League team. This team was known as Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.. They were very successful, winning the 1933 and 1934 National Challenge Cup national soccer titles.

Radio and Television

The company even had its own radio station! It started on April 3, 1922, with the call sign WCK. In 1925, its call letters were changed to WSBF, matching the company's initials. The station was later sold in 1927.

In 1955, Arthur Baer gave money to help build the first studio for Channel 9. This was the first television studio in the country made just for educational television. The building was named the Julius and Freda Baer Building, in memory of his parents. It was located near Washington University.

Other Contributions

  • The S bar F Scout Ranch in Knob Lick, Missouri, is named after Stix, Baer, and Fuller. This is because they helped buy the land for the ranch.
  • In September 1942, Stix, Baer and Fuller gave $10,000 to save the old Campbell House in downtown St. Louis from being torn down. This donation was made to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. Soon after, the Campbell House Museum opened to the public.


Images for kids

  • StixBaerFuller

    The Grand-Leader (Stix, Baer & Fuller Dry Goods Co.) Building in St. Louis.

  • *