Woodward & Lothrop facts for kids

Woodward & Lothrop, often called "Woodies," was a famous department store chain. It started in Washington, D.C., in 1887 and was the city's very first department store! Woodies had many stores in the Mid-Atlantic part of the United States. Its main store in downtown Washington, D.C., was a well-known landmark.

The Story of Woodies

Woodward & Lothrop store in Washington, D.C. around 1910

The story of Woodward & Lothrop began with two friends, Samuel Walter Woodward and Alvin Mason Lothrop. They first opened a "dry goods" store (which sold fabrics, clothing, and other household items) in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1873. They had a few stores around Boston.

In 1880, they teamed up with Charles E. Cochrane and moved their business to Washington, D.C. They opened their first store in D.C. at 705 Market Space. This store was so popular that they quickly moved to a bigger spot on Pennsylvania Avenue. After a flood in 1886, they moved again to the corner of 11th and F Streets NW. Woodward and Lothrop then bought out Cochrane's share, and the store became known as Woodward & Lothrop.

Growing and Changing Times

After World War II, Woodies started opening stores in suburban shopping malls. However, the families who owned the company preferred to grow slowly. In the 1980s, the company faced attempts by others to buy it. They first said no to one offer but later accepted a large offer from A. Alfred Taubman in 1984.

A display window at the Woodward & Lothrop main store in Washington, D.C. around 1928

Mr. Taubman had taken on a lot of debt from buying many businesses, including other department stores like Wanamaker's. In the early 1990s, there was a small economic slowdown. This slowdown especially affected real estate and department stores. Washington, D.C., was also impacted because defense spending decreased after the Cold War, making people less confident about spending money.

The End of Woodies

Woodward & Lothrop faced big financial problems. On January 18, 1994, the company had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This means they asked the court for help to reorganize their business and pay their debts. Even with big efforts to save money and increase sales, the company couldn't make enough profit.

So, in 1995, the company, including its Wanamaker's stores, had to close down. Some of the remaining Woodward & Lothrop stores were sold to J.C. Penney. Other stores, including the Wanamaker's locations, were sold to the May Department Stores Company. By November 1995, all Woodies stores had finished their final sales and closed their doors for good.

The Main Store in Washington, D.C.

Woodward & Lothrop's main store being built in Washington, D.C.

The main Woodward & Lothrop store in Washington, D.C., was a very important building. After moving into the historic Carlisle building in 1887, the store quickly needed more space. It started buying nearby properties. By 1897, it covered almost an entire city block!

The building was updated several times, with new parts added and a new look given to its outside. By 1927, it reached its final form, standing ten stories tall. It had a huge amount of space for shopping. The outside of the building was decorated with fancy cast iron and glass designs, including flowers and the Woodward & Lothrop symbol. In 1964, it was recognized as a D.C. Historic Landmark.

The entrance sign to the former main Woodward & Lothrop store in Washington, D.C.

After Woodies closed, the big store building stayed empty for a long time. City officials and developers argued about what to do with it. The city wanted a Macy's store to open there, but Macy's felt the space was too big and needed too much work.

Eventually, in 1996, the Washington National Opera bought the building, hoping to turn it into an opera house. But the cost to change a department store into an opera house was too high. So, the building remained empty until 1999, when it was sold to a developer named Douglas Jemal.

People in the neighborhood wanted the building to be used for many things, like art spaces, restaurants, and homes. But Mr. Jemal wanted to use it mostly for offices and shops. The city's Zoning Commission didn't approve his plan, and the building stayed empty for two more years.

Finally, in 2001, the plan for shops and offices was approved. The building was renovated and reopened in 2003, almost ten years after Woodies closed! The first big store to open there was the Swedish clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M).

Madame Tussauds moved into the building next to the old Woodies store in 2007.

In 2004, a small fire happened in the building, but firefighters quickly put it out. Later, in 2007, other stores like West Elm (furniture) and Zara (clothing) opened in the building. Also, the Madame Tussauds wax museum opened in the building right next door.

Besides the downtown store, the old Woodward & Lothrop Service Warehouse at 131 M Street, Northeast, was also named a D.C. Historic Landmark in 1993. It's a great example of Streamline Moderne style architecture.

Woodward & Lothrop in the Community

The founders, Samuel Woodward and Alvin Lothrop, were very involved in their community. Samuel Woodward, for example, became the president of the Washington City YMCA and gave a lot of money to help fix up its buildings.

His daughter, Helen, and her husband later donated a large part of their land in Bethesda, Maryland, to create the National Institutes of Health. Helen was also very important in starting the National Cancer Institute.

The store itself was a big part of the community. In the 1920s, it had over 67 different shopping departments! It also had a travel agency, a theater, a nurse's office, a merry-go-round, and even art shows. Many people remember Woodies as more than just a store; it was a place where people gathered, ate, and watched talent shows. Young ladies from colleges would often visit Woodies to buy their dresses for dances.

Fun Products at Woodies

The Woodward & Lothrop toy department helped introduce some exciting new things to American kids!

• Chemistry Sets: In 1916, two brothers, Harold and John Porter, started making chemistry sets. Woodward & Lothrop was the first big store to sell these "Chemcraft" kits. Soon, chemistry sets were popular in toy stores all over the country.
• Play-Doh: In the 1950s, the wife of a Woodies buyer saw a demonstration of Play-Doh modeling clay at a convention. This led to a very successful demonstration in the Woodies store, and soon Play-Doh was sold everywhere!
• Slush Mugs: In the 1970s, Woodies was known for its "slush mugs." You could freeze these mugs, then pour in soda or juice, and it would turn into a Smoothie-like "slush" drink!