View of one of the principal business thoroughfares. Kansas City and suburbs has a population of 500,000; ranks fifth in bank clearings and is known as the most thriving city in the Middle West. So reads the legend on the reverse side of a Hall Brothers post card, in color, mailed from Kansas city in 1916. An early-day red touring car, top down, and a street car are pictured. Painted prominently, high on the side of the building in the center of the picture, is a sign reading Harzfeld's Parisian Cloak Company. Established 1891. Sigmund Harzfeld moved to Kansas City from Chicago in 1890 after carefully evaluating various cities. Kansas City was a raw town, but its population had grown from 4,000 to 55,000 between the years 1860 and 1880. In the 1880s and 1890s a woman who wanted to be fashionable had to go to a dressmaker. A total of 353 are listed under the heading Dressmakers in the 1891 city directory. The dressmakers made copies of French gowns using fabrics bought at the dry goods stores, such as John Taylor's, Doggett's or Emery Bird Thayer. These stores also maintained dressmaking departments where one could choose materials, trimmings and style and have the garment made all under one roof. Harzfeld's original store was located in a 25-foot space at 1108-1110 Main, across the street from the store pictured on the post card. The store expanded rapidly, confirming Harzfeld's judgment that there was a vast ready-to-wear market. In 1913 Harzfeld's moved to its Petticoat Lane location, expanding to 11 floors. In 1930 the store acquired additional space in the adjoining building, cornering on Walnut. Kansas City Times, February 23, 1979.
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