{"product_id":"filenes-boston-1939","title":"Filene's, Boston 1939","description":"\u003cp\u003eWilliam Filene (1830-1901) emigrated from Prussia to Boston in 1848 and opened a series of small haberdashery shops before settling on a five-story building on Washington Street where he sold women’s clothing and accessories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe year was 1890 and Mr Filene soon turned over the business to his two sons Edward and Lincoln.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEdward came up with the idea of opening a Bargain Basement store downstairs from the main department store to sell excess stock. Prices were marked down by 25% every 6 days and after 30 days, the goods were donated to charities. The store also had a money back guarantee, if not satisfied. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was not the only innovation. The two brothers instituted a minimum-wage scale for female employees, paid winter vacations, employee discounts, health clinics, insurance programs and credit unions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresident Franklin D. Roosevelt’s son John, who worked as a stock boy in the Bargain Basement would have benefited from this largesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilene’s became known for its bargains – in 1937, after men’s clothing was added to the range, the store held its first $11 Suit Sale. It’s first bridal sale in 1947 had women rushing towards the rails, launching the Running of the Brides phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoon Filene’s Basements were all over New England and New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShoppers were certainly well fed in the main store’s restaurant, as you can see from this extensive menu for ‘luncheon’ and afternoon tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaps were fashionable at the time, and this is a lovely and whimsical example that was given to customers as a souvenir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilene’s Basements grew into a chain of about 22 stores but the company - known as the Place Where Bargains Were Born – went out of business in 2011.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson Ultrachrome HD archival inks. Custom printed with border for matting and framing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb style=\"line-height: 1.2;\"\u003eEach order includes a print of the interior menu.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb style=\"line-height: 1.2;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAll printed in USA.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Vintage Menu Art","offers":[{"title":"8.5x11\" Archival Print (Unframed) $25.00","offer_id":57492277624998,"sku":"ebc1790054284288","price":16.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"11x14 Archival Print (Unframed) $30.00","offer_id":57492277657766,"sku":"boh1790054284289","price":19.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"13x19 Archival Print (Unframed) $40.00","offer_id":57492277690534,"sku":"ywe1790054284290","price":27.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20 Archival Print (Unframed) $55.00","offer_id":57492277723302,"sku":"dlx1790054284291","price":37.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x24 Archival Print (Unframed) $85.00","offer_id":57492277756070,"sku":"ofm1790054284292","price":52.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36 Archival Print (Unframed) $135.00","offer_id":57492277788838,"sku":"kfc1790054284293","price":90.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/9133\/8662\/files\/filenes-boston-1939_1.webp?v=1790054288","url":"https:\/\/coffeetamper.shop\/products\/filenes-boston-1939","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}