The character of 6th Avenue changed after the Civil War from residential to commercial, often adapting private residences to accommodate commercial needs. In 1858 Rowland Hussey Macy opened a small dry good store on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue. By 1877, R.H. Macy and Co. had become a full-fledged department store occupying space in 11 adjoining buildings. “Who does not know Macy’s? What resident of New-York has not been a visitor there, more or less frequent! And who of our country cousins is not immediately taken to Macy’s when they pay a visit to the Metropolis?” (NYT, December 9, 1876).

Walking up 6th Avenue the beautiful cast-iron palace of the B. Altman store on 18th Street caught the eye of shoppers when it opened in 1877. “B. Altman & Co. opened their new building corner of Nineteenth-street and Sixth-avenue, on Monday. The increasing prosperity of this new establishment for some years past is fully proved by the construction of this large and beautiful edifice” (NYT, April 18, 1877, p.8). Altman Brothers moved to 6th Avenue near 21st Street in 1868, and outgrowing that location they built 615-629 6th Avenue and continued to expand over the next three decades. Once the 6th Avenue El was opened in 1878, 6th Avenue became a major shopping destination.

The Siegel-Cooper Building, 616-632 6th Avenue between 18th and 19th Streets was constructed by architects DeLemos and Cordes in 1896. It was built for Henry Siegel, President of the successful Chicago department store, Siegel, Cooper & Company. The site was selected because it was close to the 18th Street station of the 6th Avenue El. It replaced six stables, a livery and seventeen brownstones. Stopping into the store, you might walk out with free samples of food, a marketing technique of Henry Siegel, or sit down to a casual lunch with friends. There were many services that the new store offered such as a medical office and facilities for store employees to lounge or participate in physical activities.

The next stop for a day’s excursion might be at Simpson, Crawford & Simpson at 635-649 6th Avenue between 19th and 20th Streets. The building was designed by William H. Hume & Son for William Crawford in 1900. One of the first escalators in a department store was installed in this emporium.

Our shopping day wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Hugh O’Neill’s department store at 655-671 6th Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets. Constructed in 1887 by architect Mortimer C. Merritt, it was the first full block long store below 23rd Street. The philosophy of Mr. O’Neill was that shopping should be entertaining, and the architectural design of the store was a testament to his beliefs. There were five story turrets with domes, a banner and a signature pediment which gave the store a bazaar like appearance.

Adams Dry Goods at 675-691 6th Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets made its appearance in 1900. Samuel Adams and his partner John Flanigan established the original firm in 1885 which was then located on the corner of 6th Avenue and 22nd Street. The new building had 280,000 square feet of floor space and employed 1,600 people.

Ehrich Brothers was at 695-709 6th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets. It was constructed in 1889 and was another emporium which attracted a middle-class clientele. They attracted a large following since they were known for their bargains.

Just north of this site the James McCreery Company opened in 1895, on the property that was previously occupied by the Booth Theater from 1869 to 1883. Its claim to fame was that it was owned and operated by Edwin Booth, the brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Our stroll wouldn’t be complete without stopping into two stores which have had a long history in New York City–Best & Company and Stern brothers. Stern Brothers moved to New York City from Buffalo, New York in 1868, opening a small store at 367 6th Avenue. They relocated in the 1870s to 110 W. 23rd Street, but this space soon proved too small, so in 1879 they built a new six story Renaissance Revival style building in the same location and expanded again in 1892.

Best & Company was founded in 1879 by Albert Best as the Liliputian Bazaar and focused on children’s clothing, later expanding to women’s clothing and accessories. It was located off 6th Avenue and 23rd Street.