Department Store Founder. Born to a Jewish family, he was the grandson of Adam Gimbel, the founder of Gimbels department stores. He is well known as the driving force behind Gimbels. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1907. After graduation, he started as a shipping clerk in the family business and climbed the corporate ladder to become vice president in 1909. In 1910, he convinced his family to open the first Gimbels department store in New York City and later list it on the New York Stock Exchange. The Gimbels company purchased Saks Fifth Avenue and the Kaufmann & Baer store in the early 1920s. Bernard Gimbel brought the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade to New York City in 1924, starting a family-favorite tradition that continues today. He became president of Gimbels in 1926. At the peak of its operation, Gimbels was the largest department store in the world, operating 20 stores with over $100 million in sales. In 1953, Gimbel stepped down as president of Gimbels and gave the position to his son, Bruce. Bernard Gimbel was 81 years old when he passed away from cancer.
Department Store Founder. Born to a Jewish family, he was the grandson of Adam Gimbel, the founder of Gimbels department stores. He is well known as the driving force behind Gimbels. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1907. After graduation, he started as a shipping clerk in the family business and climbed the corporate ladder to become vice president in 1909. In 1910, he convinced his family to open the first Gimbels department store in New York City and later list it on the New York Stock Exchange. The Gimbels company purchased Saks Fifth Avenue and the Kaufmann & Baer store in the early 1920s. Bernard Gimbel brought the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade to New York City in 1924, starting a family-favorite tradition that continues today. He became president of Gimbels in 1926. At the peak of its operation, Gimbels was the largest department store in the world, operating 20 stores with over $100 million in sales. In 1953, Gimbel stepped down as president of Gimbels and gave the position to his son, Bruce. Bernard Gimbel was 81 years old when he passed away from cancer.
Bio by: Maddy Lobato
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Gimbel memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
