Rike Kumler Co.
 | |
| Department store | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Fate | Merged with Shillito's |
| Successor |
Shillito Rikes (1982-1986) Lazarus (1986-2003) Lazarus-Macy's (2003-2005) Macy's (2005-present) |
| Founded | March 9, 1853 |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Dayton, Ohio |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, and housewares. |
| Parent | Federated Department Stores, Inc. |
| Website | None |
The Rike-Kumler Company (commonly known as Rike's) was an American department store in Dayton, Ohio. In 1959, Rike's became part of the Federated Department Stores conglomerate.[1] In 1982, Federated merged Rike's with its Cincinnati unit, Shillito's, in order to form Shillito Rikes.[2] In 1986, Federated merged Shillito Rikes into the Columbus-based Lazarus chain,[2] which, in 2005 was consolidated with most other Federated chains under the Macy's brand.
Rike's former main store in downtown Dayton is now the site of the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.[3][4]
Rike's was well known for its annual tradition of animated Christmas window displays. The animated figurines were preserved and have been displayed yearly during the Christmas season at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center since its inception.[5]
References
- ↑ "Federated Stores Acquires Rike-Kumler For 580,000 Shares". The Wall Street Journal. July 27, 1959. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- 1 2 Flynn, Adrianne; Bland, Jim; Scruggs, Afi-Odelia E. (November 22, 1991). "A downtown retailing story". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ↑ Huffman, Dale (October 3, 1999). "Rike's to go". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ↑ DeBrosse, Jim (October 31, 1999). "Rike's building to go bing-bang-boom Saturday". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris. "Rike's Christmas window display". Dayton Daily News.
External links
- Wright State University Rike Historical Collection (includes brief company history)