Younkers

Younkers Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1856 (168 years ago) (1856) in Keokuk, Iowa
FoundersMarcus Younker
Lipman Younker
Samuel Younker
FateSubsidized into online retail by BrandX.com
HeadquartersDes Moines, Iowa (until 2003)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2003-2021)
New York, NY (2021 onwards)
Number of locations
49 Until the parent company's liquidation in 2018[1]
ProductsClothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, housewares
Parent
CSC Generation (2018-2021)
BrandX.com (2021-present)
WebsiteYounkers.com
Previous logo used by the chain before being replaced by the current one.

Younkers Inc. is an American online retailer and former department store chain founded as a family-run dry goods business in 1856 in Keokuk, Iowa. The retailer had evolved over more than 150 years to include a presence in locations throughout Iowa and bordering states in the Midwest region of the United States. Younkers became influential as it acquired several rivals throughout the 20th century both inside and outside of Iowa. The chain itself was sold by the late 1990s, with ownership transferring out of state, and its Des Moines-based headquarters closed by 2003 as a part of a corporate consolidation. Following its last sale in 2006, Younkers operated as a subsidiary of The Bon-Ton, with locations in seven Midwestern states, primarily in shopping malls. As of 2013 the chain operated more than fifty locations in the region. On August 29, 2018, Younkers closed its doors one last time.[2]

Exterior of Younkers in Traverse City, Michigan, located at the Cherryland Center, in a former H. C. Prange Co. The interior of this store was never remodeled, and retained 1970's style decor until it closed in August 2018.
  1. ^ "The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved Aug 13, 2019.
  2. ^ "Younkers: The last day". KIMT News. Retrieved Aug 13, 2019.