Lit Brothers: From Modest Millinery Shop to Retail Powerhouse

A Humble Beginning

In 1890, Rachel Lit Wedell set up a modest millinery shop on Eighth Street above Filbert, quickly becoming known for her offer to trim hats purchased at her store free of charge. This attention to customer service laid the groundwork for what would soon become a retail powerhouse. By 1893, Rachel’s brothers, Samuel and Jacob Lit, joined forces with her. They relocated to a new, grander store at the northeast corner of Eighth and Market Streets, giving birth to Lit Brothers department store. Lit Brothers quickly established itself as a popular alternative to high-end department stores like Strawbridge & Clothier and John Wanamaker. Their slogan, “A Great Store in A Great City,” captured their vision of providing quality goods at more affordable prices. The store became especially renowned for its impressive millinery department, setting it apart from competitors.

Building a Legacy

As the 1890s progressed, the Lits embarked on an ambitious expansion. By 1895, they had acquired several neighboring buildings and transformed the area into a full block of stunning Victorian architecture. Designed by Charles M. Autenrieth and Edward Collins, the complex included 33 interconnected buildings. Despite being popularly known as the “cast-iron building,” only two of its facades used actual cast iron. The rest of the block featured a blend of brick, marble, and granite, with some buildings boasting distinctive brick and terra-cotta elements and striking octagonal towers. This design was unified by consistent arch windows and a cohesive color scheme. Lit Brothers was not just about grand architecture; it also embraced modern amenities. It was one of the first stores to feature a fleet of motorized delivery trucks and had its own subway entrance—still preserved today—that led directly to its bustling bargain basement.

Changing Times

The store’s growth continued into the 1920s, but by 1928, Lit Brothers was acquired by Albert M. Greenfield’s Bankers Securities Corporation and eventually became part of the City Stores Company, now CSS Industries, Inc. Despite acquiring other stores like Snellenburg’s in 1962, the company struggled to compete with the evolving retail landscape and ultimately closed its doors in April 1977.

A Festive Legacy

One of the store’s most cherished legacies was the Enchanted Colonial Village, an elaborate Christmas display that started in the 1960s. Designed by German toy maker Christian Hofmann, this festive exhibit, costing around $1 million (or about $10 million today), delighted visitors with its charming colonial-era Christmas scene from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve until 1976. After the store closed, the display was sold and donated to the Atwater Kent Museum. It has since been restored and now makes seasonal appearances at the Please Touch Museum. The complete exhibit was later transferred to the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks, PA, where it is being rebuilt as a permanent exhibit.

A New Chapter

After Lit Brothers’ closure, the iconic flagship store remained vacant until the late 1980s. Mellon Bank signed a 25-year lease, leading to a redevelopment of the building into office and retail space, reopening as Mellon Independence Center in 1987. It was later renamed Market Place East and, in 2013, became the Lit Building. Today, the building houses Five Below’s headquarters, but a nostalgic neon sign still proclaims, “Hats Trimmed Free of Charge,” preserving a piece of Lit Brothers’ storied past. This preservation of its original charm amidst modern updates makes it a unique blend of commercial and retail space, cherished for its historical significance. The interior is well worth a look if you’re walking by: beautiful marble flooring and a grand atrium give visitors a sense of how grand the building was in its heyday!