Gilmore Brothers (Department store)
Biography
On August 20, 1881, Irish immigrant John M. Gilmore opened a dry goods store on Burdick Street. When his brother James joined him in 1883, it became Gilmore Brothers Department Store. Over the years John married Mary Downey and had three daughters and one son, and James married Carrie Sherwood and had three sons, all who helped with the business when they were older.
John died in 1895 at the age of 43 and James died in 1908 at the age of 51. James’ widow Carrie expanded the business, which changed with the times as needed until closing in 1999. The Kalamazoo City Centre is now located where Gilmore’s was and until December of 2018 included Irving’s Market which was named after one of James’ sons.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Gilmore Brothers Department Store Publications
This collection contains four issues of The Town Crier from 1929 and 1930. This was a daily publication for the employees of the Gilmore Brothers Department Store which operated in Kalamazoo from 1881 to 1999.