Garfinckel's Department Store is an eight-story department store building in downtown Washington, D.C. It was erected at the northwest corner of 14th and F Streets, across from the Willard Hotel, which is one block from the Treasury Department and less than two blocks from the White House.HistoryGarfinckel's first retail location opened in 1918, and was located at 13th and F Streets, Northwest, Washington, D.C.,They expanded to the new location, in 1929. The $2,000,000 structure was designed by architects Starrett & van Vleck of New York. By 1936, there were more than 500 employees.In 1995, the historic Garfinckel's flagship store, located at 1401 F Street, NW, Washington, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. From 1997 to 1999, the property was redeveloped into a modern office building and shopping center that is referred to as Hamilton Square.Garfinckel's flagship store reputation was not without controversy. It was both widely known and acknowledged that blacks were not welcome at the flagship store and in fact, were not permitted to try on clothing. This may in fact have hurt the store during the latter part of the 20th century; newly-prosperous blacks may have been inclined to ignore the store.
