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Dillard's is the outgrowth of a Little Rock, Arkansas, department store founded in 1938 by William T. Dillard; its corporate headquarters remain located in the eastern edge of Little Rock's Riverdale area, and many of its executives and directors are members of the Dillard family.
Dillard sold the Nashville store to develop a larger one in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1938, initially as the minority partner in Wooten & Dillard. In 1956 Dillard led an investment group that acquired the Mayer & Schmidt store in Tyler, Texas. This store eventually took on the name "Dillard's Mayer & Schmidt" until 1974, when it was replaced with a mall-based location south of downtown Tyler.
In 1960, Dillard acquired and turned around the failing Brown-Dunkin store in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The success of this turnaround was followed in late 1963 by acquiring the Joseph Pfeifer store in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in early 1964 acquiring the other main store in Little Rock, Gus Blass Co. Dillard used this as an opportunity to relocate his headquarters to Little Rock. In 1969 Dillard and his investors took Dillard Department Stores, Inc., public on the American Stock Exchange.
Thereafter the chain grew rapidly as an anchor in suburbanshopping malls, and took advantage of market conditions to acquire smaller chains as well as its ability to turnaround locations that other companies could not operate profitably.
Acquisitions & growth
Growth of the Dillard's chain came quickly in the 1970s, mainly through expanding into new malls being built in smaller cities in Texas. In 1971 five Texas units were acquired from Fedway, a division of Federated Department Stores (the stores were rebadged as Dillard's in 1972). In 1974 five Leonard's stores were acquired in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as a commitment to open a new downtown Fort Worth store at the Tandy Center (site of the original Leonard's). Also in 1974, the former Brown-Dunkin, Blass, Pfeifer and Mayer & Schmidt stores were fully renamed Dillard's.
The 1980s brought the purchase of many local chains. In 1982, Dillard's leased three units of the defunct Lowenstein's chain in Memphis, Tennessee. In early 1984, Dillard’s acquired 12 Stix, Baer & Fuller stores in St. Louis and Kansas City from Associated Dry Goods Corp., while in fall 1984 two department store divisions were purchased from Dayton Hudson: Diamond's and John A. Brown, with locations in Arizona, Nevada and Oklahoma. Twelve stores in Kansas and Missouri belonging to R. H. Macy & Co.'s Midwest Division, which was later dissolved in 2006, were acquired in early 1986, while the three-unit Hemphill-White's in West Texas was purchased in the summer.
In 1987, Dillard's purchased 26 of Joske's 27 stores in Texas and Arizona as well as the four unit Cain-Sloan chain in Nashville, Tennessee from Allied Stores Corp. This deal gave Dillard's two major anchor locations at several malls in Texas and Arizona with many of the second locations being converted to a separate, expanded home and men's stores, a format that Dillard's utilized greatly, both to grow its store size cost effectively and to prevent competitors from gaining valuable real estate. Additionally the Joske's acquisition gave Dillard's entry into the Houston market. In 1988, Dillard's purchased the three-unit Miller & Paine chain in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as more significantly, a half-interest and operational control of The Higbee Co., based in Cleveland, Ohio with partner Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. The D.H. Holmes company was purchased in 1989, bringing 18 units primarily in Louisiana, as well two former Goldwaters units in Tucson, Arizona.
1990s acquisitions
The Ivey's chain of 23 stores in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina was added in 1990. This was followed by the acquisition of eight Florida Gulf Coast stores from Maison Blanche Co. in 1991 (which had acquired them as Robinsons of Florida only a few years before). In 1992, the remaining interest in the Higbee's stores were acquired, as well as five Ohio stores from Horne's (as part of a legal settlement, Dillard's having cancelled a 1988 deal to acquire the chain). Also in 1992, three stores from the Hess's chain liquidation (five other former Hess's were acquired in 1994), two E.M. Scarbrough's locations in Austin, Texas, three former Thalhimer's in North Carolina and Tennessee, a former Lord & Taylor store in Memphis, Tennessee and three former Belk-Lindsey stores in Florida were acquired by Dillard's. Except for two Belk of Columbia stores acquired in 1995, acquisitions were eschewed for several years until in early 1997 ten buildings in Florida were acquired from Mervyns, seven southern Virginia stores were purchase from Proffitt's (which had acquired them from Hess's in 1993), and three Macy's units in Houston, Texas were absorbed.
After the acquisition of Mercantile, Dillard's ceased expanding through acquisitions (though eight locations of the defunct Montgomery Ward, and four locations from ZCMI in Utah and Idaho were acquired in 2001).
The chain continues to expand and has recently begun adding stores in non-mall shopping centers : its largest store at 350,000 square feet (33,000 m²) is located at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In 2004 Dillard's store credit card operation, operated as Dillard's National Bank, was sold to GE Money Bank. Customers can now be issued Dillard's/American Express cards as well the traditional Dillard's store charge. These cards can be used at any store that accepts American Express.
Auburn – Colonial University Village (opened 2004, replacement store; 120,000 sq. ft.)
Decatur – Colonial Mall (formerly River Oaks Center) (3 locations — women's store opened 1998 in former Castner-Knott location, 80,866 sq. ft.; men's store opened 1999 in former Rogers, 41,048 sq. ft.; home store opened 1998 in former Castner-Knott location, 25,600 sq. ft.)
Dothan – Wiregrass Commons (opened 1998 in former Gayfers; 163,047 sq. ft.)
Florence – Regency Square Mall (opened 1998 in former Castner-Knott; 93,600 sq. ft.)
Daytona Beach – Volusia Mall (3 locations — men's & home store opened 1996 in former Belk; women's store opened 1990 in former Ivey's; juniors/kids/lingerie/petites store opened 1998 in former Gayfer's; 323,249 sq. ft.)
Estero – Coconut Point (opened 2006; 182,872 sq. ft.)
Fort Myers – Edison Mall (opened 1991 in former Maison Blanche/Robinson's; 177,500 sq. ft.)
Gainesville – The Oaks Mall (opened 1990 in former Ivey's; 85,000 sq. ft.)
Boynton Beach – Boynton Beach Mall (2 locations— opened 1999 in former Mervyns/Lord & Taylor and additional new building simultaneously; 222,733 sq. ft.)
Coral Springs – Coral Square Mall (opened 1997 in former Mervyns/Lord & Taylor; 100,000 sq. ft.)
Sanford – Seminole Towne Center (opened 1995; 210,930 sq. ft.)
Panama City – Panama City Mall (opened 1998 in former Gayfer's; 140,120 sq. ft.)
Pensacola – Cordova Mall (2 locations— men's, children's, & home store located in original store opened 1989 in former D.H. Holmes; women's store moved 1998 to former Gayfers, which opened in 1971; 310,934 sq. ft.)
Port Charlotte – Port Charlotte Town Center (opened 1992; 105,650 sq. ft.)
Clarksville – Green Tree Mall (opened 1995 in former Hess's/Snyder's; 205,996 sq. ft., largest one-level Dillard's store in the chain, originally 145,996 sq. ft. before expanding)
Jefferson Mall (opened 1995 in former Hess's/Stewart's; 156,440 sq. ft.)
Mall St. Matthews (2 locations— 1st opened 1996 as Dillard's; men's & home opened 1998 in former Bacon's, relocating men's & home store to former Lord & Taylor 2007; 450,000 sq. ft.)
Paducah – Kentucky Oaks (2 locations— opened 1994 in former Hess's/Snyder's; home store opened 1995; 115,733 sq. ft.)
Biloxi – Edgewater Mall (opened 1963 as Gayfer's, became Dillard's 1998; closed since August 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina damage; currently being rebuilt/renovated; should reopen in 2008; 209,354 sq. ft.)
Hattiesburg – Turtle Creek (opened 1994; 126,000 sq. ft.)
Meridian – Bonita Lakes (opened 1997; 127,000 sq. ft.)
Ridgeland – North Park (2 locations— opened 1989 in former D.H. Holmes; 2nd opened 1998 in former Gayfer's; 305,276 sq. ft.)
Southaven – Southaven Towne Center (opened 2006; 140,000 sq. ft.)
Akron – Summit Mall (2 locations— opened in former Higbee's in 1992; 2nd location opened 1998 in portion of former Polsky's/Jewel Mart, expanded to both floors in 2004; both locations remodeled 2006; 237,160 sq. ft.)
Chattanooga – Hamilton Place Mall (opened 1998 in former Belk; 128,897 sq. ft.; will acquire a second location in former Parisian, to open in late 2007, expanding to 221,417 sq. ft.)
Clarksville – Governor's Square (opened 1994 in former Hess's; 110,411 sq. ft.)
Indian Mall (Clearance Center) (2 locations— women's store opened 1967, 55,000 sq. ft; men's & home store opened 1980s in former TG&Y, 45,000 sq. ft., became clearance outlet 2006)
The Mall at Turtle Creek (opened 2006; 156,000 sq. ft.)
Little Rock – Park Plaza (2 locations— women's & home opened 1965, 200,000 sq. ft.; men's & children's opened 1988, 85,000 sq. ft.)
Gretna – Oakwood Shopping Center (opened 1989 in former D.H. Holmes, closed 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina damage, reopened 2006; 175,000 sq. ft.)
Kenner – The Esplanade (2 locations— opened 1989 in former D.H. Holmes; 224,540 sq. ft.)
Metairie – Lakeside Shopping Center (opened 1960 as D.H. Holmes; reopened 1989; 300,000 sq. ft.)
Slidell – North Shore Square (2 locations— opened 1989 in former D.H. Holmes; men's & home store opened 1998 in former Maison Blanche; 192,730 sq. ft.)
Barton Creek Square (2 locations— main store opened 1982, 203,035 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened 1992 in former Scarbrough's, 80,000 sq. ft.)
Highland Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1987 in former Joske's [1971], 190,000 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened 1992 in former Scarbrough's, 80,000 sq. ft.)
Cedar Park – Lakeline Mall (opened 1995; 210,980 sq. ft.)
Beaumont – Parkdale Mall (opened 1987 in former Joske's, operated as men's & home until 2006, when expanded; main store originally opened 1986 closed after Hurricane Rita; 220,000 sq. ft.)
Port Arthur – Central Mall (opened 1986; 97,652 sq. ft.)
Harlingen – Valle Vista Mall (opened 1983; 103,165 sq. ft.)
College Station – Post Oak Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1982, 100,000 sq. ft.; men's store opened 1990 in former Service Merchandise, 40,800 sq. ft.)
NorthPark Center (opened as Titche-Goettinger in 1965, became Joske's in 1979, became Dillard's in 1987; 300,000 sq. ft.; currently Dillard's flagship store and highest in sales volume)
Lewisville – Vista Ridge Mall (opened 1989; 200,000 sq.ft.)
Mesquite – Town East Mall (opened as Titche-Goettinger in 1971, became Joske's in 1979, became Dillard's in 1987, replacing Dillard's opened in 1982; 207,000 sq. ft.)
Cielo Vista Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1974, 190,000 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened 1974 as Liberty House, sold to Joske's 1978, became Dillard's 1988, 113,000 sq. ft.)
Sunland Park Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1988, 179,500 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened in former Montgomery Ward, 88,900 sq. ft.)
Willowbrook Mall (opened 1984 as Macy's, became Dillard's 1997, replacing former Joske's acquired in 1987; 268,596 sq. ft.)
Humble – Deerbrook Mall (opened 1984 as Macy's, became Dillard's 1997; 208,666 sq. ft.)
Lake Jackson – Brazos Mall (opened 1979 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, 110,000 sq ft.; 2nd location closed 2006)
Sugar Land – First Colony Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1996, 210,000 sq. ft.; men's & home store opening 2007 in former Mervyns, 84,000 sq. ft.)
Texas City – Mall of the Mainland (opened 1991; 147,708 sq. ft.)
The Woodlands – The Woodlands Mall (opened 1994; 230,000 sq. ft.)
Lubbock – South Plains Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1978, 162,800 sq. ft.; 2nd location opened 1986 in former Hemphill-White's, 94,800 sq. ft.)
McAllen – La Plaza Mall (opened 2000, replacement store; 234,870 sq. ft.)
Midland – Midland Park Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1980, 99,800 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened 1989, 37,100 sq. ft.)
Odessa – Music City Mall (opened 1980; 100,780 sq. ft.)
San Angelo – Sunset Mall (2 locations— opened what is now men's, children's, & home store 1986 in former Hemphill-White's, 48,000 sq. ft.; women's store relocated 2006 to former Service Merchandise, 58,800 sq. ft.)
Ingram Park Mall (2 locations— main store opened 1979, 184,644 sq. ft.; home store opened 1979 as Joske's, closed 1987 and rebuilt, re-opened 1988, 82,681 sq. ft.)
North Star Mall (opened as Joske's 1969, became Dillard's 1987; 204,000 sq. ft.)
Rivercenter (opened 1887 as freestanding flagship Joske's, became Dillard's 1988; occupying 131,900 sq. ft. of original 551,000 sq. ft. store)
Billings – Rimrock Mall (2 locations— main store opened 2001 in former Montgomery Ward, replacement store, 99,000 sq. ft.; men's & home store opened 2001 in former JC Penney, 62,000 sq. ft.)
Helena – Capital Hill Mall (opened 1998 in former Hennessy's; 55,000 sq. ft.)
Missoula – Southgate Mall (opened 1998 in former Hennessy's; 76,900 sq. ft.)
Fairview Park – Westgate Mall (2 locations— opened 1992 in former Higbee's and Horne's, closed 2005; Higbee's, 167,000 sq. ft. and Horne's, 195,000 sq. ft.)
Mayfield Heights – Severance Town Center (2 locations— opened 1992 in former Higbee's and Horne's, closed 1995; Higbee's, 170,000 sq. ft., Horne's, 168,000 sq. ft.)
Cheaspeake – Greenbrier Mall (2 locations— opened 1997 in former Proffitt's, 1998 in former Belk, both replaced 2004; one location now J.C. Penney; 160,000 sq. ft.)
Hampton – Coliseum Mall (2 locations— opened 1997 in former Proffitt's, both closed 2003; 112,000 sq. ft.)
Newport News – Patrick Henry Mall (opened 1997 in former Proffit's, 2nd location added 1998 in former Belk, expanded 2005, former Proffitt's closed; 65,000 sq. ft.)
Arlington – Festival Market Place (formerly Forum 303 Mall) (opened 1974 in former Leonard's, operated for a time as a Dillard's Outlet store, closed 2005; 239,000 sq. ft.)
Fort Worth Town Center (formerly Seminary South S.C.) (opened 1978, closed 2002; 127,000 sq. ft.)
Tandy Center (opened 1977 on site of original Leonard's, closed 1991; 106,000 sq. ft.)
Hurst – North East Mall (2 locations— opened 1974 in former Leonard's, 2nd building added 1987 in former Joske's, both replaced 1999; 205,000 sq. ft. and 110,000 sq. ft.)
Richardson – Richardson Square (opened 1979, 2nd location later added 1987 in former Joske's, 2nd location closed 1995, replaced 2005 at Firewheel Town Center; 1st store, 171,000 sq. ft., 2nd store, 70,000 sq. ft.)
El Paso – Bassett Center (opened 1995, closed 2000; 195,000 sq. ft.)
Friendswood – Baybrook Mall (opened 1978 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, replaced after larger location acquired from Macy's in 1997 was expanded in 2002; 132,500 sq. ft., store demolished for Foley's relocation)
Gulfgate Mall (opened 1956 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, closed 1997; 200,000 sq. ft.)
Town & Country Mall (opened 1983 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, closed 2003; 200,000 sq. ft., demolished)
Westwood Mall (opened as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, closed 1998; 150,000 sq. ft.)
Willowbrook Mall (opened 1981 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, replaced with larger location acquired from Macy's 1997 [became Lord & Taylor 1998, closed 2004, now demolished]; 120,000 sq. ft.)
Pasadena – Pasadena Town Square (opened 1982 as Joske's, became Dillard's 1987, closed 2006; 120,000 sq. ft.)
Laredo – Mall Del Norte (opened 1977, replaced 1994; 88,000 sq. ft.)
McAllen – La Plaza Mall (opened 1978, replaced 2000; 140,000 sq. ft.)
Camelview Plaza (opened 1986 in former Sakowitz location, closed 1990 with expansion of Fashion Square store; building occupied by Neiman Marcus 1992)
Scottsdale Fashion Square (opened 1984 in former Diamond's, expanded 1990, replaced 1998, store sold to Sears, now occupied by Macy's; 235,000 sq. ft.)
