For ninety-five years, St. Louis residents counted on Famous-Barr to buy
the things they used every day and to celebrate the moments that
happened only once a year. Customers might bump into Sophia Loren while
shoe shopping or confide in Santa Claus during a visit to Toyland. May
Company purchased the Famous Clothing Company in 1892 and acquired the
William Barr Dry Goods Company nineteen years later. In 1914,
Famous-Barr opened the doors of its iconic downtown location, treating
folks across Missouri and Illinois to almost a century of spectacular
window displays and legendary luncheons.