The Jewish Fashion Pioneers of Neiman-Marcus, Dallas, Texas

Nieman-Marcus

Values Codes I – H – E – L – P

“In 1907, a store which was to become one of the most famous in the world opened its doors at the corner of Elm and Murphy in Dallas, Texas. The streets were unpaved and dusty, but those who saw the opening remember that the store was elegant.”

– Linda Hall, “Neiman-Marcus: The Beginning”

The beginning of Neiman-Marcus is the story of three Jewish merchandising pioneers of women’s high fashion in the Wild West – Herbert Marcus, Abraham Lincoln “Al” Neiman, and Carrie Marcus Neiman.

In the early 20^th century, most women’s clothing was made to order — a slow, step-by-step processes. This was true even in fashionable department stores. Fabric, lace, and ribbons were chosen separately and put together by dressmakers or seamstresses.

Neiman-Marcus introduced the new concept of ready-made, high-end fashion, which could be adjusted by alterations.

All of this took place in an atmosphere of elegance not yet seen west of the Mississippi.

Herbert Marcus

Herbert Marcus was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1878.

Herbert was a high-school dropout who moved with his parents to Hillsboro, Texas.

He worked in retail sales as a shoe salesman and then as a buyer for the Boys Department at the Sanger’s Department Store.

He married Minnie Lichtenstein in 1902.

In 1905 he resigned from Sanger’s to join his new brother-in-law, Abraham Lincoln “Al” Neiman, in advertising and sales promotion in Atlanta, Georgia. They formed the American Salvage Company.

An opportunity arose to cash out or sell the business and obtain a Coca-Cola franchise. They chose to cash out, as the soft-drink company was basically unknown at that time.

Abraham Lincoln “Al” Neiman

Al Neiman was born in 1875 in Chicago, Illinois.

He was raised in a Jewish orphanage in Cleveland, Ohio.

While working in Dallas, Texas at A. Harris & Co., a women’s department store, he met one of the store’s fashion buyers, Carrie Marcus.

Al and Carrie were married in 1905 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with Carrie’s brother Herbert Marcus and sister-in law Minnie Lichtenstein Marcus.

Carrie Marcus

Carrie Marcus was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1883.

Carrie and her family moved to Dallas, Texas, where she learned her trade as a fashion buyer at A. Harris & Co.

Nieman-Marcus

In 1907, Herbert & Minnie Marcus and Al & Carrie Neiman joined to found Neiman-Marcus, which was to become the most “upscale” women’s department store in the West.

In the early 1900’s, women of means would travel to New York or Europe for custom clothing. Neiman-Marcus aimed to attract these women to their Dallas store instead.

With no credit and $17,000 in cash, Carrie and Al Neimen went to New York City while Herbert Marcus took responsibility of creating a magnificent store.

Carrie Neiman did all the buying, using her own judgment and good taste. She bought silks and satins and furs — everything from “linen waists,” which would sell for between $3.25 and $5.00, to “elegant tailor mades” (suits), which would sell for up to $250.

Impressive mahogany cases were created to hold dresses around the walls of the first floor — clothing was not hung on racks. Deep plush carpeting was everywhere.

All the departments were on the first floor – fine dresses, suits, furs, etc. The upper floor of the two-story building housed the fitting rooms and alteration departments. Over $12,000 was spent for fixtures and equipment.

What was left of their money went to simple, but elegant, advertising, which stood out against the wordy ads of other stores.

On opening day, September 10, 1907, a simple advertisement stated:

Opening Day Today 10:00 A.M. t0 10:00 P.M.
Souvenirs
All are Cordially Invited
Neiman-Marcus Co.
Elm and Murphy Sts., Dallas
Exclusive Women’s Clothiers

Original 2-Story Neiman-Marcus Store in Dallas, 1907, #WS5435

Carrie Marcus Nieman implemented her brother’s motto: “It’s never a good sale for Neiman Marcus unless it’s a good buy for the customer.”

Clients looked to her as an exemplar of style. She always dressed in understated elegance, typically in a black dress with a strand of pearls and two gold bracelets.

Civic

Herbert Neiman served as a Director of the Dallas Museum of Art. He later served as President and Director of the Republican National Bank & Trust Company, and the Dallas Joint Land Bank. Herbert was a Founder, Director, and Treasurer of the Southwestern Medical Foundation, the primary fundraiser for the establishment of the Southern Methodist University. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and an active member on the Welfare Board of the City of Dallas.

Minnie Lichtenstein Marcus was an honorary Lifetime President of the Dallas Garden Center. She donated land to Dallas Taping for the Blind.

Community

Herbert Marcus became President of Temple Emanu-El of Dallas, and a chief founder of the Southwestern division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Minnie Lichtenstein Marcus helped many Jewish and interfaith organizations. She served on the boards of Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Jewish Welfare Federation, and the Dallas Home for Jewish Aged, and received the Brotherhood Citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Family

Herbert Marcus and Minnie Lichtenstein had three children: Stanley, Edward, and Lawrence.

Carrie Marcus married Abraham Lincoln “Al” Neiman in 1905. When they divorced in 1928, “Al” Marcus was bought out by the Marcus family for his share of the company for $250.000 and a non-compete clause.

“Al” married Dorothy Squires, a fashion model, in 1938, and they adopted World War II refugees Diana and Ursula Woolf.

Herbert Marcus died in 1970 and rests in a mausoleum at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas.

Carrie Marcus Neiman died in 1953. She is buried in the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery in Dallas.

Abraham “Al” Lincoln Neiman died in 1970 and is buried in the Hebrew Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth.

Minnie Lichtenstein Marcus died in 1979.