HENRI BENDEL

This unique store was started by Henri Bendel in 1896 as aspecialty storeandcustom-madeimport house that sold original designs and adaptations of European designs according to the customers' directions. A group of investors and Geraldine Stutz, who had been with the store as president since the 1960s, bought Bendel from fashion conglomerate Genesco in 1980. Stutz is credited with turning the store into the most uniqueretailexperience of the times and a breeding ground for new, upcoming design talent. In 1985, the store was sold to Limited Brands.