National retail innovation originating in Vincennes – family descendants John Gimbel, Barbara Gimbel, and Robin Gimbel Senior, joined local and state officials at the traditional Gimbel Corner at 2nd and Main Street in Vincennes for the dedication of a Gimbels historical marker May 16. The marker commemorated the original Gimbels store established by Bavarian Jewish immigrants Adam and Solomon Gimbel in 1842, which grew into national prominence. Photo courtesy Victoria Shinkle, The Sun Commercial
“Gimbels has it” for many years served as the premier brand defining the then-largest department store chain in America, whose innovative free trade and community service practices originated at the corner of 2nd and Main Streets in Vincennes. A Bavarian Jewish immigrant, Adam Gimbel moved to Vincennes in the mid-1800s in search of “real peace, equality and freedom and opportunity for all.” Eventually establishing what was once the largest business in Vincennes, the Gimbel brothers’ legacy was celebrated with the unveiling of a permanent state historical marker in the city’s downtown on May 16.
Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum, community leaders, and descendants of Adam and Solomon Gimbel came together to dedicate the official state historical marker honoring the Gimbel brothers and their national impact on retail. The original Gimbels building, together with its renowned Italianate design, was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 2011, but the downtown green space known as Gimbel Corner now preserves the family’s remarkable history and origins in Vincennes.
In his remarks helping to dedicate the historical marker at Gimbel Corner, Michael Brown of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society thanked several entities: “Your partnership means the world to us. To the Knox County Economic Development Corporation, for recognizing that history is not just about the past; it is a foundation for future growth. To the Riverlands Jewish Archive, whose work ensures these stories are preserved and shared. And, of course, to the Gimbel family, whose descendants have carried forward a proud heritage that continues to inspire this city, this state, and this nation.”
What are the attributes that helped produce this Knox County heritage, one that earned mentions in movies like the Academy Award-winning Miracle on 34th Street or other TV and movies shows?
Adam and his brother Solomon founded the initial Vincennes dry goods and clothing store in 1842 that became known locally as “the Palace of Trade.” But the Gimbel brothers embraced forward-looking retail practices and community engagement that produced a unique business culture. Adam Gimbel publicly pledged that the family store would “maintain only the most reasonable prices for the best value,” as Gimbel’s personal credo prohibited “an unjust transaction.” Brown noted in a local Sun-Commercial interview that the Gimbel brothers “changed retail history with their business practices, and their innovativeness and their transparency.”
Armed with this commitment, according to Brown, the Gimbel brothers “built something more than a business; they built a name.” He explained: “The Hebrew Bible teaches us in Proverbs, a book that Adam Gimbel read from at each Board Meeting with his sons, “’A good name is greater than riches.’”
Gimbel stores expanded from Vincennes to more than 50 stores nationally, with large-scale multi-story retail operations in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York City, eventually acquiring what became Saks Fifth Avenue. But, as Brown explained at the event, the success of Gimbels “was not solely measured in profits or buildings but in the trust they earned and the reputation they upheld.”
The Gimble family became known for its strong community support. Discover Indiana relates this account of how Jacob “Jake” Gimbel (son of Adam Gimbel) helped a local young man who ended up having a global impact. As the story goes, Curtis Grover Shake, a young man going to school in Vincennes in the early 20th century, received an unexpected notice that Jake Gimbel would like to see him.
A bit apprehensive, young Curtis “put on his Sunday’s best outfit and went to Mr. Gimbel’s office downtown without knowing why.” Curtis was subsequently stunned to learn that Gimbel “understood that he was planning to go to college at Indiana University…he wished to pay for all of his college expenses.”
Speechless at such a development, Curtis asked how he could ever repay him. Gimbel replied that the only repayment that he wanted “was to know that if later in life Curtis had the means to help someone out that he would.”
What did Shake do to “help someone out” and fulfill Gimbel’s request? After graduating with a law degree from Indiana University in 1910, Shake went on to establish a successful law career that included serving three terms as Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.
In 1947, the Jurist from Vincennes was appointed as the presiding civilian judge over one of the Nuremberg Trials following World War II. Remembered for his “wisdom, wit, and warmth,” Shake also served on the Board of Trustees of Vincennes University from 1923-1966. The Shake Learning Resource Center at VU is named in his honor.
As noted in event coverage from Vincennes PBS KVUT, “Jon Mays with the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society says the marker will help preserve Gimbel’s legacy and more. ‘The marker not only recognizes Adam Gimbel, but also highlights the broader Jewish presence in Vincennes and southern Indiana—a history many people may not be aware of.’ he said. ‘There were a number of Jewish merchants here, along with others from diverse backgrounds.’”
“Vincennes is rich in history,” said Mayor Yochum at the event. Noting the national impact of the Gimbel Brothers, he stated: “It is fitting that we recognize this space.”
A video recording of the May 16 event can be viewed here.