A Retail Icon

1922

Warren G. Harding was President. The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated and King Tut's tomb was discovered. The N.Y. Giants defeated the N.Y. Yankees to win the World Series.... 
And in Brooklyn, Max and Clara Fortunoff opened the doors of their neighborhood housewares store. Here was a store with a real difference: a vast selection of quality merchandise, attentive sales clerks, and remarkably low prices. These attributes, which have become hallmarks of the company, not only turned the store into a Brooklyn landmark, but soon led to eight Fortunoff shops, all located under the elevated subway on Livonia Avenue. Max and Clara were joined in business by their children, Alan, Marjorie, and Lester.

1957

Alan's wife Helene introduces jewelry and watches to the business.

1964

The company moved their stores from Brooklyn to a superstore in Westbury, Long Island .

1970's

As Westbury became a shopping mecca the company opened specialty jewelry stores on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and in Paramus, New Jersey.

1980's

Opened full-line stores in Wayne and Woodbridge, New Jersey and in Paramus, New Jersey.

1999

Launched an expanded fortunoff.com website and online bridal registry.

2001

Launched the Fortunoff Backyard Store concept, with showrooms filled with everything for backyard living.

2003

Opened in White Plains, New York.

2005

The Fortunoff and Mayrock families sell a majority interest in the business to two private equity firms.

2008

The company files for Chapter 11 protection and is acquired by another private equity firm.