From humble
beginnings as the children of immigrants in Buffalo, the Sterns became an
important merchandising family in New York City. The entire family worked
in this store, which carried both luxury goods and merchandize for the
working classes. This enterprise was distinguished by its elegant door men
in top hats and by the generous and friendly service of the Sterns
themselves.
This enormous, six-story cast-iron building
was executed in the Renaissance Revival style. W.M. Schickel's typically
19th century addition tripled the dimensions of the original structure on
the eastern portion of the site. The tall central section of this addition
animates the long and delicately detailed facade. The company's monogram
is located above a central arch.