Thalhimers was founded in Richmond in 1842 by German Jewish immigrant William Thalhimer as a humble dry goods store. It expanded over the years to become a 26-store chain across the Southeast under the leadership of William's great-grandson, William B. Thalhimer Jr. It boasted the latest in clothing, shoes, and accessories for the entire family, the most modern of housewares, and gourmet foods and baked goods, including the iconic six-layer chocolate cake. Through decades of dramatic political and social change, Thalhimers stood strong, guided by the overarching philosophies of honesty, integrity, quality, and service. Loyal and devoted employees were the heart of Thalhimers, becoming part of the extended Thalhimer family. Sadly, in 1992, as a result of retail consolidation, the Thalhimer name was dropped and the flagship downtown Richmond store closed. A 150-year legacy ended, leaving behind cherished memories, stories, and images.
Longtime Thalhimers shopper Emily Golightly Rusk is a freelance historian with special interest in Richmond's past. She and Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt, the sixth generation of the department store family and author of Finding Thalhimers, have spent years researching the Thalhimer family and store. The images used in this book come from the Thalhimer family collection, the Valentine Richmond History Center, and the Virginia Historical Society.