Kaufmann's crowned Pittsburgh's most-missed place
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Kaufmann's department store is gone, but you can still meet under the famous clock. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Nowhere holds a place in Pittsburgh hearts more than Kaufmann's department store, according to Axios readers.
Why it matters: We struggle sometimes to let go of the past — we all still give directions by landmarks that changed names — so turning that nostalgia into a contest felt appropriate.
Context: Hundreds of you voted in our bracket to determine which place you wish was still here, and Kaufmann's bested The Original Hot Dog Shop, aka "The O," in the final round.
- Civic Arena and the Log Jammer ride at Kennywood also had strong showings in the tournament.
By the numbers: The Pittsburgh-based chain had 59 stores across a few states at one point, but we all know yinzers loved the Downtown location, aka "The Big Store," the most.
Flashback: Founded in 1871 as a small men's store in the South Side, Kaufmann's expanded throughout Pittsburgh and other parts of Pennsylvania and eventually into Ohio, New York and West Virginia.
- The Downtown Pittsburgh store opened in 1877.
- The company was bought by Macy's in 2006, which converted many of the stores, including Downtown.
- The Downtown Macy's closed in 2015; the building reopened as apartments, a hotel, a Target and other retail in 2022.
Zoom in: The Kaufmann family demolished the original five-story structure and replaced it with a 13-story building in 1913, known for its ornate white terra cotta exterior.
Between the lines: Kaufmann's remains one of the city's strongest sources of "old Pittsburgh" nostalgia.
- In its heyday, it was a sort of cultural hub. Generations grew up visiting the store's elaborate Christmas window displays and holiday shopping with their families.
- For some, its closure marked the end of an era — a shift from shopping as a shared experience to a more fragmented retail landscape.
💠Alexis' thought bubble: I used to shop at Kaufmann's at the Monroeville Mall and miss my annual back-to-school shopping sessions there with my family.
Fun fact: "Meet me under the Kaufmann's Clock" was a common refrain throughout 20th-century Pittsburgh as a symbol of romance. The site welcomed weddings and photographers from across the globe.
- In 1983, the clock became a political punchline during a tax feud between City Council President "Jeep" DePasquale and Councilwoman Michelle Madoff, when he quipped he'd meet her under it and "kiss her you-know-what" if her plan succeeded.
What's your favorite Kaufmann's memory?
- Send us an email at [email protected] to let us know.