“Shocking Goodbye! Lord & Taylor, the Iconic 200-Year-Old Department Store, Is Closing All Its Stores!”

After almost two centuries in business, Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store chain, is closing its doors for good. The store’s history stretches back nearly 200 years, but the challenges of recent times have taken their toll.

Starting in 2020, a series of major events, from the tragic loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant to the global pandemic and widespread social unrest, disrupted life as we knew it. Retailers, particularly those reliant on in-store shopping, faced increasing difficulties as more consumers shifted their purchases online through platforms like Amazon, leading to a substantial drop in foot traffic.

Lord & Taylor’s closure marks the end of an era, as even long-established businesses have had to adapt—or, in some cases, shut down—amid economic shifts accelerated by the pandemic.