S.H. Kress Building
One of the architectural gems of Greensboro’s Elm Street is the S.H. Kress & Co. building located at 212 South Elm Street in the Downtown Greensboro Historical District. Built in 1930, this colorful Art-Deco style building was a familiar and beloved institution in Greensboro for over 40 years.
Founded by Samuel Kress in 1896, S. H. Kress & Co. became a prominent five-and-dime chain known for its abundance of reasonably-priced merchandise, as well as for its beautiful buildings located in the downtown districts of cities across the country. The Kress company’s strong commitment to architectural excellence led it to form its own architectural division, charged with overseeing all aspects of store design.
Samuel Kress was a collector of fine art, who took great pride in his company’s buildings. He viewed his stores as architectural gifts to the communities in which they were located. Known for erecting expensive buildings and using the finest materials, Kress constructed stores that were typically more elaborate than those of its competitors. During the Depression, Kress took advantage of falling labor and construction prices to build some of its most elaborate buildings, called “superstores.”
Samuel Kress believed that building during difficult times demonstrated his optimism for the future, while benefiting local economies.
The Greensboro superstore was the first designed by company architect Edward F. Sibbert during his 25-year tenure at S. H. Kress & Co. Sibbert went on to design more than 50 new Kress stores in the 1930’s and early 1940’s and was known for his tireless creativity in doing so.
Each Kress store was individually designed, and many incorporated references to unique or significant aspects of the city area in which they were located. The terra cotta facade of the Greensboro store features a Kress coat of arms in a medallion with a tobacco leaf motif. Storefront ornamentation reflected what was available for sale inside the store. The stylized narcissus created in terra cotta on the Greensboro storefront represents the flower bulbs that were once sold inside the store.
Like other Kress stores, the Greensboro site had an open floor plan, defined by wooden display counters which featured an abundant variety of merchandise. A trip to downtown to shop at the Kress store was also a form of entertainment and a social experience for many people in the community. They browsed for everything from jewelry to housewares, bought candy from large bins, and met their friends for “blue plate specials” at the lunch counter. In fact, the lunch counter at the Greensboro Kress store was the scene of student sit-ins in 1960, following the famous sit-in, which occurred at the Woolworth store just a short walk up the street. After the demonstration, both Woolworth and Kress integrated their stores and lunch counters.
The Kress store closed in 1973, but with its rich history and colorful Art-Deco style, the Kress building continues to have a strong presence in downtown Greensboro which is enjoying a marked revival. Loft living, new restaurants, theatre and retailers are creating a renaissance in the heart of our city.
