Fao Schwarz

FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy retailer in the United States, famed for its high-quality, extraordinary toys, its life-sized stuffed animals, and its flagship store in central New York.

History

In 1862, four brothers, Frederick, Gustav, Henry, and Richard Schwarz, immigrants to the United States from Germany, opened the Toy Bazaar in Baltimore, Maryland, which became popular for its high-quality goods. The store became a success, and a chain of stores was established in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York. The store’s success was the result of its stock of exquisitely crafted toys, many imported from Europe, which led to continued expansion in the form of a second New York store and a mail order catalog in 1876. Not only was it the world’s largest toy retailer ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles