[shadowbat2]

Lit brothers was founded in 1891 by Samuel and Jacob Lit who opened a dry goods store across N 8th Street from Strawbridge and Clothier. As the store expanded, it acquired properties to the east and north. In many cases, existing commercial buildings were reused (one dating back to 1859) and new structures were added as well. Architects Charles M. Autenrieth and Edward Collins fashioned all structures, new and old, in the Renaissance Revival style with common display windows on the first floor. Octagonal turrets defined the corners right above the entrances. These architectural features (along with a copious amount of white paint) helped to unify the structures, which differed in age as well as facade material: marble, cast iron, granite, and brick.

By 1907 the entire northern block front of market Street between 7th and 8th belonged to Lits. Large roof top signs beckoned the store's name to passerby and many shoppers fondly remember the "HATS TRIMMED FREE OF CHARGE" inscription above the corner entrances.


HABS image from wiki

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Lits featured moderately priced merchandise and catered to a more ethnically diverse clientele than other Market Street merchants.

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Further expansion consisted of an additional wing along N 7th Street. Completed in 1919, this seven story structure consists of an Italianate facade executed in brown brick that stands as a sharp contrast to it's neighbor.

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Like Strawbridge's, Lits had it's service buildings north of the store between Filbert and Arch streets.

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Bankers Security corporation purchased Lits in 1928 and merged the company in with it's City Stores division, which operated mutiple retail banners across the country (today CSS industries) Starting in the 1950's Lits opened branch stores in Northeast and South Philadelphia as well as the growing suburbs. However by the 1970's the store found itself falling behind with the times with aging stores in declining areas. In 1977 the doors closed for good.

Throughout the early 80's the structures sat vacant and increasingly derelict. Developers eyed the site for a new office tower and demolition was approved despite a historic listing in 1979.


August 1984 Phillyhistory


Phillyhistory

Plans would change for the better however as the site was sold in 1987 to Brickstone Realty, who sought a different approach. Under their watch the buildings were restored externally and re purposed into modern office space with retail stores on the ground floor and lower level food court. Mellon Bank signed on as a tenant and the complex was renamed Mellon Independence Center upon reopening in 1989.

In February 2014, Brickstone put up for sale a 75% stake in the property, although it will continue to manage it. A renovation is planned that will redesign the interior, add new lighting and signage (and hopefully removing the ugly canopies in front of the entrances as well)

Oh and a tower is planned as well.

168 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr