A Growing Reputation

The company soon grew to become the largest independent shoe chain in the United States. By 1960, Nordstrom had eight stores in Washington and Oregon, and the downtown Seattle store became the largest shoe store in the country.

By the early 1960's, the company was looking for new ways to spread its wings. Venturing into the clothing market, Nordstrom purchased Best Apparel, a Seattle-based clothing store, in 1963.

Three years later, Nordstrom purchased a Portland, Oregon fashion retailer store and merged it with their existing Portland shoe store. For the first time, customers were greeted with a selection of both shoes and fine apparel under a new store name: Nordstrom Best.

Men's clothing and children's wear were added in 1966, expanding the store to meet the wardrobe needs of the entire family. Business prospered, and within two years, two new stores opened in Washington.

In 1968, the three brothers decided to retire and hand the company over to the third Nordstrom generation. The company was now led by Everett's son Bruce, Elmer's sons James and John, Lloyd's son-in-law Jack McMillan, and family friend Bob Bender.

The company went public in 1971. Just two years later, Nordstrom sales passed the $100 million mark and the company was recognized as the largest-volume West Coast fashion specialty store. This same year, the name was formally changed to Nordstrom, Inc.

By 1975, the company had expanded into Alaska, and the first Nordstrom Rack was opened in Seattle as a clearance center for full-line store merchandise. Three years later, the company moved into the competitive California market; and by 1988, Nordstrom had made the big move to the East Coast with the opening of a beautiful new store in Virginia.