
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990                   TAG: 9006280191
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

GARFINCKEL'S CLOSES OUT

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of nostalgic, white-gloved matrons and sweaty bargain hunters swarmed into Garfinckel's department store Wednesday to offer last rites to the grand old lady of Washington retailers at a tumultuous liquidation sale.

The polished bronze doors of Garfinckel's flagship downtown store, an elegant Washington institution for 85 years, swung open at noon to the cheers of shoppers who raced inside to snap up Hermes scarves, Godiva chocolates, Waterford crystal and Givenchy pantyhose - all marked 20 percent off.

A well-heeled mob scene quickly ensued. Within 15 minutes, the front doors were closed temporarily to contain the throng, swollen by nearby office workers on their lunch hour. Within 30 minutes, two wood-paneled elevators had stalled under the crush.

The victim of aggressive competition from Bloomingdale's, Neiman-Marcus and other national department stores that have muscled into the Washington area, Garfinckel's filed for protection in federal bankruptcy court last week.

by CNB