Beginnings

The company began in 1899 when Herman Bergdorf, an immigrant from Alsace, opened a tailor shop just above Union Square in downtown Manhattan. Edwin Goodman, an employee of Bergdorf's, purchased the store then located in the "Ladies' Mile" in 1906, and moved to the present location on Fifth Avenue. In 1914, Goodman became the first couturier to introduce ready-to-wear, making Bergdorf Goodman a destination for American and French fashion. The store moved to its present location at 5th Avenue and 58th Street in 1928, building its Art Deco store on the site of the Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion. With Goodman's son, Andrew, as president, the store opened a fur salon, developed the successful Bergdorf Goodman Number Nine perfume, and created Miss Bergdorf, a ready-to-wear line for younger customers. Edwin Goodman retired from the company in 1953.

1960–1990

1990–Present

Chairman and CEO Ira Neimark expanded the women's store three times in the 1990s. The men's store was moved across the street to the old FAO Schwarz space at 745 Fifth Avenue in 1990. This move made it possible to make more space available for women's fashions. In 1997, the penthouse apartment on the building's ninth floor (formerly the Goodman family residence) was converted into the John Barrett Salon and Susan Ciminelli Day Spa. In 1999, the Beauty Level opened directly below the main floor, offering a luxury spa and Goodman's Café, serving lunch and afternoon tea. In 2002, Bergdorf Goodman underwent a major renovation, during which artisans and craftspeople began a dramatic restoration of the main floor of the women's store. In 2003, the store introduced new boutiques for Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent. The Bergdorf Goodman Men's store features exclusive brands such as Loro Piana, Kiton, Bontoni, John Lobb and Charvet. Bergdorf's competition includes other high-end retailers such as Bloomingdale's, Barneys New York, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and owner Neiman Marcus

In popular culture

In the movie That Touch Of Mink Doris Day is feted by Cary Grant with a shopping spree at Bergdorf Goodman's, and the store is mentioned several times in the film. In the credits of the film Bergdorf Goodman's is thanked "for being Bergdorf Goodmans".

In the movie Arthur, Arthur (Dudley Moore) shops for sweaters when he sees Linda (Liza Minnelli) stealing a tie.

On the show Sex And The City Bergdorf Goodman is a favorite shopping spot for Carrie Bradshaw.

On the MTV series The City (MTV series), Whitney Port's friend Samantha works as an assistant buyer at Bergdorf.