Published May 31, 2025
By Rob Mellon
The anticipation was electric as construction crews and skilled tradesmen worked diligently, determined to ensure that the new 100,000 square-foot Bergner’s store in Quincy would open its doors right on schedule. Their efforts culminated in a spectacular grand opening on Thursday, October 19, 1978, at precisely 10 a.m. Towering above the celebration, a massive red, white, and blue hot air balloon floated impressively, drawing curious onlookers from all directions and signaling that something extraordinary was happening on Broadway.
Excitement buzzed through the air as crowds swelled, eager to be among the first to step inside the sprawling retail wonderland. Any doubts Thomas Liston, chairman of the board at Bergner’s, may have had about launching a store on the far western edge of the state quickly vanished. The overwhelming turnout and enthusiasm from the Quincy community made it clear that Bergner’s had arrived in grand style. As Liston looked out over the sea of potential customers, he declared with pride, “The new store is an amazement.”
At the time of its grand opening, the Quincy Mall was approximately 75% complete. Bergner’s joined an initial group of retailers that included Kirlin’s, Radio Shack, Carl’s Shoe Store, Forbes Clothier, Key Rexall, and the Town and Country Cinema. On November 14, 1978, several additional stores opened their doors, including Aladdin’s Castle, Zales Jewelers, Musicland, Spencer’s Gifts, Walden Books, Maurices, and The Limited. Notably, Sears was not among the original tenants of the Quincy Mall.
Bergner’s emerged as the leading retailer in Quincy in the late 1970s catalyzing a shift in the city’s commercial center toward East Broadway and the Quincy Mall. The new store quickly became a resounding success, renowned for offering the most extensive selection of clothing, shoes, and cosmetics in the area. With its reputation for high-quality apparel, Bergner’s established itself as the premier shopping destination for discerning customers. Reflecting its popularity, credit card applications at the Quincy location soared, doubling the number seen at other Bergner’s stores across Illinois.
In the crisp autumn in late October 1978, Bergner’s Country Inn Restaurant opened its doors, inviting guests into a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Known for its hearty family-style dining, the restaurant served up comforting favorites from 11 am to 7 p.m., drawing locals and visitors alike.
A highlight for many was the generous salad bar, complete with fresh leafy selections and accompanied by pots of homemade soup. Sundays became a special occasion at Bergner’s, thanks to the popular champagne brunch held from noon to 4 pm. For just $4.75, diners could indulge in a fine spread, which included their choice of meat, seasonal vegetables, potatoes, a salad bar, dessert, and, of course, a glass of champagne.
Despite its inviting charm and memorable brunches, Bergner’s Country Inn enjoyed only a brief moment of success. By the late 1980s, the restaurant closed its doors, making way for expanded retail space.
Bergner’s experienced strong growth during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. In 1978, the company expanded by acquiring eight Myer’s Brothers Company stores in Springfield, Illinois. This momentum continued in 1985 with the purchase of several Wisconsin locations, including three Gimbel’s stores. In 1989, Bergner’s further broadened its reach by acquiring Carson Pirie Scott. By then, however, the Carson store in downtown Quincy had already been closed for several years.
The retail world underwent a seismic shift in the 1990s. As shoppers abandoned sprawling department stores in favor of the emerging world of online shopping, long-established retailers faced unprecedented challenges. For Bergner’s-a company with major department stores scattered across five states these changes spelled trouble. One by one, their stores began to falter, unable to keep pace with the digital shopping revolution.
By August 1991, the situation reached a breaking point when Bergner’s filed for bankruptcy. Although the company clawed its way out of Chapter 11 by 1993, financial woes continued to haunt them. The final chapter came in July 2005, when Bergner’s was sold to Bon-Ton Stores, Incorporated. After the sale, the once-familiar Bergner’s name survived only in Illinois, marking the end of an era for this storied midwestern retailer.
The final days for Bergner’s in Quincy was determined in April 2018, when the parent company, Bon-Ton Stores, entered liquidation. At its peak, Bon-Ton operated a sprawling network of 260 stores across 24 states, but mounting financial troubles forced the entire chain to shutter by the end of that summer. Despite its fate, the Quincy Bergner’s stood out as a bright spot-one of the top-performing locations in the company’s vast portfolio. Yet even strong local sales and loyal shoppers couldn’t shield it from the sweeping closures. On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, the store opened its doors at 10 a.m. as usual, welcomed its final customers, and closed for good at 9 p.m. marking the end of an era for Quincy Mall’s longtime anchor and leaving behind memories of bustling aisles and community connection.
Bergner’s failures were not unique. Major chains like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears have closed hundreds of locations, with Macy’s alone announcing the closure of nearly a third of its stores in 2024. While some department stores are experimenting with new formats or focusing on luxury and off-price segments, the overall trend points to a diminished role in American retail. Analysts predict continued contraction, though not total extinction, as the sector struggles to find relevance in a retail landscape dominated by e-commerce and value-oriented competitors.
The decline of department stores has also had broader social and economic impacts, contributing to the downturn of shopping malls and affecting local communities that once relied on these retailers for jobs and social identity. While some stores may survive by reinventing themselves, the era of the department store as a dominant force in American life is effectively over.
Rob Mellon is currently the Executive Director of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County and a U.S. Army Reserve Officer serving as an instructor with the University of Missouri ROTC program. He has served 27 years in the United States Army. He is on the Board of Directors of the Ulysses S. Grant Trail Association.
Sources:
“Quincy off ‘beaten path’ for Bergner’s Chain.” Quincy Herald-Whig, August 6, 1978.
“Quincy had ‘invasion’ by buyers for Bergner’s.” Quincy Herald-Whig, August 13, 1978.
“Bergner’s to set official opening dates,” Quincy Herald-Whig, August 14, 1978.
“Carson’s plans competition battle, not closing store.” Quincy Herald-Whig, August 14, 1978.
“Bergner’s sees more money coming into area.” Quincy Herald-Whig, October 22, 1978.
“Warsaw native Larson to manage Bergner’s.” Quincy Herald-Whig, May 23, 1978.
“Bergner’s chairman finds new store ‘an amazement.” Quincy Herald-Whig, October 19, 1978.
“Mall work 75-percent completed.” Quincy Herald-Whig, October 24, 1978.
“Quincy Bergner’s Store set to close.” Quincy-Herald Whig, April 18, 2018.
