When it opened its doors in 1912, Jacks of York was located on East Market Street, adjacent to the York Trust Company building. The new fashion store offered apparel for both men and women. In 1924, the popular retailer relocated to the former National Hotel building at the intersection of West Market and North Beaver Streets. This new location proved ideal as it was centrally located between The Bon-Ton, Wiest's, and Central Market House. The building was remodeled and modernized, and four years later Jacks discontinued men's wear to focus on women's fashions.
At the end of World War II, Jacks renovated the interior and exterior of the old hotel. They expanded again in 1955 with the addition of a bridal department and designer shop on the second floor. This shop, which was enlarged a decade later, became known as "The Gold Room."
As the downtown retail district prospered, so did Jacks. They doubled the store frontage in 1961, incorporating the building immediately to the east. A "modern fur vault" was added two years later.
A mid 20th century profile of Jacks of York describes the store as follows:
Jacks of York, Inc., is one of Southern Pennsylvania's leading fashion stores offering a large and superb selection of popular and exclusive styles in coats, dresses, blouses, skirts, sportswear, lingerie, intimate apparel, hosiery, maternity dresses and ensembles, evening gowns, bridals and bride's maid dresses - the latter being features of the store's famous, second-floor Designer Shop.
Like many of its neighbors, Jacks of York saw its business decline as residents and retailers moved to the suburbs. Though Jacks is long-gone, the building that was its home for five decades still stands, restored to its appearance of 1863. And many female long-time residents of York still fondly remember Jacks - shopping there with their mothers and grandmothers, the white gift boxes with handles, and the large electric tree sign at the holidays.
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