What started as a humble clothing store blossomed into a retail empire. Today we are talking about Club Harrods Gath & Chaves. Imagine a place where elegance met everyday life in Buenos Aires. That place was Gath & Chaves. Founded in 1883 by Lorenzo Chaves and Alfred Gath, it quickly became a favorite of the city’s upper class.
Initially, “The London Horsiery de Gath & Chaves” sold men’s clothing made from fine English fabric. Soon, the store expanded. It began to offer women’s clothing, furniture, perfumes, and more. By 1901, Gath & Chaves had its own exclusive building on La Piedad and Florida streets. This was designed by architect Lorenzo Siegerist.
In 1908, the store became a sociedad anónima. By 1910, a branch opened in Santiago, Chile. The company even had its own furniture factory and workshops. Six thousand employees produced suits and dresses. These were valued at $10,000,000.
Gath & Chaves aimed to be more than just a store. In 1909, they opened “El Palacio de los Niños” or the Children’s Palace. This was an attempt to expand their customer base. British companies soon showed interest. In 1912, Gath & Chaves merged with D’Erlanger and Co. It was renamed “The South American Stores (Gath and Chaves) Ltd.”
“Gath & Chaves is by far the biggest company in Argentina.” That is what The Times said in 1912. It was compared to Le Bon Marché in Paris and other big stores in London. A new main building opened on Cangallo and Florida streets in 1914. French architect Francisque Fleury Tronquoy designed it. Inspired by Parisian stores, it had eight floors and five underground levels. It was the most expensive building in Buenos Aires.
In 1922, Harrods of London took over The South American Stores. Three years later, an annex building opened across from the main store. Both buildings were connected by an underground passage. Gath & Chaves expanded to other cities like La Plata and Córdoba. By 1945, the company had 19 stores and 6,000 employees.
Workers of Gath & Chaves even founded their own football team in 1905. It was named “Club Harrods Gath y Chaves.” In 1907, it changed its name to “Club Atlético Nacional”. In 1918, “Club Harrods Gath & Chaves” was established after a merger of two clubs.
Interestingly, Gath & Chaves was the kit supplier for the Argentina national football team. This lasted from 1925 to 1934. Despite its success, Gath & Chaves closed its doors in 1974. The main building became a bank.
Today, Gath & Chaves remains a recognizable brand in Argentina. It reminds us of a time when Buenos Aires was a city of elegance and prosperity. The legacy of Gath & Chaves lives on. It is remembered as a pioneer of retail and a symbol of a bygone era.